"How much trouble are we in with the Strix?" Marny asked.
Parl rocked Little Pete as he followed Marny into a nearby conference room.
She hadn't seen Nick in the hallway but was glad to discover he and Steward Bear were already in the room.
"I wish I had better news," Parl said. "The Strix have declared Loose Nuts a regional enemy of the Confederation of Planets. The actions of the fleet you encountered at the Santaloo-Tamu gate were therefore legal according to recently adopted immigration language."
"Refreshments are on the sideboard," Steward Bear said, gesturing to a table against the room's forward bulkhead.
"Thank you, Steward Bear. You're dismissed," Marny said. Her stomach complained at the sight of food. With Little Pete occupied, she took time to load a plate for her and Parl to enjoy.
"It is incomprehensible that Strix can enact a law so easily," Nick said.
"On your behalf, I have submitted a complaint, requesting temporary relief until the regional changes can be challenged in a higher court," Parl said.
"How long will that take?" Nick asked.
"It is as you fear. The Strix are expert at extending the duration of these types of requests," Parl said. "A hearing is scheduled in two of your standard years."
"It'll be too late," Marny said. "The Kroerak will have returned by then. There will be little left of this region in two standard years."
"This argument was raised by the Abasi High Council," Parl said. "It was suggested that the mission of Hornblower was of critical importance."
"Abasi High Council?" Marny asked.
"Yes. It is the High Council you will meet with in the city of Amanika at the House of Koman," Parl said. "I had planned to first meet with you at the Cetacar embassy before transferring to House of Koman, but the schedule has been changed. Time is limited and tempers are short."
"Is it true that Abasi are threatening to break with Confederation of Planets?" Nick asked.
"If the Abasi leaves the Confederation, other nations will follow and there will be a return to war," Parl answered. "Are you certain of the Kroerak's return? So much relies on that which has not been substantiated."
"First, answer this," Marny said. "Why would the Strix enact such a law and risk a break with the Abasi? What's in it for them?"
"As dear to House Mshindi as you humans are, the Abasi would not break with the Confederation over such a matter. The issue is much deeper," Parl said. "The Strix rose to power in this region shortly after the Kroerak were defeated on Zuri. Since then, the Strix slowly eroded the power of the Abasi by successfully enacting highly complex laws that are to the detriment of smaller Abasi Houses while not affecting the larger. It is easy to dismiss the Strix due to their abrasive nature, but their capacity for subtle change is remarkable."
"Like their ability to delay a hearing by two or even fifteen stans," Nick added.
"Yes," Parl answered. "I'm afraid I haven't been completely truthful with you in my desire to represent you in matters with the Confederation."
"I know," Nick answered, causing Parl's hairless brows to shoot upward. "The fact that our meeting with Abasi High Council at the House of Koman was moved up, and then you arrive unannounced next to Hornblower is too coincidental. You're an important man, Parlastio. Your schedule is not that flexible."
"You are indeed perceptive, Nicholas," Parl said. "I do apologize for my deceit. While the Strix are indeed taking advantage of their powerful position, little can be gained by the Abasi leaving the Confederation, and much will be lost. Without the Confederation, war between the Pogona people and Abasi will resume and other nations will be pulled in. The very fabric of our peaceful society, so painstakingly constructed, will unravel."
"I'm going to stop you there, Parlastio," Marny said. "I trust that you are working on important issues, but you need to understand where I'm coming from. We have crew stranded in hostile territory forty-two days from our location, and there are sightings of a massive Kroerak fleet on the other side of Pogona space. These sightings are credible enough that House Mshindi has stationed a fleet over Zuri. What the Strix are doing or are not doing is largely unimportant to me. If the Confederation of Planets is so screwed up that it allows an immoral actor like Strix to lead, then it will have to deal with the consequences. I do not believe a policy of pacifism leads to anything but tyranny."
"Blood will be shed, Marny James-Bertrand," he answered.
"Blood is always shed, Parlastio," she stated.
"Parl, are you listening to your news feeds?" Nick asked, a tone of urgency in his voice.
