by J W Murison
‘Some believe you should pay for your mistakes, some believe you already have. If you remain extinct, then no one can seek retribution. If are reinstated as a race, then should you automatically get citizenship? Again, if you do, some may seek retribution or even compensation. Retribution would cause another war; compensation you could not pay. I can’t see the Ortea paying for your mistakes either.
‘Of course, that brings us to the Ortea themselves. A race of meat eaters who have killed and eaten members from every race, right across the federation. A race that is not only feared but also detested. Isn’t it strange that those who subjugated and enslaved your people are the saviours of it? I wonder what would have happened if your race had never tried to eradicate them. They were a highly-evolved race, technically advanced, who simply showed no interest in space travel.
‘This argument will circle round continually. Over the past few weeks, that is exactly what has been happening every time we have tried to discuss the problem. No one here can simply agree to anything. It has become very complicated. A solution may have been provided for us. Will you listen to it?’
‘Why would I not?’
‘Because the person who has provided the solution is Emperor Ne´ Langus. You know of him?’
‘Of course I do. He has steadfastly refused to give any of my people asylum on our own home world.’
‘Would you like to hear why?’
‘I would be extremely interested to hear Emperor Ne´ Langus’ explanation sir.’
Satisfied, the chairman called for the Emperor.
Ne´ Langus had a bearing that made everyone sit up straighter. His gaze upon the Dent delegation was cold; a fact that wasn’t lost on them.
The chairman stood and bowed to the Emperor, who returned it.
‘Emperor Ne´ Langus, thank you for your appearance here.’
‘Council Chairman Ne Na Goo, I am at the federation’s service.’
‘Before we begin, the Dent delegates would like to hear your reason for not allowing them asylum on their own home world.’
‘Personally, I would like to wipe out both the Dent and the Ortea together, and eradicate the planet completely. The Dent have no home world. The one they are on now is the only one they belong to.’
‘Is that not a bit harsh Emperor Ne´ Langus?’
‘I consider them a race of cowards.’
One of the Dent began to shout out his objections, but their Ambassador turned and slapped him hard across the face.
‘Shut up, fool.’ He turned to Emperor Ne´ Langus. ‘I apologise your highness, please go on.’
‘Your race started a war that my race bore the brunt of for two thousand years. In that time, the race you tried to wipe out became dependant on your people to keep the lights on; while they gave their lives to protect you. I believe they became so dependent on you that they even stopped eating your kind. If it weren’t for the Ortea, you would not even exist. In fact, my race went to war with yours because of the trouble yours stirred up in the region. It wasn’t only the Dent that the Ortea lashed out at two thousand years ago. In fact, some of the races here were also involved in that war. My race inhabited the planet.
‘Now we discover that some of you have survived. Not only survived but thrived. Do you really expect us to open our arms and welcome you back? I would not give a single one of you asylum, ever. Do you think you can just please yourselves? You are still considered a dead race. Without the Ortea, you will become extinct.
Of course, there is also the Ortea to consider. In some ways, they are the innocent party in all of this. What will happen to them when all of you flee the Ortea home world? How long will they be able to keep the lights on for? Will you teach them how to look after themselves before you leave?’ The Dent Ambassador’s head dropped.
Emperor Ne´ Langus shook his head. ‘No I didn’t think so. You would just abandon them. You are a race of cowards.’
‘With respect Emperor, we are not cowards. My people have also fought alongside the Ortea to survive.’
‘There is no proof of that, but your people are not fighters. You mean that you gave technical support on board their warships, don’t you?’
‘Yes, that’s what I mean.’
‘I thought so. There is no disgrace in that. It may even be your only salvation. There is no proof of course. Every Ortea ship destroyed is normally pounded to pieces. No one looks for survivors, unless it is to kill them. Yet I will take your word for it.’
‘Thank you for that at least Emperor.’
Emperor Ne´ Langus studied the Dent. ‘I am not only the Emperor of your former home world. I am also the leader of the federation’s armed forces. Are you aware of that?’
‘Yes I am.’
‘In that role, I can see some use for you and your people. In that statement, I include the Ortea. Do you understand?’
‘Yes your highness.’
‘Then let me make my presentation to the council.’ The Dent bowed low and the Emperor turned back to face the council. ‘In my duties as the leader of the federation forces, it is part of my duty to consider the risks from within federation territory and outwith. We are in a unique situation, one we have never faced before. We have two races to consider here, the Ortea and the Dent. Two thousand years of war have ended, and much to my surprise the peace is holding. I doubt if it will for much longer.
‘Let me explain why. The three solar systems that the Ortea inhabit are smack bang in the middle of a number of vital space arteries. Until now, they have been off limits. As soon as it seemed that the peace was holding, many traders began to cut through these systems. It is saving trading companies days, even weeks, in travel, and so greatly cutting back transportation fees. Everyone is benefiting except for the Ortea.
