Galatzi Trade

by Robin Roseau

  * * * *

  Colonel Blue brought me back to Talmon, but this time I brought a number of things with me. They gave me my own jumper. It was small and wasn't orbit capable, but I could travel the entire planet, if I were patient.

  With my own funds, I bought some technology. Basically, I bought a sort of portable camper. It fit in the jumper. I could fly to a distant village, open the bay doors, and then drive the camper out. Point to where I wanted it, and it unfolded into a house, complete with all the comforts of home. It wasn't huge; in fact, it was compact, but it provided everything I needed.

  And I brought a small ground effect vehicle, big enough for only two people.

  Everything fit into the jumper, barely, with room for, at most, me along with one passenger.

  And so, six months after I left Indartha, I landed again at Sudden.

  I spent an hour screaming at Baardorid and Chaladine, eschewing any semblance of diplomacy. They spent the hour apologizing. I told them how deeply betrayed I felt. They apologized more. I told Baardorid I found it repugnant he wasn't willing to trade his daughter, but he was willing to trade me. He told me he thought I understood and pointed out everyone had seen my reaction to Sartine. And then he apologized again.

  I accepted their apologies, but I never again considered them friends, and we limited all future interactions for professional purposes.

  And then I began to tour the planet.

  That was three years ago.

  Planetary Congress

  I made my recommendations. The Empire agreed to every single one, and then they nearly demanded I oversee things moving forward.

  Anna came to Talmon herself to beg me to stay. We spent half her visit in bed together.

  She was exceedingly convincing, and I agreed to stay to oversee the final stages of the mission. "But then I'm out of here," I said. "Let someone else take over."

  As I handed her off to her departing orbital shuttle, I asked her, "Do you often go about seducing the people who report to you?"

  She laughed. "Only you. But I got the impression you enjoyed it."

  We hugged. "Thank you," I whispered to her. "I needed that. I needed you. Again."

  "You're welcome. It was a lovely visit," she said. "Best wishes to your mother, the next time you see her. I liked what she did with..."

  "Don't say it!"

  She laughed.

  For my rejuvenation, Mother had been rather naughty, but Anna really had enjoyed it. So had I.

  * * * *

  They'd been arriving for three days, vendarti and their aides and advisors from all over the planet. It had taken months to arrange this meeting, the first, and possibly last Planetary Congress of Talmon. I had invited every vendarti on the planet of any village with five inhabitants or more, and The Empire had provided transportation for all of them. Colonel Blue was in orbit, organizing the trips and even flying a few of them herself.

  Not everyone came, but nearly everyone.

  I'd had to build a large auditorium for the conferences, twenty kilometers south of Sudden, right on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. I thought about making them camp in tents, but The Empire had given me what was a very generous budget, and when I said how I wanted to spend it, they just said, "Go ahead."

  And so I built a sort of resort as well, with enough housing for everyone expected to come.

  It was all quite amazing. I didn't have to lift a finger. The Empire sent me a construction crew. I told them what I wanted, and it took them three months to build everything. But it was beautiful and perfect.

  The rooms had every modern convenience, and my staff had programmed everything to work in either English or Talmonese.

  The shuttles would land and pull up in front of our little terminal at the new space port. Very, very wide-eyed vendarti along with their wives, husbands, aides, or assistants would step out. Once they settled themselves to being on firm ground again, they would see me waiting with several of my now augmented staff. For each group, I waited until they approached. Some needed several minutes just to get their bearings again. I didn't rush them.

  That would be rude.

  Even though it was only twenty kilometers, we even gave Baardorid a ride. Valtine and Chaladine came, which I expected, but they brought Mordain with them. And so I greeted her along with them.

  For each group, we gave them a tablet. Everyone stared. One of my staff would show them briefly how to use it. They weren't hard, and each one had a 'help' button they could press at any time.

  Everything worked in Talmonese and English.

