Alien Backlash

by Maxine Millar

  A few minutes later the Medala team entered, all with huge grins on their faces. Dai looked very uncomfortable as he sat down with the Terrans. Sarah scowled at him. There was a quick round of introductions. Dai started to open formalities. Normally smooth-tongued, he stumbled on his words. There was a splutter from one Niseyen, a giggle from another, and next thing the whole contingent were doubled up with laughter. The laughter twice died out only to restart. “Perhaps your family might like a short break to get themselves under control,” suggested Sarah drily.

  Dai gave his family a dirty look and watched them go out, still laughing.

  As the day went on the Terrans struggled to understand the process. Their team included an accountant, Doug Baetz, and two bankers, Frida Feldbauer and Quin Delgado, but this helped only a little. It was the interest rate that was going to be the problem. Sarah was appalled at the debt that was going to result.

  When they broke for lunch Sarah was working at an idea. She got Dai into a corner and swore him to secrecy then, fearing any surveillance equipment, passed him a note telling him where all Torroxell’s money had gone, on three bills. Knowing some of the quantity of money that had been spent, Dai was not surprised at two of the purchases but the third was a shock. Sarah had guessed at how he could use this knowledge to reduce the interest bill for Torroxell’s start-up money. His family were obviously amused at the ensuing argument as they returned to the negotiation table.

  “You can’t bargain like that,” he said.

  “Why not? The information I’ve just given you is worth, surely, half the interest?”

  Frionna was highly amused to see Dai’s eyes unfocus. “The calculator’s going,” she noted.

  Sarah motioned for silence, watching Dai’s face. After a very long pause, Dai took a deep breath and looked up at Sarah.

  “What’s it worth?” she asked.

  Dai looked even more uncomfortable. “You can’t bargain with that.”

  “What’s it worth,” she repeated, “in terms of the interest?”

  “Probably most of it but you can’t use—”

  “I don’t care what is normal where you come from. Where I come from that information can be counted as part of the deal, a bargaining chip.”

  Frionna was thoroughly enjoying herself. She was so pleased she had come. She had seldom seen anyone push Dai into a corner over this type of exchange and it was obviously a valid argument, at least on some level. She was fascinated. She liked this woman and they were now relatives. Looked like Dai had picked an interesting one this time — so different to Leasan. Frionna had seldom seen negotiations go so fast. They had agreed on everything else, both sides aware of the need for haste. The interest rate of 5% was the only sticking point.

  Sarah repeated, “We have agreed to this bank handling all the planet’s business, apart from the Priskya’s, with no competition for ten years provided they remain competitive in price. And now this. What’s it worth?”

  Dai shook his head.

  “Change the rules,” said Sarah. “Use your unique position here to get a deal for both sides but find a way to get that interest rate to minimal. Have a quiet word. No. Cross the floor and deal direct,” she ordered.

  Dai grimaced, but stood up. “Frionna,” he said, and the two moved off to one side. He looked back at Sarah. “What level of disclosure?”

  “Use your judgment.”

  So much for passing the buck back to her! He decided on full disclosure. He quickly briefed Frionna on the extra double shield and the three enormous purchases made with Torroxell’s money. Frionna immediately realized the significance of this information and exactly how the bank could make a profit out of it. Unlike Dai, she was prepared to deal because she knew something Sarah didn’t. She told Dai, “Put your money up as guarantor and as an interest-free loan and pre-sign up your share of the bank to a conditional proxy, to be used only if Torroxell is defeated and you are dead. You keep your shares if the planet falls and you survive, but you lose your money. If you win, you get it all back with interest. Do that and I’ll drop the rate to 2%.”

  Dai was shocked. “This isn’t fair on me! Bloody hell!”

  They both turned as they heard Sarah approach. “What about if we transfer all Torroxell’s remaining money to your bank tonight,” she said. “A loan, no interest charge, to be returned when the Keulfyd are defeated. That way, if we lose, the Keulfyd don’t get the money and you can keep it. I’m sure the Priskya will like that idea.”

