by Dale Musser
“I hadn’t thought of that. Oh, Tibby this must be horrible for you, trying to keep all this secret and dealing with that and all the matters of the fleet and the war.”
“It’s not been easy, but it does have its upside,” I said.
“Oh?”
“For five of the days after the treatment my body feels fantastic, both mentally and physically. And my libido – well, I guess I don’t need to tell you about that.”
“Yes, that’s something else I’ve noticed. I’ve been able to count on four or five days of fantastic lovemaking and then for at least two you don’t even seem to know that intimacy exists. I always thought it was because you were preoccupied with the issues you were going to discuss with Marranalis in your mysterious briefings. Only now I find out there were no briefings at all. What does Marranalis do during your treatment and recovery?”
“Hmm, I have no idea really. When I get back to the study, I’m generally very ill. I typically sleep in one of the big chairs and he stays somewhere nearby, in case I develop some kind of complication or need help of some sort. Sometimes he orders food to be delivered to the study to show some kind of activity, so my guards don’t get suspicious, but I never eat during that period. I’m just too sick. He probably reviews things on the vid screen or maybe he takes a nap too. I don’t really know when the man sleeps.”
“You know, he’s a really great friend, Tibby.”
“I know. I wish there was something special I could do for him.”
Kala laid quietly by my side for a moment. “Tibby, I would like to go with you to your next treatment. Do you mind?”
“I don’t know, Kala. You’ve seen me go through worse, but this is a very unpleasant thing to witness. The treatment is painful. I have no doubt that I look like the writhing ball of misery that I feel like. It’s like having molten metal injected into my veins. I’m don’t want to talk or even have anyone talk to me for hours. Plus, I don’t smell too nice either.”
“I would still like to be there, Tib. You’re my bond mate, the love of my life. It only seems right that I should know firsthand what you’re going through. If the situation was reversed, you would want the same.”
“Alright. But I’ve warned you,” I replied as I stroked her hair.
“Tib, what will happen in the end? I mean when the treatments no longer work?”
“There’s no way to know, Kala. Thumumba told me not to worry about it and that, in the end, he will help me. I have no idea what that means – and he wouldn’t explain it,” I said.
“Thumumba? So Thumumba knows also?”
“Yes, I’d forgotten about him. I don’t know how he found out but he knew almost from the start – or maybe even before I did. He showed up in my study one day to tell me that he can’t cure this condition, but to not worry and to live my life as though it wasn’t a problem. He said that, when the time comes, he will be there and everything will be alright.”
“What does he mean by alright?” Kala asked me with a serious look.
“I honestly have no idea. Thumumba wouldn’t say anything more about it.”
We were interrupted by a sound in the living room.
“I hate him!” Lunnie’s voice reverberated through the suite.”
“Sounds like I need to go console our daughter, Kala said as she rolled out of bed and wrapped a robe around herself.”
“What now?” I asked.
“Kala looked at me and grinned. “Boy problems, I suspect. My bet is her advances and flirtations were ignored by some guy she was after.”
“If you find out who he is, let me know. He sounds like the kind of guy I want around my daughter more often,” I said with a smile.
“Oh, Tib! It’s just natural at her age. Besides you say all the time you want our kids to lead a normal life. Well, flirting and dating is a part of a normal life for teens.”
“Hmm. Well, I wouldn’t mind if Lunnie were a little less normal in that area.”
Kala left the room to talk to Lunnie, skipping the Hi sweetheart, how was your evening, and jumping right into, “What’s the matter? What happened that has you upset this time?”
“It’s Hiwite. He’s such an ibote. He said when I dance I look like a marogane squirming in a mud pit,” Lunnie sobbed.
“Oh Lunnie, he was just trying to cover up his nervousness. Guys do that. I’ll bet you he wasn’t dancing himself. Am I right?”
“No, he was just standing there, so I asked him to come and dance with me. He said he wouldn’t dance with me because I dance like a marogane squirming in a mud pit,” she sniffed.