  The tablets had a map of the conference center along with their room assignments. And then one of my staff would help them aboard one of the ground effect vehicles and whisk them off to their bungalows.

  We didn't have a bungalow for each village. Instead, villages shared. But these were Talmonese. They were gracious.

  I drove Baardorid, Valtine, Chaladine, and Mordain myself. They were quiet for the ride, but when we pulled up in front of their bungalow, Baardorid said, "You already know the answer."

  "The offer must be made. It must be discussed. It must be understood. The implications must be understood. You must not rush to a decision. Talmon must consider carefully."

  "There is no way anyone is going to see all this and say 'no'. But Cecilia, what did you find The Empire wants?"

  "Nothing, Baardorid. Absolutely nothing."

  "Then why?"

  "From almost the very beginning, it was not a question of whether we would make this offer. It was a matter of how to best protect you when we do so."

  I showed them to the bungalow. I made sure they understood how everything worked. I reminded them they were sharing, but the other group wouldn't arrive until tomorrow.

  I didn't tell them who was assigned to this bungalow with them.

  Then I turned to go, but Mordain hurried to me. "Envoy Grace."

  "Please call me Cecilia," I said.

  "Is my sister coming?"

  "If she does, I'll make sure you have ample opportunity to see her." Then I pulled her outside. "Have you been happy?"

  "Yes," she said. "Margotain has been such a friend. Baardorid treated me as a daughter for a year, and then he let me pick. Balotorid has been good to me." She grinned. "I am teaching him how I like to be treated, and he likes to spoil me."

  "I am glad," I said. "Don't abuse that."

  "I don't. He has nice hands."

  "Very good," I said. I hugged her quickly. But when I looked at her, she returned my gaze sadly.

  "You left my sister."

  "That is a long story."

  "You're not supposed to leave."

  "She didn't want me, Mordain. She realized she made a mistake to take the imperial envoy."

  "That's not true."

  "Yes, it is. Now, go on. I have duties. It is a very busy time for me."

  * * * *

  It was almost exactly twenty-four hours later that she walked up to me. She didn't recognize me. Of course she didn't.

  "I am Sartine, Vendart of Indartha."

  I smiled. "And I am Cecilia Grace, imperial envoy and former galatzi prisoner. How have you been, Sartine?"

  Her jaw dropped, and she looked me up and down. "You're shorter than I am!"

  "Mother has a sense of humor," I said. "I required medical attention, and I told her to do whatever she wanted. This is what she did."

  "Your headaches?"

  I nodded. "Cured."

  She reached out, then pulled her hand back, but I took it and pressed it against my cheek. "It's really me, Sartine. You didn't believe me about a single thing."

  "I did," she said. "Cecilia-"

  "This is for you," I said. I handed her one of the tablets. Then I gestured. "One of my staff will teach you to use it."

  She didn't need to be taught. She took it from me and immediately turned it on then held it up. Her fingers were unfamiliar, but she figured out how to take a picture. "Tell me a secret."

&nbs
p; "I was in love once, not long ago," I said. "It didn't work out."

  She made a strangled sound.

  "It's good to see you, Sartine. I have more guests to greet." I gestured, and one of my staff stepped forward to steer her away. But then I said, "Sartine."

  She turned to me.

  "You are staying with the delegation from Sudden. Someone is going to be very, very happy to see you."

  Tears sprang to her eyes, one rolling down her cheek.

  "She looks good," I added, "and she's been happy, but I'll save the rest for her to tell you."

  "Thank you, Cecilia Grace."

  At my shoulder, Colonel Blue said, "She regrets her mistakes."

  I shrugged. "We all regret our mistakes, if we intend to grow from them."

  * * * *

  My staff helped make sure everyone was present. We allowed each vendarti to bring one assistant with her into the auditorium, and then we projected the proceedings to screens through the facility, available for all who desired to listen in.

  I banged a gavel firmly against the lectern. It was amplified, and the sound boomed throughout the hall. Then I spoke, my voice also amplified.

