by S. H. Jucha
The exchange of teeth by the two aliens seemed to be a common gesture.
Jakkock extended the case of ear wigs to Jessie. “In hopes that you’ll need them, Jessie Cinders,” he said.
Jessie nodded his thanks to Jakkock and turned to the alien leader, “Until we meet again, Tacticnok,” he said.
“I expect we will,” Tacticnok replied.
“Pack it up, crew,” Jessie said. “We’re out of here.”
Jittak ordered his soldiers to do the same, and the two groups descended below to recover their vac suits and their gear. Jessie and his people prepared to leave by the dome’s entrance, while Tacticnok’s team assembled their equipment on the platform.
The Pyreans had just exited the dome, when a flash of blue light in the fading twilight caught their attention.
“I was going to say, Captain,” Darrin said, over the general comm channel, “that this experience was probably the most incredible thing I could imagine. However, I’m going to reserve judgment.”
“Yeah, especially if the Jatouche return,” Belinda shot back.
“I’m anxious to learn more about their technology,” Tully enthused.
“Me too,” Hamoi said, his excitement evident.
“You’re quiet, Captain,” Aurelia commented.
“I’m thinking I’ve no idea how this is going to work out if the Jatouche return,” Jessie said. In the quiet that followed, Jessie called the shelter. “Base, this is Captain Cinders. Ready the shuttle and start breaking down the shelter. We’re out of here and headed for Emperion. We’ve got slush to move.”
-22-
Rictook
His Excellency Rictook was delighted to see the safe return of his daughter in the company of the entire party. And, as he expected, Tacticnok wasted no time requesting an audience with him and his advisors. However, in this regard, Rictook wasn’t to be rushed. He allowed time for his advisors to receive and analyze the reports from the intrepid team.
On the fourth day after Tacticnok’s return from Triton, which the Jatouche were now calling the Gasnarian satellite, she met Jaktook, as he arrived at the lower levels of the royal residence.
“No security?” Jaktook asked, looking behind her.
“I ordered them to wait above,” Tacticnok said.
Jaktook assumed that Tacticnok was taking the opportunity to cue him to the strategy they would adopt at this critical meeting. Instead, they rode the lift in silence. The only notable moments were the occasions when Tacticnok’s hand brushed his. The sensations made the fur on his forearm rise.
“We can begin,” Tacticnok announced, when the advisors joined Rictook, Jaktook, and her.
“If I may, Your Excellency,” Roknick, the master strategist, said, “I think it’s clear that we can’t ally ourselves with the humans. It’s too dangerous. The reported subjugation of our team by the one called Aurelia is proof of that.”
“It wasn’t a subjugation, Your Excellency,” Tacticnok replied. “It was a sharing.”
“According to Jittak’s report, the team was immobilized, while the human, Aurelia, was communicating with her mind,” Roknick riposted.
Rictook raised his hand ever so slightly off his thigh, which stilled Tacticnok’s reply. He asked, “How did it feel?”
“It was wonderful, Your Excellency,” Tacticnok replied. Next to her, Jaktook nodded his agreement.
“I must point out, Your Excellency, that Aurelia is considered a youth among the humans,” Roknick continued. “The leader, Jessie Cinders, told Tacticnok that the captain they spoke to was more powerful and ruled many of these so-called empaths.”
“Captain Harbour doesn’t rule. She leads,” Tacticnok said, pleased to be able to correct Roknick.
“Explain,” Rictook requested.
“The humans have no royalty,” Tacticnok replied. “According to Jessie Cinders, their society is divided.”
“Divided how?” Rictook asked.
“The domes on the planet have one leader. Those on the stations above have another. And Captain Harbour leads those who live aboard the great ship that brought these humans to Gasnar … I mean Pyre,” Tacticnok explained.
“And there is another example of the danger of associating with these aliens, Your Excellency,” Roknick shot back. “These humans have no need of weapons. They have the power to enthrall us. In addition to that peril, they’re divided. We could find ourselves in the middle of their society’s upheaval. Who says that these other two leaders will welcome us as supposedly did Captain Harbour?”