  As Sarah had suspected, Frionna knew the approximate value of the Priskya’s wealth, and it was a not insignificant amount. That gave her extra money to take advantage of the investment opportunity just given to her.

  This Sarah has the mind of a banker, Frionna thought: zero risk, a profit either way, a huge gain to be made, and they would be a popular bank. A multiple win-win: popularity, free advertising, no advertising necessary on Torroxell and no competition either. And she knew that once a bank had a customer, they had to do something pretty bad for them to move. “I agree to 1%. So long as the Priskya agree to that free loan.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Still six days before the arrival of the Fleet, on the other side of the planet, before dawn, Defiance arrived. The organization was tight. On board, many people had been trained by the simulators to load and unload. They were trained on the method, order and equipment they were using, and the speed of the unloading surpassed everyone’s expectations. Everyone had forgotten to factor in the longer day and the added incentive to get off the ship. They also hadn’t factored in the children, many of whom helped, or the effectiveness of the babysitters.

  They unloaded into nine sites, leaving the task of siting and constructing the three surplus modular buildings for later. The unloading indeed took only four days, which included moving the ship eight times. Half the planet seemed to be helping and for this they were truly grateful. Nearly half of the Niseyen population came to help at one site or another.

  But an unexpected bonus came from an idea from Bella and Bea. As the ship orbited before landing, waiting for sunrise, with excited, exuberant, hyper-active children getting in everyone’s way, loudspeakers directed the children to view screens all over the ship. “Hullo, I’m Bella and this is Bea,” said a little black-eyed, black-haired, black-skinned girl on the screen. Beside her was another little girl, blonde, blue-eyed and pale-skinned, wearing the same mischievous smile and speaking perfect Universal without a Translator. Bella continued, “We have organized the days’ entertainment for all the little kids who don’t have to work and we have organized the best babysitters you’ll ever have.”

  Into view came a person “walking” on four tentacles and holding balloons in its four tentacle arms. It spoke in Universal: “Hi. I’m a Zeobani and have we got fun lined up for you! You are going to the beach! There will be a barbecue, lots of balloons because they live here, lots of swimming and more babysitters in the sea. They look like dolphins and they talk.” So as the older children and adults unpacked, the little kids were thoroughly entertained and introduced to Zeobani, Priskya and balloons organized at each stop. Those children moving on found a similar reception party where they landed next. Races with prizes got them back on board fast.

  It had been an exhausting day. As Dai and Sarah tiredly neared their apartment Dai said, “That tactic of Bella and Bea’s was brilliant, and the Priskya and Zeobani loved it. The Zeobani told me he would love to teach the children about Torroxell and Aliens and this galaxy.”

  “I think that’s a good idea, and so was the babysitting. It should be standard from now on. A good introduction to the planet, the galaxy and the friendly Aliens in the neighbourhood. And maybe the children’s lessons with the Zeobani should be taped and showed to the parents in the evenings. They need to learn too.”

  As Dai had expected, they found a figure waiting by their front door. “Hello, Jesan. I thought you might arrive today. I even got a bedroom organized for you.” Dai laughed at the disappo
intment on Jesan’s face.

  Sarah could see a likeness but he was lighter-colored than Dai, taller and a little slimmer. There was something wary about him when he looked at her. And he was so meticulously in fashion that he made his father look drab. Not an easy feat. But Dai was so tired and it showed. And drab described all Niseyen as far as fashion went. Their clothing colors blended. No contrast.

  Five days before the fleet arrived, Dai set his plan in motion for the criminals. Sarah proclaimed, “I have been advised to proclaim martial law, for many reasons, before the fleet arrives. This will remain in force until it is no longer needed. We will also shortly have a news and communication blackout, apart from medical and emergency lines.”

