by K R Sanford
Marco, taking a deep breath himself, enjoyed the lively spirits of the crew. He turned his attention to the front viewer. The three speeders in wedge formation lit the borehole for miles ahead. The walls were solid rock, smooth and straight. The floor of the borehole was clean and dry. It was a perfect tube made of granite.
Mile after mile the shuttle flew in silence except for the eerie sound of the wind droning off the walls. The high pitch drone was the kind that made the bridge crew alert. The sound had a voice like a musical bowl. It told a solitary tale from a solitary instrument to a starship in an altered universe. The experience; mystical, magical and powerful was knowing of the changing world.
They were being escorted to the heart of the great City under the Mountains. They could feel the life giving artery of the city. In a few moments, they would know for sure.
In an instance the Eagle II slowed. They broke from the five Marillian speeders. The guidance system powered back the shuttle like a leaf settling to ground. The feet of the landing gear came to rest on the circular stone landing. The steps touched against the floor.
Hector and Chris were the first to descend the metal steps. Chris looked around in awe. Hector remained in the shuttle guiding the advance team off the tiny ship. “Watch your step now, until you get your balance.” He would say, as if he were the appointed flight steward, which in point of fact he was.
Chris admired Hector’s enthusiasm. She went over to his side to give him support.
Marco, enjoying the polish of Hector’s charade encouraged him by saying so. “Your position as flight attendant should be your permanent title. What do you think?”
“Oh, this is the fun part,” said Hector. “It’s the simple things that make the journey stand out above the rest.”
“That’s a very good point,” said Marco, “Will the Liometo people have an interest in a service like this?”
“Let’s ask,” said Hector reaching for Cybil’s hand. He guided her onto the landing pad but before he could say a word she spoke.
“They would love it, Hector," she replied. "Anything in space would have their undivided attention.” She dismissed the discussion by adding a tap on his shoulder. She turned away. She was looking straight ahead, ignoring the small talk.
She stepped onto the white flowstone of the Emperor’s court. Cybil’s pose made a striking figure on the white flowstone. Her skintight pantsuit and her raven hair was an artist’s painting. She surveyed the vast hollows of the city. She began to study what she perceived as Marillian central. Marco’s voice called to her from somewhere faraway. She felt his voice. His invitation compelled her to turn.
“Would you like to take a tour?” He said smiling. Grantham and Clorissa were at his side encouraging her with nods.
“What a wonderful idea,” she replied. “Can we take a speeder or are we walking?”
Marco raised his chin. “I was thinking of horseback.”
Cybil, taken unaware, questioned, “Horseback, what’s that?”
“That’s right,” said Marco. “Your world did not have them. Well, a horse is a vegetarian. Can you be around a life-form that can sense you eat meat?”
“When I am in human form I am an omnivore,” said Cybil. “When I’ve embodied panther, if I don’t behave like I’m hunting, the animals don’t mind. As long as I don’t give them reason to panic, they go about their day without watching for my attack. We stay away from mothers with calves. And, we stay away from males with the heavy scent of the land. We know they will defend their territory. Some scents are very strong and pungent. The message is; if you are not bold enough to sport these many scents, keep away or I will eat you.”
“That’s about how it is around here,” chimed Grantham.
“Okay, well, let’s give it a try,” said Marco. “Grantham, would you like to lead the way?”
Grantham replied with a bow. He extended a hand to the path leading to the fluorescent river. “If you omnivores will follow me, we can get ourselves a horse,” he quipped.
He stepped lively off the white flowstone. He started out with a brisk pace then hiking up over the rise he stopped. He stretched out his hand once again. This time he motioned from one side of the cavern to the other.
“The Capital City of Marillia,” he announced.
As he spoke the words of the city, the lights in the ceiling of the cavern came to life. “Behold, my friends and my people,” he continued. He gazed over a futurist city with domed buildings waterways and bridges. High-rise building filled the cavern floor for as far as the eye could see. Low box shaped industrial buildings stretched for miles in every direction. Well-traveled highways and high-speed trains connected every part of the megalopolis. Grantham stood silent. He was frozen in the moment.
