by S. H. Jucha
“But the Pims aren’t your responsibility,” Lucia argued.
“We made them our responsibility when we landed here. Someone has to remain, and I was the one who requested we rescue the Pimbor dome next,” Jess replied.
Lucia rose and stared at Jess. “This discussion isn’t over, ser,” she said. “We’ll continue this tomorrow and the day after that until you see reason.”
Jess watched Lucia stalk off to her cot. He couldn’t have been more conflicted. He wanted to run after her and claim that he was an idiot and that, of course, he’d sail with her to Sol. Then he imagined facing Phette and his companions and telling them that he was deserting them. In his mind, that’s what he’d be — a deserter.
The next morning, the report from Phette was the same as it had been for a while. There were no new sightings.
To Jess, it was obvious that unless they went on the hunt for the insectoids, time would be on the Colony’s side. The insectoids would use the passing months and annuals to increase their numbers. Eventually, they would dominate the planet, and they would come for the Pims.
Jess spotted Lucia marching toward him, and he readied for the argument barrage. Instead, when she stopped in front of him, she said, “He’s here. Our argument is moot.”
“Who? Alex?” Jess asked in confusion.
“Yes, the fleet arrived on the ecliptic and outside the system late last night,” Lucia replied. “Then it made a short transit above. It’s on approach to Pimbor.”
“Have you been in contact with your people?” Jess asked.
“Not yet,” Lucia replied. “Alex and his senior staff will be talking to Olawale, Patrice, and Ophelia. The SADEs are sharing too.”
Lucia regarded Jess. She expected to see relief that resources had arrived. Instead, she saw reticence, which she didn’t understand, and she brushed it off.
“One good thing,” Lucia said. “Now, I don’t have to stun you and haul you aboard a transport when we left.”
“You’d stun me?” Jess asked in surprise.
Lucia gripped Jess’s collar, as she had last night, and pulled him close. She kissed him hard, and then, in a husky whisper, she said, “Whatever it took.”
As Lucia walked away, she called out, “Olawale wants your veterans, including Salsinona and Menous, and me aboard the Rêveur. We’ll take a traveler to the Freedom, when it arrives.”
Jess glanced at the Pim adults and kits going about their business in the compound.
Juliette saw Jess’s frown, and she said, “Don’t worry, Captain, we’ll coordinate the brassards if there are sightings, and we’ll entertain the kits.”
As if to emphasize Juliette’s last point, the SADE began playing the latest kits’ game. It was called juggling. Three kits would curl into tight balls, and Juliette would gently toss and catch the kits in a seemingly never-ending cycle. The kits’ high-pitched squeals could be heard across the compound. When Juliette set them down, the kits would cling to her legs until their dizziness stopped. Often, one of them would let go early, and as he or she stumbled or fell over, they provided added merriment.
Tacnock, the Crocians, Menous, and Salsinona approached Jess, as Lucia left.
“The commodore went to bed angry and woke up happy,” Salsinona, the Sylian, said. “I wish my dreams did that for me.”
“Juliette said Alex Racine is here,” Tacnock said. “Does this mean that we don’t have to leave?”
“I don’t know,” Jess replied.
“But we’ll have supplies and relief forces,” Menous urged.
“I don’t know,” Jess reiterated.
“Surely, Alex Racine will support our efforts against the Colony,” Bortoth said emphatically.
“How should I know what Alex Racine thinks and what he’ll choose to do,” Jess replied in exasperation, as he threw his hands in the air. “I’ve never met the man. Furthermore, you’ll note that none of those ships, their personnel, or their supplies belong to us. We just can’t order crew, weapons, and material be sent planetside to us.”
Into the uncomfortable silence, Jess implored, “Let’s be patient. We have to wait and talk to the man. At this point, conjectures are meaningless.”
A desultory group of veterans walked away, leaving Jess with his thoughts.
Belatedly, Jess noticed Phette sitting on a nearby crate. By the expression on the little Pim’s face, he’d been listening intently to the exchange.