“Have you ever seen him dance?”
“No,” Lunnie responded thoughtfully.
“See. I’ll bet he’s afraid to dance because he might look silly. So, to hide his insecurity, he makes fun of dancing.”
“You really think so?” Lunnie asked.
“I’m pretty sure of it Lunnie,” said Kala. “Males do all sorts of stupid things to cover up their fears.
“Did dad do stuff like that?”
“I would imagine so, but I don’t know for sure. Your dad and I were a lot older when we met – and besides, your dad is the best dancer in the galaxy. A better example is your own brother. Look at how he acted around your friend, Darree, last week.”
“By the stars, mom, he was so stupid. It was embarrassing. I’ve never seen him like that before.”
“See that’s what I’m talking about. Your brother is attracted to Darree, but he feels awkward around her and that makes him do silly things that actually do make him look awkward.”
Lunnie sighed. “Well, all I know is I don’t want to see or talk to Hiwite again. He embarrassed me in front of his friends and they all laughed at me.”
“Yes, well, I’ll bet you tomorrow at least two of his friends will try to get your attention. Now that they think he’s not interested in you, they will be.
“Why? That doesn’t make sense, mom.”
“Precisely. Men’s minds don’t always make sense.”
“Oh, does that include me?” I asked as I entered the room.
“Dad! I didn’t know you were here!”
“Well, I know I’m not here all that often, but this is my home, too, and I do sleep here.”
“Did you hear what mom and I were talking about?” Lunnie asked with a tone of embarrassment.
“Yes. And I’ll be the first to say your mother is right. Don’t pay any attention to what this nitwit said.”
“Hiwite, dad. His name is Hiwite,” Lunnie said.
“Hiwite, Nitwit, all the same,” I replied.
Kala laughed, as she understood the reference to nitwit from our past discussions about some of the subtleties of language in my home country on Earth.
“Now, if you ladies will excuse me,” I continued, “I want track down Tonclin. I need to discuss something with him.”
Finding Tonclin was easier than I anticipated. He answered my call almost immediately.
“I’ve been expecting your call, Tibby” he said. “I imagine you would like to talk to me about today’s testimony.”
“Yes, sir, I would.”
“Why don’t you come by Chanina’s suite. We can talk about it here. She’s on duty, so we’ll have plenty of privacy.”
“I’ll be there in five minutes,” I answered.
When I arrived, Tonclin ushered me in and immediately began apologizing.
“First Citizen,” he began formally, “I’m terribly sorry. I should have asked you to delay your visit long enough for me to adjust the air mixture to one more suited to humans. It will be a few minutes before the mixture is more comfortable to you.”
“That’s quite alright, Tonc,” I responded, as the strong sweetly metallic taste of the air hit the palate. I’m sure it will be alright as it is.”
“I appreciate your tolerance,” Tonc replied. “So, I suppose you’re curious about my testimony.”
“Indeed. I was a bit shocked, to say the least, but I am
most appreciative, all the same.”
“Pheosa and I were not about to let you get punished for the rest of your life for doing what needed to be done. You’re right. The normal Senate approval process moves far too slowly to allow the military to protect the Federation under the urgent conditions you faced at the time. Had you proposed the action by way of proper channels, the Federation would be much worse off today. That is a certainty.
“So, I’m sure by now you’ve figured out how Pheosa and I carried out our last-minute deposition...?”
“Yes. I noticed your clenched fist and the ring you were wearing. I see you’re not wearing it now.”
Tonclin chuckled. “Yes. It’s truly a marvelous device, by the way. Of course, Cantolla needed to make some very quick modifications so it would fit into a ring that I could wear. She insisted that I return it as soon as the hearing was over. It’s back in her possession already.”
“It’s the only one in existence,” I replied. “Weren’t you and Pheosa concerned that he would be asked to give his testimony under the truth band as well?”
