Solbidyum Wars Saga 9: At What Price

by Dale Musser

  Just then my wrist com beeped.

  “It must be something important,” I said to Kala. “I left instructions that we weren’t to be interrupted tonight unless absolutely necessary.

  “Tibby here,” I responded to the beeping com.

  “Admiral,” Marranalis’s voice began. “There has just been an incident outside TEZU LAGONG. An individual protesting your actions at Glomar Rosa has set himself on fire. Troopers rushed in immediately to douse the flames and he’s been transported to the major medical facility at the old Capitol building. You may want to cut your dining short for security reasons.”

  “Does it look like there are any others out there who might be prepared to do something similar?” I asked. I noticed Kala was staring at me with concern.

  “One moment sir, let me check. There was a brief pause while Marranalis checked with the security team. “No sir. It appears the protester acted alone.”

  “In that case, I think Kala and I will stay for the remainder of the event. Check with the medical facility and keep me apprised as to the condition of the protester. See to it that he’s given the best of care. What happened at Glomar Rosa is not his fault and he has every right to be angry.”

  “Yes, sir,” replied Marranalis.

  “Tib, that’s terrible. What do you think he hoped to accomplish by setting himself on fire?”

  “Who knows, Kala. When people are frustrated and grieving or hurting badly inside, they sometimes don’t know how to deal with their inner pain; so they sometimes resort to inflicting violent physical pain on their own bodies, maybe believing the desperate nature of the act will somehow change things.”

  A few moments later, Celpar returned to our table. “First Citizens, I hope you do not mind that I have personally selected dishes for you this evening. I do hope they meet with your liking.

  “The first dish is a rare soup made from the pulp of Greer's seeds from the planet Nidos in the Cangorian System. The plants are found only at a high altitude and can be harvested only during the three-week period when they ripen each year. No one has ever been able to produce the seeds commercially and they are handpicked by locals who must climb the mountains to harvest them.

  “For the second dish, you will be served a mixed seaweed salad from the fresh water seas of Kidos. The salad is seasoned with a special dressing created by one of our chefs here at TEZU LAGONG.

  “For the entrée, you will be served a most unique and rare delicacy. Steamed Bladaglub, spiced with local herbs from the Deenond System. Bladaglub is exceedingly rare and seldom served anywhere in the galaxy,” he said with a smile.

  “If it’s rare and endangered, why is it being served?” Kala asked with concern.

  “Oh, it’s not endangered, First Citizen Kalana,” Celpar offered quickly. “It just that it is only for a brief period in the Bladaglub’s lifecycle that it is palatable. It goes through several metamorphoses during its long life, but it is only during a two-week period in its fifth year that it is edible. During this time, it burrows in the ground while it transforms. They are hard to find in this phase of their lives and it takes a keen hunter to find them. One must have good nose to locate a hibernating Bladaglub.”

  “A good nose?” I questioned.

  “Yes, a good nose. Hunters find them by their scent. They are best detected in the early morning when things are still. By crawling along the ground in their hibernating areas, hunters can often get a whiff of the sweet scent they emit during their metamorphosis. Then they must dig down approximately a half meter to where the creature is balled up in its sleep state. A lucky hunter may find one or two in a day, but most only find one or two in the entire three-week season.”

  “What’s the total harvest for the planet a year?” I asked out of curiosity.

  “Seldom more than a few hundred, I’ve been told. There was one year when they seemed to be more abundant and I believe that particular harvest yielded nearly a thousand.”

  “That’s all? To supply the entire Federation with its million-plus planets? Why that’s not even one per planet,” I said in astonishment.

  “Precisely. They are nearly as rare as your Layonian wine.”

  “It sounds exotic,” I replied. “And what do you have planned for dessert?”

  I felt a sharp pain in my leg as Kala kicked me under the table and gave me a stern look. No doubt I had broken some protocol by asking, but it was too late now. If I had made some serious faux pas, Celpar showed no sign of it as he responded with a grin, “That, First Citizen, I shall withhold as a surprise. However, I am certain you will find it quite delicious. I have chosen it specifically for you.”

  I was about to ask Celpar for a hint, when Kala interrupted, “So Celpar, are the rest of the guests being served the same dishes this evening or have you selected specific dishes for each guest?”

