by S. H. Jucha
36: Belated Request
After hearing Gregich had regained control of his ship and communicated the proposal to his fleet, Tatia made plans with her admirals in the event the fleet captains chose not to cooperate.
On the other hand, Alex, Renée, Julien, Lucia, and Jess met to discuss the potential issues surrounding the captains’ acceptance of the offer.
“We’re at the point of another division of labor,” Alex said. “We’ve a military operation and a political one.”
“Do you think the captains will want to observe the planet before they make a final decision?” Renée asked.
“Yes, but we should be careful of their reasons for making the trip,” Alex replied.
“You’re wondering if the journey to Quall is a test of our escort,” Lucia offered.
“Precisely,” Alex replied.
“If the Packeoes see the planet, I think they’ll like it,” Renée replied earnestly. “I’ve seen Orbit’s telemetry scans.”
“I believe they will,” Lucia added. “From space, the world looks inviting. Of course, we’ve got some Colony junk to clean up.”
“That could be an opportunity,” Alex said.
“A demonstration to a race that hasn’t observed us,” Julien agreed.
“It’s fine if you two want to speak in code,” Jess grumped good-naturedly, “but I agreed to put this thing in my head so someone could secretly cue me.” His quip set the group laughing.
“The Packeoes don’t know what they’re facing,” Lucia explained. “They’ve heard of our fleet’s prowess by reputation. While they examine the planet, we use our Tridents and travelers to decimate the Colony’s transports.”
“Ah!” Jess replied. “They’ll see a tremendous amount of metal vaporized and imagine that happening to their impressive battleships. But isn’t that dangerous? You’ll be showing your hand to the Packeoes.”
“This is about intimidation again, Jess,” Renée said. “We’ll be demonstrating our prowess in hopes of preventing the Packeoes from choosing to fight. If they resist, then to some degree, we’ll all lose.”
“Back to the discussion at hand,” Alex said. “The commands, including the remainder of the fleet, will escort the Packeoes to Quall. Julien.”
“We’ll communicate the star coordinates to Gregich’s ships,” Julien replied.
Jess thought the pair had communicated by means of Alex’s implant, but the simple mention of the SADE’s name and the response seemed to indicate an intimacy that he imagined must have developed over time.
“Alex, what if the Packeoes are playing us?” Lucia said. “They could take the first opportunity to transit somewhere else or sail away even after we make Quall.”
“Then they’ll forfeit any second chance,” Alex said sternly, “and we’ll hunt them down and eliminate them. If that happens, our assault commander will have a much more difficult time with Quall.”
“Alex, suppose the trip to Quall goes well and the Packeoes accept the planet, what will be the landing process?” Jess asked.
“Why are you asking me, Captain? You’re the assault commander,” Alex replied, with a grin. “Layout the strategy and get started. You’ve three thousand Packeoes and their gear to use to take back the planet.”
Tens of questions shot through Jess’s mind, and his mouth fell open, as he considered the immense logistical nightmare.
“Relax, Jess,” Renée said, with a gentle smile. “Do you think Alex runs this fleet? He might direct it from on high, and tens of thousands of crew members might run operations, but it’s the SADEs who organize us.”
Jess regarded Julien, who displayed his favored cascade of fairy dust.
“I really like that one,” Jess said, pointing to Julien’s head, “but I don’t know what it means.”
Immediately, Jess received a link, and Julien sent,
Returning to the conversation, Julien said, “Captain, you’ll provide the strategy and the implementation requirements that will guide us. Then we’ll survey the planet’s infrastructure and tally what equipment the Packeoes intend to land. Engineering will set up the defensive perimeters and the food services that you require. During this time, your veterans will provide protection until the locations are secured. We’ll train the Packeoes and your individuals on the Quall’s infrastructure. After that ...”
“After that, I make use of what’s been provided to eliminate a planet full of insectoids,” Jess finished and breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced from Julien to Alex, and said, “For a moment, you had me worried. I thought I had the hard part.”
“Now, see what you’ve done,” Alex chided Renée. “Moments ago, the captain could have been in awe of my governing prowess. Now, he’s probably thinking I’m a glorified figurehead, and it’s the SADEs who run the fleet.”
“We don’t?” Julien inquired, with a quizzical expression.
While laughter echoed around the table, Renée eyed her partner. She knew him well and recognized his use of humor to lighten the mood.
“Now, fearless leader, do you wish to tell us about the political operations that you intend to run?” Renée asked sweetly.
“Oops,” Jess said softly, as he regarded Alex, and the Omnian grinned in reply.
“Yes, I’ll be handling the politics,” Alex replied to Renée. “Someone has to make the case to the Tsargit council as to why we’re usurping the right to hand over a world within alliance space to a group of invaders from the federacy.”
“You intend to leave the fleet and travel via the domes,” Renée said apprehensively.
