Solbidyum Wars Saga 9: At What Price

by Dale Musser

The biggest star by far at The Lounge was Captain Kerabac. His rich singing voice was reminiscent of old Earth’s Nat King Cole and he had won the hearts and ears of all who heard him croon. A’Lappe was another huge favorite. Besides singing and playing his own keyboard compositions, he often provided instrumental accompaniments for Kerabac. Over the years, the two tended to perform more often as a team rather than as solo acts. In recent years, Rory had also become a crowd pleaser with his piano renditions.

  Not all the acts were musical. For years Padaran had provided comic relief with his uncanny vocal imitations of famous persons and well-known crew members. However, since I commandeered his services into the Federation military, the time he was able to spend performing was greatly limited.

  As always, The Lounge was packed. Fortunately, I never needed to search for a table, as the crew always saw to it that the best table was always made available to the owner of the ship on arrival. On this evening, I was surprised to see Rebadat Tonclin taking the stage. Since he had the high-pitched voice typical of the Nibarians, I hardly expected him to sing, and since I didn’t see any musical instruments on the stage with him, I was at a loss as to what to expect. What ensued was a lyrical ballad in Nibarian prose. The Nibarians were among the first peoples I encountered in my early role in the Federation, so I had used the learning headband at that time to become trained in the history, culture and native languages of the Nibarian peoples. The ballad was incredibly lovely in the native tongue. I certainly would not have been able to appreciate most of its touching refrain had it been translated into the Federation language. I had already heard from others that Tonc was an expert storyteller in his native language, but this was the first time I had seen it for myself. He gestured and acted out the parts as he told the tale of a young Nibarian male and the hardships he endured in an earlier period of Nibarian history. Of course, the young man had the misfortune of falling in love with a young woman well above his station in life, which only deepened the man’s sorrows. In the end, of course, the young man triumphed over adversity to become a greatly respected and wealthy nobleman, securing the permission of the young woman’s parents to court her. Ultimately, as told in fairytales everywhere, he won the love of the young woman and they lived happily ever after.

  I found it rather strange that Tonc would be telling this tale to a room full of adults, but as I looked around the room, I could see that everyone was completely captivated. At times there was even a person or two who wiped a tear. There was laughter at the more humorous scenes, gasps of angst when the hero was in peril and huffs of anger when he suffered injustice. I realized then that Tonc was not only a skilled expert, but a truly artful master storyteller who knew just how to bring a scene to life in the mind’s eye and awaken the emotions of his listeners. When he finished the tale there was a rousing cheer and foot stomping throughout the club. Tonc smiled and bowed before leaving the stage.

  “Are ballads popular throughout the Federation?” I asked Kala.

  “If they’re done well. They’re considered a higher art form and Tonclin is considered to be one of the best performing artists of his time. His narration tonight was outstanding and we were all privileged to see it.”

  While she was answering me, another group of musicians took the stage. They were just a few years older than Lunnie and Reide and I wondered what to expect from them. I was quite surprised when they played something like a cross between jazz and blues, with just a bit more emphasis on the jazz style. It seemed impossible that anyone could dance to this music, but several couples took to the floor with steps I hadn’t seen before.

  “I’ve never seen you dance with these moves before,” said Kala with a smile.

  “That’s because I’ve never seen it before,” I replied.

  “I think we need to give it a try,” she replied.

  The dance steps were strange and familiar at the same time. Some steps were reminiscent of the old Earth Lindy Hop from the 1920s and 30s. Others were more like the Running Man in the 1990s and still other were something I’d never seen at all. It took me a few minutes to get used to the whole mix, but I found them easy to learn. As always, Kala caught on to them right away and before the first song was over, we had this new dance figured out. We were half way through the second dance, when Kala caught my attention and nodded toward the door. I glanced in that direction to see Reide and Volydalle walking in together in their white formal uniforms.

  “They really look good together, don’t they?” remarked Kala.

  “Yes, I have to admit they do,” I replied. “By the way, where’s Lunnie? I asked as we finished the dance and returned to our table. “After all, we came here at her invitation.”

