Vinium (The Silver Ships Book 10)
Page 16
Before Gino could send a response to Julien, Katrina took a seat next to him and said, “Did you ask yet?”
“We eat first,” Gino replied.
Katrina was about to object, but Gino’s private message stopped her.
Servers surrounded the new individuals at the table and took their orders, and the only sounds to be heard, for a while, were the clinks of utensils, dishes, cups, and pitchers.
When Alex’s dishes, the last on the table, were removed, he said, “Yes, Gino, the tests were successful. No damage to life or property, in either case. As far as we’re concerned, the banishers have proven themselves ready to deploy. You’ll find they’ll be a great deal easier, more efficient, and portable than rocks,” Alex added, smiling.
“Yes, well, you use what you have at hand. How many of these can I order, Alex?”
Alex glanced at Julien, who immediately recovered the list of parts and construction time to produce a single banisher. He was getting quite accomplished at this process, having done it for a variety of ships now. This one was easy. After estimating the total cost, Julien added a surcharge for profit and a codicil that the Méridiens were responsible for transport.
Alex received Julien’s summary, shared it with Gino, and said, “That’s my accountant’s proposal for the purchase of a banisher. Concerning the quantity, you can order as many as you would like.”
Gino glanced at Julien. During the brief moment he had regarded Alex, he discovered the SADE had adorned his head with a fedora.
“A more than fair figure, Alex. My appreciation to your accountant,” Gino replied, winking at Julien. “How about one hundred banishers?”
“One hundred it is, Gino,” Alex replied, reaching across the table and gently shaking the Méridien’s slender hand. “The orbital platform will begin construction on your order, and you’ll be notified when you can pick up the first shipment.”
“In which case, we’ll be leaving this morning, Alex. I have my work cut out for me to convene the Council and present our agreement for ratification. And you? What will you be doing in the meantime?”
“Why, Gino, I thought you knew,” Renée said, cheerfully. “We’re going sphere hunting. Would you like to join us?”
Gino and Katrina stared aghast at Renée, who wore an expectant expression.
“All of you are beginning to sound more and more like Alex every time we see you,” Katrina said, shaking her head in disbelief at the offer.
“It’s a requirement of our offices,” Julien explained. “You have to be a little disturbed to follow Alex.”
“But you should know, Katrina, that, in reality, I’m the sane one,” Alex added. However, the odd grin and wide-eyed expression he extended her conveyed something entirely different.
Gino and Katrina burst out laughing. “Come, my partner,” Gino said, standing and offering a hand to Katrina. I think it’s best we leave soonest. This mental aberration might be catching.”
The Méridiens said their goodbyes and left for the Freedom’s bay levels.
“Are they serious about chasing that second sphere?” Katrina asked, as they walked a long corridor to a lift.
“Oh, yes. Alex and his people might sound as if it’s a jest, but they’re deadly serious.”
“And when they catch it?” Katrina asked.
“They’ll destroy it, or it will destroy them.”
“You make the possible outcomes sound so simple.”
“They are simple, but one of them would be a great tragedy.”
* * *
Olawale Wombo, an Earther refugee, who was now governing the Dischnya’s new school, caught a transport from the planet and lifted for the Freedom. He had an urgent appointment with Alex, who met him as he exited his traveler.
“Everything okay with the Dischnya?” Alex asked, as they entered the corridor from the bay’s airlock.
“Oh, yes, the Dischnya are fine,” Olawale replied, as Alex guided him toward a lift. “I wanted to talk to you about Sol.”
“Sol?” Alex asked, perplexed by the choice of subject.
“Alex, my people have no concept of the Nua’ll sphere, especially of its insidious nature. They’re as likely to welcome it, as attack it, and we’re responsible for that.”
“I don’t follow you, Olawale,” Alex replied. The lift took them to the city-ship’s grand park, and the two men strolled through its pleasant gardens.
“Prior to our arrival, my people had no extensive contact with anyone outside the Sol system. Yes, the Tribunal and a few select others heard the stories that were told by Captain Lumley and his crew, who returned on the explorer ship from our space, but our arrival was proof of the existence of others beyond Sol. And look what we did.”
