by S. H. Jucha
Alex listened to the silence. It’s what he wanted. He’d planted the seed. It would be up to Jess to nurture it or not.
Alex smiled to himself. Then he connected with Tatia.
* * * * *
Alex’s fleet settled into an orbit around Pimbor.
The Pims and the veterans continued the hunt, while Jess caught a freighter shuttle on a supply run to meet with the Sylian troops.
Unknown to Jess, Juliette communicated to Lucia that the captain was headed for the Freedom, and Lucia ordered her Trident’s pilot to divert to the city-ship.
The largest auditorium on the Freedom could comfortably hold the one thousand Sylian troops, which is where Jess met them. He followed a crew member, who led him from the bay to the auditorium’s backstage entrance.
“Please, Captain,” the female crew member said pleasantly and indicated he step through a doorway, which had slid aside at her signal.
Jess stepped through the doorway and took a few steps into bright lights. He found himself on a stage in front of a thousand Sylian troops and a select group of Omnians.
A Sylian commander growled deeply, and a thousand troops jumped to their feet and roared in return.
Jess glanced down toward the front row. He saw Lucia first, who tipped her head to the right. A few seats away, Jess located Alex, who wore a bemused smile. If I only had an implant, Jess thought, I’d share a few things with you.
“Be seated,” Jess directed in a loud voice. His command carried across the audience, and he appreciated that Omnian tech hadn’t amplified his voice to the point that it sounded like an explosion.
“You’re to be commended for your courage,” Jess said to the troops. “Your decision to volunteer to fight the Colony on another planet is an example to the Pyrean Resistance.”
The mention of the revered Resistance resulted in soft growls that were multiplied by the Sylian numbers. It could be felt in the chests of every Omnian.
“However, I can’t use you,” Jess announced, which shocked everyone in the audience. “That is, of course, until you’re trained and integrated into the veterans,” he continued. “I don’t doubt your skills, but I know the insectoids. If you make a mistake, they won’t give you a second chance. I’ve already lost more than half the Omnian security personnel under my command and half the Norsitchian brassards. Are you willing to work with me under these conditions?”
The Sylian troops leapt to their feet, and their shouts and growls shook the auditorium.
Alex sent in reply.
Jess raised his hands to quiet the troops. The response was instantaneous. Then he said, “Then we’re agreed, and I accept your services.”
After another outburst from the troops, Jess told them that he would meet with their commanders and start with limited assignments. “Be patient,” he said to them. “Don’t be in a hurry to die. There are more than enough insectoids on Pimbor for every member of your command. Commanders, please dismiss your troops.”
A single order was given, and the troops saluted Jess. He returned it with a spacer’s two-fingered touch to his brow. Then the troops filed out in precise rows.
The stage lights dimmed, and Jess walked downstage and sat on the edge, his feet dangling over the lip. He regarded Alex silently.
“Okay, perhaps it was a little contrived,” Alex said, as he rose, displaying his lopsided smile, and spreading his hands in supplication.
“I can see another value of implants,” Jess said, his feet kicking slowly. “When I discovered my audience, I would have enjoyed sending you some private thoughts.”
“Be assured, Captain, that’s exactly an appropriate reason for an individual to possess an implant,” Julien said. “Many of us have sent Alex more than one personal message.”
“Julien is being kind,” Tatia said, “He vastly understates the number of times that we’ve let Alex know what we think of his remarks or decisions.” Her comments generated chuckles and head nodding.
“When you become adept with an implant, Captain, you can participate in what we call an image war,” Renée said.
Instantly, Lucia’s interest was tweaked.
“When?” Jess queried, choosing to focus on that particular word.
“All futures are possible, Captain,” Renée replied, with a smile.
Renée’s comment reminded Jess of the conversation that he had with Alex. It seemed to him that more than one Omnian had a habit of thinking far into the future.
“What now?” Jess asked.
“Right now, we get started on the list of needs that you gave me,” Alex replied, “and you ... you’ve work to do, Captain, although you might want to take the rest of the day off.”
Alex left, and the others followed.
Jess watched the Omnians walk out. Then his eyes traveled to the one individual who’d remained seated.
“Hi,” Jess said softly. His eyes were bright, as he regarded Lucia.
“Hello,” Lucia replied, smiling.
Jess slipped off the stage, and Lucia stood. She offered him her hand, which he took. Then she led him to a well-furnished cabin. They didn’t emerge until late afternoon in time for evening meal. Afterward, they didn’t wait for morning to return to Pimbor.
Lucia ordered a traveler for them. It was dark, when they made the compound’s shelter. Tacnock handed Loopah weapons to the couple, and he brought Jess up-to-date on the day’s encounters.
Jess and Lucia woke to the sounds of activity. They crawled out of their bunks, dressed, and stepped outside.
Crews were unloading supplies from shuttles. Mickey’s work zone was receiving an enclosure. Beyond that, a large area was being cleared by hundreds of workers.
As Jess and Lucia watched, swaths of trees and brush were cleared. A barrier was erected, and following that, the bases of temporary structures were laid down.