"I am unable to do so while conversing. I am concerned by your question."
"Abasi just announced they've broken with the Confederation. There's rioting in Amanika and Nadira." Nick pinched newsfeeds from his HUD and tossed them onto the conference room vid screens.
On one screen, they watched as police barricaded an urban street where a violent fight raged between dozens of Pogona and Felio citizens. On the other screen, Abasi soldiers protected harried workers as they were hustled out of a building and into an armored shuttle. The stately building behind them was already in flames.
"That is the Confederation Hall of Freedom," Parl stood, gently handing Little Pete back to Marny. "The Abasi have acted rashly. I'm afraid I must go. The Cetacar are guests of the Abasi people as part of Confederation treaties. I must oversee the evacuation of our embassy and ensure the safety of our staff."
"Captain, we're being hailed by the naval yard." Lieutenant Walser cut in over Marny's comm.
"I'll be right there, Jordan. Buy me a minute. I need to finish up with the Cetacar Ambassador." Marny said.
Whether it was the stress in her voice or the sudden activity, Little Pete started to complain loudly.
"I've got him," Nick said, relieving Marny of her responsibility and quickly exiting the room.
"Parlastio, I'm offering safe harbor to the Cetacar aboard Hornblower."
"Your offer is generous, Marny James-Bertrand," Parl answered, leaning down to embrace her. "I wish for you and your people prosperity and life. The Cetacar will endure."
Marny walked Parl to the airlock and gave a small wave as he loped across the catwalk and into his shuttle.
"Accept communications from Abasi Naval Yard," Marny answered.
"Greetings, Bertrand Captain. I am Bavana, first of engineers." The female Felio’s image bounced on Marny’s HUD as she jogged toward the elevator that would return her to the bridge.
"Greetings, Bavana, first of engineers," Marny answered, checking Hornblower's status on their approach to the yard. "We're just about to arrive. How can I be of assistance?"
"Your arrival has been upgraded to primary urgency by House Perasti and our facility is completely at your disposal," Bavana answered. "I have been directed to have Hornblower available for action within four hours. My section heads would find efficiency if they were to coordinate directly with your functionaries."
Marny accepted her AI's suggestion to take the elevator to the bridge.
"Yes, Bavana. I'll have you coordinate with my second, Ada Chen, on this." Marny nodded to the Marine guard who stood outside the bridge and he opened the door as she approached.
"Captain on the bridge," an ensign announced as she entered.
"Would you put me in contact with this Ada Chen?" Bavana asked.
"I'm already on the channel. Very nice to speak with you, Bavana," Ada answered.
Marny's ears popped as Ada shunted the communication channel over, segregating the conversation.
"Ma'am," Walser stood from his station and approach. "My apologies, but I'm afraid I need to turn you around. There's a Perasti shuttle waiting at the naval station. They're requesting you transfer over for a ride to the surface. The Abasi High Council is apparently waiting for your arrival. An honor guard will meet you at our forward hatch on Deck-3, starboard."
"No apology needed. I've been slacking with my exercise regimen. It appears we'll r
esolve that today," she answered. "Nick, Flaer, would you meet me at Deck-3 airlock?"
"Copy, and Flaer's with me," Nick answered.
On the way to the elevator, Marny grabbed a high-calorie meal bar and a pouch of electrolyte solution Nick had insisted she start drinking. She'd regained her appetite and hungrily wolfed down the bar, washing it down as the elevator dropped.
"How'd you end things with Parl?" Nick asked as Marny joined him and Flaer at the airlock. Hovering above the deck was an armored bassinette with an open, armored glass cover. Inside, Little Pete lay swaddled in soft blankets, a small stuffed animal wedged under his side. Marny raised an eyebrow by what she imagined was the safest baby transport in the history of mankind.
"Offered safe passage on Hornblower. He declined," Marny said. "I like the Cetacar, but I'm not sure they have our best interest at heart."