Rictook’s hand lifted again, and he turned his gaze on Pickcit, the Master Economist.
“On the face of the team’s reports, I see no immediate economic advantage in an alliance with these humans, Your Excellency,” Pickcit said. “They’ll require a great deal of time to lift their technology, without support from us, and, if we extend that support, it’ll be without recompense for us.”
Tacticnok was crestfallen at the thought that two of her father’s key advisors were voicing negative opinions, regarding a liaison with the humans.
“On the other hand, Your Excellency, we must consider the long-term opportunities,” Pickcit continued. “Have we heard of any other race, but the Messinants, who have traveled between the stars? Obviously, it was crudely done, but, nonetheless, it was accomplished. Such an incredible feat bodes well for the humans’ future development. The questions we must ask ourselves are: Do we wish to form an alliance with the humans now and develop them as business partners or do we wish to isolate them from us and see them become our future competitors?”
Rictook’s eyes strayed overhead, while he considered Pickcit’s words. When he was ready, he glanced at Tiknock, the master scientist.
“Your Excellency, I possess a duality of thought similar to Master Pickcit,” Tiknock said. “The Pyreans, as they prefer to be called, have a woefully underdeveloped technological base. Yet, they traveled between the stars, arriving in the hold of this great ship to a planet that we, unfortunately, destroyed of life. Despite the enormous obstacles, they managed to gain a foothold on the planet and in its orbit. I’m astounded by their resiliency.”
Tiknock took a moment to consider his next words before he resumed.
“Every race we’ve met was developed in the protective, natural fold of their home world,” Tiknock said. “They were afforded the opportunity to mature gradually and reach for space in the due course of time. These humans, however, were forced to accept the ravaged planet that we bequeathed them. Against all odds, they survived, built stations, constructed ships, and discovered the Messinants’ dome.”
Again, Rictook chose to halt the conversation to consider the advice, and his audience waited. When ready, his eyes fell upon Tiknock, a signal to continue.
“Most of all, Your Excellency, let us not forget that the humans found a nonfunctioning dome and repaired it,” Tiknock said. “Although, it’s likely it was more a matter of tinkering with what they considered was a derelict site and thinking that their machinations would conceivably have produced no response. By the dome’s recording, we can see that they were taken completely unaware by their actions, which activated the dome.”
Tacticnok chafed under the snickers from the advisors, who were probably replaying the images of the humans trapped in the dome. She felt they had no sympathy for their plight.
“So, Your Excellency, I ask myself the same question as did Master Pickcit: What value can the humans offer us today as opposed to what they might offer us in the future? If left to their own devices, it might take the humans hundreds of annuals to mature to a significant level of technology. But, by then, might they develop technology superior to ours? And, at that future time, will they wish an alliance with us when we failed to offer them assistance?”
Tacticnok had patiently limited her comments to the moments when she felt compelled to share her opinions, while Jaktook had maintained silence, although she could see he burned to enter the conversation. She recline
d on her pallet, waiting for her father’s permission to speak, knowing he would approve of her holding her counsel until it was her turn.
When Tacticnok’s father turned his eyes on her, she felt a sense of great relief. The advisors’ opinions balanced the decision on a blade’s edge, and she intended to tip it in the humans’ favor.
“The opinions of His Excellency’s advisors speak of danger or offer a divided opinion as to whether to engage the humans now or later,” Tacticnok said. “These opinions view these new aliens from the positions of military entanglement, economic opportunity, or technological exchange. I haven’t any additional words to add to these learned statements, but there’s one factor that hasn’t been discussed, and it’s the most important one.”
Tacticnok had everyone’s attention. She could imagine the advisors racking their brains to consider what she intimated.
“The humans are wrestling with a planet that we destroyed,” Tacticnok continued. She quickly raised a hand to forestall the masters’ retorts. “Yes, I know that it was the Gasnarians, whose treachery led to the final encounter at Gasnar and our disruption of their planet’s surface. But, the Gasnarians are gone and probably died out not long after their home world’s atmosphere was polluted.”
