by John Walker
Clea busied herself with her data pad as they boarded the elevator, sending a message to her father. “We’ve landed and are heading to our suites now. The ceremony is in a couple of hours. I might be able to break away just to say hi if you’re in the neighborhood already. Let me know.”
Before they reached their floor, she had a reply stating they were in the building and already through security joining countless others to witness Earth’s admittance to the alliance first hand. “Come down if you can but be prepared for quite a crowd. If it weren’t for your mother’s clout with the military, I doubt we’d have a seat but we do…with an extra chair. At least for now.”
“I’ll see you soon.” She felt anxious to get down there and as the elevator opened, she had to fight not to hurry. So long away from family and friends, she hadn’t realized just how much she missed them. Now that she had the chance to see them again, she practically wanted to jump out of her skin to get there as soon as possible.
The marines swept through Gray’s suite but she and Redding were allowed to go into theirs. Clea stepped inside, washed her face and came back out to find the captain still waiting. “Sir, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go down to the lobby. My parents are already here. I’ll be back in time for the ceremony.”
Gray gestured down the hall. “Please, get going. I’ll see you in a while.”
Clea smiled brightly. “Thank you, sir. See you soon.”
She practically jogged down the hall and hit the button, suppressing an urge to bounce on the balls of her feet. As the elevator arrived, she boarded and tapped the lobby button several times before leaning back against the wall. She was alone for the first two floors but by the time she got to her destination, people got on and left ten times. Nearly eight people stood in front of her as the doors opened to the lobby.
Moving off with them, she shuffled toward a massive crowd, one of the biggest she’d ever seen on her world. Taking out her pad, she texted her father, “I’m in the lobby. Where should I go?”
“We’re about twenty meters from the monitors on the right side of the room if you’re facing away from the front doors. I’ll stand up and wave.”
Clea looked over the crowd and most of them were standing. She wasn’t the shortest kielan but many of these folks towered over her. I doubt I’ll see him waving. Okay, I’ll just shove my way through the area and see what I can do.
The monitors were mounted high up in the room so everyone had a good vantage. She marked the one she needed and hurried off, excusing herself through the crowd. It took a good five minutes to locate their table but when she saw her parents, her heart hammered hard in her chest.
“Hello!” Clea cried out, waving over her head. Her mother, who she favored with the same silver-blue eyes and nearly black-purple hair, just appeared a bit older, extended her arms and they embraced. “I missed you so much!”
“We’ve missed you too!” Her mother said. “Oh, you look fabulous! And a su-anthar now! We’re so proud of you!”
Clea blushed. “Thank you…” Her father clapped her shoulder before embracing her. He looked a bit older than the last time she saw him, with some additional lines around his gray-green eyes. His once vibrant, lighter purple hair, lost most of its color, turning a striking white. “You both looked great.”
“Yes, well, it’s been a less active few years for us than you,” her father said. “We’ve followed your exploits and you’ve been quite busy. No wonder you were able to secure your rank. You’ve been performing.”
“I can’t even believe all we’ve done so far but…I haven’t told them about what typically happens when a culture’s admitted to the alliance.”
Her father’s brows went up. “They don’t know you may be reassigned?”
Clea shook her head. “No, but I looked and I have the authority to request I stay on…and continue to serve with them for a time.”
“You do,” her mother replied, “but will you?”
“I believe so. I’ve done so much with them, distinguished myself…I think there’s more to be done.”
“But you’ll be back at Earth,” her father said. “Again.”
“I know, father. But it hopefully won’t be much longer.”
“And on a ship of the line,” her mother pointed out. “Very dangerous.”
“It’s dangerous anywhere but here and even this place, I don’t know. If the enemy decided to attempt a full scale invasion?”
“Intelligence suggests they don’t know our exact coordinates,” her father said. “Though I’m not counting on that entirely.”
“Exactly. I feel strongly that we need to take the fight to them if we hope to win.” Clea thought back to her dream. She wanted to bring it up to them but it didn’t seem like the time. Maybe over dinner when there weren’t so many people around. “I…wanted to tell you how sorry I am about Vora.”
Her father’s face turned grim and he shook his head. “Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault and you did exactly what you had to. Vora made her choice.”
Her mother looked on the verge of tears. “I still don’t understand what she was thinking. She refused to see us when they brought her back here for trial. I’m hoping before the sentencing, she’ll want to talk.”
“I doubt she’ll have anything we want to hear,” her father said. “I wouldn’t count on her being particularly forthcoming with motives that make any sense.”
“I can attest she won’t,” Clea said. “We talked…a few times. She admits she was wrong now. Her reasons…she was always arrogant but this…this went above and beyond. It was treason without logical direction.”
“I understand the humans just had to deal with some betrayal of their own,” her mother said.
“How do you know that?”
Her mother grinned. “I spent nearly twenty years working with intelligence. I still get some of the briefings, especially about the ship my daughter’s serving on.”