“I thought we helped them and United Earth’s crumbling society,” Alex replied.
“We did, and that’s my point, Alex.”
“Ah, I see what you mean. Because of our visit, their experience with outsiders was a positive one. So, if a sphere were to arrive, they would think that the proper approach would be to act as gracious hosts.”
“Exactly, and how devastating would that be?”
“I take it that you want to make a trip to Sol?” Alex asked.
“Yes,” Olawale replied.
“Okay, Olawale, but I can’t spare a warship. At this rate, I might be short one and a New Terran admiral. You’ll have to take the Rêveur. In which case, Captain Lumley, as a fellow Earther, will be a good man to have at the helm. I’ll load the liner with travelers and two banishers. You’ll need a SADE. Do you have a preference?”
“I don’t suppose I could take Julien?” Olawale asked.
When Alex stared at him with flat, hard eyes, Olawale chuckled. “Apologies, Alex, perhaps my jest wasn’t as humorous as I thought. Please choose one for me.”
“How about any of your Earther scientists? Will they be traveling with you?” Alex asked.
“In fact, Alex, they aren’t interested in making the trip. As a group, we thought Sol should be warned, but that takes only one of us. Besides, it’s important to keep the Dischnya’s school open. The SADEs and an engineering team are building a new addition, and we’re adding new courses. Two of the Confederation SADEs are now acting as educators.”
“What type of courses?” Alex asked, curious as to the direction of the Dischnya’s interests.
“They’re courses for the younger Dischnya. They’re fascinated by our technology … power crystals, comm systems, implants, nanites … all of it.”
“What do the queens think of that?” Alex asked.
“The usual responses. The older ones snuff and snort their disapproval; the younger ones cheer them on.”
“How are Edmas and Jodlyne doing?” Alex asked.
Alex was referring to a pair of Earther orphans that Z had adopted from Idona Station. Edmas had studied engineering at Espero’s university after having worked for years, as a teenager, with Z and Claude, creating the SADEs’ raft of avatars. He was a brilliant engineer in his own right and helped to discover the faux-shell process. Jodlyne, also an engineer, was Edmas’ partner, and the levelheaded one of the pair.
“I understand their new business is doing exceedingly well, Alex. With their income from Omnia Ships, they started a flit business. The little machines are quite a success for the growing city.”
“Have there been any issues?” Alex asked, with concern for the use of the sporty, single or tandem, rider grav units.
“You’re speaking of possible overflights of the green. Z constructed the algorithms for the controller’s mapping. The flits are restricted to the plains within the Omnia city’s continent. Flights over the green or oceans are impossible, un
less someone figures out how to break through the controller’s encryption.”
Alex grinned. “If they could, every Omnian SADE would know it in an instant.”
“There’s that,” Olawale laughed, his bright white teeth shining in his dark face.
More than anything, Alex was worried that human curiosity might lead the foolish to investigate the deadly swaths of forests north and south of the midland plains. Z had ventured into the green to investigate the possibility of it harboring an intelligent species. What he found was a vicious environment of flora and fauna that competed for survival every moment of every day. And the most dangerous species was the Nascosto, a troop of chameleon-capable, venomous, tree dwellers. Z’s Cedric Broussard suit was the only reason he survived his time in the green.
“I’ll speak to Edmas and Jodlyne,” Alex said. “I think they should accompany you.”
“As you wish, Alex. I’ll get started on the preparations.”
“Before you go, Olawale, hear me well. You travel to Sol, communicate to whoever is in charge, and gain permission to search the system for a probe. If you find one, destroy it, and then sail back here immediately. No extended visit. Am I clear?”
“Absolutely, Alex. It wasn’t my intention to sit down and have some long-winded chats.”
“Be safe, Olawale.”
“We’ll be careful,” Olawale said, rising from the bench where the two men had sat to talk. “And thank you, Alex,” Olawale added, grabbing Alex in a bear hug. He was one of the few individuals who could manage that. Though not as heavy as Alex, Olawale was taller and a big man.
