“Good fortune, Captain,” Tamtoma said, clasping Gregich’s hand, before he stepped off the platform.
Security escorted Gregich below, and Tamtoma nodded at Lenson.
Derek’s eyes were still following the Packeo, and Lenson nudged him and then tipped his head toward the secondary panel.
“Apologies, Your Highness,” Derek managed to say, before he energized the gate. As he glanced toward the platform, he saw Tamtoma’s flash of teeth.
Of the entities arriving via the gates, the console operators were most disturbed by the Veklocks. Lenson hadn’t recognized the race.
The triumvirate descended the platform and marched toward the waiting line of security.
The operators were taken aback by the lack of even a most perfunctory greeting. The three birds, as Lenson thought of them, walked past the console with imperial glances down their long beaks at him and his companions. The nearest individual had clacked the beak, as if making a pronouncement about humans.
Three members of dome security spun off and led the way down the ramp for the Veklocks.
“For a moment, I wondered if I needed a shower,” Layla quietly commented, pretending to sniff at her outpost uniform.
“They’re going to be a challenge to conclave cooperation,” Lenson commented.
That was all the time they had for their exchange about the triumvirate. Lenson’s gate had fired, and he welcomed a Hyronzy.
* * * * *
“Poor Alex,” Lucia commented to Jess. “He would have to draw the Veklocks.”
The pair had been watching the arrivals of conclave delegates within the Triton dome. They’d maintained a link with Lenson, who was connected to them via the comm relays in the upper level corridor, the tunnels, and the traveler bays.
“It could have been worse,” Jess remarked. “He might have drawn the Usaanans.”
“I wouldn’t think they’d have the temerity to apply for a position,” Lucia mused.
“Personally, I wouldn’t put anything past the Usaanans,” Jess replied. “My bet is that the Usaanans applied, and they failed to get the votes of the world leaders or the Tsargit membership.”
“Isn’t it strange that neither Alain nor we have had any idea how the conclave delegates were chosen?” Lucia asked.
Jess rose to brew thé. “I was thinking about that,” he said. “We might be seeing one result of the Tsargit’s reformation.”
“Explain that,” Lucia requested.
“The Resistance and the outpost gave birth to the consortium, which pressured the reform of the Tsargit membership,” Jess said, as he watched the thé brew. “Then Alain introduces the conclave, which is widely reported.”
“You think the world leaders are energized by the possibilities,” Lucia offered.
“My thought is that we’re witnessing a transformation of attitudes,” Jess responded. “The elder races and their preferences for the status quo are falling to the wayside, making way for the centrists and the younger races, who are embracing change.”
“What does this mean for the conclave?” Lucia asked.
“Contention, most likely,” Jess replied.
Lower in the outpost station, delegates exited from two different bays but within hailing distance of each other.
Commandant Ophelia Tuttle escorted President Leslie Finian, while Major Fleetfoot and Lieutenant Weller walked on either side of Myseth mya Jaknas.
The two groups met at a central lift, and ear comms beeped, as languages updated.
Myseth eyed the collection of uniforms. “I must learn the meaning of these minor embellishments,” she commented to Sam.
When the Pyrean president and the commandant regarded Sam, he made introductions.
“You’re a tailor?” Ophelia queried.
Candace laid two fingers on Myseth’s shoulder to halt her response. Then she sent some images to Leslie and Ophelia that she’d captured in the mirrors.
“Now those are costumes,” Leslie commented enthusiastically.
“Why were you wearing these outfits?” Ophelia inquired of Sam and Candace.
As the five individuals rode the lift upward, Sam and Candace explained the nature of the Lemgart investigation and how Myseth had enabled them to penetrate the society’s elites.
“Then you have to be politically astute to be able to design costumes that portray messages,” Leslie surmised, intrigued by the concept.
At which point, Myseth launched into the subtleties of originating ensembles to convey intention among Lemgart citizenry.
When the lift doors slid open, Leslie and Myseth exited first, preceding the others.
