by S. H. Jucha
“Are you worried, Tatia?” Alex asked. His tone could have been politer. “Concerned that I might be developing the ability to know of events around the galaxy after they’ve happened but before we’ve received notification? Well, why not? Maybe I’ll start growing a second head. That would improve the reception.”
Renée gripped Alex’s hand and gently squeezed.
Tatia held up a palm to Alex, and he shrugged. It was shorthand for mutual apologies between old friends.
“Let’s focus on the here and now,” Renée said. It was more an order than a suggestion, and Alex grinned and squeezed her hand in return.
Alex made a request of Hector, while he linked with the others in the salon.
Alex sent, when Miriam linked him to Jess.
“Alex?” Jess burbled. He’d spoken, but his implant had transmitted his voice.
Renée carefully averted her eyes from Tatia. She didn’t want to communicate the recrimination she felt. Besides, knowing Tatia’s personality, the admiral would be loath to offer back-to-back apologies.
Jess had linked with Lucia when he heard Renée’s thought.
Lucia walked into the sleeping quarters and caught her partner’s attention. She swirled her fingers around her head and pointed upward.
Jess nodded to Lucia, and he sent,
Alex’s laughter vibrated the nearby human chests.
Jess paused, unsure whether to say something. When he decided it was a necessary courtesy, he sent,
Tatia winced, and Renée schooled her face. Alex was intent on denying what he’d experienced, except for the few immediate individuals.
Alex was touched by the concerns of Jess and Lucia, and, with considerable power, he sent his appreciation. No SADE attenuated Alex’s sending, and Jess and Lucia felt as if Kasie’s energy had swept through their minds. This time, it wasn’t an empath but Alex, the leader of the Omnians.
Julien sent.
News of Alex’s arrival circulated around the fleet. Emphasis was placed on the note that there wasn’t an emergency. Alex had arrived at the request of the outpost commander. Only the SADEs and a few individuals were aware of the time discrepancy.
* * * * *
“Who’s handling the Tripper’s retrofit?” Alex asked Mickey, while they enjoyed morning meal.
Renée, Tatia, and Julien were pleased to see that Alex’s appetite was fully restored.
“I handed off the assignment to Miriam,” Mickey explained around a mouthful of food. “I brought in Bortoth and Daktora to oversee the on-site repairs.”
Alex chuckled and said, “Imagine a pair of superior Crocian engineers turning down the opportunity to learn about a starship.”
“They were eager,” Mickey said, joining in the laughter.
“Replacing the engines?” Alex inquired.
“Yes, Alex,” Miriam replied. “We’ll be using the new carrier tri-engine design, and we’ve requested an additional order with the new carriers from Sol.”
“Speaking of Crocians, how is Gorsatha?” asked Alex, intrigued by the opportunity to meet the engineer who managed the outpost station’s build.
“Gorsatha retired to Crocia, Alex,” Jess said quietly.
Alex considered that for a moment. “He’ll make a huge dorgatha,” he said. Gazing at Julien, he added wistfully, “The end comes for all biologicals. We must do the best we can while we’re here for those yet to come.”
The remainder of the meal’s conversation focused on the exploits of the domes’ investigative teams.
Kasie, Pia, Edmas, Jodlyne, Luther, and Minimalist occupied much of the conversation.
When Minimalist received the invitation from Luther to sit at the expanded head table, he asked the reason for his presence. Luther had simply told Minimalist that he was there to observe.
The natural outcome of Minimalist sitting between Pia and Jodlyne was to be involved in every aspect of the give and take across the table.
When the two women told of being snatched by Minimalist and hauled from the platform deck, they’d laughed and called Minimalist their hero. During this poignant moment, they’d each leaned with both hands on one of the SADE’s shoulders.
Miriam had shared a knowing glance with Luther, who’d winked in reply.
Alex had noticed the interplay between humans and SADEs, which gave him great hope for the outpost’s future.
When the meal ended, Alex requested several individuals join him in Jess and Lucia’s suite.
As the group left the dining room, Jess squeezed Kasie’s hand.
Only Jess’s experience with his sister allowed him to notice t
hat she continually and subtly focused her power on Alex during the meal. He wouldn’t ask the reason for her efforts. That was a matter of privacy. But he suspected that she was doing her best to repair emotional damage.
