Steven Gordon 3: The Modloch Empire

by J W Murison

  ‘I had a lot more success than you Rannalld. For one I didn’t end up on the floor with a sword at my throat. It turns out it was a simple misunderstanding on both our parts. He apologised for his actions by offering me his life.’

  ‘How could he offer you his life when you were going to kill him anyway?’

  The Emperor reached for his pad. ‘I recorded the incident. Watch this.’

  Rannalld watched the recording with growing disbelief and horror. He even shouted out a number of times. When it was over he regarded his brother in wonder. ‘You had the opportunity to shoot him a number of times. Why didn’t you?’

  ‘Because he was testing me. Testing my word, and my honour. If I had touched that pistol, I could very well be dead.’

  ‘You did reach for it once. I saw you.’

  ‘That was simply raw, naked fear Rannalld, and I conquered it. I admit, it was the first time I had felt real fear. It took me quite unawares. I am actually quite proud of myself.’

  ‘I find the whole situation frightening. So what’s with this little tea ceremony you two have going?’

  ‘There is something quite thrilling about being served tea by the most dangerous person you know.’

  ‘You think you have tamed him?’

  ‘Oh no, I have not tamed him. As the Humans said, you can never hope to tame a wild beast. You may, if you are lucky, win its respect. If you are very lucky, its devotion. I believe I have won his respect.’

  ‘I doubt if you will ever win his devotion.’

  The Emperor shrugged. ‘Maybe not Rannalld. Tell me what he said to you when you challenged him.’

  ‘He told me to ask you if I wanted to know anything. He had given his word not to talk about it.’

  ‘That is good. That is very good.’

  ‘You are pleased?’

  ‘Very.’

  ‘You deem it a test of his word.’

  ‘I most certainly do. Did he hurt you?’

  ‘Winded me badly. I have a few nasty bruises as well. That’s all.’

  ‘I am glad to hear it. It would be hard to maintain a relationship with someone who seriously hurt one of my brothers. The next time you see him I want you to apologise.’

  ‘Me? To a commoner? He assaulted me!’ Rannalld was shocked.

  ‘If you had approached him in a civil manner, you would have received a civil answer. More to the point, you should have approached me. Instead you decided to assault him. As far as I am concerned he is one of mine, therefore you assaulted me. You will be apologising to me as well.’

  Rannalld knew he was beaten. ‘I apologise to you now brother, and I will apologise to the Human when I next see him.’

  ‘Good, now leave me. I have to get ready for this meeting.’

  CHAPTER 36

  The meeting was informal, the hangovers gone. Jovial laughter flitted around the room. It wasn’t very often they managed to relax like this, with persons of equal rank. The majority of them had known each other for most of their lives, meeting at various schools of excellence designed specifically for the children of nobles. Marcus, Darrick and Ne´ had attended a school of advanced military tactics together and were firm friends.

  They were standing together in their own small group chatting about old times when King Vison and President San Lo Tae´ approached.

  ‘We have to take our leave of you, Darrick.’

  ‘What you mean is you voted no Vison. You realise you were the only two to do so?’

  ‘We know, but what real choice do we have? We both border the Albany, and much of our economy is supported by trade with them.’

  San Lo Tae’ spoke up. ‘I will return the gifts to the Humans.’

  ‘They will not be accepted President. The King made that quite clear. Everyone is to keep their gifts regardless of how they vote. Maybe someday in the future, you will have time to read them and change your mind.’

  ‘As King Vison has pointed out, that is impossible. Is it true they will only trade with those who have agreed to support their bid?’

  ‘At this moment in time, yes.’

  ‘That is a shame. At this time the only support I can give is to not vocally speak out against them. I would suggest the farther their trade goods travel, then the more support they will probably gather.’

  ‘It would seem you have had a change of heart since yesterday.’

