by S. H. Jucha
The First’s eyestalks flicked from the Star Hunter First to the large entity seated next to him. The First hoped he was to greet the Star Hunter First’s new mate. His people had been saddened that the leader of the Star Hunter had only the one mate and a puny one at that.
Before Alex could introduce her, Maria triggered her belt harness via her ear comm to issue its initial phrase. “World First greets Star Hunter First,” whistled forth, and Maria held out claw-like hands to Alex, who extended his hands to her in greeting. But where Alex sought to touch fingertips to fingertips, Maria lowered her hands below his. From the corner of her eyes, she saw the Swei Swee’s eyestalks train on the relative positions of their human claws.
Maria turned to the Swei Swee and triggered her second phrase. Her belt whistled, “World First greets Swei Swee First.” Maria waited until the First’s claws were fully extended before she reached out and touched fingertips to claw tips—not above and not below. She held her hands still while the First’s eyestalks flicked from their touching appendages, then to Alex and back.
The First pulled his claws back. He had identified the entity in front of him as female, and she was not a mate but a leader … a female leader. It seemed confusing, but the female had been brought to him by the Star Hunter First. There was no time to dwell on the oddities … Ceremony was required. He whistled his needs, and a large male shot out of the swim pool and hurried to the feeding tank. With a small fish pinioned in a claw, he scurried to the First, lowering himself to the ground to offer the tribute.
The First accepted the fish, snipping off its head and tail and stripping its skin. In the meantime, the Swei Swee females had stopped work and closed around the leaders to observe the greeting ceremony. The oldest and largest matrons crowded close to Maria, their mouth parts smacking as they tasted the air. Warbles and tweets passed between them. The new leader had been identified as female and presented as an equal to their First, which made this a momentous occasion.
“The females are impressed, Maria,” Alex said, his voice soothing her. “It’s an important event for them to discover a female leader.”
When one of the matrons inadvertently bumped Maria, the eyestalks of the First flicked toward the offender, and his shrill whistle pierced the air. The matrons obediently retreated several meters.
Maria watched the Swei Swee male efficiently strip the fish. He spread his claws to enable him to come close to Alex. Maria could scent the odors of the sea from his body. One fillet of the fish was offered to Alex, who immediately bit into it, chewing noisily. The First whistled softly in response, bobbing up and down. Maria understood the action as excited approval. When the Swei Swee stripped the second fillet, his eyestalks focused closely on the piece of flesh, and he carefully divided it in two. He offered both pieces to her.
“You have presented yourself as equals, Maria,” Alex said quietly. “Choose one.”
Maria took one of the pieces and held the cool flesh in her hand. While she gathered her courage, the First’s eyestalks flicked between her offering, her face, and Alex. She glanced at Alex. In response, he bit a large piece of tissue off his fillet and continued to smack and chew. Maria put the flesh in her mouth, her stomach roiling, but as she bit down a light, sweet flavor covered her tongue. As she chewed, a refreshing flavor filled her mouth. She concentrated on the taste and tried not to think of the creature she was eating. A bit late, she realized her eyes were closed. She opened them to find the Swei Swee First’s four eyes staring at her. Maria heard Alex chewing noisily and grunting, so she played “follow the leader” and began smacking her lips and chewing noisily.
The First whistled shrilly, which nearly had Maria bolting back to the shuttle, but she maintained her place. He stuffed his portion of the fillet in his mouth, smacking and chewing on the flesh. The host of Swei Swee burst into a raucous celebration of whistles and snapping claws.
“When is the ceremony concluded, Alex?” Maria asked. She felt she was depending on a younger brother to guide her through treacherous waters.
“When all have finished their share, Maria,” Alex replied.
Maria looked at the portion of her share that remained. She glanced to Alex and then to the First. Both were licking their hands, having finished their ceremonial offerings. Maria took a breath and let it out. Then she concentrated on biting, chewing, and swallowing, as if she was in a TSF training regimen. She hadn’t made Terran Security Forces General by possessing a mind unable to focus.
When Maria was finished, Alex stood up, but Maria found it difficult to stand. She felt lightheaded again, and her legs were shaky. Alex helped her up, which she greatly appreciated. The Swei Swee extended his dangerously pointed and edged claws to Alex, who formed fists and smacked down on the claws. Then the First extended his claws to Maria, and she tapped them lightly. The claws stayed in place, and the eyestalks swiveled between her and Alex. “Follow the leader,” echoed in her mind, and she thumped the colorful blue-green claws with her fists, which felt like striking stone.