  “It’s a bit of a mixture, First Citizen Kalana,” replied Celpar. “In your case, I have chosen to serve both you and First Citizen Tibby the same dishes, as I believe you will enjoy experiencing the foods together. Your dessert, however, will be different from his. I have selected something special for you as well. I look forward to serving you those surprises at the evening's end. Now, if you will excuse me, I must see to introducing more of our fine cuisine to my other guests.”

  As he walked away, waiters approached with the first course.

  “Kala, have you noticed that Celpar seems to be giving us more attention than the rest of his guests?”

  “Does that surprise you?” asked Kala.

  “Well, yes. I mean these are all famous people here. Why are we getting more consideration than the rest?”

  “You forget, dear, that we’re First Citizens. First Citizens come along but rarely. Generations pass where there are none, so to see even a single First Citizen in person even once during one’s lifetime is remarkable, much less to count two of them among ones most treasured patrons.”

  “Even after all these years I still don’t get this First Citizen thing. Many deserve the honor more than we do; Jenira, for example. We just happened to be in the right situation at the right moment; but we’re not heroes…at least I’m not. Jenira, on the other hand, puts herself in harm’s way by design to combat the Brotherhood.”

  “Oh? And you don’t? Don’t forget, Tib, I was there, and you didn’t exactly get involved in the battle to retake the DUSTEN by accident. You volunteered – and you weren’t even in the military! You were new to the Federation, already rich beyond compare, and you could have walked away and into obscurity if you wished. But you didn’t. So tell me how much different is that from Jenira? I don’t disagree with you that Jenira deserves to be a First Citizen as much as you or I do, but Jenira hasn’t been in the spotlight with the Federation like we have. Her battles may have been just as dramatic as ours, but the fate of the entire Federation didn’t rest on the outcome of her fights. There will be nearly endless chapters in the history books about the war with the Brotherhood and the larger portion of them will be about you and your accomplishments. Jenira will indeed be mentioned in those chapters, but she will only take up a few sentences or paragraphs and those again will be mostly associated with you. Even my own mentions will be in association with you. There won’t be any standalone chapters about me. Now stop brooding about it and enjoy your meal,” she added with a smile.

  The meal was exquisite, far exceeding Celpar’s description. The soup was fabulous and only whetted my appetite for what followed. The salad was good; not remarkable, according to my palate, but Kala raved about it. On the other hand, the Bladaglub far surpassed anything I’d eaten before. Its white flesh was much like Earth lobster and a similar taste and texture, though a bit sweeter and actually somewhat salty at the same time. This steaming-hot delicacy was served with a dipping sauce made with a sweet wine and other creamy ingredients I didn’t recognize. I must confess that had I been served three times the amount, it wouldn’t have satisfied my ravenous appetite for more. Kala seemed to enjoy he
rs as well, but she showed much more reserve than I did. The real surprise came when we were served dessert and foccee. When the plate was set before me, the dish seemed vaguely familiar. It was a pastry of some sort with a white, powdery topping. Then I realized it resembled a traditional New Orleans beignet, a variation of pastry from old Earth that originated in a land called France and was carried with early immigrants into my homeland. It had long been a favorite of mine and was served as a breakfast food as well as a dessert. But surely this wasn’t a beignet, I thought to myself, even though it certainly looked like one. I was about to comment on it to Kala, when I noticed a tear rolling down her face as she stared at her own dessert. A small brown cake sat on her plate. It didn’t look all that superb, just an unremarkable cube of something I didn’t recognize.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “I can’t believe it, Tib,” she said as she lifted a small bite to her mouth. Then the tears really started to flow.

  “What is it? Are you alright?” I asked in alarm. She didn’t answer but motioned with her hands that she was okay. I waited as she chewed and swallowed. Finally, she answered in a tearful voice. “It’s the cake my mother used to make for Lunnie and me when we were young. I haven’t had any since her death. It’s unbelievable, Tibby. This is exactly the way she used to make it. Lunnie and I used to beg mother to make this cake because it was our favorite. How did Celpar know? How could he have gotten the recipe?”

