by S. H. Jucha
“Your pardon, Winston, but I believe that Alex knows all this only too well. I believe the correct phrase, Ser, is that we want in.”
“In on what?” Alex asked.
“In on whatever you’re planning to do and wherever you’re planning to go,” Didier added.
“I’m not entirely sure I have the answers to those questions myself,” Alex replied.
“That doesn’t matter, Alex,” Esther said. “The most important thing for us is that you and the people around you accept SADEs for who we are. That’s a great comfort to us, in and of itself. We’re quite adaptable, as you know, and wish to travel with you.”
“But you have your duties as SIF directors,” Alex objected.
“True, but not for all time and only for the four of us,” Didier commented.
“Okay, what exactly is SIF’s proposal?” Alex asked.
“First, Alex, the Freedom must accept up to 40,000 SADEs, for as long as it exists,” Winston said.
“That’s thinking far into the future,” Alex commented drily, recognizing that it was 25 percent more SADEs than existed right now across the entire Confederation and the majority of those individuals were staying put.
“I think your first item is moot, Winston. Even if I was to agree to your point, I can’t afford to pay them a stipend,” Alex pointed out.
“But you won’t have to, Alex,” Esther said. “SIF will pay the stipend for any SADE who serves aboard your ship … or any ship in your fleet.”
“Now, I have a fleet,” Alex said, nodding agreeably to Julien, as if he had just received a wonderful gift.
“You jest with us,” Hector said, “but the evidence of your past is there for all to examine.”
“Now, that’s true,” Renée said, pointing a finger at Hector to underline his words.
“Whose side are you on?” Alex asked.
“On yours, my love, but I agree with them.”
“Okay, if I were to accept this first point that the Freedom would accommodate up to 40,000 SADEs and any who serve will be paid by SIF, I want it clear that they have no sway over where I go or what I do with the ship … or ships, if I ever have more. Now, don’t tell me that you or they can live with that,” Alex challenged.
“It’s agreed,” Esther said, displaying a beatific smile.
Alex felt he was being maneuvered, and his mind raced ahead to comprehend the reasons for the SADEs’ approach. Of particular interest to him was why the SIF directors were approaching him in concert with the Exchange directors, and he glanced Julien’s way, but his friend wore his poker face.
“One final point, Alex,” Winston said. “In recompense for SIF’s payment of the SADEs’ stipends, those who work on your fleet and who will participate in whatever assignments you give them, SIF requires a share of the profits.”
“The contract will stipulate a rolling percentage of the gross profits, based on the ratio of SADEs to humans within the fleet,” Didier noted.
Alex’s hearty laugh rocketed around the room.
The SIF directors queried Julien, thinking that they had misstepped.
“In case you haven’t noticed, Sers, I’m not proficient at generating credits, save for the one thing I created while in New Terra, and, which after two years of generating revenue, I gave away to the government and the SADEs. My account balance is almost entirely due to the goodwill donations made by the Confederation SADEs.”
“This is understood, Alex,” Esther said, “but we’ve noted that the Haraken SADEs and many members of your original crew are the wealthiest individuals on this planet.”
Alex glanced at Julien, who merely raised his eyebrows, as if it to indicate that, regrettably, it was true. “Good for you, my friend,” Alex said, slapping Julien’s knee.
“We’re confident that your efforts, in pursuit of your goals, will generate credits, Alex,” Winston said. “We know you’ll do this to ensure the economic prosperity of the individuals you intend to load into your city-ship and future vessels.”
“Okay,” Alex said, holding out his hands in protestation. “Let’s say I was to agree to your conditions … SIF pays the way for the SADEs that come aboard and you get a percentage of credits generated. There are still the costs of the refit.”
“And that’s where we can help,” Julien said.
“Let me guess. The Exchange directors want in as well … profit sharing and all,” Alex said with a groan. “I think I’ve freed a bunch of financial mercenaries.” The fact that every SADE was smiling at him gave Alex an indication of a future that would be shaped by many players, of which he would be only one.
“Yes, we do wish a seat at the table, as you often phrase it, Alex,” Cordelia replied. “The Exchange will cover the cost of the refit and will request a fair percentage of credits generated by your fleet’s economic activities.”
Alex knew that Cordelia and Julien were keenly aware of what Emile, Mickey, and the others had discovered. The invention was worth a world’s fortune. More important to Alex than its economic value, it meant grav-built ships could be constructed independent of the hives, built quicker, and fabricated in space. If the Haraken SADEs wanted to play investors, Alex decided he’d better yank his negotiation hat down tight. It looked to be a bumpy night.
Julien watched Alex’s eyes narrow, as his friend regarded him, and the SADE attempted to surmise the thoughts revolving in Alex’s mind. His green-visored, poker cap appeared on his head, and he returned Alex’s squint with one of his own.
The brothers were in protracted mental negotiations for the better part of a half hour. In the end, Alex reverted to verbal communication and said, “Done,” as he extended his hand to Julien.
“Agreed,” Julien replied, shaking Alex’s hand.
