To Save the Sun

by Ben Bova

  "There's something else," he interrupted, his voice uncharacteristically somber. "I'm the only member of the diplomatic team who's to attend the session."

  Her fingers froze over the keys of the notepad and she was about to protest, but he held up a hand before she could speak.

  "I'll be accompanied by several members of the ship's security, politely and discreetly armed, of course; but Commander Montero feels that, in the interests of safety, no other essential contact personnel should go down at this time."

  "Safety!" she burst out, unable to hold back her anger, and was on her feet immediately. "Safety from what? System!"

  "Ma'am?"

  Adela stood facing the holo display area in the corner of the room, her back to the young officer. "I want to talk to Commander Montero, right now."

  There was a confirming chirp as the room system complied. She looked over her shoulder and stared wordlessly at the Lieutenant for several moments and, literally too angry to speak to him just then, turned away again and entered a few more notes into the pad before slapping the cover closed. Woorunmarra started to say something, but apparently thought better of it and settled back quietly and waited as the call was put through.

  There was another chirp as the system responded, and Adela faced the corner, expecting it to brighten with the glow of the holo. It did not, and Adela felt the anger rise anew within her. "Ma'am? Commander Montero requests that—"

  "System," she said forcefully, cutting off the response. "Put it through again."

  "I'm sorry, ma'am," the room system responded, sounding efficiently anything but apologetic, "your last command had been disallowed by executive order of the Commander until delivery of current message. Will you accept?"

  Damn him, she thought, sighing in frustration. "Yes! I'll accept."

  "Commander Montero requests that you and Lieutenant Woorunmarra meet with him personally. He'll be waiting in his starboard office on the command deck, and will expect your arrival in fifteen minutes."

  Adela turned and went back to sit across from Woorunmarra, calling back over her shoulder, "Tell Commander Montero we're on our way." She looked at him, studying his features, and couldn't decide if she was mad at him or not.

  "Well, now," he chuckled. "If I didn't know better, I'd swear he was expecting your call."

  "The movements are taking place here, here and here."

  As First Officer Nelon spoke, Adela saw a glowing red dot appear at each of the points he described on the projected representation of Pallatin hanging in the air next to him. A dozen such marks were already scattered on the surface of the projection, most of them located in the Eastland portion of the continent.

  "And here," Nelon went on, "are the locations where we've detected fluctuations in power consumption and routing." A series of pulsing yellow circles appeared, interconnected by thin yellow lines. Again, most of the activity appeared in the major cities of the east and along the eastern edge of the Arroyo fault.

  Montero sat behind the desk, hands steepled against his chin, and frowned in displeasure at what he was hearing. She and Woorunmarra occupied two of the chairs placed opposite the desk, the angle just right that Adela could see the Commander's displeased reflection in the smooth plastic surface of the desktop.

  "We've been holographing the surface of the planet for weeks, of course," Montero put in. "But the activity you see up there has been taking place for only the last few days, beginning first in the east. Westland has begun to respond in a similar manner, as you can see, to whatever is happening down there. We don't know what the significance is, or if there's any reason to suspect a hostile intent directed at us."

  "Nothin' at all on the air?" asked Woorunmarra of the First Officer.

  Nelon glanced once at Montero, who nodded for him to continue. "We've monitored all their broadcasts, both public and private—we have been, in fact, since long before we were close enough to get these readings here—but there's been nothing said of this."

  Adela swiveled in her chair and indicated the marks on the holo. "No hint in the broadcasts what any of this might be about?"

  "Well, there's been a great deal of talk about our coming, as you might expect. Not all of it complimentary to the Hundred Worlds, either." Nelon shook his head in frustration and swept an arm through the projection. "But nothing that seems related to any of this. Either this is something that's so normal there's no reason to broadcast it, or they want to keep it from us as long as they can."

  Adela stood, nearing the projection for a better look, and studied the locations of the overlaid lines and marked spots on the globe. There were far more on the eastern continental mass, with the power readings radiating in logical sequences from point to point. On the western side, the markings were much more random and interspersed, as though being done in a hurry. After several moments she turned back, addressing no one in particular. "Maybe it's not us they're trying to keep this from."

  The room was silent for several moments as Adela's suggestion was considered. Finally Montero nodded thoughtfully, stroking his moustache with the tips of his thumb and index finger. "It makes sense. That would explain why the readings appeared in the east first, followed later by similar activity in the west. Monitoring satellites operated from the spaceport in Dannen must have picked up the same readings at about the same time we did, and are only now responding to whatever is happening. It might also explain why both Speakers were so vague when we contacted them and asked what was going on down there. Obviously neither is fully aware of what the other is up to." Montero paused. "I think it's just as obvious that our real adversary here is Eastland." He turned to his First Officer. "Thank you, Nelon. Keep monitoring the movements and power readings, and let me know if any significant changes in the numbers occur." Nelon snapped stiffly to attention, nodded curtly and exited the room, leaving the three of them alone.

  "Do you understand now," Montero asked Adela, "why I've limited the size of the delegation to the Joint Dominion?"

