A Hop, Skip and a Jump (Family Law Book 4)

by Mackey Chandler

  April sighed. "I remember when things weren't so complex we had to ponder what to do."

  "You aren't thinking of just giving them the drive, are you?" Jeff worried.

  "No, I'd make it a point to say we don't transfer any technology," Heather said.

  "Good. They could blunder around and never find the needed materials," Jeff said. "That might be simpler. Gordon certainly dealt with them before. He might again, without our help."

  Heather slapped the table just like Jeff had moments before. When she lifted her hand there was a large gold coin.

  "A Solar says they will have it within ten years," Heather challenged him.

  "I thought you threatened to ban gambling in your kingdom a couple times?" Jeff objected.

  "I've been sorely tempted to do so," Heather admitted. "It produces all sorts of problems. People take advantage of those with a compulsive disorder, who can't afford to lose. You are solidly calculating, and can easily afford the loss. The real bet here is with your ego, because you won't be able to ignore it, and will have to acknowledge how wrong you were when you pay up."

  "I think I'd have to be a fool to bet against you," Jeff decided.

  "Betting against the Derf really," Heather said.

  "And the Badger guy," April remembered. "I doubt he is any dummy."

  "How is this so doable?" Jeff asked. "Just one war ship could do significant damage to Red Tree or Derfhome. By the time they call for help their war could be over. They do visit. We can't send a ship to observe every time we see somebody leaving Earth on a Derfhome vector."

  "That wouldn't work anyway," Heather said. "Even after Gordon of Red Tree . . . reduced the naval assets of North America they have significant forward bases several places. All it takes is a ship or drone to a different star and they can move on Derfhome from there."

  "It suddenly occurs to me," April said. "Gordon having gravity based jump ships is something I wouldn't want to deal with, in an adversarial sense. Even given the auxiliary systems we have created. The man is a tactician of historic dimensions."

  Neither argued that. The Fargoers had made all their uncensored system scans available to Central, and the level at which Gordon played 3D chess with starships was impressive.

  "You must have something in mind then," Jeff surmised. "It isn't in your nature to say something is doable without a plan."

  "Yes, I think it is worth stationing a representative at Derfhome to physically demonstrate our alliance. We can build a basic ship in two weeks and outfit it to custom specs in another two. We finally have enough administrative talent trained to send a spox for me to reside at Derfhome. Of course she will have her own ship there, and enforce our word if that is needful."

  "This is a huge step. You're establishing a diplomatic corps," Jeff said. "At least for once we're ahead on quantum fluid to build the ship."

  "I'm rather fond of the Badger custom of their official being called a voice," April said. "It goes with a monarchy better. I like it much better than ambassador. That carries too much burden and taint of Earth history. I respectfully suggest you adapt the custom. It helps establish what her position and duties are since people are already familiar with the usage.

  "We agree," Heather said, dropping into royal pronouncement mode. "We shall send her off with an armed ship and my cloned ring to show her authority."

  "You said her. You already have somebody in mind?" Jeff asked.

  "I believe Eileen Foy has been bored and feeling the wanderlust again. She put forth a tremendous effort to leave Earth, and was satisfied with the challenge of fitting in our society and being useful, for awhile. Now I think she is less challenged. Several times recently she has suggested she would welcome a posting to one of our more distant colonies or stations. I doubt they are as interesting day to day as she imagines. Dealing with an alien race and the responsibility of speaking with my voice and physically guarding an allied star system should be enough to keep her interest for a few years."

  "It's good to get people like that out and busy," Jeff said, "before they want your job."

  "She's married. I remember meeting him," April said. "He has a few more years than her even with life extension. He's one of those strong silent types who you can see looking from one person to the next, sizing up everybody in the room, just in case he has to kill them all. Is he going to want to go off to Derfhome?"

  "If we asked Eileen to try jumping a ship through the sun aimed at another star he'd pack a bag assuming she could do it and he'd need clean socks on the other end," Heather said. "He'll run the physical facility on planet and sit the second seat on her ship to run the weapons board if anybody gives her any trouble or fly if she wishes. It's good she has back-up that she can completely trust."

  "Better tell them to fabricate two ships and two rings," April said.

  "Why?" Heather asked, genuinely perplexed.

  "Because the Fargoers will consider it a slight, and perhaps a sign of displeasure, if you send a Voice to the Derf and ignore your older ally you haven't seen fit to favor that way. If you start publicly acknowledging alliances you should bring the previously private ones out. Assuming they want it revealed," April added as an after-thought.

  "Ahhh . . . now I have to think on who is qualified to be a second Voice," Heather said.

  "How are you going to offer this?" Jeff worried. "You aren't going to send Eileen off to them to present her credentials and ask acknowledgement are you? They could embarrass you by saying no, and then pride could close the door on it in the future even if things change."

  "My pride or theirs?" Heather asked, amused. "No, I'm not going to send her off to them unannounced. There is already strong dissatisfaction with the rejection of the claims the Little Fleet wanted to present to the Claims Commission. There are actually a few people coming to realize they shot themselves in the foot and diminished their own importance from sheer stupidity without any outside opposition. Watch, they'll try to retract it."