  “I don’t know. I was wondering the same thing.” Kala scanned the room in hopes of finding her boisterous child among the hundreds of patrons. “Oh, there she is. She’s coming in the door now.”

  “I turned to see Lunnie in her formal grays, walking in casually with a young male trooper. She looked first toward the dance floor and then toward our house table, then waved and spoke to her companion before the two of them made their way toward us through the crowd.

  When they reached our table, Lunnie said, “Mom and Dad, I’d like to introduce Banggeric. We were in basic training together.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Banggeric,” I said. I didn’t stand or extend my hand, as would have been the custom on Earth. In the Federation, the practice of shaking hands didn’t exist and most greetings tended to be less formal.

  “It’s a… a great honor to meet you… sir,” stammered Banggeric. It was obvious that he was quite nervous. “…And you also, First Citizen… Captain… Kalana,” he added quickly.

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Banggeric. Have a seat,” I said. “So what have you been up to today?” I asked Lunnie.

  “Oh, not much. I spent some time with friends at the estate and then we went to the Capitol city and did some shopping. That’s where I ran into Banggeric. He looked kind of lonely,” she said with a wink in his direction. “So I invited him here to the NEW ORLEANS to have some fun. We’d have been here sooner, but your security team insisted he had to go through all kinds of security checks. I think they went a little overboard, Dad. After all they know who I am and I vouched for him and all. You think they would have given that some consideration.”

  “Since Ming has gained access to Cantolla Gate technology, no one gets any slack from our security team on their first time aboard the NEW ORLEANS. Now that Banggeric is in the system, it won’t be as complicated on his next visit," I said.

  “I see Reide and Volydalle are here,” Lunnie said as she craned her neck to get a better view of them.

  “Yes, they walked in shortly before you arrived,” Kala said.

  “I wonder what they did today,” Lunnie said in a knowing way.

  “So, Banggeric, how do you like being the military?” I asked, giving Lunnie a sideways glance.

  “No disrespect intended, sir, but it’s not exactly what I would like to be doing. However, I do see the necessity for it.”

  “What would you rather be doing?” I asked.

  “Engineering, sir. I’ve taken all the prerequisite learning programs and was about to go through an apprenticeship when the draft was instituted.”

  If you had signed up with the JAC program you could have specialized in engineering,” I said.

  “I know. If I had known the draft was going to be enacted, I would have done exactly that.”

  “Well, you still have a chance to land one of the engineering positions in the military; it’s just going to be a bit harder now. If you sign into the Federation Military Resource Information Center, they list resource requirements for each base and ship. If you watch for an open engineering trainee position and submit your application of interest, you may find yourself accepted for one of them. The biggest problem is that you won’t have much of a choice in where you serve and train. The good news is that you can come out of the military in
a few years as a fully accredited engineer, if you do well.”

  “Thank you, sir. I’ll watch for those opportunities.”

  “Hey, we’re supposed to be having fun here tonight,” Lunnie interjected, “Not talking military. We get enough of that when we’re on duty. Come on, Banggeric, let’s dance.” And with that she grabbed Banggeric by the hand and practically dragged him from his chair and on to the dance floor.

  Kala chuckled. “I get the impression Lunnie doesn’t want you questioning Banggeric too much.”

  “What? Just what am I supposed to talk about? It’s the only thing we have in common.”

  “I doubt it would matter. I suspect that Lunnie doesn’t really want you to know too much about him. He’s probably just someone she brought here tonight so she wouldn’t be the only one without a partner.”

  “You really think that’s it? Lunnie’s very popular on the ship, I’m sure there would be dozens of guys wanting to dance with her.”

  “Yes, but she wouldn’t have as much control. Besides, I think this arrangement has more to do with Reide having a girlfriend and Lunnie not having a boyfriend at this point,” explained Kala with a smile.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Lunnie is jealous, silly. Reide found a girlfriend before Lunnie found a boyfriend. She and Reide are the same age, but she sees Reide getting ahead of her, so to speak – at least in her mind – and she’s jealous.”