Tacticnok sat up on her pallet. It was a sign of the intense emotion that she felt. “The humans are there now. Do we not owe them recompense for what was done to their world and the struggles that they’ve had to suffer? It will cost us little to help them recover their planet, and it will probably take many annuals to do so. If we’re successful in this project, what will the humans think of us? Will we not have won their respect? And, will that not lead to their desire for an alliance with us, when their society blooms economically and technologically?”
Tacticnok gazed at the masters, and her eyes settled on her father, as she said. “A simple gesture that can reap a great reward in the future.”
Jaktook eased down on his pallet. Everything he’d wanted to say, Tacticnok had expressed simply and elegantly. His admiration for the royal daughter had increased immensely over the course of the dome’s investigation and during the encounter with the humans.
“Thank you for your thoughts, my trusted advisors and my daughter,” Rictook said. “I’ll consider your opinions and render my judgment soon. Good day.”
With that, the group rose, dipped their heads, and departed. As they walked into the ornate reception hall, Masters Pickcit and Tiknock signaled Tacticnok and Jaktook to slow. Roknick either didn’t notice or didn’t care and quickly walked out of sight.
“If we might have a word in private, Your Highness, with you and your associate,” Tiknock requested.
Tacticnok nodded and swept an arm toward a private lift off the reception hall, which would take them to her apartments. Once the foursome was comfortable in Tacticnok’s outer salon, the apartment’s administrator and a servant hurried to offer refreshments to the party.
“Master Pickcit and I would like to hear your thoughts on how we can best help the humans,” Tiknock said, opening the discussion.
“Isn’t this conversation a little premature, Master Tiknock?” Tacticnok asked.
“We don’t believe so, Your Highness,” Pickcit replied. “His Excellency’s decision is a foregone conclusion.”
When Tacticnok frowned, Tiknock added, “Understand, Your Highness, that we’ve been advising His Excellency for many annuals. His views on various subjects are well known to us, and, decidedly, they’re in favor of long-range planning, especially when it comes to alliances that favor Na-Tikkook’s economic growth.”
“Your father was swayed by our opinions, even though we couched them in both positive and negative lights,” Pickcit explained. “And, your statements as to what was owed the humans, Your Highness, sealed the deal.”
“Oh, yes, indeed,” Tiknock enthused. “His Excellency has made up his mind. The humans will get their aid. He simply wishes to appear as if he’s giving this important decision its due consideration.”
The master advisors flashed their teeth at the revelation of the political environment that operated at Na-Tikkook’s highest level.
“I, for one, am thrilled to hear this,” Jaktook said, lightly clapping his hands and accepting the masters’ analysis of His Excellency’s decision as a foregone conclusion.
“It’ll be fascinating to see this proven out,” Tacticnok replied, a little dubious about the masters’ certainty. She did credit their long-time service as advisors, as opposed to her own short stint as an active participant in royal decision-making. “Assuming you’re correct, how might we advise you?” she asked.
“An action of this sort must not be taken unilaterally. That is to say, it must not be considered solely in the light of a scientific venture,” Tiknock said. “Let’s take the issue of cooperation first. We’re concerned by the teams’ statements about the three Pyrean leaders. We possess too little information to guide us here.”
“How can we get you more information?” Tacticnok asked.
“In that regard, Your Highness,” Pickcit replied, “recognize that the science aspect of this venture will require some time to develop. In the meantime, events will be transpiring on Pyre. We’ve understood that you left the impression with Jessie Cinders that you’ll return, if and when the tools are readied.”
“You want us to return before then,” Jaktook interjected.
“Yes, my bright young friend,” Tiknock replied. “And not once but often.”
“We return and make casual calls to the Belle, updating Captain Harbour as to our progress,” Jaktook said to Tacticnok. In his excitement, he nearly grasped her hand. You need to get hold of yourself, Jaktook, he mentally admonished himself. You’re a dome administrator, and she’s a member of royalty.