The First loosed an earsplitting whistle and the assembly joined in. Maria watched Alex raise his hands over his head, spinning around and snapping his fingers. Maria shrugged her broad shoulders and copied Alex. It had been years since she had danced, although she had loved to as a young girl. The more she spun and snapped, the better she felt. Soon she realized the laughter she heard was coming from her. A great many concerns as President of New Terra fell away as she participated in the ceremony’s conclusion. Completing a rotation, she saw that Alex had stopped, and she did the same. Her grin was an echo of the one Alex wore.
Alex was ready to return to the traveler, but as the First backed away, the eldest matrons, those most heavily scarred of shell and claw, came close to Maria. Alex stepped back to clear room for the females since they were intent on Maria. The matrons stopped a half-meter away from her, lifting their claws in the air and bobbing slowly.
“Alex?” Maria asked nervously, her concern returning.
“I believe you have created a new concept for the Swei Swee—a female leader. The matrons wish to share in the moment.”
“Do you have a suggestion, Alex?” Maria asked.
“You are the leader of a world, Maria,” Alex replied. “Follow your diplomatic instincts.”
Maria looked at the heavy, blunt pair of claws directly in front of her. The female’s claws and carapace were a torment of scars and scrapes across what probably had been a beautiful shell. Her heart reached out to the female and what she had endured throughout her life, mining for the Nua’ll. In her mind, she was a General again, and a trooper who had been injured in the line of duty now stood in front of her, waiting to be decorated. Maria’s fists closed tightly and she smacked down on the blunt claws in front of her. The elderly matron warbled softly and briefly lowered herself to the ground before scuttling backward. Another female took her place.
Alex watched female after female stand before the World First, anxious to share in the moment. He would have interrupted, knowing what the constant impact was doing to Maria’s hands, but she wore a determined look and was smacking claws with vigor.
When the last matron received Maria’s greeting, Alex guided her back toward the traveler. She was breathing heavily and the edges of her hands bled from the nicks on the females’ claws, but she wore the most beatific smile. “I have new friends,” Alex heard her say. When they reached the traveler, Terese applied the nanites ointment to Maria’s hand.
Tatia stepped up to the two Presidents and handed them small cups. “Perhaps the Presidents would care for a palate cleansing after your ceremony?”
As Tatia filled the two cups with amber liquid, Alex thought to admonish Maria to swallow, not swish and spit while they were within sight of the Swei Swee, but he needn’t have bothered. Maria slugged down the ship’s brew of cactus alcohol and held her cup out for a refil
l. It appeared the two ex-TSF officers had shared drinks more than once.
* * *
Back at the Haraken facilities that had been used for negotiations, the House Leaders and Maria approved their agreements as recorded by the SADEs.
Katarina Pasko took the opportunity to ask Alex for a moment or two of his time in private. Alex indicated a small office, and they retired behind a closed door. The Ambassadors regarded each other as did the remaining two Leaders. Renée, however, stared at the closed door.
Once inside the office, Katarina resorted to her implant. She stepped close to Alex, cutting into his personal space, seeking to take advantage of her similar appearance to Ser de Guirnon. The two might have been mistaken for sisters.
Shades of Lina, Alex thought.
Alex shrugged his broad shoulders in a show of apathy and reverted to voice. “Personally, I have no desire to explore the effect, Leader Pasko. Thank you for your interest and your offer,” Alex said politely and then turned and exited the office. With no more business to conduct, Alex led the way out of the facilities to their traveler.
Renée and Terese were focused on the office doorway, intent on gauging Katarina’s expression following her conversation with Alex.
Terese sent to Renée.
As the two women turned toward the exit lock, employed to trap oxygen-rich air inside, their evil grins of satisfaction remained unseen by Katarina Pasko. Renée hurried to catch up with Alex, sliding her hand into the crook of his elbow. His hand covered hers without missing a word in his conversation with the visitors.
* * *
Gino had deliberately sought a seat on the traveler next to President Gonzalez for the trip back to their respective ships. He chatted amiably with her for much of the journey.
“Leader Diamanté,” Maria said, in a lull in the conversation, “we will be landing soon. My intuition says you have something to say or ask.”
“Your instincts are correct, President Gonzalez,” Gino replied. “I’ve been deciding how to encourage an invitation. In Méridien society, one is required to wait till one is asked.”
“Then it’s probably good you’re not talking to a Méridien, Leader Diamanté,” Maria replied.
Gino desperately wished he was communicating via implant. It was easy to understand an individual’s true intent when it came from their thoughts. Too much opportunity for change existed when thoughts traveled the pathways from mind to mouth, as evidenced by his observations of children. Then again, the Haraken President was an example of a New Terran who was most direct in his speech, and it was obvious he and President Gonzalez were close compatriots.