Clorissa placed her hand on his shoulder. She whispered to Chris and Cybil. “He gets emotional.”
Grantham turned, “What’s that?”
Chris, taking a moment herself spoke. “I never expected a city like this would be down here. Until the lights came on I had no idea.”
“Oh, they do that on special occasions,” said Grantham. “You folks came at the right time. Tell the Liometo what you saw. We need help on many of our projects. Some include materials for space vehicles. They might like to hear what we have to offer before the corporations make there pitch. We have one chance before the reps meet with them at Festival in eight days.”
“Six days, Governor,” said Devin.
“Six days,” repeated Grantham. “How time slips away when you’re having fun.”
Hector ambled along the path toward the river. “Down here?” he shouted.
“You know the way,” said Marco.
Chris sided up to Hector. “You didn’t tell me about all this.”
Hector reflected then teased, “I said the city was magnificent. Do you want to work here?”
“If all the males are as tall as Grantham, what’s a girl to think?” she puckered her lips.
“Oh, please you’re given me heartburn. You know, you ladies don’t play fair.”
“What’s fair?” asked Chris. “Life’s not fair. I am talking about being equal.”
“Okay,” said Hector. “Keep it up and they will elect you mayor of Ameda.”
“Do you think The City of Marillia has an environmental inspector?”
Hector lifted his eyebrow. “With a type three civilization living next door, I would think they have that covered. Still, it wouldn't hurt to ask.”
“What’s that?” asked Chris.
“Oh, I forgot the horses, watch your step. The Vallians keep the stables, but the Marillians keep the roads.”
“I wasn’t wondering about the horse crap. I was wondering about Ameda having a mayor to elect.” Chris eyed the road ahead. “Who’s that?” she asked.
“Amedans,” said Hector giving Chris a double take. “I expected to see them when we landed. Something is up.”
Grantham adjusted the gold rod on his belt, “Nothing from my people, Admiral.”
“Here they come,” said Hector. “And, unless I miss my guess, those red bolts belong to Lao.”
Three spheres flew straight for them in single file. They stopped twenty feet away, lining up full abreast across the road.
Hovering at eye level, Lao spoke. “Admiral, Your Majesty, Governor, I am Lao, Amedan High Council. Here, to my left is Vice High Council, Asher, and Eag, Minister of futures. I have come with news.”
“Why so formal, Lao, we know who you are? And what’s Eag seeing in our future?”
“That’s it,” said Lao. “The battle comes for exactly that.”
Marco gave his head a single shake as if dislodging a thought that didn’t belong. “We are on our way to tour of Marillia by horseback, Lao. And, you are blocking the road. What’s going on, Lao?”
“Was that a joke?” retorted Lao, “human humor?”
“No,” said Marco. “Take a look around, Lao. This is real.”
“I need to press m
y point, Admiral.” Lao’s red bolts cooled to orange. His shell changed to cool water blue. “There are rumblings that go far against our time. We need the Liometo Elite to optimize their work force. They will start here on Ameda then migrate everywhere in our galaxy.”
“Don’t you think the workers might have something to say about that?” asked Marco.
“Cybil and the other symbiotes will change their desires,” replied Lao.
“I’ll think about it, Lao,” said Marco. “I will need to get our allies in agreement. I take it since you interrupted our tour you want compliance.”
“Time is of the essence, Admiral,” said Lao.
“Oh, very well,” replied Marco. He turned back to the others. In a whisper he issued commands. “Let’s get back to the ship. Grantham, you are welcome to stay here but I’m going to need my navigator.”
Marco walked to the shuttle. He did not look back. He was too angry to care if he was being followed or hunted. He stepped inside the shuttle. The Amedans were gone.
“To your seats,” he ordered. “Ryan, take us through the borehole. We’re going west to the front of Shrine Castle.”