  Adela looked squarely at him and considered her words judiciously. Where just a short time earlier she might have willingly let her anger at his decision speak for her, Nelon's presentation of what was happening on the planet below told both her and Woorunmarra that Montero had truly made his decision based on honest fear for their safety.

  "Yes, I do understand your concerns, Commander; but I have been chosen by Emperor Javas himself to represent the Hundred Worlds in this matter. He and I both knew the risks involved before we set out from Sol. Admittedly, with this new information there may be more of a threat hidden here than any of us thought; but I accepted the risks, as did he, and am perfectly willing to go through with my part. Can you do any less?"

  Woorunmarra cleared his throat. "If I may speak?" Montero was clearly prepared to listen to their arguments, and motioned for him to go on. "I'm afraid I have to agree with Dr. Montgarde. It's well known now throughout the Hundred Worlds that the project has begun and that she plays the most important role in its successful completion. With that comes the knowledge the Emperor—represented by you and the full power of the weaponry on this starship—would most certainly punish any world responsible for harmin' her. For this very reason, Dr. Montgarde would probably be the safest member of the diplomatic team while on the planet."

  "That's probably true," Montero agreed, "but it is no less true that if something were to happen to Dr. Montgarde while she was planetside, the project might be irreparably set back." He turned to Adela, raising an eyebrow. "Are you prepared to accept that risk, Doctor?"

  Adela smiled. "Perhaps my actual importance has been exaggerated a bit, for the sake of good public relations." The Commander's brow furrowed momentarily, and a puzzled look swept over his features. "What I mean is that I am not entirely indispensable to the project. Everything I've researched—the formulae, the equations, the resources and needs—is a matter of Imperial record." She sighed heavily as she realized the implications of what she was saying. She knew it was true,
but had never admitted it to herself. "It's true that I am the driving force behind the project and that the progress of the preparatory research and development of ships and materials might be slowed down somewhat by my absence. However, the project has almost taken on a life of its own. Most of the Hundred Worlds have embraced our efforts as a way of revitalizing themselves and their economies. The scientific community within the Empire is already seeing benefits and new discoveries from the early research."

  She paused, allowing her smile to return before adding, "Even Commander Fain sees the advantages to be gained in increased fleet strength."

  Montero looked from her to Woorunmarra, then back to her again. "Go on."

  "Commander, half of my work—the original research, and convincing Emperor Nicholas of its worthiness—is finished. The other half won't take place until very near the end of the project many generations from now. The most important thing I can do now is to represent the project and smooth its forward motion, to convince those still uncertain of its validity." She stood and approached the holographic image of Pallatin. In the time they'd spoken, additional lines of power routing had appeared, further crisscrossing the planet's surface. "Don't you see? If I'm to be excluded from the legitimate diplomatic functions of this mission, then I fail to understand why I'm here at all. I might as well get back in the tank and sleep until my scientific abilities are required."

  Clearly weakening, Montero rubbed tiredly at his temples as he addressed her. "You are an integral part of my duties here, Dr. Montgarde, I won't—can't deny it. But you are also the single most important aspect of the reason behind our mission here. I've made no secret of my doubts for this plan to save Earth's Sun. But then again, were it not for your project, the opportunity to bring some of the more recalcitrant members of the Hundred Worlds into line might never have arisen. For that I am truly grateful. And who knows? Perhaps this idea that has so captured Emperor Javas and Commander Fain is a worthy goal after all. If that is so, then we all win. Please, be seated."

  Adela returned to her chair, glancing once at Woorunmarra, who couldn't hide the look of approval on his dark features and made no attempt to do so.

  "Did you know that I met with the Emperor before we left?" he asked, his face glowing pleasantly with the memory. "I've never been nervous or frightened of anything since joining the Imperial Forces. Until then. He and Commander Fain wanted to speak to me personally before the Levant set out, to tell me how important it was that this mission be successful. They told me I was to do anything, make any decision that I felt would increase our chances of a favorable outcome. But the Emperor also told me to trust your judgment, Doctor. Now, why do you suppose he said that?"

  Adela had no answer for the rhetorical question and waited silently for him to continue.

  "Very well," he said at last. "You will accompany Lieutenant Woorunmarra to the Joint Dominion." He stood and extended his hand, first to her, then Woorunmarra.

  "Good luck to both of you."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  The chamber was filled to capacity, although Adela didn't actually find it necessary to look for empty seats to prove it. The sound level alone told her that there could not possibly be room for more people in here. The Dominion chamber had been designed along the lines of an amphitheater or lecture hall: a circular arrangement of comfortable seats placed at long, curved tables tiered row upon row. At each seat, the light of a shaded lamp reflected off a flat-panel keypad mounted flush in the tabletop before every representative. A long, steep set of steps bisected the circle of seats, with the representatives from districts in Eastland seated on one side, while those from Westland occupied the seats on the other. Behind her, mounted on the curved wall, was a tally board listing the names of each of the representatives; all the names glowed softly on the board and were divided, with those from Westland listed in order according to their numerical district on the left side, while the representatives from Eastland were on the right.