  “Just because Reide’s got a girlfriend?”

  “No, it’s more than that. Reide is now an officer. She’s a first-level trooper. Reide has a girlfriend and Lunnie is still unattached. To Lunnie these things mean a lot.”

  “Was your sister like that?” I asked.

  Kala laughed. “You better believe it. She was younger than I was, so she didn’t feel the sense of instant competition, but she tried to best me by meeting milestones earlier than I did.”

  “So you think Lunnie just brought Banggeric here tonight to compete with Reide and Volydalle?”

  “My guess is she went into the Capitol today solely with the intent of finding someone to bring to The Lounge tonight,” Kala answered. “Look out there on the dance floor.”

  I looked where Kala was pointing and saw Lunnie and Banggeric dancing not far from Reide and Volydalle.

  “Just watch,” said Kala. Lunnie will keep working her way across the floor until she and Banggeric are right next to Reide and Volydalle and then she’ll start talking to them. She wants to be on equal footing with Reide and this is how she’s doing it.”

  “You really think so?” I asked. Even as I replied, I could see that Lunnie was indeed slowly edging closer to Reide and Volydalle.

  “I’m sure of it. Just watch. As soon as Lunnie gets within two meters of Reide, she’ll say something to him to get his attention. You can count on it.”

  As predicted, Lunnie was barely two meters from Reide when she said something to get his attention.

  “See?” remarked Kala. “Just as I told you. I’ll even bet Lunnie will work super hard to get an early promotion, so she can catch up to Reide in rank.”

  “Then why didn’t she join the JAC when Reide did?” I asked.

  “I’m not sure. Maybe Lunnie didn’t really believe that Reide would go through with it or maybe she thought her civilian scientific pursuits would parallel or surpass his military accomplishments.”

  When the music ended the twins and their dates came back to the table. Fortunately, the table was large enough for six, though we did have to search for additional chairs to seat everyone.

  “So, Volydalle,” began Kala, as she and Reide took their seats. “What do you think of the NEW ORLEANS?”

  “It’s incredible. We haven’t had time to see everything, but it’s already overwhelming. It’s like a flying city!” replied Volydalle.

  “Did Reide show you much of the ship or only his quarters?” Lunnie asked with syrupy sweetness.

  “Oh, he’s shown me a good deal of the main areas. He took me to the bridge to meet Captain Kerabac. He’s shown me some of the gyms and exercise areas. He’s even taken me to the laboratories to meet A’Lappe, Rory and Cantolla. I’m amazed at how many people are on this ship. I had no idea that Rebadat Tonclin and his daughter lived aboard the NEW ORLEANS! We encountered them in one of the corridors and Reide introduced me. It was quite an honor, but I was so nervous. I think I sounded like an idiot trying to speak to Rebadat Tonclin.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it,” I interjected. “Tonclin has spent years talking to idiot senators, so by comparison you probably sounded very charming and quite intelligent.”

  “Indeed she did,” I heard Tonclin’s high-pitched voice interject from behind me. Kala and I stood to give our former Leader a proper greeting.

  “Volydalle, I couldn’t help overhearing your comments as I approached your table. I was just coming over to say hello to Tibby and Kala. There is no need to feel nervous around me. I can assure you I am not any different than anyone else in this room.”

  “Yes, but almost everyone else in this room is some kind of hero,” replied Volydalle. “I mean, how many people get to meet a First Citizen, let alone two, or a former Leader, like you. Jenira is renown in the Federation as the greatest warrior ever to live, A’Lappe is one of the foremost scientists and Cantolla is the inventor of the Cantolla Gates. I find it a bit humbling, so I can’t help asking myself, What am I doing here?”

  “Having a good time, I hope,” I said.

  “I know what Volydalle means,” Banggeric added. “I feel awkward and out of place here. I mean, I’m enjoying myself, but I feel like I’m way out of my league. It’s as though none of it is real and I’m not really here.”