In the suite, more individuals arrived than had been invited by Alex. Jess had included Sam and Candace. Sam was a pleasant surprise to the Omnians and warmly greeted by them. Then Sam introduced Candace.
While Candace met the new arrivals, Alex queried Jess, as to the reason for the additions.
After everyone was either seated or avatars were locked while standing, Alex turned to Jess. “Tell me of your troubles, Commander.”
“You know the good news,” Jess replied. “We can connect new gates within existing domes. We’ve done it once, and I’m informed that there’s no reason this can’t be easily repeated.”
“What about new domes?” Alex inquired.
“Not applicable to this discussion, Alex,” Mickey said. “Short answer is that new domes are probably far in the future.”
Alex nodded and regarded Jess again.
“President Finian is undergoing Jatouche medical care,” Jess said. “In her stead, Commandant Tuttle heads the Pyrean government. She’s adamant about knowing the costs of installing new gates.”
“What’s Ophelia’s opinion on new gates for Pyre?” Tatia asked.
“Prior to our success, we had a pleasant discussion about the possibility of new gates and the connecting of many of them with Resistance races,” Jess explained. “Then, when the deed was done, she became critical of the outpost, assuming that we’d charge a fortune for the technology.”
“Any reason that you see for the change of heart?” Alex inquired.
“Can’t say,” Jess replied, “but I suspect Ophelia is bringing her natural suspicions as commandant into her political efforts to act as president.”
“Well, what do you need?” Alex asked.
Jess’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.
Renée laughed. “He does that sort of thing ... asks these broad, open questions. The best thing you can do is divorce yourself from the details. Step back and look at the problem from the perspective of the long term.”
“My translator,” Alex commented offhand, tipping his head toward Renée.
“Funds are running low,” Lucia said. “We’ve about half of the annual operating budget.”
Alex eyed Julien, who said, “The credits with Sol for more carriers remain substantial. However, the purchase of additional carriers means greater employment for the outpost.”
“Should we talk about the Colony?” Alex inquired, looking toward Lucia.
Lucia laughed, which lit up her face, and Jess quietly recorded an image. “One discussion at a time, Alex, especially for humans like me who prefer simplicity.”
Alex held up his hands in surrender. He felt wonderful. Surreptitiously, he glanced toward Kasie. She’d gazed intently at him during mealtime, and she was doing it now. He thought to connect to her but reconsidered. The mental well-being was pleasant, and it didn’t interfere with the present discussion.
“You haven’t pushed for the concept of fees to install new gates, Commander,” Alex said. “Do I detect reticence?”
“I don’t like the idea, Alex,” Jess replied. “I think it would create division within the alliance.”
“I agree,” Lucia said.
“As do I,” Alex added. “Then in what form do we offer the service?”
“An exchange would be fair,” Minimalist interjected. He stood behind Pia and Jodlyne, who shared a settee. “Great risk was expended by humans and SADEs to discover the technology.”
“What would this group accept as a fair exchange?” Alex inquired, gazing at the investigation teams.
“I think Jess is right,” Kasie said quickly, and Alex noted the mental ministration lessened. Kasie was challenged to do two things at once when she was using her power. “We shouldn’t request fees for the installation or use of the gates.”
“However, the outpost needs funds,” Renée pointed out.
“If the gates were to be gifts to the alliance races, wouldn’t it be right for the Tsargit to pay for the tech?” Pia asked.
“What’s the difference between a race paying and the representative body doing so?” Jodlyne asked.
“Perhaps we should request a budget for the outpost that the Tsargit grants annually,” Tatia volunteered. “That would fit with your grand strategy.” She purposely eyed Alex, who nodded.
“We should safeguard the tech,” Luther said. “There might come a time when the Tsargit doesn’t wish to fund the outpost budget.”
“That would be our offer to the Tsargit,” Lucia said. “We’d make the outpost’s annual budget mandatory in exchange for installing the gates. Also, we must insist on annual increases to manage rising compensation.”
“Is everyone good with this?” Alex asked. “We keep the tech to the outpost. No fees for the installation or use of the new gates. The Tsargit is offered the opportunity to trade our services for funding the outpost, which must increase annually.”
