by Shawn Jones
“Are you sure, Cort?”
“Yes, complete transparency. First contact is too important to hide.”
“Okay. You’re on.”
“This is Cort Addison. As you know, I am about to make contact with the aliens that assaulted our planet. I hope this contact remains peaceful. But if it doesn’t, I will defend you to my dying breath. And if it comes to that, then Kim Point will do the same, as will Mike Rage.”
Throughout the Ares Federation, a population that had boomed to over thirty thousand people since Mars declared independence from Earth was watching or listening to the broadcast. Every adult on the planet understood that their future might be decided in the next few minutes. They watched as the massive vessel deployed what appeared to be a framework of landing struts. Around the edges of the craft, thrusters kicked up a dust cloud that obscured the bulk of the vessel. The color of the video the Martians were watching changed hues as Cort switched to a different display. The ship was blue and grainy as it touched down directly over the laser strobe. It took several minutes for the dust to settle. Once it did, Cort switched back to standard video.
--
Speral was amazed at the size of the creature standing at the rim of the depression. Cort Addison was much larger than the other members of this species that she had seen. He was easily more than twice as tall as any other citizen of the Collaborative. She understood why his sire designated Cort as he had. Even if he is just wearing a battlesuit, he must be massive. Clearly he is not originally from this system. Neither of the two occupied planets could support a bipedal life form that large.
She spoke into the translator. “I have complied with your landing instructions. I am designated Speral. You are Cort Addison, yes?”
“I am Cort Addison. Welcome to the Ares Federation, Speral. I hope this visit is more peaceful than your last two.”
“Cort Addison, as do I.”
“This conversation is being broadcast throughout our system, Speral.”
“Cort Addison, is that wise? What if you have to sacrifice them to secure peace?”
“I will not sacrifice my people for any reason.” Cort signaled Chief Rhodes to arm the MPS railguns orbiting overhead. This may very well go south. Damn. Because of the signal he had sent, weapon systems planet wide went active.
“Cort Addison, why have you activated your weapons? I am unarmed and have not threatened you,” Speral said.
“You just suggested that I may need to sacrifice some or all of my people to preserve peace. That is not something that is possible. In the history of my people there is a saying: Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute. Do you understand, Speral?”
“Cort Addison, I believe so. You are saying you would rather die than live in peace.”
“No. We would rather live in peace. But we will not submit to ensure it. We will not surrender in the name of defense.”
“Cort Addison, I understand. Is that why you attacked us?”
“I attacked your ships because the one called Glydnal did not listen. Had he listened, I would not have destroyed him, Speral.”
Cort didn’t see the pain in Speral’s eyes as she said, “Cort Addison, he was sent to respond to the attack on our ship in orbit around the third planet. He did not threaten you.”
“He came from there to find me. Even after I returned your property, he tried to take me. That is not acceptable. We will defend any of our people in the same manner.”
“Cort Addison, why then did you destroy the next two groups of ships that came here? They did not hunt you. You didn’t even communicate with them.”
“Did they come in peace as you now have, Speral?”
“Cort Addison, they did not. But you could not have known that.”
“I knew, Speral. I am a warrior among my people. I knew.”
“Cort Addison, we studied the records of the third planet. Your story is unique among your people. Why is it so?”
“Is that why you sought me? Because I am unique among my people?”
“Cort Addison, yes. And because of the beacon. You had the beacon, did you not?”
“I see. Yes, I had your beacon. I would like to talk to you about it.”
“Cort Addison, I would like to visit your people. To understand you. Is that acceptable?”
“Are you able to leave your vessel?”
“Cort Addison, yes. I have the equipment to survive in this planet’s atmosphere. I have similar atmospheric requirements to your own, though not identical. It will not be a problem for short periods of time.”
“Remain here, Speral. I will talk to my people and it will be decided. Do not move without my permission, Speral. Do you understand?”
“Cort Addison, I understand. If I move you will destroy me. I will not move.”
“Thank you, Speral. I will communicate with you soon.”
Thirteen
Argyre
Cort was able to move quickly in his HAWC suit. The five kilometers to Argyre took him just ten minutes. By the time the nearest railgun installation was in sight, he had the beginning of a plan.
“Kim, how many people at Argyre are CONDOR Two qualified? And how many suits are there? They don’t need to be combat ready, just wearable.”
“Forty people are qualified. We have nineteen combat ready suits. Another twelve are mobile. So thirty-one. What are you thinking?” Kim answered.
“Get people into those suits. Drop a laser strobe outside the proving ground. I’m going to let this Speral land there. I want the suits around the perimeter of the proving ground, with four armed ones outside. Two at the airlock and two at the ship right after it lands. Those two will escort Speral to me. I will be inside waiting. Close off all the windows to the area and shut down the gallery. I don’t want Speral to see anyone other than CONDORs and myself. Kim, I want you in a CONDOR next to me when Speral enters. Put my two CONDOR Ones in the group too, and if we have any complete CONDOR Two exoskeletons ready, add them to the mix. I want her to be impressed.”