“Jess, you’re requested in the compound,” Lucia said.
When the couple arrived, they found Salsinona standing in front of Sylian commanders. The commanders and their troops focused on Jess. The entire command had slung their arms.
In contrast, the eyes of the veterans, who stood nearby, swept the compound, alert for danger, and their weapons were cradled in their arms.
Salsinona introduced the senior commanders. Then she said, “Captain, you needn’t bother with our command structure. I’ll be relieving you of those efforts. Instead, consider me your liaison. Whatever you command, I’ll make happen.”
If it weren’t Salsinona saying that, Jess wouldn’t have accepted the additional layer of communications. As it was, he was relieved not to have to juggle another group of defenders.
Jess introduced Menous. Then he said, “The commander has Norsitchians on various guard duties. Salsinona, have the Sylian commanders work with Commander Menous to pair a Sylian with each Norsitchian for three cycles. The Sylians are to observe and support, when necessary. They’re to learn from the veterans how to handle contact with the insectoids.”
“After the three cycles, Captain?” Salsinona inquired.
“The Sylians will take over the guard duties,” Jess replied. To Menous, he said, “Commander, when your troops are relieved, give those individuals two days o
f rest. Mickey’s teams are bringing new shadows online. Your troops will replace those protecting the trained Pims. Those who’ve worked with the Pims will take responsibility for the new riders.”
“Captain, I’ve several Norsitchians in the field,” Menous said. “Should we pair Sylians with them?”
“Too many changes too quickly,” Jess replied. “Today, I’ve a duty for the Sylian commanders. I want each of you to select a Pim rider. You’ll accompany your Pim team into the field. You’re there to observe. Follow your team leader’s instructions.”
“Excuse me, Captain, what are the Pims riding?” a Sylian commander asked.
“Shadows ... they’re Omnian inventions,” Jess replied. He glanced at Lucia, and she sent a signal to Juliette.
At Juliette’s request, Phette and Oforum mounted their shadows, and they rode them off the traveler and into the compound. The Pims had become experts at controlling their metal spiders. The riders raced across the compound and halted on each side of Jess and Lucia.
“These are our two most experienced riders, Phette and his mate, Oforum,” Jess said. “They’re sitting on shadows, which can scent insectoids. When the insectoids are flushed from hiding, either by the shadows or the support teams, lasers can track and dispatch them, even if they’re on the run.”
“Impressive, Captain,” Salsinona commented.
“Credit goes to Mickey’s engineering teams for the concept, and we helped with a few refinements,” Jess said.
The Crocians rumbled in amusement. Actually, the shadows the Pims were riding were version three, thanks to the suggestions of the veterans and Pims.
“Now, I need a demonstration of the Sylian weapon,” Jess said. Then he turned and led the group out of the compound, across Mickey’s work zone to the area being cleared.
Jess regarded Lucia, “Please, pull the workers back from there,” he requested, pointing to a stand of small trees. He waited while Lucia signaled the workforce. The Omnians abandoned their equipment and crossed the open space to stand behind Jess’s group.
“Whoever wishes to demonstrate their weapon, please step forward and hit the tree on the left with the white bark,” Jess said. When no one moved, Jess lifted an eyebrow at Salsinona.
“Apologies, Captain,” Salsinona replied. “Perhaps we should explain the nature of our weapons. They’re short-range energy weapons.”
“How short?” Lucia asked.
When Salsinona struggled to respond, Jess realized that she was eyeing the target and trying to measure the distance. He chose a commander and asked the female Sylian to step forward. “Fire at the tree I selected,” he ordered, which the commander promptly did.
There was no effect, and Jess paced off a quarter of the distance to the target, called the commander to his side, and had her fire again. Still there was no trace of the shot on the tree. He marched off another quarter, and the commander repeated her action. This time, there was a small scorch mark on the tree, but it wasn’t enough to bring down an adult.
Jess stepped off the third quarter. The Sylian flashed her canines, hefted her weapon, and burned a hole into the tree. Immediately, a crew member rushed forward to put out the tree’s burning embers.
“Close range,” Tacnock commented. “Loopah weapons are more effective.”
“How many shots in your weapons?” Lucia asked.
“Twenty-five pulses,” the female commander replied. “Then we change power packs.”
“Show me,” Lucia requested.
“The power pack doesn’t release until it’s empty of charge,” the commander replied. “It’s a safety feature.”
“That’s a danger,” Bortoth stated unequivocally. “The packs must be traded when it’s appropriate not when the weapon dictates it.”
“Plasma rifles are best,” Daktora commented, and Bortoth rumbled in assent.
“We don’t have a thousand Loopah weapons,” Sam said. “We don’t even have a fraction of that number. What are our options?”
“I’ll speak to Mickey or Miriam about replicating the launchers,” Lucia said. “Even if they can do it, it’ll take them a while to set up.” She regarded Jess and asked, “What’s our priority?”