“Pims have never been important in the eyes of the alliance,” Phette stated. “We’re to blame for much of that. Our fears have kept us isolated. We see that now. Are we unimportant to you too, Captain?”
Jess sat on a crate next to Phette.
“I intend to stay if the ships sail,” Jess said.
“No, Captain, you’ll go,” Phette said sternly. “We’ll not have your death on our consciences, if you choose to remain without support.”
“If nothing more is done, Phette, the Colony will eventually overrun this compound,” Jess argued. “You said yourself that the juveniles have begun invading your tunnels.”
“If we’re wiped from this planet, it’ll be our fault,” Phette replied. “We’ll not ask you nor will we allow you to share in our fate. Go to this powerful leader and talk to him for us. Perhaps, he’ll not consider us unimportant. We’d like another opportunity to participate fully in the alliance.”
“I will,” Jess promised, and he extended a forefinger toward Phette.
The Pims had observed the customary handshakes and forearm clasps of their visitors, and they’d chosen to imitate it. Unfortunately, they could only accommodate most visitors’ single digit.
Jess went in search of his companions and apologized for his reactions. Then he joined them and Lucia for the flight to the Rêveur.
Aboard the liner, Jess used his cabin’s refresher and changed into his Sylian captain’s uniform. It was the best set of clothes in his meager closet.
Before long, Jess joined the others to board a traveler bound for the Freedom. He sat beside Kasie, who as an empath sensed his discomfort and sent subtle waves of encouragement.
Without an implant, Jess had no view of the city-ship. He received his first indication of its size when he disembarked into a cavernous bay that held four additional travelers.
The passengers, except for the Omnians, stopped and stared in astonishment at the bay’s tremendous space.
“One bay ... only one bay,” Daktora said in awe. “Crocians would love this ship.” Then Bortoth and he rumbled in contentment.
“Lucia, you said this ship is shaped like a toroid with a solid center,” Jess said. “Does that mean bays like this ring the vessel?”
“On this level, yes,” Lucia replied. “On another deck, we’ve converted the bays to house beam weapons on rails. Other bay decks are used for storage. Those are the changes I know about. There might have been others.”
Lucia led the group through wide corridors and up a series of lifts, until the doors of the final lift opened on a grand park. She’d been instructed by Olawale to take this route to the gathering place that Renée had chosen. It was to serve as the veterans’ deepest impression of the Freedom.
“Oh, for the love of Pyre,” Ophelia muttered breathlessly, as she stared at the trees and the lush foliage.
“What she said,” Patrice added, in a subdued voice.
The group felt a wave of elation, courtesy of Kasie.
Ophelia could understand Kasie’s release of power. Despite Ophelia’s advanced experience, she’d had to expend considerable effort to keep her gates tightly closed.
Olawale located Alex with his implant app and said to the group, “Come.”
At the same time, Lucia identified Tatia and her fellow Librans. While she rushed to greet her friends, Patrice, Ophelia, Kasie, and the veterans followed Olawale, all except Jess. He found his feet rooted to the deck. He was aboard a human ship, and he felt like an alien.
“You’re Captain Cinders.”
Jess heard the words and turned to face members of an alien race that he’d never seen.
“Greetings, Captain. I’m Queen Homsaff, and these are my squad leaders, Simlan, Hessan, and Fenero.”
“Hello, Your Highness,” Jess replied. “I’ve heard of your exploits. Commodore Bellardo told me you took back a planet from an entity called Artifice.”
Jess saw a whip-like tail rise from behind the queen, and all four aliens opened their muzzles, revealing razor-sharp teeth. There was a gleam in their eyes that made him smile.
“Formality is not required, Captain, although your address of me is appreciated,” Homsaff said. “We understand you’ve a problem on Pimbor.”
“A huge problem,” Jess replied. “I presume that you’ve already seen images of the Colony, the reds and the grays. We estimate that about sixteen thousand adults landed on the planet before we stopped the influx. We’ve only eliminated about a hundred and fifty. It’s difficult to count the dead after a plasma blast. Worse, numerous juveniles are maturing quickly.”