Clea smirked. “Well, then you know more than I do I assume. Two young men and a woman accepted orders from a superior to damage relations between the alliance and Earth. They initially wanted to frame me but it didn’t work out.”
“Deplorable behavior,” he father said. “They could learn a few things about self preservation. It should be part of the criteria to admittance. That right there should’ve been good reason to deny them another six months or year.”
“Father, we need all the help we can get right now and denial would’ve set things back on all sides. Giving a victory to their separatist faction wouldn’t have done anyone any good.”
“Perhaps not,” her father replied. “But I’m not entirely convinced they’re to be trusted after this. Of course, we’re far more forgiving of that sort of thing. It’s the individual, not the culture, which makes a decision such as this. I just hope it does not bite us this time. From everything I’ve read, they’re a fairly warlike culture.”
“Historically, true.” Clea nodded. “But they’ve got a lot of positive things too. Their art is fabulous and they care very much about their history.”
“It teaches them how to fight better,” her mother said.
“But not just that,” Clea continued, “they remember the glories of their scientists and creators as well. All around, the humans have a complex culture. One that we can learn from…just as they can learn from us. After serving closely with them for so long, I can say they have their faults but their virtues far outweigh them.”
Her mother cupped her cheek. “You truly have become the ambassador for them they needed. I hope they realize how lucky they are to have you.”
Clea winked, “sometimes, I make it clear.”
“Well, let’s catch up on less serious matters,” her mother said. “I’m sure we can find something frivolous to talk about. For instance, I planted a new garden on the south side of the back lawn. Mostly spices and herbs. I think you’d love the way it smells. And your Aunt Vina just bought me a new weather station that’s vastly superior
to my old one.”
Clea let out a contented sigh and enjoyed the moment with her family. She knew she’d have a few days with them, perhaps longer but their initial gathering felt perfect. This was what she needed and didn’t even know it. A chance to simply be with them and enjoy real time off. Later, they’d really get a chance to talk but until dinner, this was exactly what she needed.
***
Gray met with the ambassador and went through the semantics of the ceremony. He would arrive in the council chamber with his two attendants, in this case Redding and Clea, then approach by himself. The head councilman, Malan Dor’Aval, would recite a passage. They would then hand him a ceremonial baton, a symbol of Earth’s stake in the alliance.
The ritual of it seemed simple enough. Gray had been through enough military traditions to understand. He felt thankful all he had to do was say thank you and I accept. Once they finished, those gathered would applaud and Gray would be out to watch the parade. When that finished, he had an invitation from the military councilmen for dinner then he could get some rest.
Clea planned to spend the evening with her family and Redding planned to join him for the shop talk. Various minor details needed to be worked out before one of Earth’s politicians and the real ambassador arrived to take their post. Then they’d be able to visit the discussion of claiming the salvage.
I hope they get behind this. She’s pretty passionate about what we’ll find.
Gray arrived at the council chamber a little early and felt tremendous awe as he peered inside. The room had a hundred foot ceiling and all around men and women gathered to watch the ceremony. All the leaders sat in an elevated dais some twenty feet above the floor. An attendant, the man carrying the baton, would be on the same level as the visitors.
The metal appeared to be shiny gold, glimmering from subtle lights hidden in recessed tracks all about the room. He backed into the antechamber with the ambassador and checked his chronometer. They had a good ten minutes before the event started but neither Clea nor Redding had arrived yet.
“They’ll be here,” Gray said. “I’m sure the crowds have kept them.”
“We should’ve had them stay with us,” Ni’Folsah said. “We do not want to delay things.”
“You won’t,” Redding announced as she and Clea approached. “The elevator was terrible. Stopped on every floor.”
“Thank goodness you made it.” Ni’Folsah looked like he might faint he was so relieved. “This is a momentous occasion, one we do not want to mess up with tardiness.”
“We understand, sir.” Clea bowed her head. “I look forward to participating.”
He went over the process again with them and Gray noted he recited it the exact same way. Like an actor I guess. This is all a show, after all. The others listened patiently, probably wondering why they needed to understand it all when they just needed to stand around. At least he made them feel included.
Suddenly, the crowd fell silent. The council arrived to the sound of a massive gong. Gray peeked out and saw the five people take their seats on the dais. Their attendant positioned himself behind a podium, clasping his hands behind his back. Guards took up position around all the exits. Redding glanced at him, leaning close to whisper.
“This is intense.”
“It really is,” Gray replied. “I can’t wait to see how they give the speech.”
“Don’t forget,” Ni’Folsah said, “they will start in our language and then welcome you in yours.”
“I hope I don’t need to know what they’re saying,” Redding replied.
“You don’t,” Gray said. “I’ve got an earpiece to translate.”
The gong sounded again. Ni’Folsah tapped Gray’s arm and gestured. “Go ahead, sir! Go ahead!”