Jess stared at the weapon in the commander’s hands. He’d gained a thousand new recruits with weapons that were ineffective in insectoid encounters. Briefly, he wondered why the Omnians didn’t test the weapons on Sylia. Then he thought, Why should they? Why would they expect a technically advanced race to produce a limited type of weapon? But you don’t understand our primal fear. We’re always scared of damaging our domes and cutting off access to the other races.
“For now, we use Sylians in pairs,” Jess said, focusing on Salsinona. “One active; one passive. Then they alternate, and a pack is changed.”
“It will be done, Captain,” Salsinona replied. “Do I make those arrangements beginning with the guard duty rotation?”
“Yes, and for all future assignments,” Jess replied. “Always use pairs until we can provide more effective weaponry.”
22: Pim Society
“Ready when you are, Mickey,” Alex said.
Alex, Renée, and Julien were seated on the opposite side of the conference table from Mickey, Miriam, Bortoth, and Daktora, along with senior engineers and partners Edmas and Jodlyne. The Pims, Phette and Oforum, stood on Juliette’s forearms to enable them to be above the table.
“At the heart of our proposal, Alex, is our desire to foster the changes taking place in Pim society,” Mickey said. “It will require a long-term project.”
“Define long term,” Alex requested.
“Not more than two years,” Mickey replied.
Alex directed his gaze toward Phette, but it was Oforum who answered.
“We know what the alliance races think of Pims,” Oforum said. “Some of it we deserve, but in general, we’re tolerated. We’ve no representative on the Tsargit, and our trade with the alliance is severely limited.”
“Essentially, we need an advantage, an asset, something that alliance races will desire and can be supplied via the domes,” Phette added. “We believe it can be advanced robotics. The shadows are a perfect example.”
“Our idea,” Jodlyne interjected, “is to offload the GEN machines and set up shop on Pimbor. We’ll teach the Pims how to achieve our level of tech. It’ll be much like we did for Earthers.”
“But two years, Mickey?” Renée queried.
“Maybe less,” Mickey allowed.
“How do you propose to create the Pims’ infrastructure?” Julien asked.
“That will be our contribution,” Bortoth replied. “There are hundreds of young Crocian engineers who will want to work with your tech. We’ll need access to the dome before we can start.”
“Will you join the Pim’s effort or remain with the captain?” Alex asked the Crocians.
“We’ll act as liaisons between our race and the Pims,” Daktora replied.
“Our value to Jess has come to an end,” Bortoth explained. “The captain’s assault techniques are evolving. He’s relying on speed and surprise, neither of which we possess.”
Daktora rumbled deeply at Bortoth’s understatement.
“We’ll miss the combat,” Bortoth continued, “but even now, the experienced shadow riders race ahead of us. We’re relegated to training the new riders.”
“Then the Pims have gotten over their fear of the larger races,” Alex supposed.
“Not so, Alex,” Oforum objected. “The majority of Pims still hide in their burrows. Many have lost their lives to the juveniles, who’ve discovered that Pim tunnels offer them food. It’s the riders who are embracing the opportunity to fight for their planet. They’re the ones to be celebrated.”
“How will the Crocian engineers be compensated?” Julien inquired.
“This involves a barter-and-trade scenario, but it’s feasible,” Miriam replied. “I’ve equated the compensatory rate for young Crocian engineers, which Daktora supplied, to the
value of raw material, as listed by the alliance. The Pims supplied the latter figures.”
“The Pims have some valuable mining sites in their outer moons,” Mickey explained. “They’ll mine and smelt the raw ores, and our freighters will ship the finished products to Crocia.”
“It’s our thought ... actually, it’s Admiral Bellardo’s advice ... that you’ll probably not want the freighters with you when you encounter the federacy fleet,” Edmas said. “Two freighter loads are expected to be more than enough compensation for a hundred Crocian engineers for two years.”
“How many Omnians will be involved in the project?” Renée asked.
“One hundred forty-two humans and SADEs, who are presently on the ground,” Miriam replied. “This number would be increased by the freighter crews who would be involved.”
“If you have to evacuate the planet, that many can’t live aboard the freighters for even several days,” Alex pointed out. We don’t know where that battleship fleet will appear. This system is as good a place as any.”
“The Earther captains have volunteered to provide overwatch,” Mickey said. “Of course, Patrice might choose to preempt that decision when she returns. But the crews have kind of adopted the Pims too, and I’ve a feeling that Patrice will have a hard time convincing them to abandon their posts.”
“Well-thought-out,” Renée said approvingly, which had the whiskers of Phette and Oforum twitching.
“There is an advantage for you,” Phette said. He couldn’t believe he was speaking to the Omnian leader in this manner, but Oforum told him that if he didn’t make the argument, she would.
“We’ve learned from the Omnians and the veterans that you’ve long-term plans for a great area of space, which will include the alliance,” Phette continued. “You hope the races will cooperate in this venture, but the alliance races and the Tsargit don’t know you as we do. Your efforts here can be proof of your intentions.”
Phette glanced at Oforum. Her eyes shone brightly for him, which warmed him to his bones.
“That’s our concept, Alex,” Mickey concluded. “We help the Pims advance their tech, provide them with a trade asset, and prove to the alliance that we believe in peaceful coexistence.”