“Winston, send me your agreement, and I’ll review it,” Alex said. But before he could finish what he intended to say, Esther’s comm signaled a document waited for him.
“Pretty sure of yourselves,” Alex commented.
“Pretty sure of you, Alex Racine,” Hector replied. “You have a habit of single-mindedly pursuing those goals you believe to be critical.”
Winston sent a message to Julien asking for the substance of the Exchange’s agreement with Alex, but Julien replied that one of the conditions of the agreement, as stipulated by Alex, was that its details weren’t to be revealed to anyone but the Exchange directors.
Hector added.
* * *
News and rumors swept across Haraken, aided by the population’s implants. Among the people’s key concerns were how many and which people might be leaving with Alex. For the Assembly, it was the fact that the city-ship could accommodate 250,000 individuals, and those most loyal to Alex and, therefore, most likely to go, were many of Haraken’s premier citizens.
To address these and other concerns head-on, Tatia sought a private meeting with Alex.
“Causing quite a stir, as usual, Alex,” Tatia said, without preamble, as Renée placed a small repast and hot thé by the admiral’s side.
“Is that how you see it, Tatia?” Alex asked.
Tatia held the hot mug in her hands to warm them from the chill that blew along the coast. She’d made the mistake of taking her flit since it was a short flight, but the open canopy provided little protection against the elements. “No, not really,” Tatia admitted. “But, your actions are generating waves for me, professionally and personally.”
Tatia waited for Alex to pick up the conversation, but he sat quietly observing her. Releasing a tense breath, Tatia leaned back in her chair, holding the mug to her chest. “Okay, Alex, let�
�s talk plainly,” which garnered a smile from him. “I’ve had submissions from people who wish to resign their commissions if they’re accepted to travel with you. My question is this: Do you intend to accept them?”
“Things are happening a little faster than I expected, Tatia. I haven’t gotten to that point yet.”
“Word is that the Confederation SADEs will be paid by SIF to work for you.”
“That’s true. Who’s on your list?”
“Ellie, Svetlana, and a good many pilots, but I expect to hear from Reiko and Franz, among others.”
“And how about you?” Alex asked.
Renée could feel the heavy-bodied admiral’s laughter, reverberating through the bones of her chest. “Have you spoken with Alain?” Renée asked quietly. Her question abruptly shut down Tatia’s laughter.
“Yes, I have, Renée,” Tatia retorted, none too happy to have Renée bring up the subject of her partner.
“And?” Renée pressed.
“It’s obvious Étienne and Alain are bored, and Alex’s new adventure calls to both of them. Étienne and Ellie wish to go, which represents a challenge for the twins. I don’t believe the crèche-mates can ever be separated.”
Alex and Renée watched Tatia drink her thé, lost in thought.
“There’s a rumor circulating that you’re going to hunt the Nua’ll, Alex. If so, what about warships … sting ships and fighters? As far as I know, you only have the four travelers aboard the Rêveur.”
“At this time,” Alex said cryptically.
“I’m on the outside looking in, for now, aren’t I?” Tatia asked.
“For now,” Alex agreed.
“An odd sensation,” Tatia replied, draining her mug. She stood up and said, “When you make up your mind about which humans you want aboard, comm me. I have until then to figure out my own future.”
When Tatia departed, Renée cleaned up Tatia’s food dish, which the admiral hadn’t touched. She kept an eye on Alex, who hadn’t touched his food either. “Listen to me,” she said, when she stepped back into the main room. “You can’t be responsible for the lives of those who wish to follow you any more than you were when we repaired the Rêveur. People must make their own decisions.”
“Even if it means disrupting families?” Alex asked.
“That’s for them to decide among themselves. It’s not for you to worry over.”
* * *
Alex affixed his approval, encapsulated with his implant’s bio ID to the Exchange and SIF agreements. Anticipating Alex’s affirmation of the proposals, the Exchange had pilots and travelers standing by outside Sadesville. The Confederation SADEs stood outside the ships with locked avatars, reviewing the enormous to-do list for the refit.
When the pilots and SADEs received Winston’s go order, hatches were dropped, SADEs scrambled aboard, and ships lifted. Within a half hour of Alex approving the deals, the SADEs were swarming over the Freedom. Most carried heavy tool packs, worn over their backs. Others grabbed tools left aboard the city-ship. The first order of business was to pull the antiquated systems. It was of great help to the efficiency of their work that humans weren’t aboard for several days, the maintenance crew having exited before they arrived, and they needn’t worry about many of the support systems that humans required.
In short order, traveler transports, with their rear-loading ramps, arrived with the heavy equipment loads. The two director groups paid priority delivery fees to strip the local manufacturers of already-produced equipment destined for the manufacture of new ships. It would take a few days, but soon the ship builders would start screaming to their suppliers about the delivery delays. Traveler pilots, used to the loading and offloading timing of humans, even with grav-pallets, were shocked to find that they barely took a bite of a small repast when a SADE signaled a go launch.
SADE comms poured into Alex, asking for approval of strategic decisions about the use of certain spaces and bays onboard the Freedom. The callers addressed him as Captain Racine, but Alex deferred from accepting that title. Instead, the SADEs simply called him Ser.