Sam and Candace grinned at Ophelia’s perplexed expression.
<You had to be there, Commandant,> Sam sent privately.
<Understood, Major,> Ophelia returned. <I find it fascinating that these two should be so engrossed in this odd subject that they would exit the lift together and walk down this corridor without either of them knowing where they’re going.>
Sam and Candace smothered their tendencies to laugh out loud.
Much higher in the station, Jess detected Kasie’s approach to the suite, and he triggered the door.
Kasie exuberantly swept into the room.
“Control,” Jess said quickly, before Kasie’s emanations could overpower Lucia and him.
“Sorry,” Kasie replied, and curtailed her sending.
“Congratulations on your success with the dome,” Lucia said, hugging Kasie.
When Jess hugged his sister, he whispered, “Harbour would be proud,” which brought tears to Kasie’s eyes. She strove to keep her gates closed.
The thé finished brewing, and Lucia served everyone, while Kasie took a seat in a chair.
“You wanted to see me?” Kasie queried.
“I need you to perform an important task for the conclave,” Jess said, which brought the women’s heads up sharply. “Lucia and I were discussing the nature of the alliance delegates. She’s told me a great deal about the Confederation Leaders. They’re extremely astute businesspeople.”
“And we don’t know who else Alex has invited,” Lucia added.
“Are you expecting trouble?” Kasie asked.
“No, not trouble,” Jess replied. “More like contentious wrangling. I don’t want tempers to destroy what Alex is trying to accomplish.”
“Alex can control them,” Kasie said confidently.
“Only Alex won’t be conducting the conclave,” Lucia explained.
Kasie’s mouth opened and then closed. “He should,” she declared. Then she added, “Why not?”
“Alex represents Omnia Ships, a company, not a world,” Lucia replied.
“Then who will be responsible for the conclave?” Kasie inquired.
“Nikki Fowler, the Sol Enclave president,” Lucia replied.
Kasie started to ask another question, but Jess raised a couple of fingers from his mug. It was an old signal between twins.
“I need you to keep heads cool, Kasie,” Jess implored.
“There’s no way that I can ...” was as far as Kasie got before a grin split her face. “We’ll need a lot more empaths,” she said triumphantly.
“A lot more,” Jess agreed. “You’ve three days to collect some of the best. Their machinations have to be subtle.”
Kasie jumped up, excited by the prospect of leading a group of empaths to the conclave. In so doing, her gate slipped fractionally.
“Subtle,” Jess reminded Kasie, as he felt the slightest touch from her mind.
“Right, subtle,” Kasie replied, shutting her gates tightly. Then she rushed from the salon.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Lucia asked. “It could backfire on us.”
“I know my sister. I believe we can trust her with this,” Jess said confidently. “In any case, I’m thinking of sending Sam with her.”
Lucia chuckled at Jess’s layers of intrigue. “You’d have made a good ship commander, my wily one.”
31: Too Long Aboard
<Apologies for waking you, Alex,> Cremsylon sent.
The city-ship’s SADE waited until he detected an elevation in Alex’s heart rate. Then he sent, <Hector has left an urgent message for you about the Swei Swee. He requested you be informed when you woke. However, my analysis of your relationship with the species indicates a preference for you being notified immediately.>
<You did right, Cremsylon,> Alex sent, which the SADE used to validate his decision. <Ready a traveler.>
When the Freedom exited its transit below Earth, the city-ship had sailed to join the Our People, which was in orbit around the planet.
Alex hurried into clothes. Then he kissed Renée’s forehead lightly and slipped out of the suite.
With the early morning hours, the corridors and lifts were nearly deserted, and Alex took advantage of the emptiness to jog when he could. On the way, he listened to Hector’s message.
<Cremsylon, the president’s Sol time?> Alex sent.
<Coincidentally, Alex, only an hour earlier than ship’s time,> the SADE sent.
<Probably shouldn’t wake the president,> Alex mused.
<I’m sure Sol’s leader would welcome a call from the august leader of Omnia Ships at any time of day or night,> Cremsylon sent.