“Then we’re going to become good friends, Captain,” Homsaff said, offering her hand.
Jess shook the queen’s hand, and she and her squad leaders walked into the park. He saw Lucia deep in conversation with Omnians who wore uniforms. Their insignias declared they were high-ranking officers. He was about to investigate the park, when he heard, “Greetings, Captain.”
Jess turned and regarded the woman from Sam’s display on the holo-vid. She’d been the one holding on to Alex Racine and laughing. Now, she was smiling at him and patiently waiting for him to reply.
“Intimidating, isn’t it?” Renée asked, indicating the park.
“It’s beautiful,” Jess said, “and, yes, it’s overwhelming,” he added, self-consciously.
“I understand you have an eye for beauty, Captain,” Renée said.
Jess surmised the intent of the woman’s comment. He wasn’t sure that he liked her suggestion that he might be attracted to Lucia purely for her looks. “Ser de Guirnon, I’ve a fondness for bold women,” he said, hoping to keep any rancor out of his voice.
“But so much the better if they’re physically appealing. They’ll speak to your prowess as a man,” Renée prodded.
“Is that what you depend on to keep Alex Racine’s attention?” Jess retorted, unable to contain his anger. “Somehow, I don’t think so. Your Méridien ancestors developed wonderful sculpting skills, but that doesn’t mean they changed the nature of the people inside. What sort of man would I be if I was only attracted to something ephemeral ... something that would eventually fade?”
Renée regarded Jess for a moment. The captain wasn’t what she expected. She liked what she saw and heard. More important, while he’d spoken with her, he’d glanced away several times. Her implant app told her Lucia stood in that direction.
“Come, Captain,” Renée said, hooking Jess’s arm. “Keep me company.”
Jess obliged, but the thought ran through his mind that he should be the last person accompanying Renée de Guirnon. Then he wondered if she’d singled him out for a reason, but whatever that reason might be, it eluded him.
Lucia received Cordelia’s notice that Alex requested her group to join him. She glanced toward Alex, who was speaking with individuals in a clearing near a stream, and she could see the veterans, Olawale, Patrice, and Kasie, but not Jess.
“Something wrong, Lucia?” Deirdre Canaan asked innocently. “Lose a partner, maybe?” She was trying valiantly to maintain a neutral expression, but she was failing miserably.
“Probably not my most auspicious start for introductions,” Lucia admitted. “I think I’m going to have to practice this sort of thing.”
Tatia, Reiko, Franz, Deirdre, and Darius Gaumata laughed good-naturedly at Lucia’s discomfort.
“We look forward to meeting your captain, Lucia,” Tatia said. “Now, let’s join the others.”
The tension within Jess slowly uncoiled, as Renée led him through the park. They didn’t talk, and he absorbed the sights, sounds, and smells of the vibrant garden.
Renée wondered at the captain’s seemingly disconnected reactions. When they met, she hadn’t held his attention. Her ego wasn’t hurt by that, but his glances in Lucia’s direction were furtive. He hadn’t appeared to be relaxed. As they strolled through the park, she felt his tenseness ease. However, when they turned down a path that led to the group surrounding Alex, she felt the muscles in his arm tighten. Glancing toward him, she saw he was focused on Alex.
Jess spotted the two huge SADEs standing a little away from the group, and Renée’s hand lost its grip on his arm, when he turned that way. Approaching the SADEs, Jess stared briefly at each one of them. As he introduced himself, he shook their hands, and said, “I could have used you at more than one dome.”
Alex watched Jess’s reaction to Z and Miranda. It told him a lot about the captain. That Renée seemed pleased about him told him a great deal more.
10: What Now?
“Welcome, Captain Cinders,” Alex said, as Renée stepped beside him. She accepted the ear wig from Alex that others were already wearing.
“I’ve received updates from various sources, but I’d like more details to help me understand our possible role in alliance affairs,” Alex continued. “Captain Cinders, I’d like to begin with you. Has anyone tried to communicate with the Colony members?”