“It seems the quickest mode of travel and will allow me to be gone from the fleet for the shortest amount of time,” Alex replied.
“How will you return?” Lucia asked. “The Colony holds the Quall dome.”
“Let the SADEs determine the best placement of a Trident that will allow Alex to return most of the way by journeying through the domes,” Jess said. “Then Alex can transfer to a Trident and sail to Quall.”
“The captain is learning,” Julien said. “We’ve already determined the location of that system. Alex, you’ll need to have Tatia designate a ship, and you’ll need a guide.”
“I plan to use our explorers,” Alex replied. “Olawale, Patrice, Ophelia, and Aputi should serve me well.”
“Take Z and Miranda with you,” Renée urged.
“No,” Alex replied gently. “Miranda will accompany me. So will Julien. Z stays with you. He’ll always be with you.”
“Well, this should be interesting,” Renée quipped. “While Alex goes and plays with bureaucrats, I’ll lead the fleet in escort of a dangerous wedge of battleships full of close-to-starving Packeoes to a world they might not want. Should be exciting!”
* * * * *
When Alex was informed by Gregich of the fleet’s decision to investigate Quall, he directed the SADEs to populate the battleships’ navigation systems with Quall’s star coordinates.
The SADEs were able to transcribe the Omnian nomenclature into the federacy’s navigation coding. They’d developed a great deal of experience with the federacy’s applications. On Gregich’s orders, the captains had granted the requests by the SADEs to access the bridge applications.
“We’re ready to sail when your ships have gathered,” Gregich told Alex, when his fleet’s captains reported that their systems had received the destination.
“My fleet will form up on your battleship, Captain,” Alex replied. “They’ll escort your ship to join the remainder of the wedge beyond the belt. Then you’ll transit together. At Quall, you’ll be under the guidance of Captain Cinders, who’ll execute your landing strategy. It’ll take some time to manage the process safely and orderly. I suggest that you direct your officers and crews to think of our
captain as your assault commander. Furthermore, any SADE communications to any individual in your fleet should be treated as if they were relaying directives from Captain Cinders.”
Alex gave Gregich no hint that he wouldn’t be with the Omnian fleet for the duration of the transit, and he hoped Gregich never discovered it.
Celsius transferred to another Trident in Deirdre’s command. That ship made for the Freedom, while the Rêveur and the freighters sailed outward to join the fleet.
Near the city-ship, the lone Trident dispatched a traveler to collect Alex, Julien, and Miranda. A day later, the warship rendezvoused with the outbound Rêveur, and Olawale, Patrice, Ophelia, and Aputi boarded. Then the Trident headed for the station located near Egette’s outer moon.
“Celsius, I need whoever is in charge of the system,” Alex requested, while standing on the Trident’s bridge.
“We’ve spoken with Premier Egom se Essess,” Celsius replied. “I’m connecting you.”
“Premier se Essess. This is Alex Racine, leader of the Omnian fleet.”
“Leader Racine, there are reports of your ships sailing outward. What does this mean for us?” Egom asked.
So much for pleasantries, Alex thought. “Premier, our fleet will be escorting the battleships from your system. They won’t bother you anymore.”
“You’ll be sending the invaders back to their space and far away from the alliance?” Egom asked.
“At this time, Premier, I’m not prepared to discuss the details of where the federacy fleet is headed. Suffice it to say, they’re leaving the Egette system.”
“For that, Leader Racine, we’re grateful. I had my doubts, when a single ship arrived, and the admiral announced that she intended to confront the invaders in our system.”
“I can appreciate the concerns you had, Premier. We’re an unknown quantity to you. On another subject, I and a few of my associates need transport to your dome.”
“We’ll be pleased to assist you, Leader Racine,” Egom replied. “Where do you journey?”
“We’ll be paying the Tsargit council a visit,” Alex replied.
“Then you’ve received their invitation,” Egom surmised.
“I’m sure we’ll be welcome,” Alex replied good-naturedly.
“You won’t mention the destination where you’re escorting the invaders, and you’re journeying to Hyronzy Station without an official invitation. Why does that particular combination make me uneasy?” Egom asked.
Alex ignored the premier’s question. Instead, he said, “We’ll need to transfer to the station near your dome’s moon.”
“I’ll make the arrangements,” Egom replied.
After ending the call, Egom’s advisers bombarded him with questions. He raised his hands to forestall their noise. “Leader Racine speaks in an enigmatic manner,” he said. “If you wish to know the meaning of his words, I suggest you board a fast ship and catch him at the station. Otherwise, save your questions.”
Humans weren’t common visitors to the Egette system or the other races that usually dealt with the Egettes. This meant the locals knew little about Pyreans, except they were alliance members.
Many of the journeyers stopped and stared at the assortment of humans who were ushered through the tunnels toward the dome, as priority journeyers. They didn’t resemble a common species. Their size and color varied greatly.
Alex had viewed the imagery the SADEs collected during their visits throughout the alliance. However, he was now enjoying the display for himself.