  Dai’s Military Police made a series of well-planned arrests in multiple cities, starting with the biggest and most blatant of the thieves in each one. Darlkrid was in his “acquired” warehouse, full of “acquired” apartment furniture and contents, shop contents, the odd vehicle, and stolen medical supplies, when Kedlun lead his armed MPs in. Darlkrid paled as he suddenly had an inkling as to why the martial law and communication blackout were in place. Always quick to know when to admit defeat he said, “Can we make a deal?”

  “Only one deal,” answered Kedlun. “You admit the charge, pay the fine and leave the planet. Now, with just your ID. No luggage. The alternative is a quick military trial and the same result but publicity and a criminal record as well. Deal quickly and your resulting criminal record is wiped out on reaching a Niseyen planet.”

  “If I plead guilty I can just go? Now?”

  “Yes, but you are forbidden to re-enter any Terran world, including this one.”

  Darlkrid had wondered why no one seemed to have noticed what he was up to. “You were watching me.”

  “We were. Someone legal will now take over this warehouse but the government will get the money. Not you. Nice of you to do all this hard work for Torroxell,” he said as he and his men looked around the vast warehouse with carefully sorted goods, laboriously collected. They noted imported goods from Niseyen and other worlds too. Due to Darlkrid’s calmness, Kedlun figured someone else had supplied all or most of the imported goods. A lot of people were going to be very upset and much poorer by the end of the day.

  Darlkrid watched as two MPs rekeyed the locks and Kedlun copied the inventory list on his computer, obviously sending the list somewhere and adding Darlkrid’s ID details. He protested when Kedlun declared, “The fine imposed is one quarter of the total value of all the goods in the warehouse. To be paid now. Alternatively, some names please. That will reduce the bill. To zero if you are extremely co-operative.” Kedlun gave a predatory smile. “The names of these suppliers and partners mentioned here for a start,” he said, indicating the computer code.

  Dai reported that night to Sarah, “We held fast military court sittings and a large number of thieves found themselves dispossessed of their ill-gotten gains, fined and sentenced to deportation, most with no time to organize a defense. It would have been futile anyway,given the evidence against them. They never detected the surveillance equipment. Most took the deal offered and left quietly with their identity protected. They were taken to a ship about to depart and locked in, their seat, pre-booked so to speak.” He smiled in satisfaction. “As the MPs anticipated, once the publicity started, most criminals were prepared to deal.”

  “What was the deal?”

  “To be to be quietly deported, minus anything except their ID and the clothes they stood up in and minus publicity if they admitted the charge, agreed to the fine and made no fuss. But their identities remain on our records and they are forbidden to come back here. Most dealt quickly. Many of the minor players had no prior criminal records but saw the opportunity and the temptation was too much. They watched others who seemed to be getting away with it. What they didn’t know was that some of these criminal masterminds had seen what they were up to and were planning to move in on them. Some had already been got to and were extremely co-operative! They gave us the information that uncovered the extent of the planning. The intent of these bastards and the damage they could have done our whole economy was terrifying. Police tactics wouldn’t have worked against them. They were too embedded. The communications blackout and combined military and police action was the only tactic that could have stopped them. They were getting control and we didn’t even know the extent of this until today!

  “A further deal was that if they gave us any names of other thieves, they got a single cabin if they supplied any top name we didn’t have and a reduction in their fine if they supplied the names of their business partners, suppliers and other criminals they knew of. The fine was zero if they were fully co-operative. Most were. That information corroborated the information we had already gathered. It authenticated it and justified our use of martial law. We got the kingpins — well, probably not all of them but certainly most. Among the immigrants, we found some very clever detectives and police who organized a lot of this for me. My MPs did the rest.”

  Sarah looked puzzled then laughed as she realized the significance of a “single cabin.” One way to avoid getting beaten up by those they had grassed on. “Which ships did they leave on?”

  “Ones that weren’t armed and with crew that wanted out.”

  “Locked navigator boards?” Sarah was learning Dai’s methods.

  “Of course. But they can’t escape anyway. We have all their IDs and we locked off a portion of the ship for the safety of the crew and another portion for the very co-operative. The unco-operative and those we had to take to trial are all together in a cargo hold. They won’t be comfortable. They won’t like the goop and water supplied, either. And quite likely some won’t survive the trip. What a shame.”

