by Reg Franklin
Kelly looked down, consulting notes. “If Zath is correct in translating Prelt time units to human, about four to six days.” Kelly smirked slightly. “You just need to press the flesh a little, Admiral. Maybe invite a couple of them on board the Alex, take ‘em for a spin around our shipyards or something.”
Chris rolled his eyes.
“Oh, and one more thing.” Kelly looked slightly nervous. “You’d better bring Ms. Safyo along. We could use someone to keep tabs on the representatives.”
It was Chris’ turn to shrug. “Sorry, but she left. She went to check on Psi-Omegan space, see if they did blow up that embassy vessel.”
Kelly glared. “You let her leave?”
“You think I let her do anything?” Chris laughed. “Far as I’m concerned, she’s a guest, can leave or return whenever she likes. Besides,” he added wryly “how exactly would I stop her?”
“Yeah, got a point there.” Kelly grumbled.
---
Jennifer triple-checked the Nadhezda’s shielding, ensuring that she should be undetectable to Psi-Omegan sensors. Satisfied, she set a course for the neighboring system. So far, they hadn’t colonized out of system yet, preferring to set up bases and colonies closer to home. Paul, ever the fan of literature, had named most of the worlds orbiting Sigma Octantis after fictional lost or hidden places. The world she was currently headed for he’d dubbed Yuggoth, after the name H.P. Lovecraft had ascribed to a fictional planet beyond Pluto. She’d set up a small base for herself there, hidden in a giant grove of mushroom-like trees.
Paul had been taken with what he called the “dark beauty” of the world, and had declared it an Imperial Preserve, forbidding large scale development on its surface. Ergo, it was largely uninhabited, and made a perfect place to hide. Jennifer reverted to realspace, and for what had to be the hundredth time found herself in agreement with him: it was a darkly beautiful world.
It spent most of its time in the shadow of one of the system’s gas giants (a world Paul had dubbed Lemuria), with its main source of light being whatever reflected off of the larger planet. As a result, fungoid organisms had come to dominate the surface of Yuggoth. Once a year, Lemuria moved away from Octantis enough for the star to shine upon the shadowed world, illuminating the true wonder of it all.
The Nadhezda smoothly navigated a gap in one of the mountain ranges, setting down in a small, secluded valley. She stepped out, feeling the cool air, and a not unpleasant cinnamon-like odor that filled the air. She breathed it in a few times, savoring it, before heading for a cave entrance. Jennifer had been busy over the past century, learning electrical engineering, carefully using the wealth she’d stolen from Paul back on Earth to purchase weapons, computers, everything she’d needed to make this a cozy little haven for herself.
“Authorization code sigma-five-bravo-three.” She ordered the anti-intruder defenses to admit her.
“Password?” The mechanical voice echoed around her.
Jennifer smiled. “For the world is hollow, and I have touched the sky.” Her favorite line and episode from Star Trek.
“Welcome home, mistress.” Lights powered on, revealing the computers, sensors, sleeping cove, kitchenette, and a small stockpile of weapons.
“Status?” She asked, sitting in front of the main terminal.
“There have been five flyovers, none of which detected this location.” The computer responded promptly. It had been one of her first purchases upon choosing this location. She was still trying to give it the voice of Majel Barrett, the actress who played the computer voice on several Star Trek series, with limited success. “All flyovers were civilian craft. However, all civilians have left planet Yuggoth in the past two weeks. There appears to be an emergency on planet Numenor.”
“Any major broadcasts from Numenor?”
“Just one, mistress.”
“Play it please.”
The screen filled with an image of Callixta, flanked by an unfamiliar young man. “Computer, pause. Identify individual next to Morsalis.”
The computer thought a moment. “Individual identified as Lord Praxus Truk of the Neuromancers. Recent graduate, said to be the star pupil of the Emperor.”
Interesting. “Computer please download a complete dossier on him, resume playback.”
Callixta was dressed in somber tones. “My people. Today I address you in the name of tragedy, for my husband, your Emperor, beloved by all, has been gravely injured.”
WHAT. Had Jennifer been drinking, she would have either choked or done a spit-take.
“He was attacked by a cowardly alien foe, a creature who dares call herself a queen. But he will recover!” Callixta all but snarled the last sentence. “This ‘queen’ is the ruler of the creatures that recently attacked the Financial District. They murdered our people on her orders! Recall that my husband and Lord Truk defended us magnificently, striking down our attackers swiftly. So she retaliates by attacking your Emperor from afar, to remove him as an obstacle from her attempts to kill all sentients in the galaxy.” She paused, seemingly for effect. “While my husband, our beloved Emperor, recuperates, I shall rule the empire in his stead. For the time being, I shall tour our borders upon my new vessel, the Hecatomb, with the Lord Truk serving as advisor and bodyguard.”
She went on a bit longer, talking about duty to the state, how they had to unite as a people against the threat, but Jennifer had heard enough. “End playback. Computer, see what you can find on this incident that Stragdoc was injured in. While you’re doing that, pull up Truk’s dossier on terminal one.”