  "What does that have to do with it?" Jeff insisted.

  "Who else will the Derf turn to when the Earthies try to reassert their authority?" Heather asked. "I give it a year, two at the most, before they are here asking help. Likely Lee will come escorting the lesser Mother, or just even just Lee by herself."

  Jeff looked like he wanted to argue, but he was aware of the Solar still laying on the table, and decided he didn't want Heather to slap down a second coin beside it.

  Chapter 19

  Talker was very pleased with the building. There was little left to be done, and he'd managed to miss a lot of the noise and invasive workmen by visiting Red Tree. He didn't want to label it out front as an embassy. He still wasn't sure of that translation being accurate yet. It might just be a consulate, or he might have to invent a name that more precisely described their mission.

  Neither did he wish to advertise he was a Voice, as his new boss was paying for the building and his maintenance. Timilo might rightly object to Talker's other job getting first billing, or any billing at all. He finally ended up having a sign in English proclaiming it simply the Residence of the Badger and Bill Representatives to Derfhome.

  It seemed silly to put it up in Derf since they would just use the English words for Badger and Bill. It would be pointless ego to put up a sign in his own language. Perhaps that could be added later if a few more people learned their language.

  "That's rather nice of you to put us on the sign too," Singer allowed, "since you have no arrangement with my government to help pay for the mission."

  "I'm trying to meet the spirit of Gordon's expectations instead of repeatedly finding out what makes him angry. Oddly, it doesn't seem that hard after awhile. You have been reasonable to work with. My dear departed boss would say that shows weakness and will inspire resistance, but that attitude is starting to feel like more work than it was worth."

  "I think in English departed used that way might be mistaken for dead," Singer said.

  "Well, the gods will hear
what they wish when they spy on us mortals," Talker said. "I will bow to their wills."

  Singer found that mock reverence hilarious.

  "Do you find your facilities acceptable?" Talker asked.

  "Yes, I never expected them to be equal," Singer was quick to say. "Still, you may have given us a greater area in proportion to our staffs. Do all your people have private rooms too?"

  "They do. If they decide to pair up, it spares me having to hear that they are splitting up later, or the tedious why of it. They can simply return to their assigned room and not bother me. I have the luxury of a suite of rooms for myself, because I expect family to join me. If you develop need of that or other arrangements talk to me," Talker invited. "We have an ample lot and a budget large enough to expand if there is need. That is part of why I bought on the outskirts."

  "Do you even know the names of these plants?" Singer asked, waving at the landscaping.

  "Not yet. I did ask they not plant anything known to be very toxic. A lot will grow into the space allotted for it, and look much better in a few years. The plantings along the property edge are Earth life, wild roses. I was assured they will grow into an impenetrable barrier with thorns that hostile animals or persons can't get through. In fact it will stop most ground cars."

  A ground car stopped on the edge of the road as they were talking. They watched it work its way up their drive to the front entry from the roadway below. It was a utility sort of a vehicle with a flat bed, fold up sides, and a cab that could hold two Derf. It however, only had one today. He was a very polite fellow, who stopped at the edge of the property and called for permission to visit, with something tucked under his lower elbow. Talker waved him over.

  "How do I make clear people may come to the door and there's no need to stand at the edge of the road," Talker asked. "We won't always be standing out front to invite them."

  It was apparently an uncommon question, because the fellow had to think on it. He looked at the building searching for something.

  "I'm not sure if I should regard this as a business or a residence," He admitted. "If it is a business, then most put out a welcome sign when they are open to do business, and are very careful to take it down at night. If it is a residence, welcome would be a mistake to post, if you don't want people to just walk right in. A sign instructing visitors to come to the door would be appropriate. Most Derf would have a chime. Humans seem to like an electronic signal. They have a horrible custom of just pounding on the door with a fist if there's no bell or button."

  Singer stuck his tongue out in alarm. "That would get you shot back home!" he said.

  "My sentiments exactly," the Derf agreed. "Of course if you are really fancy, with money to throw away, you should have an armed guard just like the main door of a keep."

  "Hmm . . . I hesitate to do that," Talker said, "it might suggest we have delusions of sovereignty over the site like Earth embassies have, but I could find no such allowance in the decrees of the Mothers. In fact, it seems the whole idea may be new to Derfhome."

  "Perhaps this will help you decide," the fellow said. He still hadn't introduced himself. "I was asked to deliver this, and if you wish, to install it. So I'm at your service."

  He took the plate he was carrying out from under his arm. It turned out to be a bronze plaque with raised letters in English on top and Derf underneath. It said:

  This building and occupants are regarded with favor by the Mothers of Red Tree.

  To touch them is to touch Us.

  "Have you ever seen such a thing elsewhere?" Talker asked.

  "No, I'm pretty sure it's a first. The Mothers generally ignore the trade towns and have very limited business with the trade guilds. So this is a new thing. Do you want it, or should I take it back?"

  "Do you think this compromises our neutrality?" Talker worried.