  Lunnie punched Banggeric on the arm. “Hey, I’m real and you’re here!”

  “Maybe now I am,” he said, rubbing out his arm. “But tomorrow I’ll be aboard the TRAVERNIC in Sector 7 and all of this will seem like a dream.”

  “You know, Banggeric, when I was your age, I entered into the Navy on Earth. I was from a poor family. Both my parents were dead and I had been living with my grandparents. I never dreamed then I would ever be living the kind of life I am now. Who knows what may happen in the course of your life. Thirty years from now, you may end up being ten times richer than I am and serving as a Leader in the Federation.”

  “I doubt that, sir, but thank you for saying it anyway.”

  “How about you, Volydalle? Where have you been assigned?” I asked.

  “The NUGGEN, sir, as a navigation officer.”

  “Oh,” said Tonc. “You should talk to my daughter, Chanina. She’s a navigation officer here on the NEW ORLEANS.”

  “Yes she is, and a very good one, I might add,” I replied.

  “Tib, I hope you don’t mind, but may I interrupt your evening with your family and guests to have a word with you in private?” asked Tonc.

  “Certainly,” I replied. “Will this take long?”

  “No, not long at all. Just a moment of your time.”

  “Alright. We’re close to one of the observation domes. They’re usually vacant at this time of day. Will that suffice or do we need someplace more secure?”

  “I think the observation dome will suffice.”

  Once again, I had forgotten that the NEW ORLEANS was in orbit around Earth. The sight of it through the dome momentarily took my breath away. Each time I saw my old home, it looked more and more like the planet I remembered. The shapes of the continents weren't quite the same, because of changes in ocean levels and the completely new shape of Asia and the Pacific Rim since the asteroid impact, but the colors of the sea and atmosphere were losing the dark, murky appearance and were returning to the marbled blue and white that I remembered from years past.

  “Now, what is it you wish to discuss?” I asked.

  “I just wanted to give you heads up so you aren’t caught off guard with this matter when you hear of it elsewhere, but many of the worlds are concerned about the Brotherhoo
d’s expansion and fear that the Federation won’t be able to provide them with adequate defense. Several of the planets are looking to fortify their own planetary forces to defend themselves. They plan to bring up the matter at the next public Senate meeting.”

  “I see,” I said. “I don’t see any real problem with that course of action, so long as they’re willing to coordinate with the Federation forces in the case of an attack. It needs to be established that their forces must follow the orders of Federation military leadership so that all defenses are synchronized to avoid the travesty of friendly fire. Otherwise, I see no reason to oppose the idea. In fact, it would be a real asset.”

  “This is good to hear, Tibby. I feared such views might cause rifts between these home defensive forces and the military.”

  “Like I said, as long as they’re willing to take orders from the Federation military during an attack, I actually encourage local forces of all planets to participate in their own defenses.”

  When I returned to The Lounge, the twins and their dates were on the dance floor and Cantolla and Truath were visiting with Kala.

  “Is everything alright, Tib?” asked Kala as I sat down.

  “Yes, fine. Tonc gave me some information he thought I might be interested to hear. Actually, I was, but not in a bad way.

  “Cantolla, Truath, it’s good to see you again. How are things progressing on Earth?”

  “I was just about to tell Kala,” said Cantolla, “I’m amazed at how fast the life forms are re-establishing themselves. It seems that nearly everything we plant grows rapidly in all of the respective climates and altitudes. We’ve also started reintroducing a full range of beetles, ants and other insects, including those that are needed for pollination, but I’m not certain how migratory patterns for creatures like bees, butterflies and moths will adapt to the limits of the environment. Soil bacteria are all doing well, as are the various types of earthworms and other similar underground life forms. In many of the heartier equatorial regions and grasslands, we’re close to restoring entire ecosystems, including smaller amphibious, reptilian and mammalian animals. Of course, we’ve only been able to do this on the South American continent so far. The far eastern continent and surrounding areas where the asteroid impacted are far from being ready for most terraforming processes, though we have reintroduced some bacteria in those regions.