Alex chuckled. He’d come to enjoy the SADE’s emerging sense of humor.
The traveler was readied, and the pilot launched the ship the moment Alex boarded, the hatch sealed, and the bay doors opened.
Alex reviewed Hector’s message again. The voyage from Omnia to Sol had been overly long for the Swei Swee. Wave Skimmer and his kin lived for their daily interactions with the oceans. Subjected to months in confining pools, they’d become withdrawn. Now food wasn’t being eaten, and Hector worried for their health.
<Cremsylon, Hector, I need a landing location for the Swei Swee,> Alex sent. <You’ve the data on the marine conditions at their cliffs. Find me something comparable. Hector, I will need three cargo shuttles prepped for immediate departure.>
<Alex, what of conditions on the ground?> Hector asked. <Should we be cognizant of whether a crowd might assemble?>
Alex considered the question, which was a good one.
<If I might offer a suggestion, Alex?> Cremsylon ventured. When Alex signaled in the affirmative, the SADE sent, <Earthers are about to be visited by a host of entities, who represent races they’ve never seen. The Swei Swee will be the largest and the most fearsome appearing.>
The subtlety of Cremsylon’s message intrigued Alex, which was one of the characteristics of the SADE that he appreciated. Cremsylon hadn’t so much as made a suggestion as he presented the circumstances of unveiling the Swei Swee. He’d posed the singular event against the backdrop of introducing Earthers to a wide range of races who inhabited the broader galaxy.
<Select a location that fits the Swei Swee,> Alex sent. <A small population adjacent to a beach could be useful.>
When Alex’s traveler landed aboard the Our People, he stood impatiently at the hatch, waiting for the bay to charge.
Alex was met in the corridor by Hector and Trixie. Hector signaled the location of the Swei Swee, and Alex took off at a run.
Outside of the bay, Alex stopped, composed himself, adopted a frown, and entered the bay.
The three Swei Swee floated in their pools, and a group of minders tried offering fresh fish to them. The minders appeared as despondent as the Swei Swee looked.
Wave Skimmer managed to whistle a quiet greeting to Alex.
“Well, this settles it,” Alex whistled. “The three of you don’t look healthy enough to visit Earth’s waters today.”
Multiple pairs of eyeballs extended on stalks and focused on Alex.
“Swim, feed?” Swift Eyes, one of the male companions of Wave Skimmer, burbled.
“You don’t look well enough, Swift Eyes,” Alex whistled in reply. “It’s too bad. I hear the waters are teeming with life.”
Four pairs of eyeballs turned toward Wave Skimmer. Quiet, plaintive tweets followed.
“Too long aboard this vessel,” Wave Skimmer complained.
“I understand,” Alex whistled. “It’s my fault that I didn’t think of this beforehand, and I’m sorry.”
Alex’s apology seemed to have the desired effect on Wave Skimmer.
“Could swim,” Wave Skimmer allowed.
“Let’s compromise,” Alex whistled. “If you have a hearty meal, I’ll find a landing location for you, and we’ll launch at first light. That will be soon.”
“Eat,” Wave Skimmer whistled to Swift Eyes and Deep Diver.
As Alex left the bay, the minders were busy netting fish and other delicacies to feed the Swei Swee.
“An artful example of biological manipulation, Alex,” Trixie commented, as the trio made their way to the city-ship’s bridge.
“It works on SADEs too,” Alex remarked, with a grin.
His comment elicited laughter from the SADEs. Although, considering the time of the morning, it was kept quiet.
On the bridge, Hector displayed several choices for Alex of potential landing points.
Alex reviewed the data. “What about marine species?” he inquired.
The SADEs retrieved more information from Earth’s repositories about the species that occupied the oceans at the chosen sites.
“Don’t like this one,” Alex said, eliminating one at the southern tip of a continent. “Waters are too rough, and there is an enormous abundance of predators.”
“All of these locations will have predators, Alex,” Hector said.
