by Musser, Dale
“Where are the URANGA and the CACHATORA now?” asked the admiral.
“Well, our data is about three days behind; but the last communication stated that the CACHATORA was headed to the Nasgorian moon to pick up the abandoned crew members, while the URANGA continued on its search for the TECCION,” advised Stonbersa.
“Damn, damn, damn!” Regeny cursed. “Do we know if the URANGA and the CACHATORA received orders to test their crews and whether their crews have been confirmed as loyalists; or do we face the risk of a Brotherhood mutiny on those ships as well?” Lieutenant Commander Goncest, the new aide to the admiral rapidly punched commands into his vid pad.
“Ah, sir, when the orders were issued, the URANGA and the CACHATORA were both closer to us than the TECCION; so they should have received the message to test their crews prior to the mutiny incident on the TECCION,” stammered Goncest.
“Let us hope so. At least it sounds like they did. Damn, though – the TECCION – we can’t have our fleet divided up and fighting against each other. Tibby, I think we’re going to need to implement your plan to get solbidyum to trusted systems using the GW pods first thing tomorrow. I have a list of about 30 outer planets and 30 inner planets that we can target. If we can secure a significant number of deliveries at the core and the perimeter of the Federation territories while we move toward them from the center, we will effectively be able to confine rebel activity somewhere in the middle. If the Brotherhood is flanked by loyal systems that have already successfully implemented their solbidyum power distribution, they will also have a more difficult time enticing others to join them.”
“I agree, Admiral. I don’t think we really have any other choice. What do you think, A’Lappe?”
Everyone looked around the room, but A’Lappe was nowhere to be seen.
“A’Lappe’s not here. Why are you asking for his opinion?” the admiral demanded.
“A’Lappe is here,” I insisted. “Show yourself A’Lappe.”
All of a sudden, A’Lappe appeared by the admiral’s right elbow and said, “Boo!” and the admiral actually jumped.
“Damn it, don’t do that!” objected the admiral. “Besides the fact that it’s unnerving, it also undermines my trust in you which, may I remind you, is already fragile!”
“So, A’Lappe,” I said, “what do you think?”
A’Lappe twisted his mouth as he thought a moment, then looked at me and said, “The TECCION and the MOOGAWOE are not in the asteroid belt; but you can be sure they want you to think they are. My bet is they are hiding at an old quarry site on the third moon of Ludation.”
“Oh, and just why do you think they are there?” the admiral fumed.
“It is in line with the asteroid cluster but it is a much quicker – and safer – destination. Pursuers will naturally anticipate that they will flee into the cluster and not give the moon much scrutiny. Even if they do, the quarry will hide them quite well, since their ships’ profiles would be concealed below the surrounding surface terrain.
“There is another reason to consider the moon as the more likely destination – it is where the Brotherhood has an established underground base. When the quarry was still active, the Brotherhood secretly began mining into the walls of the quarry and then tunneling vertically into the moon. After the quarry’s resources were tapped out, the site was pretty much forgotten. The site was purchased about fifteen years ago by a member of the Brotherhood; and the organization has been stockpiling arms and equipment there ever since.”
“And you’re expecting me to believe you?” the admiral said.
“No, not at all, Admiral. I’m expecting you to check it out,” A’Lappe said plainly.
“Humph!” the admiral grunted. “Well, you’re right about that; we will check it out.”
I tried to suppress my amusement over the admiral’s attempts at intimidation and A’Lappe’s complete refusal to be pushed into a defensive posture.
“Well, Admiral, if you are not in need of me anymore, I will leave you and your staff to deal with this issue. I need to get A’Lappe and Cantolla together on several matters that could greatly aid the Federation, in the event that we have to engage the Brotherhood or any other hostile forces in the near future.”
“Would you care to share a few of these things now, Tibby?” the admiral asked. “At this point hearing some good news for a change would be most welcome.”
“I would prefer to wait just short while, Admiral. I would hate to raise false hopes and then not be able to deliver favorable results.”
The admiral gave a heavy sigh. “Alright Tibby, so far your methods and actions have been pretty sound. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt on that. I hope you have something good and that it doesn’t take you too long to let me in on it.”
A’Lappe, Kala and I left the admiral and his staff and the captain and his crew on the bridge to confer over these latest developments as we headed aft to Cantolla’s laboratories. Cantolla had briefly met A’Lappe, when she and Kala conducted his loyalty tests; but since then there hadn’t been a real opportunity to get acquainted, nor had I found an opportunity to talk with them together. Cantolla greeted us as we entered her lab.
“I wondered just how long it would be before you brought A’Lappe to see me,” Cantolla said. “I suspect he is full of information about the ship and the RMFF system.”
“More than that,” I said. “Besides being the engineer and architect for this ship, A’Lappe was also the chief architect of the original 10X fusion reactor. Your brother worked with him on Astamagota.”
“You knew Kimmie!?” Cantolla exclaimed.