She cracked open a bottle of water to drink while she read. Truk was in his early twenties, had graduated the Neuromancer academy with high honors, skilled in using telekinesis to increase the force of physical blows, rumored to be developing an entire martial skill-set using this technique. Good with a sword as well as firearms, she saw footage remotely recorded of the leap he’d made to kill one of the city’s Vandle attackers, and raised her eyebrows appreciatively.
“Mistress, I have found information on the assassination attempt, as logged by Praxus Truk. Shall I continue?”
“Truk? He logged a report?”
“The file states that he was the one who discovered the Emperor and Empress, unconscious outside of some kind of holding cell. Upon waking, the Empress was able to make mental contact with the Emperor, and found that he had been, in her words ‘locked in’ his body, that it would take time to liberate himself, and in the meantime she was to take command in his stead.”
Jesus, the Lavnabren has that kind of power? Wait. “Holding cell? They had a live Vandle? The Lavnabren?”
A pause as the computer checked information. “Negative. There was a severed Vandle head in the holding cell, as well as a dead alien life form identified as a Prelt named Codex by the Empress. She claimed to have killed it in self-defense.”
“Codex? That’s not a Prel...t...name…” Jennifer dropped the bottle in shock. Zath’s voice echoed in her mind.
+our agents last reported Quordex in the vicinity of the near-human planet.+
She’d killed Quordex. She was running the fleet. The fact that the Prelt couldn’t contact the worldship they’d sent.
It was possible that Paul wasn’t the Soulshrieker.
Callixta was.
23.
Kelly brushed a small fragment of lint off his shoulder as he watched the unfamiliar ship descend. It was all delicate smooth lines, almost a work of art in its own way, but according to Zath, that was a Xaodi trait. They valued aesthetics over warfare, turning to a pacifist lifestyle as a culture, but agreeing that they would defend themselves if provoked. In the meantime, art was to be the focus of the people.
Zath had previously remarked that he thought that Kelly would like the Xaodi, and if this gorgeous shuttle was any indication, Kelly found himself in agreement with the Prelt. As it approached, he got a better look at it, seeing that precious gems had been inlaid across the hull, creating a mosaic pattern of
an arboreal landscape. It touched down, and Zath appeared at Kelly’s side.
+It has been too long since I looked upon the works of the Xaodi.+ There was a touch of wistfulness in his voice.
“Is their planet as lovely as that portrait indicates?”
+Oh yes. Xaod is untouched by war thus far; most races agree that to inflict any damage to that world would be a crime most foul.+ A hatch irised open, with a short ramp descending to the ground. A Prelt was first to emerge.
+I am Nya-tha-Oeth. I introduce to you Athlé Ma’ald of the Xaodi people and her retinue.+ The Prelt stepped aside, allowing the Xaodi to descend to a chorus of murmurs. These aliens were very human-like, two legs, two arms, two eyes. But the eyes were larger than the human norm, half again as big. Their bodies also appeared to be more slender and delicate, suited more for quick movements. Kelly found himself comparing them more to Earth’s deer rather than the apes from which humans evolved from. Aside from their eyes, the most striking detail about the Xaodi was their hair. Each of the aliens had two different colors on their heads. Each had a shock of white hair that hung loosely around their shoulders, with another color styled carefully upon the tops of their heads. The lead Xaodi, presumably Athlé Ma’ald, had a striking shade of crimson woven in a series of braids piled high upon her head. Her eyes were an almost shocking shade of aquamarine.
She smiled at both Kelly and Zath, then spoke. The Xaodi language was basically song, a musical aria emanating from her throat. Her Prelt escort spoke when she was done. +Athlé Ma’ald bids greetings to you of Earth and to you as well, Tzth-to-Urdo. She hopes that we may find common ground in our struggle for survival.+ She sang again, this time the sound emerging reminded Kelly of a funerary dirge. +We are lucky to arrive here, for the abominations of Quordex assaulted Xaod just before we left. Several priceless troves were lost before they were driven off.+
“We ourselves recently fended off an assault by the Vandle so I sympathize with Ambassador Ma’ald’s situation.” Kelly said. Nya-tha-Oeth translated, the song coming out as a series of croaks in the Prelt accent. “We have prepared quarters for you and your people, surely nothing as grand as you must possess on Xaod, but we will make you as comfortable as you like.”
The aria came back. +Athlé Ma’ald appreciates your courtesy, human. But you have yet to introduce yourself.+
Stupid! Kelly mentally berated himself. “Forgive me, I was, ah, moved by the plight of the Xaodi people and their great loss, and so forgot myself.” Smooth recovery. “I am Kelly Young, interim president of Earth and her colonies.” He bowed slightly. “It pleases me to be your host.”
Another burst of music. +Athlé Ma’ald thanks you, interim President Young. She requests texts on your language so that my skills no longer be required.+
“Absolutely. And I extend the same request of Athlé Ma’ald, in the hope that I may learn the Xaodi language.” Kelly smiled.