“Say hello to Nikki and Patrice, if you get the opportunity,” Alex called out as Olawale walked away, referring to Nikki Fowler and Patrice Morris, two antagonists, a rebel leader and a militia lieutenant, who chose to bury their animosities and work to rebuild Sol’s Idona Station.
Olawale waved his acknowledgment, a smile lighting his face.
“And may the stars watch over you,” Alex said, with quiet intensity. He watched Olawale disappear along a path and waited for passing impressions of the Earther’s impending return to Sol. Alex might deny the insinuations of others about his premonitions, but he had lived with them too long to ignore them. The reason he refused to own up to having the unlikely impressions was that he felt the admittance would separate him even further from his fellow humans.
Alex smiled, always impressed at the speed of SADE communication.
There was dead silence on the call, while the two young people tried to figure out how to respond.
Alex could hear the trepidation in Jodlyne’s thoughts.
Alex waited. Obviously, the two partners were in a deep discussion, which probably included Esteban.
Jodlyne replied.
Alex chuckled to himself. Jodlyne was not only the levelheaded one of the pair, she was also the business-minded one.
After Alex ended the comm, Jodlyne yipped in pleasure and threw herself into Edmas’ arms. “This is going to be a fantastic trip to see what’s become of Sol,” she said.
“Well negotiated, Ser,” Esteban said. The Confederation SADE’s synth-skin was patterned in a subtle flow of what appeared to be waves of water, with blues, greens, and occasional white peaks. Some humans, who stared too long at him, could feel a little nauseous, something akin to seasickness.
Jodlyne released Edmas and narrowed her eyes at Esteban.
“Apologies … that was well negotiated, Jodlyne,” Esteban replied, correcting her address in his comment.
“That’s better,” Jodlyne replied, hugging Esteban.
The SADE had received many such attentions from the pair of engineers, who had hired him and soon afterward given him a minority share in their business. The initial handshakes of Edmas and hugs from Jodlyne were confusing, but the more he understood the genuine warmth that the two humans exhibited, the more he coveted their attentions to him. If the pair were going to Sol, he intended to accompany them to ensure their well-being.
“Do you think we finally got the better of Alex?” Jodlyne asked. She looked at Edmas’ flat expression before she added, “Probably not.”
“But you held up our end,” Edmas said, throwing an arm around her shoulders.
-15-
Farewells
As it was, the NT Geoffrey Orlan arrived in system late that afternoon, and Tatia reached out to the warship.
“Captain Morney,” Tatia said, speaking to him via the Freedom’s bridge comm system, “please connect me to Admiral Tripping.”
“I’m here, Admiral Tachenko,” Tripping replied.
“I’d like a private conversation, Admiral,” Tatia said.
“I’m comfortable speaking in front of my captain and officers. As New Terrans, we exhibit solidarity, or have you forgotten that?” Tripping replied, with his usual condescending tone.
Tatia took a deep breath, blew it out, and relaxed her clenched fists. Alex’s words surfaced — let Tripping trap himself. “I understood you would be returning to Omnia within a week, Admiral. It has been nearly two weeks. Did you experience difficulties with your ship?”
“Quite the contrary, Admiral. My crew and I enjoyed a longer period of relaxation on our home planet. However, we’re here and ready to join your practice deployments.”
“Maneuvers are over, Admiral. The squadron is deploying at 8.5 hours in another day and a half.”
Tatia could detect a whispered conversation between Tripping and one other person.
“I’m informed, Admiral, that we can’t reach Omnia in that time. Perhaps, you can delay your departure for two more days?”
Tripping’s voice had undergone a noticeable shift. Gone was the hauteur, replaced by a tentativeness.
“That’s a shame, Admiral. It looks as if I’ll be taking the other two New Terran Tridents with me on the hunt. You might as well turn around and report to President Grumley that your extended vacation caused you to miss our sailing date.”
Around Tatia, Cordelia and her crew grinned at her, and Tatia had to admit, she enjoyed twisting Tripping’s tail.
“I’ll remind you that I’m the New Terran senior officer,” Tripping declared hotly. “Those ships are mine. You can either wait for me, or I’ll forbid the captains to sail with you.”
Tatia had been waiting for this moment. Tripping had neatly stepped into a trap of his own making.