  I recalled how much I loved beignets, but I was certain this couldn’t be one. It was twenty-some years since I’d last eaten one and they were unknown in the Federation. I doubted that anyone of the survivors from Earth knew how to make one. When I took a bite, the rich flavor flooded my mouth. I closed my eyes and for a moment I thought I was back in old New Orleans surrounded by the sounds and smells of the bakeries and pastry vendors of the French Quarter. When I opened my eyes, the images in the room were blurred and I realized that I was, like Kala, looking at the room through tear-filled eyes.

  “Did he do it to you too?” Kala asked. “Is it something from Old Earth that you favored when you were young?”

  “Yes,” I stammered. “But how?” I blinked the tears from my eyes and looked around the room to see a smiling Celpar watching our reactions. He nodded knowingly and then turned to attend to his other guests. Later, as the evening came to a close and we thanked him and complimented him on his meal selections, we asked how he had acquired the knowledge of our favorite desserts and their recipes. He replied with a mischievous chuckle, saying that some secrets must remain his and that he was delighted we had enjoyed the dinner.

  Thanks to the distinctive Cantolla Gate that was provided for the event, it was not necessary for Kala and me or any of the dinner guests to pass near the area where the protester had set himself on fire, but we could see a section that had been partitioned off and surrounded by guards.

  “Tib,” said Kala as we passed through the gate, “I feel sorry for that pained and desperate man. I can’t imagine what he must be feeling. Even when I lost my sister, I couldn’t imagine my grief and rage driving me to do anything like that and I can’t even remotely fathom what he hoped to accomplish by the act.”

  “Yes, but you had the satisfaction of destroying her killers, so in a way you were able to avenge her death. But in the case of this poor soul, we don’t have the slightest idea what he lost and the depth of the anguish he feels about being powerless to do anything about it. I only wish he’d found a constructive outlet instead of sinking into despair and taking a route that would bring him no positive outcome.

  Since Reidecor’s graduation from the JAC was taking place the next morning, Kala and I decided to spend the night at the estate. We had just passed through the final gate and arrived at our estate when we saw Lunnie entering through another gate in the gate hub area. I gasped, believing for a moment that I was looking at her Aunt Luniella dressed in a military uniform. The image quickly changed when I saw her pale strawberry locks. Lunnie quickly dropped the bag she was carrying, snapped to attention and saluted.

  “At ease, Private,” I said with a smile. “You don’t need to salute me here at the estate. If we’re here or on the NEW ORLEANS, I’m just your dad. Okay?”

  Lunnie grinned and relaxed and then ran across the distance between us and gave me a big hug.

  “Have you heard, dad? I’ve been assigned to the research facility here on Megelleon. I’ll be able to come home almost every weekend.”

  “I heard something along those lines,” I said, grinning back at her. “See, it hasn’t turned out so bad now, has it?”

  “I guess not. But I’d rather be helping Cantolla and the Earth science team.”

  “No one is saying you can’t,” Kala interjected. “You can always help out on your weekends and during your leave.” Kala’s comment was met by a blank stare from Lunnie. “Besides, I think working at the research facility will better serve the Federation than helping to terraform Earth right now.”

  Lunnie sighed. “I suppose so. And I know my research will be useful when my tour of duty is finished and I can go back to helping Cantolla again.

  “Has anyone heard where Reide is going to be stationed?” she asked, looking directly at me.

  “I have no idea what his assignment is,” I said. “He could end up anywhere. We’ll have to wait for him to tell us.”

  “Dad, you didn’t have anything to do with my assignment, did you?” Lunnie asked, giving me a hard stare.

  “Not at all. You kids are on your own. Wherever you’re assigned and whatever happens with your military careers will be your own doing. I’m not intervening, and you won’t get any special treatment.”

  “Well, I’m just glad it turned out the way it did. For a while, I was afraid they were going to make me a fighter pilot,” Lunnie said.

  “You’re joking,” Kala said in amazement. “After all the trouble we had teaching you to fly?”

  “Seriously,” Lunnie exclaimed. “I really enjoyed flying the simulators and later the real fighters. It was fun and I kept getting better and better at it. I was pretty good with targeting too. But I actually find the science stuff more enjoyable.

  “Dad, will you be speaking at Reide’s graduation tomorrow?”