Three major food stock manufacturers received orders to completely fill the Freedom’s food stock tanks and were astonished. Queries hit Tomas and Eric’s comms. The rumors of a quarter-million citizens planning an exodus from Haraken were boosted. Both leaders reached out to Alex for assurances, and he told them that only a handful of humans would accompany him. At least, that’s what Alex reasoned, not that Renée agreed with him.
-32-
Launch
The refit of the Freedom would have taken the same number of humans the better part of a year to complete. But a SADE, able to work around the thirty-hour clock, with unflagging energy and sophisticated coordination with others, was equivalent to ten humans. Truth was that they worked with fervor. The circumstances of Sadesville had been a great disappointment to every one of them. They had left the Confederation with hopes for new and exciting lives and found themselves relegated to second-class citizens. Alex Racine represented the type of future the SADEs craved and were anxious to begin.
As opposed to the Confederation SADEs, Alex was miserable. He desperately needed both humans and SADEs aboard to facilitate his plans, but he dearly wished all of them could remain on Haraken, where they would be safe from harm, at least, for the near future.
Julien and Cordelia tackled the Freedom’s bridge, controller and memory banks, automating many of the bridge positions that previously required Libran personnel to monitor and operate.
Huge shipments of memory crystals were diverted from their intended destinations to the city-ship. The controller’s memory banks were duplicated to a backup position, and, at Renée’s request, Julien copied the Rêveur’s library to the Freedom.
Two separate, secure sections of the ship received new memory banks and sophisticated controllers, which were tied directly into the comm systems, but without access from ship’s personnel. Having Z and Rosette’s prior approval, the only off-world Exchange directors, Julien and Cordelia proposed to the other Haraken SADEs that they expand the bank’s territory to a base aboard the Freedom and wherever humans and SADEs established new colonies. It took mere ticks of time to reach unanimous approval. After the two new memory banks were installed, the Exchange directors’ precious vault was copied and duplicated. It would be the controllers’ duties to keep the massive memory banks in sync with the vault, where the Exchange records were kept, and where Alex protected his personal records.
It might be asked what the Harakens SADEs’ ultimate purpose was in expanding their bank, since they were incredibly wealthy. But these were the original eight, who Alex freed from their starships, and they saw themselves as the financial bulwark that would ensure the expansion of humans in this corner of the galaxy, especially if the likes of the Nua’ll were the more advanced entities out there in the deep dark.
* * *
Mickey and Pia, privy to Billing’s invention, knew they would be aboard the Freedom without the formality of an invitation. The pair orbited Alex like planets swung around its star, and laws of gravity dictated that where the larger body went the satellites followed.
Mickey sold his ownership in every company, dividing it proportionately among the employees from the director down to the newest hire. The price of ownership began with a single credit for the smallest share portion, and the employees couldn’t believe their good fortune. If it hadn’t been for news of Alex’s purchase and launch of the city-ship, they might have thought Mickey had lost his mind. But few people knew of Mickey’s personal wealth. That’s because, despite the amassing of a substantial amount of credits, he was the same good-natured engineer who many had always known.
Pia spent a few tearful evenings with Terese. Her good friend and Alex’s first medical specialist would be staying on Haraken with her lover and partner, Tomas. Pia had requested that Cordelia copy Haraken’s medical database to the Freedom, which Terese heartily approved.
“I believe we have t
he makings of the perfect surgeon for this expedition,” Pia enthused, and Terese perked up.
“Who?” Terese asked, running through the survey mission’s personnel list to see if she could guess who Pia meant.
“Miranda,” Pia replied, struggling to keep her face from breaking into a grin.
“Miranda?” Terese repeated. “May the stars protect us.”
“Seriously, Terese, you should have seen her operate on Alex’s head injury. Bone fragments had to be pulled, positioned, and floated separately. One piece had to be fished out of his cranium. And Miranda was magnificent … perfect control and positioning by linking into the scanner. She was optically blind but saw through the instrumentation. Her surgery was marvelous!”
While Pia enthused about the surgery, Terese grew quiet until tears formed in her eyes and threatened to spill over. Pia sank to her knees in front of her friend and grabbed her hands. “I’m sorry, Terese. I should have realized how details of the operation would distress you.”
“You came close to losing him, didn’t you?” Terese said, the pain of Alex’s near demise, strangling her heart.
“Yes, yes, we did,” Pia admitted.
“I fear for those close to Alex when they lose him, Pia, and I’ll be one of them, even if it’s a century from now and he dies of old age.”
“Miranda and I will do our best to see if we can help him achieve the status of great elder,” Pia said, giving her friend a hopeful smile.
Terese squeezed Pia’s hands in return and said, “You have your work cut out for you. What does Alex think of your idea of Miranda, as the expedition’s premier medical specialist?”
“When I told Alex of Miranda’s efforts on his behalf and that I thought she would make a marvelous surgeon, he laughed and said, “And what better personality could there be to supplant our fiery redhead?”