“Not really,’ Tonclin replied. “It would have been in very poor form to insist on carrying out such a protocol, especially in regard to the established truthful testimony and subsequent corroboration of two Leaders. Not only would it undermine Pheosa’s governance as a current Leader, it would indicate a disbelief in the validity of the truth monitors in general.”
“I understand, Tonc. Just the same, you both did this at tremendous personal risk. Why? And how did you get Pheosa to agree to it?”
“It was simply the right thing to do. Tibby, you don’t seem to realize just how much the Federation needs you. I know you never check the popularity polls, but you’re at the top of the list constantly. You’re the most trusted individual in the Federation. Without this solidarity behind you, the Federation would be in a stalemate over what actions to take. You don’t wait for the Senate or anyone to catch up. You do what you believe needs to be done. Without exception, Tibby, your decisions have been the right ones. We can’t afford that to change.
“So, when I recognized the angle that Wingutt was taking to persuade the Senate against you, I realized the only thing that could save you was an executive action authorized by some article in the War Powers Act. The only thing I could find was a clause stating that, if two Leaders agree on a particular course of action during a time of war, they are authorized to issue a joint order that overrides current Federation laws and processes.
“At the time of the event at Epsirt, Leader’s Maragon, Pheosa and I were serving together. Since then, both Leader Maragon and I have fulfilled our terms. Only Pheosa is still in office. Maragon is suffering from a chronic and disabling degenerative mental illness, so there was no way he would have been able to testify, assuming I would have been able to get him to go along with the plan. Pheosa, on the other hand, feels strongly that you are making sound decisions that are always in the best interest of Federation security. Moreover, he feels he owes both you and Kalana the greatest of personal debts for saving his life and that of his wife at his inauguration years ago. So, when I approached him about offering a sound corroboration to my testimony, he was quick to respond favorably.”
“I don’t know what to say other than thank you,” I replied.
“No thanks needed, Tibby. Pheosa and I believe – we know – it was the right thing to do. I just hope this matter is completely put to rest. There’s no telling what Wingutt will do now.”
That night I slept well, in spite of a dream where Ming had Wingutt on a leash, like an attack dog, and he was telling Wingutt to bite me. In my dream I was frightened of neither Wingutt nor Ming and I swatted Wingutt on the nose with a rolled up paper.
I was awakened by the beep of my wrist com.
“Tibby here,” I answered sleepily.
“Sir, this is Corporal Neider. Admiral Wabussie requests that you to contact him immediately. Senator Wingutt has been killed.”
“What?!” I exclaimed. “How? When? Never mind, I know. Admiral Wabussie will fill me in. Thank you, Corporal. I’ll get in touch with him.”
“What is it, Tib?” Kala asked sleepily.
“I’m afraid I need to go. Wingutt is dead.”
“What happened,” she asked as she became more alert.
“I don’t know. I’ll need to talk with Wabussie to find out.”
I contacted Wabussie over my wrist com and, in spite of the late hour, I discovered he was in his office. I used the Cantolla Gates to make the trip back to the Capitol Space Station and went straight to his headquarters.
“Come in, Tibby,” Wabussie greeted briefly from his position in front of a large wall vid monitor.
“So what’s this about finding Wingutt dead?” I asked.
“As near as we can tell, it happened about three hours after your hearing today. We have surveillance vid clips that show Wingutt leaving the Senate with two men. We were able to pick them up again on a vid at the Megelleon Cantolla Gate Station as they arrived. It was here that the two men accompanying the Senator were replaced by two others. Wingutt appeared very nervous and uncomfortable at the exchange, but he’s seen leaving the station with them. One of the station guards has reported seeing them board a surface transport. That’s the last record of Wingutt’s movements, until his body was discovered about an hour ago. Preliminary examination indicates that he was brutally beaten before being garroted. His body was discovered in a deserted building by a transient seeking shelter for the night.”
