by C B Williams
She grinned. “One of us will be bringing you a food tray. I’m sure you’re still hungry.”
Jon glanced at Perin as she serenely led him down the corridor to his assigned quarters. What was it about this woman that made him feel so comfortable, so at peace?
"It’s because we are both Seers. We are the same." she replied when he asked her. "I have Seen you in True Dreams. More than once. I know you, Jon."
He shook his head as he tried to calm his churning thoughts. "It doesn't make sense. None of this makes any sense."
She laughed, the clear bell-like sound he enjoyed so much. "I gave up trying to make sense of it a long time ago. It has made my experience so much easier. I recommend it." She paused in front of a door. "Here is your room." She waved her hand in front of the door panel and the door slid open. "Rest. Gather yourself. Food should be arriving soon." She touched his hand. "Trust your True Dreams, Jon. It will be all right. You'll see."
He watched her move down the corridor, her fingers gently trailing along the wall until she disappeared into the room next to his.
Inside his room, he found all the amenities of a well-appointed hotel suite. The lighting could be raised or lowered at his voice command. So, too, the drape covering a viewing port. The bed was expansive, with a light, downy duvet. The carpeting was deep and plush. There was a WC off the room with a full bathing area, not the cramped WC he was used to. The dark blue upholstered sofa and twin chairs seemed even nicer than his father's. The restful grey wall covering, definitely nicer.
Before he had a chance to sit, the door chimed and Eloch entered at his invitation, carrying a covered tray.
"I have food," Eloch said as he placed the tray on the table in front of the sofa. "An assortment of things," he said, lifting the cover.
Jon felt his eyes widen when he saw the bountiful variety of meats, cheeses, breads, and strange spheres in a bowl he assumed to be a fruit of some sort. He eyed Eloch. "There seems to be more here than one man could eat," he said noticing the two plates, a large pitcher of water, and two glasses accompanying the food.
Eloch smiled. "I decided to join you. We can talk while we eat." He took a seat in one of the chairs and began filling his plate.
Jon sat on the sofa and followed suit.
The food was quite good and he said so.
"Thank you," Eloch said. "We grow the food in the Solar Farm, and the automated galley does the rest.”
"No cook?"
Eloch shook his head. “Unless someone wants to, but it's not necessary. This ship is fully automated." He raised his hand, "Not my doing, though. It was designed to be."
"Really? Quite the sophisticated technology. I'd love to have a look at it. New technologies fascinate me."
Eloch grinned. "You sound like Genji and Spider. They are perpetually hungry for information." Eloch took a bite of his sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. "Please tell me about your people, Jon. What are they like?"
Here it comes, thought Jon, and he took his time before answering. "We are a very old society made up of many planets and peoples. We're peaceful but are prepared to defend ourselves against aggression. That's what these star gates are all about. We're forming a ring around our galaxy and establishing a perimeter of outposts. As you are well aware, a galaxy is billions and billions of light-years across. As I mentioned earlier, without the star gates, it would be impossible to keep peace.”
He looked up to meet Eloch’s gaze. “And so, if you were to destroy our star gates, we would consider it an act of aggression and would do all we could to stop you."
Eloch nodded thoughtfully. "I can liberate the planets from this frequency without setting foot in yours. You can’t stop me from here."
"True, but we can track you by your energy signature. After all, I found you twice. Even if you kept me here, in this reality, another navigator would find you again," Jon said. "And we would simply replace any fission generator wands you destroyed as soon as you destroyed them.”
"I will be teaching the Sisters—the planets—how to guard Themselves so you will not be able to access their energy any longer."
Jon shook his head. "And then we would create something else. We're a tenacious lot. Don't you see? It will go on and on and on."
He took a breath. "As I said earlier, I’m on your side. I meant it, Eloch, and still do. I don't like the thought of draining the life force of a planet until it cannot sustain life and can barely sustain itself. If there were another way to travel across our galaxy, I'd be behind it one hundred percent."