“So, this was your introduction to aliens,” Alex said quietly to Patrice.
“You can imagine the challenge for an Earther,” Patrice replied. “I leapt from only hearing about aliens from your individuals to being surrounded by them when we discovered the alliance races.”
“Who knew they came in all these shapes?” Alex marveled as he passed a trio of bird-like aliens, who peered imperially down their beaks at him.
“Don’t mind the Veklocks, Alex,” Ophelia said, when she saw the triumvirate stare at him. “They look at everyone that way, but especially humans.”
“Ancient history that’s never been forgotten?” Alex offered.
“Harbour and Jessie Cinders,” Ophelia remarked.
Within the dome, Alex and his companions were led to a platform by the dome administrator.
Two sand serpents hissed their displeasure at being held back. “Humans,” they uttered in derogatory tones.
“Tsargit priorities,” explained the administrator, which did nothing to ameliorate the Usaanans’ displeasure.
“Pyreans seem to have made their presence known in many parts of space,” Alex remarked to Ophelia. He chuckled about the sand serpents’ annoyance. Before Ophelia could reply, Alex said, “Don’t tell me. Harbour and Jessie Cinders.”
“Indirectly, yes,” Ophelia said, grinning.
Ophelia and Aputi climbed onto the platform with alacrity, and Alex, Miranda, Olawale, Patrice, and Julien quickly followed. Ophelia was tightly surrounded by Aputi, Olawale, Alex, and Miranda, as the group worked to stay within the parameters of the platform.
“I wonder if dieting would help some of you,” Ophelia quipped. Unfortunately for her, the humans laughed at her verbal jab, and their shoulders and chests reverberated against her. “My mistake,” she grumped.
The group was enveloped in the platform’s blue light. When they appeared in another dome and on a different platform, Alex commented, “I thought I would feel something.”
“The idea is to never feel anything,” Aputi replied. “Of course, if the Q-gates ever malfunctioned, I guess you wouldn’t feel anything then either.” He gave Alex a big grin and stepped off the platform.
Ophelia continued to request Hyronzy Station, and they were directed to another gate.
After the eighth journey, Alex sent to the other Omnians,
Everyone but Miranda responded with an affirmative.
Alex regarded Miranda, who maintained a neutral expression, but he wasn’t fooled. He sent her a short vid. It was the image of a single crystal. It shone brightly but briefly. Then it cracked and crumbled.
Miranda issued a trumpet blast that frightened onlookers. It made gaining the next platform extremely easy, as aliens stepped away from the entourage.
When the group made the Hyronzy dome, they boarded a shuttle for the nearby massive station, home to the alliance membership, committees, and council.
Alex claimed a seat and found himself quickly bracketed by Patrice, Ophelia, and Aputi. The Pyreans and the Earther were staring intently at him.
“Alex, we understand that alliance members have received implants,” Patrice said.
“That’s true,” Alex replied.
“That’s true,” Patrice repeated in surprise. “That’s all you have to say? We continually urged Olawale to grant us the implant tech, which he never did.”
“Olawale’s expedition wasn’t capable of supplying the citizens of Sol with that tech,” Alex explained. “They
didn’t have the numbers to train your medical staff nor did they carry the plans for the medical scan equipment or the implants.”
“Okay, accepted,” Patrice replied, partially mollified, “but Olawale insisted that Omnians had decided a world or a race had to accept the tech via a majority vote.”
“Olawale spoke the truth, as he knew it,” Alex replied. “That was what was required of the Dischnya of Omnia. Although, an exception was made on another world by a different government.” He was recalling the Haraken experiment with the Swei Swee, who traveled aboard his son’s explorer ship, Sojourn.
“What’s changed, Alex, that Jess and others were granted implants?” Ophelia asked. She was continually curious as to why she could read so little emotional fluctuation from Alex. In her mind, she pictured him as a meandering stream. Whereas, most individuals’ emotions appeared to her as ranging from babbling brooks to raging torrents.
“I could say I was in the minority,” Alex replied, “and technically that would be correct. However, I was convinced by others that events have eclipsed the condition of race acceptance.”
“Conditions such as the Colony’s invasion of alliance worlds,” Aputi suggested.
“Precisely,” Alex replied. “Without implants, Jess and other veterans can’t interface effectively with our support. Their survival requires the tech.”
“What about when you return home, Alex?” Patrice asked.
Alex sighed quietly. “Patrice, I was born on New Terra, but I spent most of my young life aboard tug-explorer ships. After rescuing the Rêveur and meeting Julien and my future partner, I had an opportunity to settle on Haraken. But that turned out to be a momentary lull in my life. Since I founded Omnia, I’ve spent most of my days aboard a starship. Space is my home.”
“When this duty with the Tsargit is done, and the commandant returns to Pyre, I’ll be joining Jess,” Aputi said determinedly.