“Any leads on the identities of the two men who left with him or a clear motive as to why he was killed?”
“No. We’ve tried to run a computer ID check on the men and, while they have shown up on vid clips from cameras at Cantolla Gate stations around the Federation over the past two years, we have no clue who they are. Using date stamps on the vids, we’ve established that these men spend no more than a day or two on any planet before leaving again.”
“Do we know where they go?”
“The most common destination is Ardjak, one of our planets on the Federation boundary. After that, they seem to disappear for a time before reappearing and using the Cantolla Gates again, generally starting from Ardjak.
“Do they reside on Ardjak?” I asked.
“It’s doubtful. Once they arrive on the planet, there is no sign of their presence anywhere on the surface. They aren’t seen again until they enter the station. It’s most likely that they’re departing Ardjak on a private ship that uses a small, inconspicuous landing field, perhaps located near the gate station. Ardjak is notoriously lax about tracking ship arrivals and departures.
“To be honest, Tibby, I’m baffled by Wingutt's murder.”
“I’m not,” I said.
“You’re not?”
“I’m positive Ming was behind it,” I answered. “He either had Wingutt executed out of sheer rage for failing to bring me down or Wingutt simply didn’t serve a purpose after the hearing, other than to demonstrate to the rest of his minions what happens to people who disappoint him.”
“So then you think Wingutt was Brotherhood after all?”
“Not necessarily. Wingutt simply didn’t meet Ming’s expectations, regardless of whether he was a loyal Brotherhood member, sympathizer, hired thug, or blackmail victim. It makes no difference to Ming. Fail Ming and you die. He probably saw Wingutt as nothing more than a liability after the hearing resulted in a dismissal.”
Wabussie stared silently for a moment at the data and images that sorted themselves across the enormous vid intelligence monitor. “Your planet Earth must have been an extraordinary place, Tibby. It seems to have produced so many traits in extremes – extreme good and extreme evil, limitless virtue and inconceivable wickedness, you on one end of the spectrum and Ming on the other. I look at your skills and those of Admiral Slater – both of you outstanding warriors by Federation standards, even though you both profess to be mediocre by Earth standards. Then I look at Ming, who mak
es the Federation’s worst tyrant look like a poor pickpocket by comparison. Both you and Slater can process and act at a faster pace than we here in the Federation. I see the same thing in the others from your Earth colonies that you rescued and brought to the Federation. All of them excel in everything they undertake.”
“Well, the Earth survivors most certainly do not collectively represent a fair cross-section of Earth citizens in terms of abilities – especially the military staff, who’ve spent more time serving in wars than I care to recount. Beyond that, I think it’s just that Earth people are simply by circumstance positioned more prominently in the focus of the Federation’s eyes – because of this war, because of Ming’s oppression and cruelty…and because of me.” I paused to choke back that familiar guilt about my role in the mayhem that had smothered the Federation’s peaceful existence since I arrived. “Ultimately, we’re not really any different from anyone here.
“Has the news of Wingutt’s murder been released to the public?” I asked.
“Not yet. I was holding off until we could speak. You do realize that some people will automatically think you had something to do with his death?”
“Hm. No, actually. I hadn’t thought of that. However, I can see where that might be a logical deduction.”
“So, in anticipation of that development, I want to make sure that we can account for all your activities and movements after the hearing,” said Wabussie. “We can do that, can’t we?”
“Yes, certainly. Let’s see…I went back to the MAXETTE. Security at the Cantolla Gates can provide the exact times. Then I met with Marranalis for updates, after which I went to my suite on the NEW ORLEANS to spend some time with Kala and Lunnie. I was interrupted, though, not long after I arrived, when Rebadat Tonclin sent a message that he wanted to talk to me in his daughter’s suite, which is also on the NEW ORLEANS. I met with him five minutes later and spent about an hour with him before returning to my suite to dine with my family. I was there until you called me.”