  Adela let her eyes scan up the inclining rows to where a double balcony of spectators, similarly divided, overlooked the proceedings in the chamber. Those seated there were every bit as animated as the representatives below them. At each doorway, at the top and bottom of the steps, and at the end of every tenth row, a Dominion security officer stood and watched the unruly crowd with nervous eyes. The entire thing reminded her of the Grisian Parliament, although her homeworld had nothing that compared with this huge chamber and, more importantly, had never seen this much turmoil and disagreement during a parliamentary session.

  Her prepared address before the Joint Dominion had been well received at first, or rather, it had been well received from the Westland side of the chamber. The Eastland representatives had listened to her politely, but silently, for the most part, and it wasn't until the floor had been opened for questions that the real pandemonium had set in. Members of both sides of the chamber were shouting and arguing not only with those on the other side but among themselves as well. Several were on their feet as they demonstrated, and it seemed that actual physical confrontation might be imminent at several spots in the big room. If the disorder in the chamber was any indication, her address had been entirely wasted on them.

  The two Speakers, seated with several Dominion officials at a long table on the dais directly below the podium where she now stood, were making futile attempts to restore order. Each banged gavels and shouted at the Dominion members in the seats nearest them.

  This is hopeless, Adela thought disgustedly. Totally and irretrievably hopeless. She found Woorunmarra in the assembly, flanked by several Imperial guards in the guest seating area, and saw that the feelings of failure that were now going through her were also reflected in him. The dark features that so effortlessly beamed his very thoughts when happy, expressed, she was sorry to discover, unhappiness even more effectively. Her lips drew into a tight line and she shook her head in frustration. He nodded back, indicating that he understood.

  A movement below her caught her attention. Speaker Niles had leaned to his Eastland counterpart and was discussing something with him, and even though he had to shout for the man to hear, she still wasn't able to make out what he was saying over the din. The two spoke animatedly for several minutes, seeming to be in nearly as strong a state of disagreement as the chamber at large, before Salera gave an assenting wave of his arm.

  Niles leaned forward and shouted into the microphone. "This chamber will come to order or it will be cleared!" He hammered the gavel on its strike plate several times as he shouted. "This session will be terminated and the chamber cleared!" It was necessary for him to make the threat repeatedly before it seemed that the noise finally began to subside.

  Just as the uproar had begun in the lower portions of the chamber before spreading up through the spectator galleries, so now did the slow wave of quieting. Speaker Niles continued to hammer away with the gavel until everyone returned to their seats and all that was left in the chamber was a heavy, constant murmuring.

  "Members of the Joint Dominion, your attention. If there is a further outburst similar to the one just concluded, we will declare this Dominion terminated." He looked to his side, and Speaker Salera leaned forward.

  "Speaker Niles of Dannen is correct. While I am hesitant to bring these important proceedings to a halt, and while I am on record as being in opposition to the Speaker's position as it regards the requests made of us by the Emperor's representative, I am forced to agree that disorder in this chamber cannot be tolerated."

  The murmur decreased further.

  "Very well," said Niles. "These proceedings will resume from the point at which they were interrupted. Speaker Salera?" He placed the gavel on the table and leaned back in the chair.

  "Thank you," Salera said, standing to address the chamber. "There was a question on the floor from Eastland Representative Blakert of Stannary. Representative, the floor is yours; would you please restate the question?" Salera indicated a man in the fourth row and nodded his head r
eassuringly to him. Even from her vantage point behind Salera, Adela could tell that something passed between the Eastland Speaker and his representative, some silent message or agreement that she couldn't understand.

  In the fourth row, a man stood and faced Adela. "Since the Empire is asking Pallatin to participate in this project on a planetwide basis," he began, "requiring a united statement issued by the Joint Dominion before taking any action against us, what would be the Imperial response if no statement were to be issued?"

  What's he getting at? Adela wondered. She saw that most of the people in the chamber grew nervous at his question.

  Speaker Niles stared at Salera, a deadly, questioning expression plain on his face. The sound of whispering among the representatives reached her ears.

  "I'm afraid that I was prepared only for your scientific and technical questions regarding the project to save Earth's Sun," she replied. "Your question steps into the area of legalities and colonial protocol, and I'd like to defer your question to Lieutenant Woorunmarra, who has accompanied me here today. The Lieutenant is here to interpret the legal aspects of our dealings with your government, and reports directly to Commander Montero aboard the Levant."

  Both Niles and Salera, almost in unison, said, "No objections." Speaker Niles motioned for him to approach, and he joined Adela on the podium.

  Woorunmarra spoke directly to the man without hesitation. "Am I to understand, Representative Blakert, that a joint statement might be delayed, for reasons beyond the control of the Joint Dominion?" He had obviously studied the protocol of the colony's governmental procedure, and Adela was impressed with the way he presented himself. When he spoke, he spoke in an official manner, and she was surprised to hear that nearly all traces of the accent and speaking patterns to which she'd become accustomed had vanished. She was not the only one impressed, it seemed; both Speakers had turned to listen to him as he responded to the question and they, too, seemed taken with him.