“I would like to visit New Terra, President Gonzalez,” Gino finally said.
“What would be the purpose of your visit, Leader Diamanté?” Maria asked. “The Confederation has better tech than us, and many of your people believe contact with my people contaminates your society.”
“That is all quite true, Ser President,” Gino replied. “It would require you and I work that much harder to find common ground for trade, or are you suggesting that two people such as us would fail at the task?”
Maria extended her powerful hand to Gino, saying, “I look forward to your visit, Leader Diamanté.”
The traveler landed aboard the Freedom, where it had access to a cradle. In the future, the Harakens might develop landing gear, but for now, grav-lift cradles were required at any landing zone.
Maria Gonzalez and her Ministers boarded Captain Lillian Hauser’s liner for the return trip home. In fifty-six days, New Terra would receive the Freedom and load it with food stocks, building materials, and work force. The latter group would be composed of techs, engineers, and EVA crew who would help the Harakens build their planet’s first orbital station. The thought of New Terra’s T-Stations operating at full capacity for years to come pleased Maria, but more than that, New Terra would have technological access to the entire gamut of materials created for the Méridien-designed orbital station.
There had been one subject that Maria had not resolved to her satisfaction. Privately she had broached the subject of travelers with beam weaponry for New Terra, but Alex’s answer had been conditional. He didn’t say no, and he didn’t say yes. He stated he needed more time to consider his decision. It was a mature answer for a leader, Maria had thought.
Aboard the Il Piacere, the House Leaders and their support staff were an hour ahead of Captain Hauser’s liner, bound for Méridien. Gino Diamanté sipped his drink, luxuriating in their mission’s success. Every other Méridien House Leader, except for the two in his company, had chosen not to join him for various reasons. Some intensely disliked Alex Racine. Others were incensed at the presence of Independents on Cetus—as they chose to still call the planet. And many other excuses had been offered. However, Gino knew the unstated and fundamental reason they had chosen to stay home—they feared Council Leader Ganesh.
* * *
Word had circulated throughout the flotilla that Alex and his entourage had remained aboard the Freedom after the visitors departed, and they were making their way to the central gardens. People began gathering in public places—parks, meal rooms, and any place they could congregate, anticipating the President’s announcement. Even the pilots and crew operating in the belt slowed their work to listen.
In the Freedom’s central gardens, Alex found a quiet bench for him and Renée.
Alex’s message kicked off celebrations throughout the flotilla and planetside, although only about 9,000 Harakens lived on planet. Accommodations there remained sparse.
Many people tuned their implants to one of the SADE’s music channels. Christie and her new friends, Amelia and Eloise, had requested the SADEs set up simulcasts of multiple music channels. It was interesting that none of the SADEs had sought to confirm that the request was authorized. Few young people had more combined clout than the President’s sister, the runner organizer, and the great granddaughter of Fiona Haraken.
Around the park, many of the young tuned their implants to the same channel to dance in the syncopated Méridien style. It was interesting to watch young New Terrans imitate the sinuous dance styles of Méridien youth. As the evening wore on, food and drink were dispensed by vendors, and the pioneer restaurateur ventures took the opportunity to introduce their new recipes.
The entourage from the traveler, which had accompanied Alex and Renée, had wandered off, except for Étienne, who stood quietly to the side of their bench, continuing to keep watch. The potential for an
incident was near zero, but as the senior people had agreed with the twins, near zero was not zero. Alex was too important to lose. Étienne wasn’t alone, though. Ellie Thompson’s delicate hand was curled in his.
Couples strolled through the Freedom’s grand park, walking hand in hand or arm in arm. It was a pleasurable custom many had adopted from the vids that circulated of their President and his partner. People passed in front of Alex and Renée, but none disturbed the President with comments, vocal or sent. Alex’s faraway expression urged them only to nod respectfully, with Renée accepting their honor for both of them.
Alex’s thoughts weren’t engaged with anyone, not even the SADEs. He was seeing a tug-explorer Captain, sitting alone at his bridge console aboard the Outward Bound. It felt like the distant past, but it was only two years ago. Then his thoughts drifted to the here and now. The people under his care were safe, and Haraken had secured a future that heralded growth and prosperity. I just need this to last, Alex thought.
* * *
The Swei Swee were gathered on the cliff tops of Libre’s Clarion Seas and Haraken’s Tranquil Bay, which the people had begun calling “Racine Bay.” The hives of both planets assembled every evening, nestling down on grass or soil, walking legs tucked under and eyestalks fully retracted, to hear the serenades of the Hive Singer. The hives of Libre heard Mutter many days later than the Haraken hives, but they were always assembled and waiting every evening for their Hive Singer, who never failed them.