“I knew him very well. He was the brightest physicist on the project. When Galetils asked me to move onto the ship to prepare for the installation of the 10X reactor, it was Kimmie that I left in charge of things. He was a good man.”
“Kimmie never mentioned you,” Cantolla said. “But then he never mentioned anyone or even discussed his assignment, other than to say that it would revolutionize the power industry.”
“How would you feel about finishing the work he was doing?” I asked Cantolla.
“Finish it? How can I, when I don’t know anything about what he was doing?”
“A’Lappe can fill you in on the project details and status at the time of the solar flare. He also has the plans and calculations for the 10X reactor; but before we build one, I want to see if the two of you can maybe find a way to make it smaller. As the design is now, the only Federation ships that can make use of it are star ships and frigates – and for the frigates it means surrendering a lot of space. Oh, one other thing – see if the two of you can resolve the power issue on the personal cloaking device that A’Lappe has invented.”
“You have a personal cloaking device?” Cantolla said in amazement. A’Lappe shrugged his shoulders and vanished. “Well, I’ll be damned,” said Cantolla as A’Lappe reappeared about three meters away.
“The goal is to extend operation from the current 20 minutes to at least two hours before the device needs recharging,” I said.
Cantolla gave A’Lappe a wide-eyed a look of admiration. “How did you ever come up with a personal cloaking device?”
“I actually stumbled on to it while trying to figure out why and how the RMFF acted as a cloaking device when subject to certain radio frequencies, as Kerabac discovered shortly after Tibby bought the NEW ORLEANS. I was monitoring developments from my suite; and when Kerabac inadvertently triggered the cloaking frequencies, I noted all sorts of crazy readings on my monitoring devices. It took me a few weeks to sort out the details, but I was able to come up with a small personal device that is based on a similar mechanism. Unfortunately, the current prototype draws a lot of power and lasts only a few minutes. My latest focus has been to find a more potent energy source to power it.”
“Have you tried making it more efficient so it requires less power?” asked Cantolla.
A’Lappe blinked several of those incredibly hypnotic blinks and t
hen said, “No, to be honest, I never gave that aspect any thought.”
“Well, in that case I think I can help you,” Cantolla answered. Suddenly, the two of them went off into some sort of rapid techno-speak, as they discussed potential improvements to the cloaking device with great excitement. Kala and I looked at each other and shrugged. Kala offered me her arm and the two of us left unnoticed by the two now entirely engrossed scientists.
“How long do you think it will take them to solve the problem?” Kala asked.
“Which one, the cloaking device or the reactor?”
“Either… or both,” she said with a grin.
“Well, my guess is about two days for the cloaking device and hopefully no more than a week for the reactor. I’m just hoping this will keep A’Lappe busy enough so that the admiral doesn’t feel like he has an invisible intruder lurking over his shoulder every hour of the day and night.”
Kala laughed at my comment. “Yeah, A’Lappe sure had the admiral rattled. He’s not used to having someone around who possesses more information about what’s going on than he does.”
The rest of the day went by quickly and it was evening before I realized it. After we ate a light meal, I casually suggested to Kala that we should visit the entertainment lounge. She was most receptive to the idea. I found a light colored pair of trousers in my wardrobe and picked a shirt in a slightly darker shade and of the special cut that I had Piebar create for me. Kala dressed in a very sexy outfit of dark shimmering green. The short skirt displayed her long legs in all their beauty. She was breathtaking; and I could tell she was pleased with my reaction when I saw her. I was almost tempted to forego the lounge when I saw her and instead spend the entire evening making love to her; but I knew dancing would only enhance that pleasure later, so I restrained myself.
We arrived at the lounge to see a small group of musicians made up of crew members playing on stage. I was struck by the similarity of the beat to Earth music from the late 1970s period. When the band began playing a tune similar to one from an entertainment vid story or “movie” on Earth, where the star of the movie performed a stunning solo dance routine, I couldn’t resist showing off just a bit for Kala. When the movie first became popular, I was determined to learn every step and nuance of the dance. I practiced relentlessly to get it right. Over the years I made a habit of including the routine as a warm-up for my martial arts drills, so I hadn’t forgotten any of the choreography. Since it was the first time anyone had seen me dance solo, it didn’t take long before everyone stepped to the perimeter of the dance floor and to watch and clap in rhythm to the music. When the music ended I dropped to my knees and slid across the floor, ending up at Kala’s feet in a perfect pose. The onlookers went wild with cheers and applause, while Kala just looked at me with a beaming smile.
The crowd wanted to see another dance, but I declined. The band played another number and people once again filled the dance floor, while I sat with Kala and caught my breath.
“Tibby, that was incredible! I only wish Lunnie had been here to see it. She loved dancing so much and truly admired anyone who could dance well; and what you just did was fantastic.”
“Kala, I would cut off both my legs and never dance a step again, if it would bring her back,” I said somberly.
“I know, Tibby, but I’m sure that, if there is an afterlife, someplace out there Lunnie was watching and dancing with you.”