Gray paced out before the dais with Clea and Redding close behind. He stood at attention, looking up at the council as they prepared to address them. Though there were innumerable people watching, it felt as though the setting were somehow intimate, that the men above and the Behemoth crew were the only ones present.
The words translated in his ear.
“We have gathered to bring to the fold another culture, one full of differences and nuances, their own beliefs and goals. These unique attributes when combined with ours shall make the entirety of our alliance stronger. As we grow, so will our enemies shrink. We work toward the same goal, suppression of war and expansion of exploration.
“There are other cultures, other galaxies to unite in commonality and peace. The future holds many discoveries, many mysteries we have yet to unravel. These journeys, yet unplanned or imagined, are far better when undertaken with friends. Together, with our combined strength, we shall make our collective alliance stable, wise and ever vigilant.”
He shifted his words to English, looking directly at Gray.
“You represent the Earth and your exploits are well known to us. We have read the reports and stand impressed. Through the years, you have stood on your own against a tide of darkness with increasing help and cooperation from the kielan people. Now, as you join us here as partners, your patience and perseverance have paid off.”
“Thank you, sir,” Gray replied, bowing his head briefly.
“We offer you a great responsibility, one we believe you are more than capable of shouldering. Each mission has shown we are making the right decision.” The attendant suddenly advanced, holding out the baton. “We extend this token as a representation of our will that we wish you to join us, that you take up the torch of our cause and make it your own, just as we do the same for you.
“Of these things and all we have to offer, do you, Captain Gray Atwell of the Planet Earth, accept this responsibility on behalf of your species, military and political bodies?”
“I accept.” Gray intoned. He took the baton as it was offered.
“So by taking up the item, you too are now part of the alliance. Welcome, new friends. May we have many years of peace, cooperation and prosperity.”
The applauds were incredible, near deafening as thousands of people clapped their hands and shouted their excitement. Gray couldn’t help but be moved, his heart rate picking up and his body trembling. The weight of so many people staring at them weighed on him and he stood with his head high throughout the conclusion.
The rest of the night would be considerably less intense but that moment, he embraced the spectacle of it. Few people could claim to be part of history, to participate in something schools would teach for years to come. He was proud to consider what his contribution provided to his people, his friends and culture.
Redding shook his hand then Clea as well. The council bowed as they departed. The ambassador ushered them through the door and back out into the chamber. The parade would begin any moment and he had a perfect seat for him and Redding to enjoy it. A few hours of celebration felt right after such a solemn affair.
And afterward, they could truly focus on ending the conflict plaguing all the universe and get back to the real purpose of space travel: exploration and peace.
Chapter 5
The time spent on Alantha went by in a whirlwind for Gray. He witnessed the parade then immediately was swept off to dinner and late night conversation with the military council. He felt they hit it off well and he enjoyed their company. It would make his conversation with them later much easier.
Afterward, he took a tour with the ambassador but assumed it would be the safe version, not like what Clea might offer. He didn’t see her for the first two days. She went and stayed with her family before linking up with him the morning of the third day. Redding accompanied them and she gave them the insider trip, showing them places off the beaten path.
On the fourth day, Gray met with the head of the military, essentially Daniel Burke’s equivalent. His name was Dane G’ursa, an older kielan who still looked like he was in his forties. I hope I age even half as well. These guys must have an amazing diet. They sat in a cozy den off one of the spire’s main passage ways.
“So Captain,” Dane said, “what is it you wish to discuss?”
“We’re interested in the salvage of a battle that took place some time ago,” Gray explained. “You fought against four enemy ships and destroyed them all but unfortunately lost a couple of your own.”
“Salvage?” Dane’s brows lifted. “I’m not sure what you mean. If it was an older fight, what do you hope to find?”
“It’s a dangerous area.” Gray offered him his data pad so Dane could see the location in question. “We believe that anyone who has been through there might not have gotten what we’re after.”
“So my question still stands.”
“We think there’s information about the enemy…something vital.”
“It would be a shame if we left it behind.” Dane handed back the pad and rubbed his chin. “I do know the area. My son fought in that battle, on a ship that was not damaged. What do you need from us? Surely if you were going to check it out, you must’ve realized we would not have stopped you.”
“It’s not that,” Gray said. “We’re hoping to cooperate…to get a little help.”
“I see. What sort?”
Gray hesitated a moment, thinking through what they really needed. He didn’t want another captain there cutting into the operation. Maybe something small would work better. Enough to show they were working together but not enough to limit their ability to react to the situation as he saw fit.
“A tech crew would be nice,” Gray said. “We need some folks to supplement Su-Anthar An’Tufal’s knowledge of this technology so we can properly investigate what we discover.”
Dane nodded. “I believe we can do that quite easily.” He got out a computer pad of his own and tapped out a message. “I’ll have them report to the Behemoth in the next two days. They’ll bring a jump capable shuttle…just in case.”
“They have to leave in a hurry?” Gray asked.
