“Fucking shit!” Drexler exclaimed, involuntarily dropping his professional demeanor. He crouched down in the staircase with his forearm before his face. When he stood again, he did so on shaky legs. “I guess I’m a bit jumpy these days,” he told Samuel by way of explanation.
The laughter Samuel held back escaped in spite of his best effort. He roped his arm around Drexler’s shoulders, said, “I don’t blame you, son.”
Drexler opened his mouth to say something sarcastic but didn’t find the words. Samuel remembered himself and the two finished climbing the stairs in awkward silence.
“Please forgive us,” Cila said when the Humans reached the catwalk. “We did not mean to startle you.”
“Think nothing of it,” Drexler said. “I’m very impressed with your, ah... ability.”
“Thank you,” Cila replied. “The gravity here is lower than our standard. That helped us.”
“Indeed,” Drexler replied.
They reached the conference room and arranged themselves around the table. Drexler had special chairs brought in that Tara used for staff meetings. The chairs did not suit the Arachnids, so they simply squatted down and rested on the rounded ends of their abdomens.
Drexler shifted gears into pure business mode and said, “So what brings you to our ship?”
Fourseven came equally to the point, “We need your help to find something we have lost.”
“And what might that be?”
“An ancient colony of Insectoids.”
Drexler didn’t blink, but he wanted to. One of his rules for negotiation was to show as little emotion as possible unless doing so might gain advantage. At that point, he needed to know more. “I am listening,” he said.
“That is all there is,” Fourseven said.
“Forgive me,” Drexler replied, “but I don’t understand. How can I help you find this colony?”
The Insectoids chattered among themselves in their own language. Drexler subvocalized to Reggie, “Translate for me, Reggie.”
“The conversation is dense with information,” Reggie replied.
“Then paraphrase. Quickly.”
“It appears that Fourseven did not plan much beyond this point. They were expecting something or someone much different. It seems that there was some kind of prophecy in which you were mentioned, or at least someone they think should be you.”
“Interesting,” Drexler remarked.
The Insectoids finished their conversation among themselves. Fourseven turned to Drexler and said, “Captain, we believe some meaning does not translate well. Leader has found a word that is closer in meaning.” Fourseven disabled her translation implant for a moment. She rendered the words in a high pitched voice that resembled the otherworldly sounds of a theremin.
“It is an English word: ‘divination.’” Fourseven reactivated her translator and continued. “We have a predictive science that shows us with a high degree of certainty what is likely to happen in the future. It is very complex, so the predictions this science produces are often difficult to interpret.”
“Again,” Drexler said, “I am sorry, but I am unclear what you want me to do.”
“We simply want to accompany you, to travel with you. It is said that you will lead us to this colony,” Fourseven explained.
“Well, I am afraid right now is not the best time, for reasons of which I am sure you are aware,” Drexler said.
“This is all the more reason for us to be on the same path,” Fourseven replied.
“Well, our path is uncertain,” Drexler said, leaning back in his chair.
“Oh, here it comes,” Reggie said in Drexler’s comm implant. Drexler gave his classic smile.
“I am a businessman,” Drexler began. “Are you familiar with this term?”
“A person of commerce,” Fourseven said.
“Yes,” Drexler replied. “Commerce is an exchange of value between two or more parties. This is the principle on which we rely for our survival. It is our way of life. Now, I am willing to allow you and your crew to follow mine, but we must come to some kind of an agreement on an exchange of value.”
“He dangles the bait …” Reggie said.
“I understand,” Fourseven said.
Drexler got up and crossed the room to a wall cabinet that contained display scrolls. He spread out the scroll on an another table and busied himself creating a document containing figures. When he was done, he brought the scroll back to the table. He studied it for a few moments, made a final correction, then turned it around and pushed it towards Fourseven and her party.
“That is a standard proposal written in tradespeak,” Drexler said.
“We understand,” Fourseven replied.
“At the bottom, you will see a single figure that is an estimate of the credit value my company will accept to render services to you,” Drexler said, “But that is by no means a final figure, but likely to trend upward from there.”
“And he sets the hook …” Reggie said. Drexler restrained a grin.
“Of course,” Fourseven said. She barely glanced at the number. Drexler blinked.
“You read and understand that figure?” Drexler asked.
“Yes. We understand,” Fourseven replied. The credits will be in the account you specify.
“Well,” Drexler said, rising from the table. “It is a pleasure doing business with you. I will transmit the proper accounts by the time you return to your ship.”
“You realize your accounts are frozen, right?” Reggie asked.
“Not the slush accounts,” Drexler subvocalized in reply.
“I hadn’t thought of those,” Reggie replied. “I will make sure they are not burned as well.”
“Do that,” Drexler said, then, to the Insectoids, “Thank you so much. I will have a crew member escort you back to your shuttle.”
And with that, Drexler called a junior crew member and assigned her to the task. Drexler sat at the conference table, leaned back and put his feet up. He took out a cigar and smoked it.
“What’s next for you, Captain? Will you buy the Isle of Manhattan for $24?”
Drexler laughed, said, “Look who’s a student of history now. What a delicious ancient history reference.”