Eloch rubbed his chin. "What if I told you there is another way?” he asked after a moment.
"There is?" Jon set down his food. "There truly is?"
Eloch nodded. "We travel using the space-time connections that are found throughout all space, and I am told, in all dimensions."
"Wormholes," Jon whispered.
Eloch nodded. "Wormholes."
"But how?"
"Your technology sniffs out energy sources that happen to be planets, and our technology sniffs out wormholes."
"It's impossible to travel through one," Jon said. "It would kill you, destroy your ship."
Eloch shrugged. "Yet our pilots do it all the time."
"And how do you know where you will end up if you go through one?"
"It's our technology." Eloch sat back, steepled his fingers, and studied Jon for several moments. Finally he continued. "I have a proposal for you to consider. I know you don't speak for your people, but," he chuckled, "you're the only one I can ask."
He sobered. "Jon, if we were to share our wormhole navigation technology and teach your pilots how to safely travel through them, do you think your people would be open to shutting down their star gates?"
Jon was quiet for several minutes before he answered. "I honestly don't know," he said. "But, underneath it all, we are truly peace-loving and life-affirming. We are thriving throughout a galaxy comprised of many peoples and cultures, and without war. Skirmishes, yes, but those are usually solved through negotiation and kept on-planet.” He smiled. "And there are a good many of us who are as curious as your Genji and Spider. I know many of our kind would embrace this new technology and be eager for the challenge."
Eloch smiled. "There is hope, then."
"There is hope," Jon agreed.
"Whom would I need to speak with?"
John grimaced. "I’m not sure. Let me think about who would be best."
Eloch nodded, then rose, towering over Jon. "Thank you for our conversation. It was very enlightening. I feel hopeful." He smiled. "I will leave you now to think. And allow you to finish your meal in peace and to rest."
"It was enlightening," Jon said, rising. "Thank you for the delicious food."
Eloch paused at the door, "When you wish to contact us, just ping." He pointed to a small panel underneath the door chime. "You'll find several of these placed around your room."
After he left, Jon went back to his food. As he chewed, he let his eyes wander around the space and wondered what else was placed around the room. Although Eloch was gone, it felt as if a part of him was still present.
Later, after a shower, Jon lay on his bed, arms folded behind his head, and considered his choices.
Although he was abducted only a few hours ago, it seemed much longer. If he agreed to help, it would be much, much longer before he saw home. Most likely never.
But if negotiations were involved, he was sure he would end up in a mediator position, and he could still see his loved ones.
He stilled. But suppose he couldn’t? What if he never saw his loved ones again? Most of the people in his life he rarely saw anyway, he reflected. Friends had come and gone, but his reputation as the prime navigator in the empire brought him more jealousy than friendship. Because of his fame, his life really wasn’t his own. If he were to stay, become part of this motley group of people, maybe it wouldn’t be too bad. His thoughts drifted to Perin. Maybe not bad at all.
He was so drawn to h
er. Yes, she was beautiful and exactly the type of woman he was normally attracted to, but it was more than that. It was as if he’d known her for a long time. Had he experienced what she called True Dreams about her before? Was that why he felt so at home with her? He really wasn’t sure. Maybe? Long ago?
He wasn’t even sure what a True Dream was, and he had certainly never been trained to decipher such a dream’s meaning. But he had had recurring, extremely vivid dreams, although when those dreams became reality, he had labeled those episodes more of a déjà vu-type experience.
Jon blew out a breath. He would need to discuss this with Perin so he could better understand what Dreaming True was about.
One thing he did know. If he stayed and allied himself with this small, fascinating group of characters, Perin would be one of the deciding factors. He also already knew that if he chose to go home, he would always wonder what could have happened between them.
His thoughts shifted to his conversation with Eloch and the new technology he described. To travel through a wormhole! He would love to experience it. And to learn a whole new technology! With that technology, his navy could still fulfill its mission of surrounding their galaxy with protective outposts—without sucking planets dry.