The ‘Proving Ground’ was a training and staging area Kim had built at the Argyre site. She and Cort designed it as an area that CONDOR users could train and qualify in. To make it easier for Cort to deploy the HAWC, it was also large enough to accommodate the largest of the armored suits. Kim had constructed it by stacking colony modules like bricks. The area resembled a warehouse. It was fifty meters wide, one hundred and fifty meters long, and had fifteen meter high walls. The enclosed area was topped with a Formvar-M dome which gave it the feel of a large, open park. The outside of the structure had been reinforced with tempered concrete. The modules that formed the perimeter of the proving ground were used as the site’s headquarters and administrative area.
Speral’s ship landed on a laser strobe outside the proving ground. Two CONDORs walked toward the ship after it landed. At the front of one side of the craft, a ramp extended to the ground. A suit perhaps half the size of a CONDOR stepped down the ramp, walking very much like a human child might in a small atmosphere suit. The escorts saluted the smaller suit and directed it to the airlock. As the three approached one sentry opened the hatch, then trio entered and the door sealed behind them. After the atmosphere cycled out of the airlock and was replaced by breathable air, the inner hatch opened and the small party entered the proving ground.
Speral turned her head and looked around. There were more than three dozen warriors in the large room she was escorted into. None were as large as Cort Addison though. They were all about the size she had expected of the species whereas Cort Addison was more than three times as large as the rest. Perhaps a trick of evolution. Maybe it is just a suit he wears, like my own. But why is it so large if so? And how does Cort Addison control it? Speral tested the environment to confirm she could exist in it. Then she took off her spacesuit.
What emerged from the small suit surprised everyone who was watching from across the red planet. Her nudity left no doubt that Speral was clearly a female by human standards, but she
was much smaller, perhaps only a meter tall. Her height notwithstanding, through the sensors of the linked battlesuits Cort noted the biological response her nudity inspired in several of the CONDORs. To each his or her own, I suppose.
She possessed the same general proportions as a human, and would have been considered thick and curvy by the standards of Cort’s time. Her skin was almost alabaster, like milk tinged with blood. It was also thick and rough like a hide. It reminded Cort of elephant skin and he doubted a small caliber pistol round could penetrate it. She was completely hairless, but given the nature of her skin that was not surprising. Her thumbs were smaller in proportion, and while her toes did have keratin-type nails, her fingers and thumbs had none.
Her pale eyes were proportionate, and the bridge of her nose was jeweled. The adornment extended into the corners of her eyes, thin wires curving up into her eyelids. Her nostrils were more vertical than their human counterparts and her lips were thinner. The skin on her face was smoother than that of the rest of her body. The most significant facial difference though was her ears. While she had aural openings, she did not have ear lobes and her external auditory canals were very small.
Cort cycled through the images each of the CONDORs had of Speral so he could see her from all angles. Her spinal cord appeared to be more prominent than a human one would be. Looking closer though, Cort saw that she had folded spines along her back. They appeared to be six inches long and there was one for each thoracic vertebra. The spines pointed down, the last one terminating at the cleft of her buttocks.
Cort instructed Mike Rage, who was standing behind and slightly to the right of Speral to look at the spines more closely. When Mike zoomed in, Cort saw that they were tipped with barbs. He made sure everyone in the room knew the spines appeared to be some form of a defense mechanism.
Cort finally said, “Welcome to Argyre, Speral.” His suspicions about the spines were confirmed the booming voice from his HAWC suit startled the alien. The spines rose to about forty-five degrees for a moment. When they dropped against her spine again, she responded.
“Cort Addison, thank you. Is this your natural appearance, or like I was, are you wearing a protective covering?” Please let this be your natural appearance. It would be ideal. It would make losing Glydnal and the others worth it.
Cort considered his answer before saying “That is a curious question to ask upon our first meeting, Speral. It is our custom to exchange social greetings upon meeting.”
“Cort Addison, but we have already met, have we not?” Speral asked.
“Not formally, Speral. But to answer your question, we are wearing what we call armor. Until we decide if you are a threat to us, we will protect ourselves from you.” Cort was curious about the apparent disappointment on Speral’s face. “Does that bother you, Speral?”
“Cort Addison, it does not bother me. But it changes my... perspective.” Perhaps. “May I see your natural form?”
“Speral, this” Cort pointed to Kim Point, in her own CONDOR, standing next to him. “is Kim Point. She is the governor of this facility.”
“Kim Point, why are you the governor here? It would seem that Cort Addison is the human who rules this planet.”