“You have no intention of helping them, do you?”
“Of course I do. If they want to follow us around as we run from the law, then so be it. We could use the protection, and they seem to have some kind of need, so why not? Everybody wins.”
Samuel left the room in disgust as Drexler puffed away. The numbers he pushed across the table were enough to pay off the entirety of his debt twice over. If he survived the next few months, he might get to retire after all. He only hoped his next negotiation would go half as well, but the Reptilians were nowhere near as gullible as these Insectoids. Drexler opened a new spreadsheet and began estimating asking prices for returning the stolen Reptilian vessel and its remaining crew.
The Captain wasn’t sure how long he was lost in the new business plan. Shouting voices from the corridor outside jolted him from his work. He recognized Human voices mixed with the synthesized words of the Insectoids. Fourseven returned to the room, this time with two of her soldiers at her side who both carried arms.
“Reggie” Drexler subvocalized, “What is this?”
“I am not sure, Captain,” Reggie replied.
“Did you not see them coming?” Drexler asked.
Reggie remained silent.
“I will take that as a ‘no,’ then. Run a top level diagnostic on your internal sensors. Also, do some soul searching and find out how you let this slip by.”
“Luckily, I don’t have a soul …”
“Not helping, jackass,” Drexler replied aloud.
Fourseven stood just inside the doorway with her wing covers open slightly. Her wings protruded and curved around her back to resemble a cape.
“May I ask why you are armed?” Drexler said with forced calm.
“You did not tell me that
you carried a Reptilian warship.”
“A freighter, actually,” Drexler replied.
“You are mistaken,” Fourseven replied. Even through the voice synthesizer, her tone was far less than cordial.
“Its manifest clearly indicates that it is a Freighter, I can show you the documentation —”
“You will release the ship to me,” Fourseven interrupted.
“I will certainly consider this,” Drexler said, “We can negotiate another agreement, another exchange —”
“No exchange. Release the ship and its crew to me.”
Drexler took a deep breath and stood. “You are new around here, so I will forgive you. I should remind you that this is my ship. I run a business here, and I am responsible for the livelihood and safety of my crew. That ship is a valuable asset to this company. If you want it, you need to pay me for it.”
“And you are new to Insectoid ways. That ship and its crew are a threat. The Reptilians attack us. They must be eliminated.”
Drexler paused for a moment, aware of losing ground quickly. He had a rapidly escalating confrontation on his hands.
“Well, I am certainly not discussing anything with you while you carry arms. I did not give you permission to carry arms on my ship. Perhaps you are a threat to me?” Drexler said, gambling. It worked. Fourseven motioned to her soldiers, who shouldered their weapons. Drexler forced himself into the gap. “This is a simple misunderstanding, but it seems to be getting complex very quickly.”
Fourseven nodded her head in response. She already learned that Human gesture.
“I am glad you agree,” Drexler said. He needed to stall further. “Why don’t bring Tara in on this,” Drexler said.
“Who is Tara?” Fourseven asked.
“I can’t pronounce her Insectoid name.” Drexler said.
“The Broodmother?” Fourseven replied. “Very well then.”
Drexler hurried everyone off to the cargo hold where Tara made her home. When the doors opened, Drexler was shocked to see even more webbing everywhere and thicker cocoons. Tara perched in the branches of a tall tree near the hold ceiling. When she saw Fourseven, she flew down to greet her with a deep bow that brought her forehead to the floor.
“Queen Protector,” Tara said. She spoke in Tradespeak for the benefit of Drexler, and Fourseven replied in kind.
“I am no longer Queen.”
The blunt statement staggered Tara. “I do not understand,” she said.
“The crisis on our planet has deepened. Forgive me, but I must explain later. I come to ask your help.”
“Of course, Queen.”
“This Captain Deceives us,” Fourseven said. Tara was shocked again.
“Now wait a minute —” Drexler began. Tara cut him off.
“Please explain,” Tara said.
“He withheld the information that a Reptilian ship is in his possession.”
“Yes. We captured this ship together, both Humans and Insectoid.”
“He did not reveal this during our negotiation.”
“Negotiation?”
“Yes. The exchange of value for services.”
“I don’t understand,” Tara said, turning her composite eyes to Drexler. “What services?” Before anyone could respond, Tara made connections in her mind. “Captain, did you offer the Reptilians and their ship for sale to The Queen?” She was no longer Queen, but Fourseven did not bother to correct Tara.
“Not exactly,” Drexler said sheepishly.
“I see,” Tara said. Her synthesized voice conveyed the coldness of her native words. Drexler knew her well enough to understand the disappointment there. “This is a misunderstanding, to be sure. But I can assure you, Queen, that the Reptilians are no threat at the moment, especially while you are with us. I suggest that we take time to revisit this later.”
Fourseven contemplated this for a moment. “This appears reasonable. I will leave soldiers here to ensure that safety.”
Drexler rose up to object, but a glance from Tara advised him otherwise. The Captain realized he grossly underestimated the Insectoids. Fourseven turned on her heel and made her way back to the cargo hold. Drexler moved to follow, but Tara stopped him.