Devin grinned in approval. His chin raised in pride. “Suspicious, that Lao, what’s gotten into him?”
“Lao is a psychopath,” said Grantham.
“Yes, we know he’s a psychopath,” chimed Hector. “He’s making his move.”
Grantham nodded, “He wants alliances with the Elites. He wants to have control over the work force. In this star system he presumes the guests are his work force.”
“And in the Middle Corridor,” said Marco. “Who would challenge him there?”
“Who would want to,” said Hector. “That’s hard work.”
“For a human,” said Clorissa. She pointed to the river churning up florescent kelp.
The river intensified the glow off the stalactites and stalagmites. Marco banked the shuttle to view the horseman’s path along the river banks. The rows of supply houses were secure. Wood and hay were in neat piles along the river’s bank.
Devin leaned forward to get a better view.
He remarked with pride, “I’m impressed with how orderly the supply depots look. And the rest areas are clean, very nice.”
“Your people take pride in their work, Your Majesty,” said Marco.
The tunnel widened. They entered the Grand Ball Room. “Pipe organs and choir lofts everywhere,” said Marco. “I remember sleeping in here during the siege of the Bradley Corporation. I don’t remember when I was so exhausted,” continued Marco. He turned to Ryan. “You weren’t here, Ryan. No wonder you’ve been so quiet. This is the first time you have seen this.”
“No,” said Ryan. “I saw most everything along the road through Chief Spierd’s video cube. In person it is better. I can see more tunnels in the walls of the borehole.”
Marco turned his head, “We didn’t have time to record details, Ryan. We needed to get to the Emperor’s court, planet to save and all that.”
“Oh, I know,” said Ryan. “We were following protocol with the Eagle, running silent.”
“That’s right,” replied Marco. “Well, we’re here. And, someone left the door open.”
“Gonquin’s folk,” said Devin. “I asked him to see to things until our return.”
“He is a leader,” said Marco.
“And a fine horseman,” replied Devin.
The crew agreed, save Cybil.
Marco, seeing Cybil watch the crew stare at the light up ahead turned to her, “Looks like nice weather out there.” Cybil smiled. “Ryan, if you please,” he continued. “Set us on the bailey in front of the castle.”
“Aye, aye, Admiral,” said Ryan.
The shuttle burst into the morning sun. Puffy lavender clouds were forming in the west. The skies over Shrine Lake gathered with slow moving shuttle craft. They were dropping in from every starship in the galaxy.
“Busy morning,” said Devin.
“Humm,” nodded Marco scrutinizing the sky. “These shuttles are dropping in like they are cargo ships, like big battle cruisers. Unless I miss my guess, I would bet General Hodges has taken over operations here.”
Hector straightened. He leaned forward in his seat. Looking out the windows, he agreed. “Your right, someone is telling those hotdog pilots to bring it in slow.”
“Clorissa, are you picking up any interstellar traffic?” Marco asked.
“Military encryption, Admiral, high energy quantum shuffling,” she replied. “I’m also getting a lot of local buzz from orbiting ships. General Hodges' name came up several times. He’s ordering a code red landing protocol.
“Top Secret?” ask Marco. “Hector, do you want to get into this?”
“Nope,” replied Hector. “It looks to me like everything is under control. Put his transmission on speaker. Let’s have a listen.”
Marco pointed at Clorissa. Clorissa flipped open the intercom.
“Captain, hold position, this is dispatch.”
“He’s still veering off, dispatch. Captain, comply!”
“Captain Bolten, this is General Hodges.”
“Oh, high General,” replied Captain Bolten, “You on your way to Festival?”
“I’ll be there after I get everyone down on the ground. You sound like a friendly guy. Would you like to help me?”
“Sure, what do you need?”
“Well, Captain Bolten, how about getting back in line where dispatch told you the first time.”
“I can do that, General.”
“That’s good, Captain, because if I have to ask you again. I’m going to put you in a four foot box for the next twelve months. That’s to remind you not to make my skies into a circus show. Do I make myself clear, Captain Bolten?”