  "Good morning, vendarti," I said. "I am Cecilia Grace, imperial envoy to the planet Talmon. Thank you all for coming. We have much to discuss. I do not believe in long speeches when a short one would do. The Empire would like to invite Talmon into The Empire. We are here to explain what that would mean to you and to answer any questions you can envision, as best we are able. And we have provided this opportunity for you to discuss this together."

  I left the lectern. I was nervous and wanted to pace.

  "There is no time limit on this offer. You may discuss this into eternity, if you desire. As the vendarti of Talmon, The Empire recognizes your authority to act on behalf of this planet, but if you wish to discuss this with your people, we will help you return to your homes and assist with your return at a later date." I discussed that for a minute longer.

  Then I said, "You have seen some of the benefits of imperial membership already. And you are looking at another benefit. If last week I had been at home on my home planet of Centos Four, my sister and parents would have been with me to celebrate my one hundredth birthday."

  The room broke out in an uproar. I let them fight about it, but I was the only one currently being amplified.

  Finally I said, "Enough. Believe me or not, it is your choice. But I would ask the Vendart of Indartha to stand."

  I knew where she was, and I pointed straight to her. Sartine slowly stood. My staff was expecting this, and she would be amplified when she answered me. "Sartine, who was I to you?"

  "You were my galatzi prisoner," she said, and then she flinched from the sound of her own voice. She sighed. "Imperial magic."

  "Yes," I said. "Sartine, do you believe my claim?"

  "Yes."

  That resulted in another round of hub bub.

  "Oh, stop it. You'll have plenty of time to call me a liar if you wish, but let her finish. Sartine, describe my appearance when we knew each other three years ago."

  "You were eight centimeters taller than me with silky black hair, an average complexion, and blue eyes."

  I walked straight to her, and it was clear I had to look up to her.

  "Are you wearing particularly tall boots?"

  "You are now four centimeters shorter. Your hair is long and..." she reached out. "still silky, but it is amazingly white, and your skin is white. Your eyes are purple where before they were blue. The only thing that is unchanged is your voice."

  "I told my mother to keep my old voice," I said. "Sartine, is there any doubt at all in your mind I am the same person you took from Sudden as your galatzi prisoner."

  "None."

  "Sartine, how long did it take to travel from Sudden to Indartha?"

  "Three weeks."

  "And two days ago, how long did it take to travel from Indartha to this location twenty kilometers south of Sudden?"

  "It was several hours, but Colonel Blue orbited the planet once."

  I hadn't known that.

  "It was beautiful, Cecilia Grace."

  "Yes. Talmon is a beautiful planet. Please sit, Vendart."

  Her hand went to her chest, but she sat.

  I looked around. "If we can fly through the heavens, in the emptiness of space between stars, if we can fly from Indartha to Sudden in several hours by way of an entire trip around the planet, if we can show you the other marvels we have shown you since your arrival, is it so difficult to believe we can't make a few simple modifications to our bodies?"

  I looked around. "Believe us or not. Now, various people are going to come up here. We are going to describe to you what it would mean to Talmon to be a member of The Empire, the good and the bad, as best we are able. That will take all of today and tomorrow. Your tablets have complete notes of everything we intend to tell you. Then, all of you will discuss what process you wish to follow to decide, and you will tell us that process. And then we will answer any questions you have, as best we can. After that, it is up to you."

  * * * *

  They took six weeks to decide. Of course, they accepted. It was inevitable. Some planets turn down The Empire, but not very many.

  And I hadn't made it easy, after all. I knew these people, after all. I knew them very well. I lived amongst them for years.

  In the end, it was a simple vote, held in the auditorium. They requested me to host the vote, so of course, I did. They wanted a voice vote, and it took hours to call the vote.

  It wasn't unanimous. Of course it wasn't. But the assembled vendarti voted overwhelmingly to join The Empire.