“Captain,” Tara said, “may I have a word?”
Drexler nodded his head.
“I have come to understand the ways in which you deal with people and situations beyond the boundaries of this ship and its crew.”
“What do you mean?” Drexler asked, his tone defensive.
“I refer to honesty. I have known you long enough to realize that you are always honest with your crew, but not so with others. I understand why you are like this. It is not the Insectoid way, but I have come to some understanding of Human ways.”
“What are you getting at?” Drexler replied. “Get to the point.”
“Very well,” Tara replied. “I will serve you as I have from the beginning and to the end, but do not lie to me. Whether you understand it or not, we are of the same Hive now, all of us. We cannot function as a hive if you lie.”
Drexler stammered. He fumed. His face turned red, and he turned without a word and stomped off down the corridor to his cabin.
“She is right, you know,” Reggie said.
“Shut the fuck up, you asshole!” Drexler shouted aloud. Several crew members jumped aside, casting startled eyes his way.
31
“Reinforcements are two world cycles away, and we have conquered the entire Trade Lane backbone with no resistance. The only casualties we have suffered was due to equipment failure,” Gholss exclaimed as he stood before his Alpha Leader’s personal holo pedestal. Gholss was growing accustomed to the Alpha’s personal quarters. The two spent many hours there working on strategy.
“Yes, my friend,” Sslolg replied, “but have you forgotten the wisdom you so recently revealed to me? Let us not let the bloodlust rob us of reason.”
Gholss took another bite from the freshly killed Human thigh. He tore flesh from bone and allowed his venom to soften the meat while he chewed with great care and deliberation.
“Our progress has exceeded all expectations, but this is a dangerous situation. We never expected to take so much so quickly. Our forces are spread thin. While we control the trade lanes themselves, many Sentient Homeworlds have defenses. Not space-based defenses, but enough weaponry to keep us away from their planets until the Destroyers and Battleships enter the fight.
This gives them time. Time is not an asset to the aggressor. We may own space, but they own planets.”
“Then we should not destroy so much,” Gholss replied, finally swallowing.
“How do you mean?”
“Our kind loves to destroy without thinking. This is the lesson we learned together. Instead of capturing ships and crews for sport and food, we should take the equipment to use for war.”
Sslolg thought about this. “How do we use them?”
“Like our ancestors used all of the animal,” Gholss said, holding up the red, gory thigh bone, “We use what is in the ships, we use the ships themselves. We are destroying most of the freighters. The ones we do not; our soldiers are either destroying or pushing their contents into space. Why?
I say again, these are freighters. Think about the value the Traders place on the things those ships carry. We take their value from them. We sell it back to them or sell it to the ones we have not attacked yet. We buy more supplies with which to kill them.
Some of them are that stupid. They would do business with us, even as we slaughter those we trade with. There may even be things we can use directly, like spare parts.”
“You are saying trade with them?”
“Why not? Most of our soldiers hid among them for years pretending to be traders. It will yield excellent intelligence as well.”
“You are brilliant. Nothing but brilliant. Make this happen. Show me. Let us make the plan right now!”
***
The Forest Child transport was still several days away fr
om Medina 3. Margaret believed it was only luck that kept them alive. The Caliphate Homeworld was at the far end of the Trade Lanes on a secondary spur route. The Reptilian attack did not reach that far. The best guess of Abhay and the response team was that the Reptiles did not consider Medina 3 a priority. The group hurtling through the ether gambled their lives on this guess.
“We are in comm blackout until we get to the other side of this blink,” Abhay told Margaret for at least the third time.
“So you said,” Margaret replied. “I am more than familiar with how blinkpoint translation works.”
“That message from my team said your Brother was heading to New Detroit, but didn’t give the damn coordinates!”
“Your team? You mean your spies? The ones with orders to kill my brother and father on your orders? Is that the team you’re talking about?”
“That’s ancient history. They probably won’t have need to kill any of your family now.”
“If that’s your way of reassuring me, you need to rethink your whole deal there, slick.”
“Why are you talking like a 21st century movie character?” Abhay asked.
“It’s my fallback.”
They managed to laugh in spite of, or perhaps because, of the dire situation throughout known space. While they traveled, they could only imagine the destruction.
“But what is in new Detroit?” Abhay asked.
“My brother has friends there. So do I. We did a lot of trade with the old North American City ships; the Detroit, The Manhattan, The Corvallis and any number of the smaller colonies.
We spent our formative years taking shore leave in the Hive Mind VR environments of New Detroit. I learned quantum particle physics in spite of myself there. Drexler had me playing space travel games. He kept beating me until I mastered the equations to finally take him down. Looking back, I know he let me win just enough to learn what I needed to pass my Ensign’s exam.” Margaret didn’t realize she was crying until a teardrop splattered on the galley table and sprayed her palm.
Abhay took her hand, said, “I don’t care about the mission anymore, not any mission. I will not let anything bad happen to you, your brother, or even your father. Your family is my family.”
Fleetfoot Interstellar: Fleetfoot Interstellar Series, Book 1 Page 26