"Everyone has an agenda," Nick acknowledged. "You're doing a good job of cutting through the crap. It's best if we don't get bogged down in all the political intrigue."
Marny chuckled. "You know we're getting on a diplomatic shuttle to talk with Abasi High Council, right?"
Nick nodded sagely and they waited in silence until the airlock switched to green.
"Captain James-Bertrand. House Perasti greets you as a friend and ally." A lithe, female Felio officer approached. The soft, tan fur of her coat was lighter by several shades than any Felio Marny had previously met. "I am Perasti Tertiary and my sister kits call me Moyo. I apologize for the rushed schedule."
"Moyo, I am Marny. This is my mate, Nicholas, and my friend, Flaer," Marny said. "I accept your gracious greeting on behalf of Hornblower and wish that I had delicate speech in which to honor you as well."
"Moyo would be pleased to speak directly," Moyo said. "I ask that you settle so that we might begin our short journey."
As they sat, Little Pete's capsule magnetically clamped to the deck.
Marny accepted a snack from a demure Felio. "When did you make that?"
"About a month ago," Nick said. "My boy's not going into space without proper gear."
"So, you thought I'd be taking him into space?"
Nick rolled his eyes. "You didn't? I used the same armor found on Popeyes. The inertial, gravity, atmo and power systems are redundant. I almost didn't have room for him in there."
Marny reached over and mussed Nick's hair, much to his annoyance. "See, now that's what I call thinking out of the box."
Their attention was drawn to the approaching planet as the shuttle detached from Hornblower and plunged toward the atmosphere. After a few minutes, Flaer broke the amiable silence. "Perasti Tertiary, I believe I read somewhere that Felio bring their children aboard ships of war, even at very young ages. Is this true?"
"What else would you do with them?" Moyo asked, confused. "Felio are not so different than human. The kits require their family so they may grow to be strong warriors. I am curious. Why is it your child is wrapped in such a device? Do you fear attack from Felio? If this is the case, please be assured, no honorable Felio would allow an attack on one so vulnerable."
"It's not the Felio we fear," Nick said. "We're headed into a warzone and our record of making it out of conflict with our ship intact isn't exactly stellar."
Moyo rubbed her whiskers with the backside of her hand, thoughtfully. "I have seen the recounting of a few of your conflicts. I think the decision you have made is wise."
The shuttle shook lightly as they entered the atmosphere. It wasn't lost on Marny that the military grade shuttle had inertial systems substantially more advanced than those of the civilian craft.
As they approached the sprawling modern city of Amanika, plumes of smoke rose from several tall buildings directly in line with the path they flew.
"What is all the smoke?" Marny asked.
"Pogona and Strix holdings," Moyo answered. "News has spread of the failure of the Confederation treaties. Long-built animus has resulted in action. Today will not be Abasi's finest."
The shuttle arrived in the courtyard of an ornate structure Marny recognized from pictures as the House of Koman. The courtyard was littered with heavily-armed Abasi troops, all wearing the different colors of their individual houses but acting in unison as they formed a solid defense around the impressive structure.
The Felio species had originated on the planet now known as Abasi Prime. At one time, it had spread to the neighboring systems, Mhina and Zuri, but during the first Kroerak invasion of Zuri, most of the Felio who had ventured away from Abasi Prime had returned — the exception being House Mshindi, which remained on Zuri.
The Abasi nation was comprised of hundreds of tribes or houses, not unlike a feudal society. And while the leaders of each house had a great deal of autonomy over their own, they formed together into the Abasi nation, which was ruled by a smaller group of elders in what was called the House of Koman. Far from being a representative government, the House of Koman was only able to enforce its will through the power of the houses that comprised its board of elders.
"I'm not completely sure what we're doing here," Marny admitted as they approached the broad front doors.
"All will be explained," Moyo answered, nodding as the doors were opened on their approach. "We are almost there."
The grand foyer of the building soared above them as they entered. To Marny's eyes, no expense had been spared in building material or grandeur. At the end of the foyer, wide stairs led to another set of tall doors. A murmur surged through the gathered Felio who parted as the group was led across the crowded space and up the grand stairs.