  ‘If this was not a political decision, I would throw my people behind yours and the Human race. However, as Vison has pointed out, we are in no position to help at this time. The Albany might be weak at the moment, but they are still getting funds from the illegal selling of the Blue Grass and have already started building a new fleet.’

  ‘Not for long. I am close to going into full production and will undercut the Albany by at least half. That should kill off their funds soon enough.’

  ‘Good luck with that Emperor. Watch your back though. The Albany are infuriated and dangerous. I have never seen them like this before.’

  ‘Thank you for your thoughts President, and I will convey your sentiments, if not your support, to the Humans.’

  ‘Thank them for the gifts too please. I am learning to write.’

  Darrick laughed. ‘It is addictive, isn’t it?’

  ‘Strangely so, yes.’ He bowed and the two turned away.

  The three friends watched them go. ‘It is no great loss.’ Ne´ offered.

  ‘No I don’t suppose it is. Still, it would have been glorious if everyone had said yes.

  ‘When are you going to tell the Humans?’

  ‘Later, after everyone has left.’

  ‘Have you told them about the restrictions yet?’

  ‘No I haven’t. I doubt very much if it will bother them.’

  Marcus shook his head. ‘You could be wrong Darrick. There has never been such a restriction placed on any race. They might find it insulting.’

  ‘I would be surprised if they didn’t find it insulting on some level Marcus. In fact, it is downright discrimination. Yet this bid is the first from any meat eating race to even get this far. I think they will realise that and hold their peace.’

  ‘You could be right. What are your plans for them now?’

  ‘It will take a couple of months to have the bid ratified and recognised. Once it is they will have a few months to become familiar with intergalactic law and sign their compliance. Once they have signed it they will be bound by it.’

  ‘Yes, but what about their eating meat?’ Marcus pushed the question onto him.

  ‘There are laws concerning diet that should give them protection while petitioning to become a full member.’

  ‘They weren’t meant to cover meat-eaters.’

  ‘No, but the language is obscure enough to cover it. Once the bid has been accepted they will have to get themselves organised properly. I have set up a special team to guide them through the process, including setting up the proper departments.’

  ‘I think you are going to be kept busy Darrick.’ Marcus mused.

  ‘I’m sure I will. What about you Ne´? Are you looking forward to having the Humans help you patrol the borders?’

  Ne´ thought it over. ‘The proportion of craft they will have to supply will be small, little more than a battleship and its accompanying destroyers. I may split them up to let them gain experience with the rest of the fleet, then maybe after a year or so let them rejoin. I think it will only be then that they will show what they are truly worth.’

  CHAPTER 37

  Kelly and Charlie sat on the oversized chairs with their legs swinging free. They were in the main palace complex waiting for some bureaucrat to see them. There had been complaints about their training program from some of the Modloch officers. As a result, they were asked to report to this department so that they could receive a lecture about what the Modloch body could and could not withstand. Of course, they could have simply sent them the electronic documentation. However, this was just the way things were done.

 
Kelly glanced at his watch, ‘How much longer? That’s an hour already.’

  ‘Beats me Jeb. Looks to me like we are being put in our place.’

  ‘Sure does.’

  Charlie closed his eyes and began to listen to the minds that surrounded them. He was hoping to find out what the clown behind the door was up to. What he heard shocked him. His eyes snapped open and focused on two nobles he recognised from the evening before. They were being escorted by an entourage of guards.

  As they went past, they glanced coldly at the Humans. Charlie got up. ‘I got to do something. Can you deal with this arsehole on your own?’

  ‘Sure, if I have to.’

  ‘You’re going to have to.’

  ‘Well whatever the hell it is, try and get back quickly.’

  ‘I will.’

  Charlie began to shadow the two aliens. He kept well back and almost out of sight. He caught up with them as they reached a terminal.

  ‘Where are you going?’ Snapped a guard.

  ‘Space port.’ Charlie answered.

  ‘Wait for your own transport pod.’

  Charlie crossed his arms. ‘I’m in a hurry.’