“Yes Sir, General. I am back in line and holding, Sir.”
“Can he do that?” asked Chris?
“He can send him to his death; shoot him out of the sky or put him in a box. Yes, he has authority to restrict air space and police the skies. Marco gave Clorissa the cut sign, “Listening to those transmissions can be addicting.”
“And distracting,” said Ryan. “I’m going to set us down on the lawn.” He turned to Devin. “Your Majesty, with your permission.”
Devin gave thumbs up.
Chapter 6
________________________________________
HEAD QUARTERS
Drive out a mocker, and out goes strife: quarrels and insults are ended.
King Solomon, circa 950 BC
Devin mounted the rock steps of Shrine Castle. He waited on the landing for the others. He could hear the voices of Queen Elsinor and Lady Lucia inside the foyer. The door pulled open.
“There you are,” said Elsinor poking her head around the door. “The shuttles are around back, lined up on the game field.”
“Lined up,” said Devin, “What do you mean?”
Elsinor balked. “General Hodges is to have his shuttles lined up in neat little rows. That’s what.”
“Yes, good,” said Devin. “He knows I like things where I can count them.”
Elsinor threw back her head and puckered her lips. She placed her finger at the side of her head. “Yes of course,” she said. “You want to count things like you do in your counting room. Sometimes I don’t know why my head gets so silly.”
“That’s your charm, my love,” said Devin. “Now, will you ladies like to join us for refreshments?”
Elsinor batted her eyelashes. “Alas No,” she said with the dramatics of a thespian. “We are unpacking. There’s food and drink on the table.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later,” said Devin pointing down the hallway, “To the banquet hall everyone.”
When the crew sat at Devin’s table and the food began to settle, Devin addressed the crew.
“We can have a word about Lao and the Amedan’s silence. First, I want to say, I was less than comfortable with being waylaid in the middle of the road. Then having to listen to the kind of
policy Lao was framing. I felt trapped. Being forced to listen to a conspiracy next to the Emperor’s throne was creepy. And, being under the Arches of the Amedans with the High Council hovering in front of me made me sick to my stomach.”
Vito spoke up. “These are growing pains. This is when things edge up. Do you agree?”
“I don’t know,” replied Devin. “I’m not sure what I was listening to.”
Grantham chimed in. “Lao, needs to voice his new policy in a public forum not in the middle of the road.”
“Sure, I get it. He wants to use the Liometo for power,” said Marco.
“He has seen what the cosmic bridge can do,” explained Vito. "He wants to expand his influence beyond the Corsi System.”
“What business wouldn’t,” said Ryan. “He’s in the right place to stay out in front?”
“He wants to control the mining industry,” said Hector. “With a base of operations here on Ameda, he can expand the Middle Corridor. And, with the profits, he can finance the Island Planet for a new vacation paradise.”
Ryan nodded, “This will become the entertainment capital for the sector.”
“It’s nice enough,” said Marco.
“It is beautiful,” added Hector.
“A robust plan,” replied Vito. “Who would oppose Lao, even if his methods do seem mad for an Amedan?”
“A bigger madman, that’s who,” said Hector.
“And who would that be?” pressed Vito.
Grantham cleared his throat. “We don’t need to oppose him. He is showing everyone he is competent, which he is. We get behind him.”
Tell me something, Grantham,” asked Devin. “What is the Amedans saying to us in their silence?”
Ryan spoke first. “They lead by example. If they can be silent so can we. By doing as the Amedans, we force Lao to make the next move.”
Grantham held out his hand. “We show Lao we will do as the Amedans. We are watching him like a powerful neighbor. This is our obligation and this needs to be our response.”
“Here, here,” sounded a voice down the hallway. They recognized Gonquin as the leader of the horseman, the mountain people. His name sang out until the room fell quiet. All eyes turned to the man behind Gonquin. “This is General Hodges,” said Gonquin. Most of you are familiar with his reputation. I have found him to be valuable in controlling the starship traffic.”