Alex received assents from most. He waited while Kasie and Candace deliberated. “Questions? Concerns?” he asked.
“I wasn’t on the investigating teams,” Candace said. “I don’t think I’ve the right to vote.”
“What do you think of the offer to the alliance?” Renée asked.
“I think it’s more than fair. Probably too generous,” Candace replied.
“Then that’s the better side of the proposal to be on,” Alex remarked. He turned to Kasie, who with her head down was chewing on her lower lip. The mental ministrations he’d been feeling were completely absent.
When Kasie looked up, she said to Alex, “I’m Pyrean, but I’m employed by the outpost. In addition, I was part of the team who uncovered the method for adding gates.”
When Kasie halted, Tatia prompted, “And?”
Kasie turned to Mickey, “Don’t you want some form of compensation for Pia, Mickey? She risked her life to discover this technology, and the proposal practically gives it away to the alliance.”
Pia laid a hand on Mickey’s leg to prevent him from speaking. “Kasie, I was in stasis for seventy Méridien annuals, drifting through space. Renée, Julien, and other Méridiens were with me. It was Alex who risked his life to capture our ship. He saved us and fought for our right to maintain ownership of a derelict starship. I can do no less than he did when it comes to being generous with others.”
Kasie turned to Jess, and her eyes implored him.
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Kasie,” Jess replied. “The greatest problem alliance space has is the Colony. Everything else pales in comparison. With Omnia Ships help, we’re beginning to make a difference. My intention in speaking to Alex was to find a way to avert what I saw as an impending political disaster with the races. I think it’s imperative to keep the Resistance strong. If this proposal is what it takes, then so be it.”
“What is this?” Kasie asked. She’d received a notification in her implant.
“It’s a gift or a reward, however you wish to consider it,” Julien said. “This was discussed before morning meal, and it seems an appropriate time to distribute these. Each individual who was present in a dome and accepted the danger as part of the investigation has received a small portion of Omnia Ships.”
Kasie’s eyes swung toward Pia, who laughed.
“Kasie, I’ve been a member of Omnia Ships for a long time,” Pia explained. “I believe that’s true for many individuals in this room.”
“What’s this worth?” Kasie blurted, and Jess winced. His sister was in her unregulated state.
Kasie received another message. It was marked private, and it was from Julien. The SADE had given her the estimate for the next annual distribution. She read the note, and her mouth fell op
en.
“Um ... I’ve no objections to the proposal,” Kasie said softly and fell quiet, which brought chuckles to the audience.
“Okay, let’s talk politics,” Alex said, and he laughed when most of the audience made polite excuses and exited the suite. “Sometimes, I’d like to leave too,” he added, as the final individual cleared the doorway threshold.
“If you did, I’d follow you,” Jess said.
“Cowards,” Renée said, laughing. “This is the best part. Think of the intrigue.”
22: Unknown Sender
“Well, Commander, list our challenges,” Alex requested, clasping his hands together.
Knowing the discussion would be protracted, Lucia rose to make thé and caf. She was pleased to see Candace join her to help.
“We need to present the proposal to Ophelia,” Jess replied.
“For her approval?” Alex questioned.
“It’s more important to test the temperature of her reaction,” Jess explained. “If she’s pleased with it, then it’ll go a long way toward smoothing our relationship.”
“I’ve a question, Alex,” Lucia interrupted. “Are all of Triton’s new gates to be chosen by the Pyreans? Doesn’t the outpost require one or two for far connections?”
Candace glanced toward Sam, and he subtly shook his head.
“I think that should be part of the discussion that we have with Ophelia,” Alex replied. “We can ask, but it’s up to the Pyreans to grant us the access. This is their system, not ours.”
“Remember, Admiral,” Renée said, as Lucia and Candace set mugs around the room, “there are many advantages in Pyre’s future for maintaining alignment with us. It shouldn’t be hard for the Pyreans to see that.”
Lucia wanted to argue the point, but Jess didn’t appear to be concerned. So, she acquiesced.
Alex turned to Jess and prompted, “Then what next?”
“We present to the Tsargit,” Jess continued. “I think the membership will be thrilled with the proposal, but we’ll run into trouble in the details.”
“Explain,” Julien requested.
Jess paused to organize his thoughts. He made a series of short notations in his implant to prompt him.