  ‘Don’t care Human, you can wait.’

  ‘There is plenty room in these pods for us all.’

  ‘We don’t share pods with dirty meat-eaters.’

  ‘Fine, then wait for the next one.’

  ‘Move!’ Threatened the guard.

  ‘Move me.’ Challenged Charlie.

  The guard swung the butt of the long rifle he was carrying at Charlie’s head. Charlie caught the butt, grabbed the barrel and bent the weapon in two. He thrust it back at the guard who stumbled a few steps back. Another charged with a strange growl, thrusting his weapon at Charlie. Charlie forced the weapon out of his hands and thrust him aside. The second weapon received the same treatment. The guard had fallen against a wall and Charlie tossed the weapon to him.

  The first guard was desperately trying to straighten his weapon out. The others began to move. ‘Enough.’ Snapped one of the nobles. He approached Charlie as a pod slowed to a stop.

  ‘Do you know who I am, Human?’

  ‘No. Do you know who I am?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Excellent.’ Charlie stepped past them and into the pod. ‘Space Port, Tier Sixteen please.’

  The noble followed him in. ‘Wait. We are going to Tier Fifteen and we are in a hurry.’

  ‘Please yourself.’ Charlie touched the control pad. ‘Space Port, Tier Fifteen then Tier Sixteen please.’

  They crowded into the pod but put as much distance between themselves and Charlie as possible. One of the guards was giving Charlie the eye.

  ‘Don’t even try it son; there simply isn’t enough of you, and if those pair you are guarding are important, then you are going to find yourself in so much shit you will drown in it.’

  ‘Leave the Human alone.’ Growled the noble that had spoken to him before.

  The journey only took five minutes and the alien group scowled at Charlie all the way there. They got off at tier fifteen and the pod moved on. Charlie pressed the pad. ‘Back to central plaza please.’

  Kelly was still waiting. ‘Come on Jeb, let’s go.’

  Kelly was suddenly alert. ‘What’s going on Charlie?’

  ‘We got bigger fish to fry than this tosser.’

  CHAPTER 38

  The shuttle pilot banked to ninety degrees and watched the sun appear from behind the green planet below. The beauty of the scene made his breath catch in his throat every time. Ex US Navy, Ex American Airlines, the crusty old pilot considered himself to be one of the luckiest men alive. He had applied for the astronaut training program but hadn’t been selected. When he had served his time with the navy he had been snapped up by the airlines. Five years from retirement he saw an opportunity and grabbed it. Space shuttle pilot. He thought that he could still pilot a fighter if need be but the space corps were looking for older, more experienced, pilots for their shuttles. After a thorough medical, they had snapped him up too.

  He smiled to himself. The fighter jockeys sat on board their mother ships doing the odd combat air patrol. Furlough was rare. Here he was, up and down to the planet’s surface almost every day. Flying around the fleet. Visiting alien ships. There was always time to look around the space port or cities he visited. With his old digital Nikon at his side, his family drooled over his Facebook page. He also had thousands of new friends.

  The shuttle entered the atmosphere with very little vibration. Once through he was guided into a landing pattern. With automatic safeties engaged in case of mishap, he landed the shuttle at the Emperor’s private airfield. His passengers alighted and stood in a small group waiting transport. He grabbed his old Nikon, and with permission snapped a couple of pictures.

  Transport arrived and whisked his passengers away. The old pilot played the pictures back to himself. The President, King and Captain Gordon all waved at him with big smiles on their faces. He wondered how many likes and shares he would get for this picture.

  The journey to the palace was brief. All were a little worried about the meeting. Steven was wondering about why he had been summoned. It had been a while since his personal meeting with the Emperor. They were guided into a drawing room. They found Human sized seats arranged round a large coffee table.

  The Emperor relaxed in a large armchair. He stood. ‘Gentlemen, please, come and sit down. I have Human tea and cakes.’