But the cost! They had spent billions on these star gates. Who could convince the government’s accountants this new technology would be a good long-term investment?
Jon shot up straight and reached for the small panel located conveniently at his bedside.
Who, indeed?
Chapter 22
Solutions
They sat around the familiar galley table, various beverages in various stages of consumption in front of them.
Jon smiled and shook his head.
“What’s so funny?” Mink asked, her eyes flashing, dimples disappearing.
Jon held up his hand, “No offense, Mink. I was just thinking about recent events. I was taken from a naval ship only a few hours ago, all orderly, uniformed, and clean. And I arrived here, on this motley ship where you dress as you please, and you drink what you please, when you please. It strikes me as funny is all.”
“I get it,” Aiko said. “I worked for the Ring Colonizers, a branch of our military. Life on board this ship, it’s different, true. Much more relaxed. But underneath we do have structure. Just like in the military, we…what did you call us?
“Motley?”
Aiko smirked. “Yeah, motley. Where was I? Right, just like in the military, we motley folk are either on or off duty at any given moment.” She held up her wine glass. “I happen to be off duty.”
“As am I,” Mink said, leaning forward to clink glasses with Aiko.
“Sadly, I am not,” Grale said, holding up a mug of tea. He clinked with both Aiko and Mink.
Jon grinned. “It goes deeper than that. Your behavior. It’s beyond on or off duty. You are a cohesive unit, comfortable and relaxed together,” Jon said. “It’s refreshing. In fact, I’m envious.”
“We’ve been traveling together a long time,” Spider said. He smiled at Wren. “And many of us knew each other for years before this current adventure. We’ve worked out the bugs.”
“So, what’s the common denominator?” Jon asked.
All eyes turned toward the broad-shouldered man sitting by his mate. “Eloch,” they said in unison.
“Have you made a choice?” the Common Denominator asked.
Jon felt his heart rate increase as he nodded. “I’ve always wanted to support a cause. Have a purpose.” He shot a glance at Perin. “I’m choosing to back the motley folks with the common denominator. I want to help this current situation come to a peaceful resolution. We just need to figure out what to bring to the negotiating table that will create the result we want.”
Eloch nodded with a quiet, peaceful smile. “I’m glad, Jon.”
Jon glanced around at the closed and impartial expressions. It was impossible for him to get a read on any of them, save Perin. She seemed pleased. “Remind me to never play a betting game with any of you,” he said, trying to lighten the mood.
“I know I’m going to need to convince you all.” He glanced at Spider. “Work out a lot of bugs, but if you want to know what made me decide to join you? Honestly, I believe it’s my destiny, whether I want to or not. It’s a feeling that has nothing to do with True Dreams or any other mumbo-jumbo. It’s my gut, which I trust.
“And I can’t have the peace my people strive for be destroyed fighting against someone or something like you, Eloch. We are trained from childhood to negotiate. Yes, as I’ve told you, tempers flare, skirmishes erupt, but then our mediators are called in to evaluate and guide those in disagreement into an agreement. Everyone is willing to compromise because everyone wants the same thing: peace.”
Jon focused on Eloch. “I wish to offer myself as your mediator, Eloch. I think this new technology we spoke about is a marvelous bargaining chip.”
“Wait,” said Genji. “What new technology, Eloch? Not the ability to see within the different frequencies.”
Eloch shook his head. “Of course not, Genji. Jon and I had a private conversation earlier, and I proposed that we teach his people how to travel through wormholes and make the star gates obsolete.”
“They will need trained pilots,” Grale said.
“And we’ve got two excellent pilots who can train them,” Wren said.
“We can only train those with the right amount of knack,” Aiko said. “How are we going to find them?”
Wren winked at Spider. “Spider and I know how. Way back when I was a KinLord in SubCity, Spider and I came up with a way to pre-cull our Kin. That way we could hide those we knew the Martials wouldn’t want. Spared many lives. Kept the most gifted for ourselves of course.”
