by Terry Mixon
The marines didn’t look happy at leaving his side, but they went off with their counterparts. He hoped they wouldn’t get into a fight over gambling debts. Fredrick went with them, perhaps to make certain they didn’t.
The number of crewmembers in the corridor surprised Jared. There were a lot of people. “What size crew do you have aboard?” he asked.
“Three thousand two hundred and fifty three. Mace has many systems to maintain and operate. And Athena?”
“Two hundred and fifty, not counting a detachment of thirty marines”
Sanders stopped, his expression surprised. “That’s an incredibly small number for even a destroyer. Ours have double that number. Your systems must be quite advanced.”
“I hadn’t considered them overly so, but perhaps. We’ve only been back in space for a century, but our scientists had been working on the theory long before we had the technology. Once we started making breakthroughs, we built ships quickly. Athena isn’t the cutting edge of our designs either. She’s about fifty years old, though she’s been well refitted.”
“We need to build ships quickly after every invasion and innovation has been slow. The continuing raids have taken their toll on progress. We do indeed have much to learn from your people. Let’s start with engineering.”
The main engineering compartment looked large enough to hold most of Athena. He had no trouble recognizing the massive grav drives. They seemed powerful enough to move a planet.
“What are these?” He gestured at the massive power plants. “Fission plants?”
“Yes. Heavily shielded of course. I’d imagine you’ve figured out cold fusion?”
Jared laughed. “I’m told that’s a mirage. We do have fusion plants, though they take up much less space. My chief engineer could ramble on about them for a few weeks.”
The old man smiled. “Engineers are all alike, eh? I’m certain my engineers would be ecstatic to converse with him at length.”
“I feel confident we’ll come to some kind of understanding. Ambassador Bandar will need to make the final decision on something like that, but I can envision sharing technical information very soon.”
“That would be wonderful. Perhaps we can even barter for some of the exotic elements needed to make space-time drives.”
“Those elements are found in most star systems in small quantities. The last system we travelled through may have them in one of its asteroid belts.”
“Or the ones beyond it. I’m sure your Empire could have a brisk trade in them. They would be literally worth a King’s ransom.”
Jared took a deep breath. Here’s where he had to lay some of their cards on the table. It wouldn’t do to let their new friends think they were misleading them. If this were going to cause problems, it would be best to find out now.
“At this time bilateral trade with the Empire may be premature.” He explained their current difficult situation to the Commodore.
The officer listened without interrupting until Jared wound down. His frown deepened. “Indeed, you are in a fix. Thankfully, you’ll find the Kingdom a friend in your time of need, just as you were in ours. Unless there is another of these weak flip points in our system, we cannot offer an alternative route back to your Empire, but we can make certain you have other supplies you need. One day your Fleet will come looking for you and they will find you among friends.”
“We appreciate that. The Empire doesn’t forsake its friends, either. The Emperor won’t forget those who sheltered his daughter.”
The Commodore started walking down the corridor slowly. “I’ve spoken with His Majesty. He has given me leave to speak with His voice in this matter. No matter what agreements we come to, you and your people are welcome here as our friends. His shelter is yours. Frankly, He can’t wait to meet you both, Lord Captain. Your timely arrival has fired His imagination.”
“I hope we can live up to his expectations.” Jared considered their situation. Hiding Courageous might come back to bite them if they never got home. If they traded technical information, the Royal Fleet would use the flip point to that system to test their new systems. Its presence would become common knowledge fairly quickly.
“Commodore, might we speak privately?”
“Of course. Let’s adjourn to my day cabin. We can have something to eat while we talk.”
The Commodore’s day cabin was twice the size of Jared’s office. The older man sent for food and offered Jared a drink. Having no idea what drinks they had here, he told the other man to surprise him.
Sanders poured an amber liquid into two small glasses. “Sip this. It’s quite smooth, but a gulp would be uncomfortable at best.”
Jared sat at a small table beside the senior officer and sipped the drink. It was quite alcoholic and burned nicely as it went down. “This is very good.”
“Aged apricot brandy. My family has brewed this for centuries. It’s only available for limited consumption. I’ll send a few bottles back with you.”
A buzzer announced the arrival of food. It looked like a platter of cheese, meats, and bread. The scent made Jared’s stomach rumble. The man left the food with them and departed.
Commodore Sanders considered Jared. “What shall we speak of, Lord Captain?”
“My people may be trapped here, I have knowledge that you should be aware of. Consider it my gesture of trust.” He proceeded to tell the full tale of their arrival.
Sanders sat bolt upright when he first mentioned the old Empire battlecruiser, his drink forgotten in his hand. He listened raptly to the entire story without interrupting. Only when Jared finished did he move.
More precisely, he gulped the entire glass of brandy and went to refill their glasses.
“That is the most amazing tale I’ve ever heard. I’ve read adventure stories like that, but never imagined that something so…astonishing could happen in real life. Dear gods, an old Empire Fleet vessel.” His tone was reverent. “They were as technologically superior to us as we are to the Pale Ones now.”