  Of course, Baardorid and Sartine both voted 'yes'. I was listening.

  There was still much to do, but that would be for someone else to do. The Empire would send an imperial governor to oversee imperial interests. The people here would go about their lives. Businesspeople both here and from elsewhere in The Empire would find ways to capitalize on this updated status.

  But I was going to go home to Centos Four.

  Or so I thought.

  * * * *

  I already knew the results, but I called out to Erica. "What is the tally?"

  "Seven hundred and forty-one for membership in The Empire. One hundred and ten against."

  "Talmon has accepted membership in The Empire. Congratulations. Everyone now on the planet is now both a citizen of Talmon but also a citizen of The Empire. You have all the rights and responsibilities therein."

  One elderly vendart stood up and raised his hand. "When do we get this rejuvenation treatment? It couldn't come too soon for some of us."

  There was laughter.

  I answered. And then I answered more questions, and more, and more. After all this discussion, they had more questions.

  But then Sartine raised her hand and stood. "Cecilia Grace, what will you do now?"

  "It has been a long five years," I said. "As soon as all of you go home, my duties here are done. The Empire will send a new governor. The governor has no power over the entire planet, but is only your interface with The Empire. He will not descend upon you and tell you all what to do. This is not a new vendart over you all."

  That was when Colonel Blue stood up and approached.

  "Cecilia Grace," she said. "I have a letter for you."

  I turned to her. "No, you do not."

  "Yes, I do," she said. And damned if someone from my staff didn't have her amplified.

  "Give it here."

  "I believe I shall read it to you." And she did just that.

  Envoy Cecilia Grace,

  Congratulations. You have worked miracles on Talmon. The Empire is made richer with our newest planetary member. Your duties as imperial envoy are now complete. Thank you for your service.

  Talmon now requires an imperial governor. And we find you are freshly without a job. Cecilia Grace, with the blessing of the people of Talmon, will you continue to serve Talmon and The Empire as the
first governor of Talmon?"

  "It is signed Anna White, Regional Secretary of State." The colonel smiled at me.

  "Ha!" I said. "It was in English. They didn't understand a word."

  But the noise was growing. I saw people looking at their tablets, and then more and more were doing so.

  "This is mutiny," I said. "Who authorized that?"

  "Anna White," the colonel said. She smiled. "You can say 'no'."

  Through all this, Sartine hadn't sat down. And when she spoke, she was amplified. "If you choose to accept Cecilia Grace as the first imperial governor of Talmon, say 'aye'."

  The room thundered.

  "If you are opposed to Cecilia Grace as the first imperial governor of Talmon, say 'nay'."

  "Nay!" I called out. Mine was the only voice.

  "The ayes have it," Sartine said. "Cecilia Grace, the people of Talmon have spoken. The Empire has spoken. You have spoken, but we reject your words. Will you accept this responsibility?"

  I sighed. "Aye."

  I didn't even try to quiet them down.

  Galatzi Offer

  It was late, and I was tired, and so I wasn't amused when my doorbell rang. The staff had insisted the envoy -- now the governor -- have one of the bungalows, and so I was comfortably ensconced with a glass of wine and a good book.

  Work could wait.

  I sighed and climbed to my feet. "This had better not be someone wearing a galatzi sash."

  It wasn't, but it was close.

  Sartine stood outside my door.

  We stared at each other. Finally I recovered my voice. "Hello, Sartine. It's late." I eyed her up and down. "I don't see a white sash."

  She laughed nervously, and then she reached into an inner pocket and pulled one out. I stared at it, but she handed it to me.

  "Why are you giving me this?"

  "I would like to come in, Cecilia. Please. I saw you earlier stretching your neck the way you do. I'll rub your shoulders for you. You know I'm good at it."

  I smiled and stepped back, allowing the door to swing open. "There had better not be a group of your compatriots out there wearing sashes."

  "Only me," she said. She closed the door and followed me into my bungalow.