“Then examine this one,” Trixie suggested. “It’s on the western coast of a continent. There’s a marine preserve adjacent to a small city. It would provide the right environment, and it fits your desire for the possibility of a small crowd.”
“Monterey,” Alex mused. “I like this one.”
“Should we signal the media?” Hector inquired.
“Negative,” Alex replied. “I don’t want a swarm of reporters and vid pickups. The locals will capture us, and they’ll distribute it. That way the citizens will feel that they’ve gotten first look.”
“And the president?” Trixie asked.
“Communicate to Olawale and Patrice the nature of the emergency,” Alex replied. “Signal them when our travelers enter the atmosphere. That’s when they’re to inform President Fowler, regardless of whether she’s awake.”
“The cargo shuttles are prepped to launch,” Hector noted.
“Good, but I want the Swei Swee to eat a hearty meal,” Alex replied. “I don’t want them desperate for food. That might lead to mistakes. Tell me about your guests.”
While the trio waited for a report from the minders that the Swei Swee had finished eating, Alex heard about the interactions between the various delegates. As expected, there had been lively productive discussions.
Then it will be the alliance and Confederation representatives who will be the challenges, Alex thought.
When the minders signaled that the Swei Swee were ready, Alex descended the city-ship to one of the lowest bay levels. He exited a lift and nearly walked into Wave Skimmer.
Shoving hard against the Swei Swee’s mammoth body, which filled the corridor, Alex whistled, “Share the space.”
“Grow larger, youngling,” Wave Skimmer retorted, and Swift Eyes and Deep Diver burbled their amusement.
Good. Your emotional balances have returned, Alex thought.
In the bay, Alex assigned each Swei Swee to a ship. He placed images of each Swei Swee on a traveler’s controller.
<Pilots,> Alex sent, <you’ve been assigned a Swei Swee. That’s the individual you’re to recover. I’ll give you more instructions after we land.>
Alex joined Wave Skimmer, and the pilots launched their crafts.
* * * * *
<President Fowler, ap
ologies for waking you,> Portia, Nikki’s executive assistant, sent. She rather enjoyed the ease and distance that the implants allowed her to maintain for emergency notifications and bad news, in general.
<What is it, Portia?> Nikki replied, struggling awake. She’d worked late, anticipating the conclave would begin the day after.
<You have Olawale Wombo calling for you,> Portia sent. <He says it’s important.>
<Not Patrice?> Nikki inquired.
<Olawale said that she’s still asleep, and there was no reason for the two of them to be disturbed,> Portia explained.
<Connect me,> Nikki directed.
<My apologies, President Fowler,> Olawale sent. <You’re about to have a significant news event, and Alex has asked me to give you a heads-up.>
<This couldn’t wait until the conclave’s opening day?> Nikki demanded.
Olawale winced. Nikki’s sleep had been disturbed, and the pressure of the conclave’s success weighed heavily on her shoulders.
<It’s a minor emergency, Madam President,> Olawale sent, doing his best to send a conciliatory thought.
<What?> Nikki asked, sitting upright.
<The Swei Swee didn’t handle the long journey well, Madam President,> Olawale explained. <They need to be freed from the confines of the ship to swim in the ocean.>
<Our oceans?> Nikki asked in surprise. <Sorry. Forget that. Stupid thing to say. Where? When?>
<At a place called Monterey on the North American continent. Alex and the Swei Swee are descending now,> Olawale replied.
Nikki mumbled a long string of epithets. Then she tamped down her frustration and gathered her wits. <I need a relay on this event,> she sent.
<Alex anticipated that,> Olawale replied. <Streams from Alex and the pilots will be relayed to the Our People. SADEs are standing by to edit the material in any fashion you wish, or you can have the raw imagery.>
<The raw feeds are too much data for the short time I have to respond to the media,> Nikki sent. <I’ll work with Hector and Trixie.>
<You’ll find the Freedom’s new SADE, Cremsylon, who is resident aboard the bridge, to be an excellent advisor,>