“I’m confident that Princess Kelsey will negotiate allowing your specialists join the examination of the ship, but I need to discuss the Pale Ones, as well.” He explained about the implants they found inside the Fleet personnel.
The Commodore frowned deeply. “That is troubling, Lord Captain. Are you positive these implants are the same? We knew the bastards had such technology, but this link to the old Empire is chilling.”
“They appear to be the same equipment and implantation method, except the old Fleet personnel had no scars.”
“Are you able to compare the contents of these implants to those of the old Fleet personnel?”
Jared shook his head. “The ones in Courageous’ crew are as dead as they are. We modified one of the headsets to copy what they think is the programming code from the Pale Ones onto a separate, secured computer. We’re examining it now.”
The older man nodded. “If you were to find the right power settings, do you think some of the original implants might be brought back online?”
“Perhaps. I don’t want to desecrate one the dead Fleet personnel unless we’re sure.”
“We would appreciate it if you could try,” the Commodore said. “I find myself wondering if they are identical inside, or if perhaps the programming of the Pale Ones has been overridden somehow.”
Jared sipped his brandy. “You mean like a computer virus? That’s an interesting theory. I’ll discuss it with my people. If it were, wouldn’t the old Empire have fixed it? These savages might be the descendants of people conquered by the rebels. Surely the old Fleet would have captured some of the rebels and reversed the process if they could have.”
The Commodore shrugged. “It is conceivable that they did. The old stories tell how rapidly the rebellion spread. If it is a virus, perhaps correcting it took time. Perchance the same held true for modifying the implants to resist the infection. The vast and mighty Terran Empire fell within two or three years.”
“That’s a
n interesting theory,” Jared agreed. “And these Pale Ones. Are they a relic of the rebellion where some lingering imperative forces them to continue to seek out unconquered humans to enslave? How could they still have the advanced technology for the implant machinery, yet still use such primitive ships? If they had access to the kind of ships found in the old Empire, we would all be dead or enslaved long ago.”
Sanders nodded. “And there’s the rub. Without going to look in their system, we have no idea what we face. Could we end this cycle of attacks by destroying some facility? Perhaps that is all there is…a single complex modifying people from a slave population.”
“We have probes,” Jared said. “The attack here is over. What if we sent one through the flip point as a gesture of goodwill? Knowing what awaits us over there is the first piece of information that we all need to formulate a plan.”
“And if they have defenses to destroy it?”
“Then that tells us something important, too.”
The Commodore sat silently for a few minutes, and then he nodded. “We would be in your debt for any intelligence you could gather for us, Lord Captain.”
Jared smiled widely. “We’ll get started, but I’d like to ask you for a small favor in return.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kelsey sat in her seat on Athena’s cutter and fumed. The destroyer was moving toward the flip point leading to the Pale Ones’ system to launch a probe and she was on her way to Pentagar. She knew Jared had to have been behind the Commodore’s insistence she leave now for Pentagar to begin negotiations. Unfortunately, she couldn’t do anything about it.
Kelsey eyed Talbot. “Am I going to get the silent treatment the entire trip?”
“It’s nothing personal, Princess, but we’re not a barrel full of monkeys while on a combat patrol either. There’s time to be serious and there’s time to have fun. This is the former.”
“This isn’t combat.”
“No, but what kind of impression would you make if we joked around with you? That might cause the people here think you don’t take them seriously. Or that you’re making some kind of subtle insult. We just need to do our jobs and then we can have a beer when everyone isn’t watching your every move.”
He was probably right, but she’d never had the chance to be so casually friendly with anyone like the marines before. She found she fit in really well with them and missed doing so.
She sighed and looked out the port at the ship they were approaching. It was much smaller than Athena. Two men in light blue tunics met them when they docked. Both bowed.
“Princess Kelsey,” the one on the left said. “I’m Lieutenant Parker, the command pilot of the fast courier Lance. This is my engineer, Lieutenant Walker. Welcome aboard.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you taking us to Pentagar.”
The main compartment of the Royal ship proved to be very small. There were just enough seats for her, the four marines, and the three scientists accompanying them. “We’ll be departing at once,” Parker said. “With our fast grav drives, we’ll be in Pentagaran orbit in just under two hours. There are facilities through that door and we have some bottled water if you get thirsty. I apologize for the lack of amenities, but we don’t normally carry passengers so far.”
“Thank you,” Kelsey said. “We’ll be fine.”
They settled in and Talbot promptly went to sleep while the other marine kept watch. She decided that was a stellar idea and settled back to catch up on some well-deserved rest herself.
She woke when Talbot nudged her. “The pilot says we’re about to enter the atmosphere.”
Kelsey stretched and wished there were some ports. She took a minute to use the facilities and to drink a bottle of water. They landed fifteen minutes later.
The pilot opened the hatches and sunlight poured in. Kelsey took a deep breath. It had been over a month since she’d smelled unfiltered air. The breeze had a hint of something sweet, but otherwise seemed completely natural. Someone had moved a portable ramp next to the ship and the pilot gestured for her to go down first.
She stepped out into the open and took everything in. The blue sky was so pale that it almost didn’t look like a color at all. Small fluffy clouds raced above her, but the breeze brushing her face was light. The sunlight was somewhat redder than she’d expected, but not overly so.