  ‘Wonderful, shall I be mother?’ The King asked. They all laughed. They thought the smile on the Emperor’s face was a good sign.

  Once the tea was poured the Emperor began. ‘I shall not keep you in suspense any longer. Your bid was successful. All but two of the delegates agreed to endorse your bid.’

  There was a collective sigh of relief from the Humans. The Emperor went on, ‘I have to admit that the amount of endorsements you have gained is unprecedented. However, there is one important precondition you must agree to before they will endorse you. I told the King last night. Did he discuss it with you Mr President?’

  ‘Yes, briefly last night and I talked to the Earth council this morning. We filled in Captain Gordon on the way over. As I stated last night, we are not interested in any territory this side of the barrier. Our great, great grandchildren may well feel differently of course, but by then – hopefully – Humanity will be a full and trusted member of the galactic federation of planets.’

  ‘That is exactly the way we feel about it.’ The Emperor admitted. ‘Now that is over and done with we can proceed. We need the signature of three nobles from your planet and I believe you three are the best qualified to sign.’ He turned to address Steven specifically. ‘I know who and what you are to the Human race now. You will also become a goodwill ambassador. Your name and signature on this document will add weight to your position as an ambassador.’

  ‘Then I must thank your imperial majesty for his thoughtfulness.’

  He nodded. ‘Your biggest assets are the foods and animals you enthralled the nobility with last night. I fear demand will far outstrip supply. You will have to get your priorities right. I will help you with that. In fact, I will put together a team to do just that. You have a lot to learn, and until your bid is acknowledged by the Council, you are still vulnerable. That will be the state of things until you have signed the terms and conditions that bind you to your bid.

  ‘The bid will be submitted to the council. It will be checked thoroughly. Each head of state which signed it will be contacted to verify their signatures and to make sure they have not changed their minds. Once that is complete you will receive a document containing the full terms and conditions. You must read and digest it. You will have at least six weeks to do so. You may take as long as you want. As your world does not have a single ruler then it must read and signed by the whole of the leading body of your planet.

  ‘You will be expected to draft new laws for your planet that reflect the treaty. That draft will have to be
ratified by your leading body and passed into law before submitting it to the council for approval. Your draft may well be rejected; with recommendations of course. I have seen this part of the process take years. Your people cannot afford these kinds of delays.

  ‘Once you have done all of that and your bid goes forward, you will receive a copy of the intergalactic laws. Again, this is a process. You may of course object to certain laws you believe are prejudiced against your people. If you do, the laws may well be reviewed, and if it is found that the laws are prejudiced against your race, a new ruling may well be awarded, or special dispensation given. If it will affect no other race, that is.

  ‘After all of that, you will then be brought into the fold. A Human saying, if I am not mistaken. Unfortunately this is just the beginning of the journey. From that point on it is up to you to make friends. You will need the approval of a two thirds majority to gain galactic citizenship with all of its benefits.

  ‘Until then you will not be able to vote on anything. You cannot sell anything on the restricted list. I am afraid that means your precious metals, ores, minerals and gem stones will still be off the books. In an emergency, the galactic federation may well ask you for some of these resources. You don’t have to supply them. However, if you do, then you will be paid at a price that has already been set. Anyone caught dealing illegally will face the full wrath of the federation and risk your bid being cancelled. Keep a tight reign on trade. There are those who would lure your people into making rash decisions. Most of these are agents for the federation trying to catch you out. Personally, I would keep things as they are now. Don’t allow large companies their own vessels. Restrict movement of absolutely everything, and inspect everything leaving your planet.

  ‘As for your military, you will have to supply a proportion of your battle forces for integration into the galactic fleet. This will be in direct proportion to the territory you hold. As you only hold one planet your contribution will always be quite small. For the time covering your bid, it will be even smaller. Probably a small battle group. Most likely a battle cruiser and its destroyers, along with the unit’s supply vessels.