  “No. I was asked by the base commander if I would, but I declined. I hadn’t spoken at any of the prior graduations and I think it would look bad if I did so now when my son is graduating. Admiral Windangar will be giving the address. The three of us will be seated in the front row in the dignitary section.”

  “I’m not a dignitary. Why am I seated there?” asked Lunnie.

  “Well, the commander feels it would be in the best interest of the Federation to be seen as a family unit. The ceremony will be covered by the news and our presence together in military uniforms will bolster patriotic feelings, especially when they see that every member of the First Citizen Rear Admiral’s privileged family is doing their part and not shirking their duty.”

  “Do you think that the commander is right?” asked Lunnie.

  “Lunnie, at this point it’s not a matter of right and wrong; it's a matter of defeating the Brotherhood before they enslave us all. I don’t like being treated like a dignitary either, but that’s how it is.”

  Lunnie nodded and then asked abruptly, “So what do you think about Reide bringing his girlfriend to stay at the estate this weekend?”

  “WHAT?” exclaimed Both Kala and I at the same time.

  “Reide has a girlfriend?” asked Kala.

  “Well, yes. Didn’t he tell you? He contacted me two days ago, saying he was bringing her home to meet you this weekend.”

  “He told you this? Our Reide… your brother…?” Kala asked in amazement.

  “Hm… I guess he didn’t tell you. Oops! Do me a favor, please? Act surprised when he does say something. Otherwise he’ll kill me.”

  Kala and I stared at each other with our mouths open.

  “Have you guys eaten? I’m starve
d,” Lunnie said abruptly changing the subject.

  Kala and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Your father and I have just returned from dining at TEZU LAGONG. I don’t think either of us will feel like eating the rest of the evening, but I’m sure Piebar will be happy to see to it that you have a good meal.”

  “The food at the base is alright, but not great. I would really enjoy a freshly prepared meal with organic ingredients instead of something out of a synthesizer,” said Lunnie.

  “So tell us more about Reide’s girlfriend,” Kala said.

  “I really don’t know anything about her except that she was in the JAC with Reide,” explained Lunnie.

  “How long have they been seeing each other?”

  “How should I know?” Lunnie asked. “I only learned about her three days ago when Reide contacted me and asked if I thought it would be okay for him to bring her home.”

  “Didn’t he tell you anything about her?” pressed Kala.

  “I think he said her name is Lyanna or Lymana… something like that. Look, mom and dad, I’m really hungry. Do you mind if I go find Piebar?"

  “Oh, sure,” said Kala. “I’ll come and sit with you and you can tell me all about your experiences in boot camp.”

  “Wait a minute,” I said. “Before the two of you run off, I just want to know one thing. You’re not bringing a boy home this weekend, are you?”

  “What?!” exclaimed Lunnie. “Dad, you know it’s forbidden to date anyone in boot camp.”

  Kala huffed and looked at me with one of those expressions that told me my question was not appreciated. She took Lunnie by the arm as she turned away. “Come on, Lunnie, let’s go get you something to eat before your dad starts thinking up names for the imaginary grandchildren you’re going to give him with the bondmate he’s invented for you.”

  Lunnie gave a short giggle as she left with Kala, who turned to look back at me just long enough to give me a wink and that universal taunt of sticking out her tongue.

  The next morning, Kala, Lunnie and I assembled at the Cantolla Gate Transfer hub on the estate where we would initiate our route to the military base on Plosaxen. I had an unexpected sense of pride, standing together with Lunnie and Kala, all of us in our formal military uniforms. Although Kala was no longer on active duty, she was still technically in the service and now held the rank of captain. The formal uniform of a rear admiral was solid white, essentially the same as the normal duty uniform. The duty uniform of a captain was dark green, but the uniform Kala wore on this day was also white with green piping to indicate her rank. Since Lunnie was newly out of boot camp and simply a private, or first-level trooper, her formal uniform was charcoal gray with eight thin black stripes encircling the chest that designated her rank. In the Federation military lower ranks were indicated by more stripes. As rank increased, the number of stripes decreased. The uniform remained gray in color until one reached the rank of commander, at which point the normal duty uniform became red and the formal uniform became white with red piping. Only persons with a rank of admiral wore formal whites as at all times.