The ship had landed on a wide field of stone, some kind of poured mix very similar to plascrete. A number of other ships sat at varying distances away. Some were near large buildings and others sat alone. Hers was the only one with a group of people waiting near it.
Two lines of men in white tunics stood at the base of the ramp with weapons held in front of them pointing into the sky. A glance at Talbot showed he wasn’t worried so she walked down the ramp.
Two men and a woman stood waiting for her. Behind them were half a dozen men in colorful tunics. The woman wore a wide headband of gold. She smiled and stepped forward. “Princess Kelsey of the Imperial House of Bandar, I am Crown Princess Elise of the Royal House of Orison. On behalf of my father I welcome you to Pentagar.”
Kelsey bowed slightly. “Thank you for your kind welcome, Highness. On behalf of my father and Captain Jared Mertz, I bring greetings and well wishes.”
“As we are both of high rank, I insist you call me Elise. Allow me to introduce my companions. This is the Royal Chancellor of Pentagar, Sir Ellery Matcliff, Baron of Windshire.” She gestured to the tall man with the distinguished gray hair to her right. “And this is Lord Admiral Sebastian Shrike, Deputy Commander of the Royal Fleet.”
The last was obviously a reference to the short, bald man of indeterminate age to her left. Kelsey couldn’t tell how old he was, but he obviously kept himself in shape. His arms were quite muscular. The two men bowed.
“Thank you,” Kelsey said. “Please call me Kelsey as well. I’ve brought three members of our scientific staff to consult with your people about the Pale Ones.”
“Of course. Our scientific and medical delegation will receive them. I know they have much to discuss.”
It turned out the people behind the other woman were that delegation. They led the scientists away, jabbering in techno speak as they walked. All but four of the honor guards faded away.
Elise gestured for Kelsey to walk beside her. “We have a grav car to take us to the palace. His Majesty is looking forward to meeting you, but he asked me to make the initial overtures of friendship. He believes that we women might come to a decision more quickly without his official presence.”
Kelsey raised an eyebrow. “I see. And these two gentlemen?”
“My keepers,” Elise confided. “They’re to make sure I don’t sign away the Royal Palace.”
The Baron smiled. “Actually Your Highness, the Lord Admiral and I are here to provide more detailed information if required. Between the two of us, we know where all the figurative bodies are buried.”
“And more than a few of the real ones I’d wager,” the bald admiral rumbled in a surprisingly deep voice. “Are you the sole Imperial representative on your mission, Princess Kelsey?”
She nodded, deciding they didn’t need to know the sordid details of Carlo Vega’s death. “I am. Tell me, Lord Admiral, does the honorific denote a relationship to your King?”
The short man nodded. “It does. The King did not marry until late and proved to be a lusty youth. We have a good working relationship.”
There were two grav limos waiting for them. They climbed into one and the guards into the other. Both sped away together over the city. The view through the windows was quite beautiful. The buildings were lower to the ground than back on Avalon, but they were significantly wider.
After a few moments enjoying the view, Kelsey turned back to Elise. “This is the first time I’ve been directly involved in negotiating an agreement like this. What are we hoping to settle today?”
“The main goal of the evening is for us to become comfortable with one another. Agreements can come l
ater. No one gains anything by rushing into something with strangers.”
“Though if we can come to a few minor understandings quickly, that might make things less tense,” Lord Admiral Shrike said. “The very idea of space-time bridges we were unaware of makes my skin crawl. Just because the Pale Ones haven’t come through one doesn’t mean they won’t find one tomorrow. That could spell the end of us.”
Kelsey nodded. “I’ve already spoken to Captain Mertz. We would be happy to scan your system and to pass on the specifications of the scanner without any preconditions. We’ll also share what we know about flip drive technology.”
Sir Ellery looked a little surprised, but pleased. “That’s most generous of you. You cannot believe how difficult it is to see savages with interstellar drives, but be unable to create our own.”
“Two peoples that want to be friends will find a way to help one another,” Elise said. “I’m certain that we can offer you support. Then when you manage to find a way back our help will also not be forgotten.”
“True enough,” Kelsey said. “Our scientists have probably already handed the data we collected over to your delegation. Unless they forget they have it with them. For being geniuses, they can be awfully absent minded.”
The Crown Princess laughed. “I see that our people are more alike than I’d imagined.”
The limo crossed a boundary of some kind. The city became manicured woodlands. Beyond them rose a magnificent castle. Bright pennants flew from the highest towers and men patrolled the stone walls.
“Welcome to Orison Castle,” Elise said. “Home to the Royal Family since before the monarchy was established. Of course, we were only a house of minor nobility before the Empire fell.”
“Don’t worry,” Sir Ellery assured Kelsey. “The plumbing has been updated.”
The Crown Princess smacked him on the arm. “Don’t make her think we’re backwoods folk with twigs in our hair.”
“I think it’s beautiful,” Kelsey said. “I must take vids back home to show my father. He’ll be absolutely green with envy. He would have loved to live in a castle growing up. Me, too.”