  “Is this legal?”

  “According to our lawyers, yes, if the charges brought relate to organized crime. And if we can prove detrimental effects on the economy or danger to public safety. Most had stolen medical and military supplies, both which would soon be in high need. Their greed threatened public safety, which we could prove. Many planets have an Organized Crimes Act.”

  “So what did that all net us?”

  “We’re still adding it up but huge warehouses, in every city, stocked with local and imported goods, a lot of food, most of it well inventoried and neatly categorized. They’ve been very busy and hard working. The medical supplies and weapons were stolen to sell back to us. They deserved all they got.”

  Four days before the fleet arrived, as Dai was about to lock up for the night there was a knock at the door. Jesan answered to find a very pretty girl with a heavily laden luggage carrier behind her. She looked at him in surprise. “Is this where Sarah MacDonald lives?”

  “Yes.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Jesan. Who are you?” he asked, appreciating the sight. Her accent and her bright red outfit screamed Terran. Aside from that, if dressed demurely, this girl would pass for Niseyen. He noticed she had the height, the bearing, definitely the attitude and the coloring of a jare Niseyen.

  Dai came over and said, “Katy?”

  “Yes. Who are you?”

  Dai turned and yelled, “Sarah!” His face split into a huge grin and he said, “Come in.” He watched in delight as mother and daughter flew into each others arms. After a few minutes, Katy pulled away and looked pointedly at Dai and Jesan. “Mother, did you break the rules?”

  “Only the last two. Well, maybe another one,” answered Dai.

  Sarah blushed but Katy belatedly clicked, “You Chose him! Why?”

  “I thought it was a good idea and a couple of days later he proved I was right. He got me Torroxell’s start-up capital for 1% instead of 5%.”

  Katy gave Dai a searching look. “He’s employed?” she drawled.

  “He has about four full-time jobs.” She laughed. “That I know of. Probably more.”

  Katy switched her searchlight gaze to Jesan who promptly pointed to Dai. “His son.”

  “A
nd your mother?”

  “On Medala and too fond of self-preservation to come anywhere near here.”

  “Mmmrrrough!” came a loud protest from the luggage carrier. Dai watched in shock and dismay as Sarah ran and opened a case she had just spotted on the luggage trolley and a large object jumped out onto her, putting its arms around her neck and its teeth against her throat! Sarah slowly stood up, holding the… person? Creature? It was saying something with a droning voice while Sarah cuddled it with even more enthusiasm than she had held her own child. She looked almost enthralled. Katy looked very pleased with herself and not the least jealous.

  Jesan watched, fascinated. His father was so right: living with Terrans would never be boring. The creature was about four feet long, not counting the tail, a reddish variegated color, furry, two arms and two legs. It appeared happy to see Sarah and Sarah was obviously very pleased to see it. “What is it?” he asked Katy.

  “A cat. His name is Pumpkin.”

  Both Dai and Jesan looked at the Cat in considerable surprise. Jesan knew what Cats were from being with Dai’s family. He had spent a great deal of time listening in on the family flights. So was this a Kitten? But it only had two legs, was the wrong color and much too fluffy. And what was a Kitten doing without its parents and with Katy?

  Sarah finally put it down and Jesan corrected himself. It had four legs, so it was not a Cat. “He’s a Terran cat,” said Sarah. “A Ragdoll/Savanna cross. Ah, never mind.” Sarah said still looking adoringly at it, him as Pumpkin purred and looked back at her.

  “He’s an animal?”

  “Yes.”

  “How come he has a name? What’s he doing inside?”

  “Terrans have animals living with them. Most of them do. It’s non-negotiable. Comes with the Amphibian classification,” Sarah said, making the rule up on the spot.

  Dai stared at her. She stared back. Jesan and Katy looked at them then at each other, both with mischievous smiles. “Do Niseyen gamble?” asked Katy.