Following the translation, she grinned back at him, revealing one other trait the Xaodi had that was different from human: fangs. As his own people went to escort Athlé Ma’ald to her chambers, Zath moved closer to Kelly.
+It has been some time since I saw Thao. She and I were close once.+ a suggestion of a sigh rippled his body. +What do you think of the Xaodi?+
“They seem lovely enough, and that language of theirs more so. Just...the fangs...are they exclusively carnivorous?”
+They are more ceremonial in nature. A show of them is a way of saying ‘I do not fear you, cross me at your peril.’+
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Kelly swallowed.
---
“Empress, I have a report for the Emperor if he is available.”
Callixta glared at Dr. Peters through the viewer. She’d always thought of him as an insufferable little toady. Never had the time of day for anyone but her husband, and normally that wouldn’t matter too much. But things were different now. She ruled while he continued his recovery.
“Obviously he hasn’t recovered yet, doctor, or I would have announced it. You will make your report to me.”
“Oh I know his body is still non-functional, but I am quite aware that his mind has been reaching out. Could you see if he would make contact with me, Empress?”
Callixta began grinding her teeth. “Doctor. I control the Empire currently. And even if he were not in his present condition, we rule jointly. Now give me your report before I order the Hecatomb back to Numenor and begin an immediate orbital bombardment of your facility.” As she spoke the words, she felt her husband’s comforting mental presence begin to surround her.
Something troubling you, dear Callixta? Oh. Simon.
“That may be, your majesty, but the Emperor was quite specific that I only report to him on this matter.”
Yes, I did. But that was before my present...predicament. Tell him that.
Callixta repeated the words. The doctor seemed nonplussed.
“In that case I shall wait for his recovery. Thank you, Empress.”
Stop! “You would dare?” Callixta snarled before Peters could disconnect the transmission.
Clear the bridge.
“Clear the bridge!” She repeated.
My fault really, Simon is something of a work in progress. Now repeat precisely what I tell you…
Peters now looked annoyed. “Highness I have other matters to attend to.”
“Your first matter is to hear and obey the word of your Empress!” Callixta stood. “Perhaps you believe that the Emperor doesn’t tell me everything?”
Simon cocked his head. “Actually, I do believe that. People keep secrets from each other all the time.”
She smiled sweetly. “Rho. Beta. Gamma. Psi. Need I go on?”
The effect was instantaneous. Simon’s eyes widened in horror. “N-no! Yes Empress, I shall make report to you!”
“Transmit it. I can’t bear to look at you or hear you mewling any longer.” She resumed her seat. “All officers return to the bridge.”
Despite her confident exterior, inside she was confused. What did I just do?
I’ll explain later. Long story. Now let’s see what he was ready to report.
Once the bridge was restaffed, she took her leave. Back at her quarters, she read the files Peters had sent.
Well? What does it say? Can’t exactly read in this state.
It says that he has isolated the carcinogen in Vandleifdulus blood. A new heavy element that he code-names “omicron”. In terms of using it as a bio-weapon, we would need gallons of blood sprayed over a wide area. But there are other uses for it.
Such as? The Emperor was all but purring in her mind.
Unalloyed, it’s highly unstable. Hitting it with narrow beam gamma radiation causes an amazing amount of energy to release. As a fuel source, the possibilities are endless.
Amazing. And they used this stuff to create their blood? Pity Codex is dead, I’d like to know more.
It goes on to say that in an alloyed form, omicron completely bonds with the other material, creating a new substance that is far stronger than the original. An alloy of omicron and iron results in a substance five times stronger than standard steel!
There was a fleeting absence in Callixta’s mind. Then, How much was Simon able to extract?
She scanned the report. From the bodies recovered, about a kilo was sifted from their blood and deemed viable for experimentation.
Callixta couldn’t see it, but in the isolation tank, one of Paul’s hands reflexively closed into a fist, while his face twisted into a smirk.
Return to Numenor, darling. Gather a small fleet. We are going hunting for live game.
---
Kelly straightened his jacket as he approached the quarters given to the Xaodi delegation. He rapped on the door politely and waited. Before long a young Xaodi boy opened it, looking quizzically at Kelly.
And Kelly realized he didn’t have Zath or the Prelt named Thao to translate. “Athlé Ma’ald?” he asked. Perhaps the Xaodi were a quick study when
it came to linguistics? The boy seemed to understand, leaving the door. A moment later, the alien diplomat arrived, still in the regal outfit she’d arrived in, but with the addition of a small device around her throat, cunningly wrought in the shape of a flower.
“President Young.” Kelly started slightly at the English that emitted from the device. “Forgive me for use of this translator until I am fully able to speak your tongue.” Her lips didn’t move at all.
“Ah. Quite all right, I cannot speak your tongue either after all.” Was his lame response.
“Of course. Hence the further use of the translator.” She traced a line from her throat to one of her ears. “It also makes your words into ours.” Kelly leaned in slightly and saw a very narrow line extending along the path she’d indicated. “Please forgive as well that I did not wear this upon arrival, it would have been useless without a language primer.”