‘I have been approached now by a number of Ortea officials. They are becoming very nervous about the increase in traffic through their solar systems. If you consider the history, it is hardly surprising. They must believe that our ultimate goal is to wipe them out. Every time a large group of vessels appear in one of their solar systems, they must half believe that it is a task force sent by the federation. They are becoming nervous and extremely stressed out, but freighting companies are unwilling to go around the area now.
‘I cannot blame the Ortea for how they feel. I would feel the same in their position. It will come to a head soon and the conflict will begin again, unless of course we can do something about it. There is only one thing that will prevent that from happening, and that is to build up trust between the federation and the Ortea. How can we do that? There isn’t a single member of the federation who would even consider giving citizenship of the federation to the Ortea.’
There were more than a few nodding heads. He went on. ‘Yet here we are, with half of the great council considering giving citizenship back to the Dent who live on the same planet. The chairman called the situation complicated. A week ago, an American marine called it something far more fitting. However, his words cannot be repeated in front of such an august body.’
It took a moment but the gathering began to laugh heartily. He waited until they finished.
‘For the Dent to be reinstated, they must at least serve the probationary period that all have to serve. Although the body here has not made up their minds yet, all were in agreement with that part.’ There were sympathetic nods.
‘Good. That would mean the Dent would have to supply at least a cruiser with all its supporting war and supply ships for each planet they have. To date that is only one. However, they inhabit three star systems, along with the Ortea, so I imagine that figure would have to be reappraised.’
He turned to the Dent. ‘Do you have a battle cruiser and its compliment of destroyers?’
‘We do.’
‘For them to be compatible with the fleet, they have to be able to able to travel at a minimum of Light 5.’
‘We have a few destroyers, but no cruiser that can do that speed.’
The Empero
r shook his head. ‘What else don’t you have?’
‘We don’t have command elements. Our people are mainly technical support staff. It was the Ortea who fought and commanded the vessels we served on. We might be able to scrape up a few command elements from our staff, but not for all vessels.’
‘So, in order to be an effective group, you would need the Ortea?’
‘Yes your highness.’
‘I see.’
There was a growing noise from the assembled members. ‘You don’t have the modern vessels anyway do you?’
‘No.’
‘I have seen and fought against your people. I know the trash they fight with. Ships that shouldn’t even be out there, relics, yet they fought hard and with courage. However, to have the Ortea serve alongside you would mean that you would have to supply two battle groups, one for each race.’
‘In that case, we have the ships and the staff, just not the right ships sire.’
The noise levels were increasing and decreasing like a wave. When they realised the Dent couldn’t raise the ships, the noise abated a little.
Emperor Ne´ Langus was listening to it.
‘In that case, if no one will sponsor you, then you will not be accepted back into the federation, and we will all soon be back at war with the Ortea.’ The assembly room went quiet suddenly.
The Emperor noticed and looked around. ‘I can see by your silence, that no one here really wants that.’
The chairman cleared his throat. ‘Does it matter if they don’t have the right ships? Couldn’t they serve in some other capacity your highness?’
‘The rules are there for a reason. There can be no compromise.’
‘I understand, but no one wants to go back to war. Can’t something be worked out, somewhere, with someone?’
‘There is a solution to all of our problems sir, but both this august body, the Dent and the Ortea would have to agree to it.’
There were a few chuckles at that.
‘I would like to hear this solution your highness. I can’t think of anyone who would want to sponsor either race, or who could afford to.’
‘There is one race sir. In fact, it will help solve a major issue I have been having.’
The chairman scowled for a moment then it cleared. ‘I think I know who you are referring to, your highness. The Humans.’
‘Yes sir.’
The noise levels bumped up for a second then lowered quickly.
‘Aren’t you having problems training them?’
‘Yes we are. The solution to all of this came from a report I was given. It was supplied to me by a federation engineer. When I discussed the problem with the Modloch Emperor, he sent his top engineer to the Ortea home world. He heard that some Modloch who had been captured had returned to the Ortea home world, with their families, to live and work. He wanted his engineer to check out my claims, and the welfare of his citizens. May I quote from the Modloch engineer’s report?’ He was given nods of approval.
He took out his pad. ‘The Dent would be ideal candidates to help teach Humans the basic fundamentals of space engineering. On their planet, they are responsible for technology that is unique to this planet; in space, they are responsible for keeping a fleet of old and antiquated warships in running and fighting order. This involves a lot of hands-on engineering that we are unfamiliar with these days, but the kind of primitive engineering that Humans excel at. I can see the Dent becoming an important bridge for the Human race, if we ever wish to bring their engineering skills up-to-date with the standards of the federation.’
‘Who is this person?’ A member of the council blurted out. ‘Who is he to make such a judgement?’
Emperor Ne´ Langus skewered him with a look, but the council member met his gaze defiantly.
‘This engineer served aboard the Burning Wind. Both he and the ship served the federation for the appointed terms of service. He is the only survivor of the Burning Wind after its incursion beyond the barrier. He took charge of the city ship, and also became the first and only Ambassador to Earth. He knows more about the Humans and their engineering than all other engineers across the whole of the federation. He is now the Modloch empire’s, and the federation’s, foremost engineer. He has been rewarded by the Emperor with an estate on his own home world, for his services to the empire. He also is one of the founding member of the Human music company. He is a person who has no need to work, yet still serves his Emperor with great distinction. Does that answer your question council member?’