Kala and I relaxed at our table while we listened to the talented musicians and watched the dancers. Kala ordered an afex for me and, surprisingly, one for herself. I made no comment about it, however. After finishing the last song of their program the band left the stage; and immediately Kerabac stepped up. As before, Kerabac was greeted with cheers and shouts from people requesting songs. Kerabac started out with one of the songs that seemed to be a favorite with the crowd. Kala and I got up and danced through the number. When the song finished, everyone applauded and again started to call out their next requests; but Kerabac interrupted with an announcement. “I have a special request from First Citizen Tibby. This is a song from his home planet of Earth, which he wishes to dedicate to First Citizen Kalana,” and with that he began performing one of the Nat King Cole songs that I discussed with him earlier in the day – one of my favorites called The More I See You. I took Kala by the hand and led her to the center of the floor, where we danced in a soft spotlight as everyone stood back to watch. Kerabac’s rich voice and the magical lyrics of the song had their effect on Kala; I saw tears glisten in the corners of her eyes. Soon her head was on my shoulder as I held her close throughout the rest of the song. It ended all too soon to another round of cheering and applause and Kala kissed me gently on the cheek.
As we walked off the dance floor, Kerabac began another announcement. “And now I have another surprise for you. Most of you have not met our latest crew member, though a few of you have seen him accidently a few times,” he added with a chuckle. “You’ll be seeing him a lot more in the future, I assure you; and after tonight I think you will be hearing him a lot more often, as well. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you… A’Lappe.”
Both Kala and I stopped in our tracks and turned around to see A’Lappe take the stage with Kerabac as a mixture of murmurs and clapping stirred the room. A’Lappe sat himself down in the middle of a number of musical instruments arranged in a close configuration at the center of the stage. When he was situated and satisfied with his adjustments, he nodded to Kerabac, who had also seated himself at his Judaras keyboard. Suddenly, the room was filled with music and both Kerabac and A’Lappe were singing together in perfectly blended and effortlessly harmonized voices. Like his speaking voice, A’Lappe’s singing voice was rich and mellow, which belied his diminutive stature. His hands flew over the various instruments to produce exquisite sounds as the two of them sang a popular tune that was apparently composed for a duet. As the melody reached its last note, a deafening applause erupted in the room; and in the span of three minutes A’Lappe had endeared himself to the ship’s entire crew.
“You know, Tib, I almost think you and A’Lappe are related,” Kala said into my ear over the roar of the crowd.
“Oh? Why do you say that?”
“Because it seems there is nothing the two of you can’t do.” I couldn’t take my eyes off Kala; her skin glistened under the lights of the dance floor and her elation was almost tangible as she gazed up at the stage, clapping enthusiastically along with the rest of the throng. At that moment I couldn’t imagine this life without her.
Early the next morning I met with Admiral Regeny and his staff to assemble a list of key planets whose contacts he and the High Command believed to be secure. Before long, we had loaded a number of GW pods with reactors and solbidyum and an encrypted message directed to each contact. Admiral Regeny chose to include in the initial shipments several destinations mid-way between the central Federation sector and the outlying areas, believing a strategy that included successful deliveries to these highly frequented planets would facilitate rapid spread of news in both directions that solbidyum distribution was in progress.
A’Lappe showed up as we were loading the last of the pods we intended to launch for that day. “Admiral,” he said, “I suggest that once these pods are away that we postpone the trip to Aburn and your visit with the crew of the PURFIRE and expedite our journey to Plosaxen so you can quickly test and secure all the troopers and leadership there. Then I recommend that you immediately establish a stock of solbidyum on Plosaxen and notify local planets to dispatch their own secure contingent to pick up their allotment there, if they do not wish to wait for the Federation to deliver it. Without going into the details as to why, let them know that the Federation simply doesn’t have enough ships and troops to transport and guard every one of a million deliveries; and if they wish to receive their solbidyum sooner than the Federation schedule allows, they will need to respond with their own ships and guards. I believe most of the Federation planets have their own home gua
rd and a few ships at their command. This will place less strain on the Federation and will help to prevent spreading the fleet over too much territory. There will no doubt be attempts to intercept and raid their ships; however, by that time you should have all the troopers and Federation ships in and around Plosaxen cleared and equipped with 10X reactors and RMFF shields, so the military will be able to provide rapid assistance, should anyone’s private contingent be attacked.”
“Humph,” the admiral snorted, “you want us to split up the solbidyum supply so there is more than one location that can be attacked and that have to be defended? The more places we have involved, the easier it will be for the Brotherhood to find a weak spot and take that supply.”
“Yes, that’s true in some regards; but weighted against the impossible odds of ever getting the solbidyum distributed, it’s one worth taking. Plus, as it is now, the risks posed by having all the solbidyum in one location are immense. Should the Brotherhood be able to infiltrate this ship or should this ship be lost by one means or another, the entire supply of solbidyum is lost. That scenario, too, is unacceptable, Admiral,” A’Lappe asserted, blinking in his spellbinding fashion.