  "What neutrality?" Singer objected. "Red Tree is the dominant clan in space. They're the only ones with armed ships. Lots of them have no presence at all. You for all practical purposes are a mission to Red Tree at present. If neutrality means you'd consider some other clan's interests over Red Tree you better lose your neutrality right now. The others need to step up to match what Red Tree is doing. What are they going to do for you?"

  Talker looked at the Derf standing blank faced. "Are you Red Tree or just a courier?"

  "The Mothers don't send hired help for something like this. I'm Red Tree and active full time military. I've seen you at the Keep, but I understand there's one of you and a whole lot of us to remember, especially since we were never introduced."

  "I'm sorry, I'll correct that. I'm known by the customary Human name of Talker. I am ambassador to the Derf if they accept my credentials. I have not formally presented them. I am also a Voice of Badger law. This is Singer. He has a very similar set of duties and authority under Bill law, and we share the building."

  The Derf nodded. "Formal or not, this seems like as much acceptance of your credentials and authority as you could want," he said, hefting the plaque. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Nuclear Weapons Team Leader Strangelove, and I report directly to Champion Garrett."

  "Where do you think we should post your sign, Strangelove?" Talker asked.

  "Your big sign there is high enough that I could drive this into the dirt in front of it and get the top edge below the sign behind."

  "Do that if you would please," Talker asked. "Do you need help or tools?"

  "Not at all," Strangelove said, with what Talker was sure was a look of amusement. He judged the center of their sign carefully, put the post about a third of a meter in front, and used the head of the ax from his belt to hammer it into the ground. He stepped back and examined it critically. "That works for me if you're happy."

  "Yes, thank you. Can I offer you refreshment, a coffee perhaps?" Talker offered.

  "No, but thanks, as much as I'd like that, I need to get rolling back."

  "Please, take this to buy a cup along the way if opportunity presents itself," Talker said. He offered a silver dollar Ceres. As dear as coffee was, that was still generous. The ease with which Strangelove took it said that he'd guessed right and such a thing was within custom.

  "Your kindness is appreciated," Strangelove said, and turned for his truck.

  The two of them stood there looking at the sign, and wondering if they understood the full implications of it.

  "Do you have any idea what the origins of his name are?" Singer asked.

  "No idea. I was thinking too much about his job title to worry about his name. Look in the web fraction and there's a decent chance you'll find it," Talker suggested.

  * * *

  "I've been thinking," Lee told Gordon.

  "Gods preserve us," he said, looking up from his breakfast with a wary look. "I didn't feel the planet shudder in its orbit."

  Lee to all appearances didn't hear that, and went on.

  "I think I should ask Talker to return with us to Central. He was with us before, and if he's with us again it makes clear his species and their sphere of influence are going to continue to support our managing both their claims and ours in the beyond."

  "That seems reasonable, but I'm not sure Talker is going to want to go back. Why should he risk stirring up trouble for his kind when he can put off all the negotiation and potential conflict on you? He did see we weren't so important we didn't run into some bureaucratic hassles from the Claims Commission. He felt very vulnerable there, and very aware neither Central nor the Republic intervened to keep the Commission from using the medical exam for what had to be plain intimidation."

  "Did he?" Lee said, surprised. "Honestly, he never hinted at that to me. I just figured it for a ham-fisted way to assert their authority after we bypassed them coming in. I don't expect any better of Earth agencies after my Earth visit. It seemed more silly posturing than threatening."

  "I was with him in the exam room. Even the abbreviated exam he got after the doc was clued in that he was being used for poli
tical games was more than Talker liked. I'm better at reading his body language now, but even then I saw he was stiff and irritated, maybe even afraid."

  "I'll make plain that isn't something he'll have to go through again, although it should be obvious," Lee said. "This bond of friendship runs deeper with his kind than Humans. I'm pretty sure he'll come with me even if he's uncomfortable with it."

  "You don't want to abuse that friendship," Gordon said. It was a statement not a question.

  "I'm not," Lee insisted. "This is to the Badger's benefit as much as ours, and that's Talker's direct concern, given either of his jobs."

  "That's very persuasive," Gordon admitted. But his muzzle was still wrinkled.

  "I'm going to talk to him about it this morning, on com. I'm determined to leave soon, before the Mothers start asking me if I've set a time to go. Despite what you said, I don't think this so sensitive it needs a face to face meeting."

  "Perhaps not. He knows you are going," Gordon reminded her. "It occurs to me he didn't volunteer even though he was aware you're returning. You can ask for a face to face instead of a yes or no if he seems at all reluctant about the idea."

  "Gordon, you didn't volunteer either." Lee said.

  "I didn't have time!" Gordon said, surprised. "I would have," he protested.

  "Maybe Talker just doesn't realize how supportive his presence would be," Lee guessed.

  * * *

  "And I would do what exactly?" Talker asked, and dipped his chin, which seemed to be the Badger equivalent of tilting his head that Humans used and Derf had acquired.

  "Your presence would remind them an entire civilization supports our alternative claims system, and has a relationship with Derfhome and Fargone, not Earth."

  "Singer and I affirmed that to the rep from the Claims Commission and your lawyer. I saw the news release John Bennett did before we left. He included our statements and did a very good presentation, I thought. Surely April and all her associates who command Central are aware of it as a public document?" Talker asked.