“Hello, Speral. I…administrate this area of the planet. Cort is this planet’s…protector. I believe you would agree that he is capable in that role. I make sure the day to day operations of this area do not distract him from... protecting us.”
Speral looked around the large area. “Kim Point, should I address you or your protector then?”
Cort spoke. “Speral, you are addressing our entire planet. The governors and citizens of the other areas are also listening. If you come in peace, and as a friend, you should address Kim. If you come for other reasons, you should address me. Do you understand?”
The spines on Speral’s back rose again. “Cort Addison, you killed many of my people, including my mate. I came as I did because I knew I could not approach you unless you felt that I was not a threat to you.” She walked forward, her dorsal spines now fully erect. The CONDORs which were armed stepped forward. Cort stood to his full height and stepped in front of Kim Point. As he moved, he also drew the massive sidearm from the holster attached to the outside of his right thigh.
“Speral, you do not want this.” Cort stopped in front of the tiny alien. His weapon was drawn, but hung at his side. “If you push me, I will kill you. And every time more ships arrive here, I will destroy them as well.” He spoke emphatically as he repeated, “You do not want this, Speral.”
“Cort Addison, I want this very much.” Drops of fluid formed at the tips of her dorsal spines, and her lips became even thinner as her mouth widened, exposing rows of teeth that reminded Cort of a shark. As she continued to speak, Cort also realized those teeth were the reason that Speral’s voice inflected the way it did. “I want to destroy you more than you possibly comprehend. You destroyed Glydnal, my mate. Were it in my power to do so and were I solely considerate of myself, I would destroy your planet. If I possessed your ability to kill, I would wipe your species from existence. You are a petty, warlike race that has used hatred and combat to evolve beyond your station in the galaxy.” Her dorsal spines relaxed again. “But I am not you. And I am not allowed to seek retribution for your actions against my mate. I am here to negotiate a peace. I am here to ask for your help.”
“Peace is easy, Speral,” Cort said as he holstered his weapon. The CONDORs remained in place until he waved them back. “For peace you need only leave our solar system and not return.”
“Cort Addison, it is not as simple as you would imply. Your actions have brought you to the attention of the Collaborative Government.”
“The Collaborative Government?”
“Cort Addison, it is the guiding body of this arm.”
“This arm?”
“Cort Addison, this arm of the galaxy. Do you understand?”
“To some extent. We will revisit that. Why do you need our help?”
“Cort Addison, we only need your help. Not that of this system.”
Kim privately commed Cort, “This is going to take a long time.” Cort agreed, so Kim spoke to Speral, “Speral, you are limited in the amount of time you can remain in our atmosphere. Perhaps we should just listen to you as you tell us why your collaborative needs Cort’s help.”
An hour later, Speral returned to her ship. She would spend the next few hours recovering there while Cort and the other administrators talked about what she had told them.
--
“Did not see that coming,” Cort said to the others.
“If we take what she said at face value, we are the most powerful planet in the galaxy. That’s something,” Rand said.
“We don’t know that, Rand. We are more powerful than Speral’s Collaboration, but there is something else moving in,” Cort said.
“Couldn’t we just tell them how to make the railguns?” Rhodes asked.
“It’s not that simple Chief, and you know it.” Cort was in his own quarters, having exited the HAWC to have a shower and eat. “At this point, they would be hard stressed to deploy them. If, and it’s a big ‘IF’, what Speral says is true, they spent nearly half of their military collateral in the third attack on us. They clearly aren’t military minded.”
Doctor Verne said, “That’s not surprising. Some evolutionary models indicate that as a species’ technical ability to defend themselves increases, its ability to think creatively about tactics decreases.”
Cort put his coffee down and chuckled. “Doc, I think you just called me ‘unevolved’.”
“I did, Mr. Addison. Even by our standards, you are unevolved. I’m not saying you are a barbarian, but you are less advanced than modern humans.”
Cort remembered Clare calling him a barbarian. Pushing that hurt from his mind, he said, “Doc, let’s get something straight. You’re one of us now. Hopefully you will be a part of this group for a long time to come. So call me Cort.”
&nbs
p; Before Verne could respond, Kim asked what had been on everyone’s mind since Speral had finished her plea. “Will you be a part of this group for a long time, Cort?”
With the others listening, Cort couldn’t answer the question Kim had really asked, but he said, “We are a long way from thinking in those terms. We don’t even know if Speral is being honest with us at this point. We need a lot more information before I will decide if we are going to help her, much less what form that help might take.”
“Shouldn’t we all be a part of that discussion, uh, Cort?” Doctor Verne asked.
Rhodes spoke. “No. One tenet of our government is that all military decisions are kept completely separate from civil ones.”
“What if we disagree with the direction Cort steers us militarily, then?”