‘More than adequately your highness. Thank you.’
‘Right now, this is a problem. The Humans fight with a ferocity that few can match. Their tactical skills are beyond compare. Their pilots are quickly achieving high classifications. Their only problem lies in hands-on navigation, which is being addressed, and engineering. My proposal is to form a special attack wing. If the Ortea and the Dent both supply a battle cruiser and supporting ships to the federation, then we can build a nucleus for this special force.
‘Right now, Humans are tying up all my resources at Federation One, our training establishment. I have even had to draft in extra staff, and they are at least a galactic year from being ready to deploy. I considered splitting them up, but that would cause huge logistical problems. Three races, two of which are highly aggressive yet lack technical skills. One race with no aggression but highly skilled in the technical areas required. The Ortea have good navigational skills and experience that the Humans haven’t. Yet, if I can combine all three races together, in a few weeks I could have a battle ready tactical group, and free up all my resources.’
The murmuring was getting quite loud again and he held up his hand for quiet. They settled down. ‘The plan would be to mix crews across the whole battle group. The Ortea would not be allowed to command their own ship, certainly not at first. They would have to take positions as lead navigators and seconds to the command structure. The Humans have built up the trust of the federation members. I, for one, would be more than happy to have them serve in this capacity. It would mean the Humans having to supply more men and women than they have serving now. I have talked with their leaders. They are willing not only to do this but also to supply the modern ships that the Dent require. The Humans and the Ortea eat the same food and the Humans will supply most of it. The Dent are used to serving with meat eaters, and the Ortea and Humans together will be able to supply all of their nourishment needs.
‘It will also serve to settle the nerves of the Ortea. If they are being included in this endeavour, then I am quite sure that they will become more confident in their dealings with the federation, and may well be willing to create proper lanes of travel and protection through their solar systems for travellers and commercial transportation. That, my friends, will benefit all of us, and prevent a recommencement of hostilities. I lay this proposal before this august body for inspection, scrutiny and decision. I also lay it before the Dent delegation for the same purposes.’
Chapter 43
The Chief’s eyes were rolling in his head at the smug grin on the Emperor’s face.
‘It would seem you are quite the hit with the federation council Chief. I have received many compliments on your report on the Ortea home world.’
‘Thank you sire.’ Despite the compliment, the Chief wasn’t fooled.
‘It would seem that they have taken your recommendations to heart, have you heard?’
‘No sire.’
‘Of course you haven’t, I have only received word myself. I will tell you. The federation have accepted the proposal of Emperor Ne´ Langus to combine the Humans, the Dent and the Ortea together into a single force under the command of the Human contingent. The Dent and the Ortea have also accepted the proposal. It almost guarantees a lasting peace with the Ortea, and it all hinged on your report. Did you ever see yourself as a peace keeper Chief?’
‘No sire.’
‘As you have brought so much prestige to my empire, I have decided to reward you
.’
‘No. Please sire! No more rewards, please.’
‘Shut up and stop trying to wriggle out of it.’
Gord was openly laughing in the background. When the Emperor gave him the signal he opened a small anteroom door.
‘Chief, let me introduce you to your new wards.’
The Chief’s head dropped in defeat. Since the Emperor and Charlie’s conversation a few weeks before, he had been dreading the moment he knew would come. He had seen the woman before and was not looking forward to it. She was highborn and knew it. He had walked right past her once and she hadn’t even looked at him. But she was considered a rare beauty in the Modloch world.
I’m not going to look, don’t look at her. The Chief thought, but he turned his head anyway. She was one of the rare females in which maturity seemed to enhance their looks. Her two daughters took after the mother. One was nearing mating age, and the other was just a few years behind. They were dressed like noble women. The Chief felt his heart sink. She barely glanced at him, her eyes glazing over almost immediately. He had seen it many times before.
She bowed. ‘Your highness.’
‘Ah, Lady Glee. Here you are. I have finally been able to find you a sponsor.’
‘Who sire?’
‘Are you blind?’
She almost laughed as she turned and her eyes actually focused on the Chief.
‘Is this a joke your highness? He isn’t a noble, he is a commoner.’
‘He most certainly is. I petitioned all of the Modloch nobles from every one of my planets. I even took special care to petition your old suitors. You are a pariah Glee. Not a single noble wants anything to do with you. Your own father suggested I execute you and your daughters to erase the stain from your family’s honour. Which made me think very hard.’
The Emperor sat up a little straighter, even though it was barely perceptible.
‘I began to think about my poor dear departed cousin. He had never in his life shown any inclination to become Emperor. To him the idea was laughable, he was one of the most loyal men I have ever known in my life. I treated him well, he had no reason to do what he did. I began to try and figure out why. Then I remembered you. I remember the first time we met at one of his birthday parties. I remember the looks you were giving me, and of course the huge hints. How you would drop him for me in a heartbeat.’