"Only Bertrand Captain may enter," Moyo said, switching Marny's name with her title, as Felio often did.
"That's not how this works," Marny answered. "My mate, Nicholas James, will accompany me."
"It is not allowed," Moyo answered. Visible agitation was apparent as her whiskers flicked nervously.
"It's okay, Marny," Nick said. "I'll stay out here with Peter."
Marny pushed the floating carriage to Flaer. "First rule of combat is not to allow the opponent to set the terms of engagement."
"I assure you, Bertrand Marny, there is no combat here," Moyo interjected.
"If the Abasi High Council wishes to discuss critical items with Loose Nuts, they will speak to both me and my mate. There will be no further conversation on the matter."
"Marny …" Nick started, but cut himself off when Marny spun on him, her eyes filled with fire.
Chapter 11
And Then There Were Two
Tabby and I swam against the slowing flow of muddy water that had filled the tunnel. Without the AI's assistance, we'd have quickly become lost. The rushing water had changed the tunnel's outline so dramatically that all landmarks had been removed — not that we could have seen them through the detritus that now occluded the passage.
Tabby's hand grasped my ankle, at least, I hoped it was Tabby. She'd been on edge during the entire trip through the mountain, even before the tunnel flooded. I was concerned this new wrinkle might be over the top for her, no doubt bringing back the isolation she'd felt when she'd been grievously injured a few years ago.
"Doing okay back there?" I asked, thumbing my ring reassuringly.
"What could go wrong?" she replied, her voice quavering ever so slightly. Her bio monitor registered an elevated heart rate. "We just had a mountain collapse on us, I can't see a thing, and I keep running into chunks of who the frak knows what."
"It's just mud and rocks," I said. "Think of this: the water should make the tunnel more stable … you know … once everything settles."
The flow of water in the tunnel had slowed and was starting to reverse course as it sought a new level. If not for the grav-suits, we'd have been at its mercy. As luck would have it, the current was favorable and we floated along with it instead of resisting and being struck by debris.
"Show water inertia on HUD," I ordered my AI. A moment later, directional arrows displayed, showing the water as it swirled past m
y mask, eddying in front of me. I accelerated slightly so I cut through the water instead of allowing it to push me.
"What's up?" Tabby asked, hearing my instruction.
"When the water dropped through the cavern, gravity carried it too far. That's why the flow reversed," I explained. "We're in a backflow. I want to see where the water’s headed."
The data from my AI wasn't as conclusive as I would have liked, mostly showing a forward flow with swirls as we were redirected by the walls of the tunnel. Finally, however, I saw what I was looking for — a strong row of arrows that showed a mostly upward flow.
"This way." I turned so we diverted from the original tunnel and followed the new path, through previously compacted dirt and stone.
"I think I see something. Turn down your HUD," Tabby said.
The light from the arrows projected onto my HUD wasn’t that bright, but when my AI popped her suggestion up as a query, I accepted it. We continued to follow the flow of water as its velocity slowed. At first, I was unable to see anything different, but as my eyes adjusted, a faint blue glow spread through the mucky water.
"I see it." A sense of familiarity spread through me and I surged forward.
"Careful, Liam," Tabby called after me, rushing to keep up.
I careened off an unexpected outcropping. Fortunately my suit stiffened as I did. Every ten meters I advanced, the glow became brighter until at last my face came close enough to the source of the blue light. Elation replaced the tension I'd felt ever since the ceiling of the cavern had collapsed.
"We're in an Iskstar grotto!" I exclaimed.
"What? Oh, I see it." Tabby's voice suddenly choked off as a bright flash broke through the murk around us. "Liam. Help," she croaked.
Elation turned to horror as I spun in place. I pushed down toward her last known location while worriedly watching her flashing bio monitors. My heart sank as her life signs bottomed out: respiration, pulse, and then oxygenation. Frantically, I reached out for her, flailing in the water. "Tabby!"
Fury of the Bold Page 12