A slow grin spread across Aiko’s face. “I never knew that.”
“That’s because we never talked about it,” Wren said. “Only Spider, Mouse, Flick, and I knew what we were doing.”
“Crafty,” Aiko said. “SubCity crafty. I always wondered why we got along so well.”
Wren laughed.
“So we’ll offer the FNs the wormhole technology and the training. In exchange, they will shut down their star gate system,” Eloch said. “Is that agreeable to everyone?”
“Wait,” said Jon, “FN? Let me guess, I’m an FN, but what does that mean, exactly?”
“Frequency Neighbor,” said Spider. “You are our neighbors, but living in a different frequency.”
“We shortened it,” Grale said wryly. “Some of us objected to all the syllables.”
Spider looked at Grale. “You had to bring that up now? Really?”
Grale widened his eyes. “Just giving Jon here all the details.”
“Is this agreeable to everyone?” Eloch asked again.
“Not only is it agreeable, it’s doable,” Genji said. He looked at Kalea’s worried expression. “They won’t need us, Kalea. We’ll still be going home.”
“What if these FN aliens don’t agree? They already have their space travel system up and running. Why would they want to bother with the expense and training of developing a new system?” Grale said. “Do we have a Plan B?”
Eloch sighed and looked at Jon, then Grale. “We do. One neither Jon nor I like. If the FNs don’t agree, then we will destroy the stakes as Spider and Grale taught us how to do. And I will teach the Sisters how to defend themselves against them.” He looked at Jon again. “Jon said his people would come up with something different, and we, in turn, would have to destroy that. Sadly, it would go on and on.”
“Grale makes a good point about expense,” Jon said. “I think we can use it in our negotiations. It will be just as costly to continually replace the wands and to develop new technology. Plus, with Eloch destroying star gates, they will develop a reputation for unreliability. We will eventually need to develop a new technology anyway. I believe we can convince the bean counters that in the long run they will save money by agreeing to our proposal.”
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br /> “And how do you know, Jon, that the agreement will be honored?” asked Wren.
Jon smiled. “That is one thing I do know. Negotiations take a long time in our world because once a resolution has been agreed upon, it will be honored. That is the core infrastructure of our government. We solve our problems with peaceful resolution because then we all can thrive. The mediators we will work with all know this.” He sobered. “Unfortunately, this is going to take a long time, and I worry about the planets.”
“As do I,” Eloch said. “I may need to rescue those in greatest need.”
“And it will be my job to help my people to understand why.”
“Then the sooner we begin all this, the better,” Wren said. “Do you know someone we can approach to begin the negotiations?”
Jon nodded. “I do. I think I know the perfect person. In fact, he’s the admiral overseeing the star gate implementation, and he happens to be presiding over the Defiance.” Elbows on his knees, Jon clasped his hands. “If we can convince him to enter into negotiations with us, then he will convince the others of its importance. He is planning on retirement, and he wants to leave a great legacy.
“I think we can use his desire to leave a legacy to our advantage. He wants to be remembered for the star gates. But wouldn’t it be far more satisfying, and confer more greatness, to be remembered as the man who created peace with an alien intelligence and introduced a new and safer technology to circumnavigate the galaxy?”
Wren squinted at him. “You seem to know a lot about this admiral,” she said.
“Known him all my life. He’s my father. And he does like safety. If he knew what we were doing to the life over in this dimension, he would be as mortified as I am. Introducing a safer and less detrimental technology is something he could get behind.”
“I wouldn’t know about safer, unless your pilots are well trained,” Aiko said “But there’s far more freedom using wormholes. For the most part, they’re readily available.” She looked at the others. “Granted, between galaxies there are fewer. We needed the Cryo beds to get here. But within a galaxy?” She grinned at Mink and then Grale. “Cryo beds are used more for keeping you young and combat-ready.”