“And in turn, Captain Harbour might tend to relay what events have transpired on Pyre,” Tacticnok replied. “An admirable idea, Masters Tiknock and Pickcit.”
The two advisors tipped their heads in acknowledgment of the praise. For two days prior to the evening’s meeting with His Excellency, they’d strategized the presentation of their opinions so as not to antagonize Master Roknick, while leading His Excellency in the direction they favored. Alliances with other races had reached economic plateaus. The infusion of fresh opportunity from such an intrepid race as the humans was an opportunity not to be missed.
In addition, the masters had high hopes for His Excellency’s daughter. They saw her as Na-Tikkook’s developing leader, and they wanted to actively support her desire to help the humans. Nurturing a first contact with a new race would elevate her in the eyes of the Jatouche.
“What else do you need?” Jaktook asked.
“When you visit the Triton dome and make your calls, Your Highness,” Pickcit said, “it’s important to involve Jessie Cinders in your conversations with Captain Harbour. We see him as a central figure in Pyrean society, even if he has no status as a leader.”
“Undoubtedly,” Tiknock agreed, “Early data analysis from the dome, which Kractik recovered, indicates that the number of ships operating in system are relatively few. That Jessie Cinders owns three is quite telling.”
“I thought Jessie Cinders’ statement that we would only meet his associates at Triton to be illuminating,” Jaktook added.
“Yes,” Pickcit replied. “It affirms that he’s an intrepid explorer, a human willing to take risks to achieve gains. We’ll need humans like that on our side, if the Pyreans are encouraged to accept our help.”
“Jessie Cinders’ personal affections for Captain Harbour will also be of help to us,” Tacticnok stated. “He and she shared the same opinion about the possibility of our aid.”
“And Jessie Cinders enjoys the strong support of his associates, as evidenced by the actions seen in the dome’s earliest recording,” Tiknock added. “All in all, Jessie Cinders might not be a leader, but we surmise that his opinion will carry weight with Pyrean citizens.”
“And let us apologi
ze for our humor at the humans’ tribulations, Your Highness,” Pickcit hurried to say, “Its purpose was to prevent Master Roknick from perceiving our true intentions. We know it was rude, and you were annoyed by it.”
“Apologies accepted, Masters,” Tacticnok replied, and she turned to stare at Jaktook, whose furrowed brow indicated that he had no idea what she was requesting of him, although the advisors did.
“And we would be grateful for your forgiveness too, Jaktook,” Pickcit said, with equanimity. There was no doubt in the advisors’ minds of the point Tacticnok was making. She saw Jaktook as an integral part of her team and wanted him treated as such.
“Of course, you have it, Masters,” Jaktook replied quickly. He glanced at Tacticnok to ensure that was what she desired, and she nodded authoritatively.
The masters wished the couple a good afternoon and left. The administrator judiciously closed off the doors to the salon, allowing Her Highness privacy.
Jaktook was painfully, yet excitingly, aware that he was alone with the royal daughter. The memory of her hand brushing his in the lift returned to him, and the fur on his arms rose slightly.
“Jaktook, you look as if you’re ready to dash for the door,” Tacticnok laughed. “You may relax. I’ll ask your permission first if I wish to bite you.”
“My apology, Your High —” Jaktook managed to say before a royal finger, raised in the air, silenced him.
“Triton rules apply, Jaktook, when we’re alone,” Tacticnok said.
A smile crept across Jaktook’s lips. “I much enjoyed Triton rules, and I look forward to returning there with you.”
“There,” Tacticnok said, reclining on her pallet. “That wasn’t so hard now, was it?”
Jaktook grinned in reply and lay down on his pallet.
“Now, let’s talk about when we should return to Triton, what we should try to accomplish, and how we might gain more information about these other two leaders,” Tacticnok said.
* * * *
Masters Tiknock and Pickcit congratulated themselves on two successful meetings.