Several of Olawale’s party glanced at one another. Months ago, on a Sylian orbital station, they’d presumed that would be one of the first questions Alex would ask.
“There hasn’t been time or opportunity to do that,” Jess replied. “With the limited resources we have, we’ve been busy trying to save lives.”
“That wasn’t meant as a criticism, Captain,” Alex said, moderating his tone.
“Captain, will we interfere with your operation on Pimbor if we capture some insectoids and attempt to establish communications?” Alex asked.
“It’s your fleet,” Jess replied, raising his hands in surrender and taking a step backward. “You’re the leader, and you can do what you want. As you’ve probably already heard, our operation is stymied. We’ve run out of operable heavy armament and food.”
The veterans were emotionally torn. They’d followed Jess, who’d successfully led them in horrendous fights to reclaim domes and a planet. They were indebted to him. Alex’s arrival was disturbing that relationship. Adding to the strain of the moment, the alliance members didn’t know Alex, and the expedition’s Omnians hadn’t seen him in years.
Alex regarded the faces of the expedition’s key personnel — Olawale, Patrice, Sam, Ophelia, and Kasie. It was obvious that they were uncomfortable with the start of the conversation. While he couldn’t readily read the expressions of the alliance aliens, none of them looked encouraging.
“Olawale, Patrice, and Sam,” Alex said, “perhaps we should chat.”
Alex indicated a direction to walk, but he was halted by Patrice, who said, “Others should join us.”
“As many as you wish,” Alex replied. When he saw that everyone was ready to follow him, he stopped and held up a hand to indicate they would speak where they stood.
“Somehow, I’ve misstepped,” Alex said. “I asked a simple question, and it touched a nerve in the captain. By the looks I’m receiving, I get the impression that some of you think I insulted Captain
Cinders. Why?”
“It might be our fault,” Sam replied, chagrined by the admittance. “Your reputation might have been built up in the conversations. The captain might have felt his efforts were suddenly overshadowed by your arrival.”
Alex frowned at Sam, who quickly added, “I know you dislike that, Alex. It wasn’t deliberate on our part, but how do you share the history of the human colonies without mentioning you and your exploits?”
“I don’t know you, Leader Racine,” Menous said. “I led two hundred Norsitchian troopers to reclaim our home world’s dome. As it happens, we discovered the Colony’s ability to bring transports through the dome, and they had invaded our planet. One hundred twenty of my troopers survived the reclaiming of Norsitchia. I would have lost them and my own life in the dome if not for the captain uncovering an insidious insectoid trap and warning us to evacuate. I ask you: Are you adept at leading ground skirmishes?”
Tatia and the admirals focused on Menous. They weren’t pleased by his bluntness.
“No, Commander,” Alex replied evenly, “then again, I don’t claim to be. However, Queen Homsaff,” he added, nodding toward her, “and her Dischnya are experts at executing surface operations.”
“Then we’d welcome their assistance,” Menous replied.
“We haven’t the right to require your assistance,” Tacnock said, “and you’re not under any obligation to assist the alliance races in any way. We know that, and you know that.”
Alex had to admire the Jatouche. He was plainspoken but with a diplomat’s style.
“However, despite your extensive travels and encounters, stories of which are forever being told, you might not have encountered a race such as the Colony,” Tacnock continued. “Their aggressiveness and intelligence is unmatched.”
“Kasie, I’d like you to speak to Tacnock’s last point,” Ophelia requested.
“You’ve been told about the domes, the Q-gates, and the consoles, yes?” Kasie asked.
“I’ve received an overview. They sound fascinating,” Alex replied.
“When our ancestors discovered the Colony advancing into non-alliance domes, the insectoids panicked,” Kasie explained. “Unintentionally, we accelerated their expansion rate. In doing so, the Colony focused their intellect on discovering the secrets of the Messinant consoles, and there are many. They used their knowledge to spread quickly into alliance domes. They invented the rings, with which they sent transports full of insectoids to take over planets. You must not underestimate the insectoids’ willingness to do everything in their power to kill you, even if it means taking you with them in death.”
