Perilous choices, p.17
Perilous Choices, page 17
part #11 of Gate Ghosts Series
Gat’r felt uncertain about what to do next, but Shoya had no such problem. She gripped Gat’r’s hand and led him to their sleeping quarters.
On the planet, Wymron believed he’d been too passive lately, which is why he chose to initiate another massive rally. Minimalist was requested to support him, and Wymron’s admins sent out invitations to the elders and the general population.
Four cycles later, the stadium filled quickly with citizens who were fortunate enough to gain seats.
Near the appointed hour, the elders filed into the stadium to assume their reserved seats.
Then, on the top of the hour, Wymron led an unusual collection of individuals onto the central platform. Beside him walked Iltaft. Behind them came Minimalist, Luther, Morgoth, and Timteri, who had her hand in the crook of the Crocian’s arm. Last, but certainly not least, Shoya and Gat’r led the new class of Queller pilots.
Iltaft had gurgled at the list of individuals whom Wymron had requested attend him on the platform, and she applauded what he intended to present to the leaders and the community.
After everyone was seated, Wymron approached the lectern. Raising his arms wide, he declared, “New future for Quellers. Embraced by some. Frighten others. No need for fear. See.”
On cue, Luther signaled the massive holo-vid projector that Morgoth had assembled. It was just to the left side of the platform’s base, but it projected ten meters above it.
The audience watched the arrival of the Dwerve warships and the accompanying freighter, and they heard Minimalist narrating. The ships had been well-covered by the media. However, they now got to see the investigation of the modules and see the excited inspectors.
As Quellers prized their grains, the bounty and diversity had many salivating. That only increased when Minimalist spoke of the increased shipments in the coming annuals.
When the vid finished, Wymron nodded sagely to his audience. “Dwerves. Woots. Sisters. Allies,” he said. “Good trade for Quellers.” Then extending a hand toward Iltaft, he added, “Conclave Representative Iltaft,” and traded positions with her.
“The vid you’re about to see will intrigue and shock you,” Iltaft began. “Afterward, I’ll explain why it was crucial for Quellers to learn this information, and how it will help us in the future.”
The audience watched an abbreviated version of the vid that Minimalist had created for Iltaft. The presence of new aliens on the other side of this single anomaly was disturbing for many.
At its end, Iltaft commiserated with her audience at the unexpected discovery. Then she asked Shoya, Gat’r, and the new pilots to stand.
“Shoya and Gat’r train Quellers to pilot conclave travelers with their new implants,” Iltaft said. “Has anyone ridden in these ships?”
Immediately, hundreds of Quellers grunted, stamped their feet, and applauded.
Iltaft grunted in return. “I take it that you enjoyed your flights,” she said.
The elders heard the enthusiastic response to Iltaft’s query. Interestingly, not a single elder had ridden with the pilot trainees and that included Lemtaca and Ergatisa.
“Soon a new ministry will be established for you to book flights on travelers piloted by our citizens. These young Quellers,” Iltaft said, pointing to the class standing behind Gat’r and Shoya. She grinned, while the hundreds cheered again.
After the noise faded, Iltaft said, “You’ve seen the recent vid, and the Utilimats are a concern. But it’s not our immediate problem. Why not?”
Thousands of voices shouted back, “The conclave.”
The stamping feet bounced the elders’ seats, which Wymron and Iltaft were pleased to see.
“The conclave,” Iltaft echoed, indicating others behind her.
In tandem, Minimalist, Luther, Morgoth, Shoya, and Gat’r rose and tipped their heads to the enthusiastic reception.
When those behind Iltaft sat down, she continued, “Julien is on the far side of that anomaly establishing new relationships. The Yerets are already grateful to the conclave for its assistance. They’re anxious to open trade with us. In addition, there are two other races who yearn for economic growth, which the conclave will assist. That’s three races who will wish to meet us. Is there anyone who doesn’t want to see their businesses grow?”
The audience grunted their amusement about the question. It was a lesson for the elders. A growing economy was a huge draw for citizens. Elders who didn’t support those conditions were likely to lose their seats.
“Think of the steps that our senior elder and you have taken to arrive here,” Iltaft encouraged. “Meeting Julien. Supporting the conclave in our defense. Choosing to join the conclave, and the conclave arriving here. Discovering that there are active races on the other sides of reopened anomalies. All of this benefits Quellers in one way or another. I’m honored to serve Quellers and our Senior Elder Wymron.”
Wymron hadn’t expected Iltaft’s closing statement. He heard a thunderous response from the audience, which embarrassed him. After a few moments, he realized that the audience wouldn’t stop until he acknowledged them. Even the elders had risen and added their applause. Although, for some, it was mild. In addition, Iltaft and those behind him continued to applaud. He could hear Morgoth’s roar above the din.
Finally, Wymron rose and stepped beside Iltaft. To the audience’s surprise he hugged her.
Iltaft heard Wymron send,
“Quellers together. A new and prosperous future,” Wymron said.
Normally reserved Quellers lost much of their composure and hugged one another, even strangers. After all, the senior elder had done it. So, it must be acceptable.
Wymron bid the audience a good morning and led his entourage off the platform. He received a great deal of congratulations from those who had sat with him on the platform. Gazing about him, he saw pride shining in Quellers’ eyes ... Iltaft, Timteri, and the new pilots.
Focusing on a young female, Wymron detected her bio ID and linked privately to her.
Wymron doubted that, but he approved of the attitude. Then he motioned to her to precede him.
Quickly, the female piloted queried Gat’r.
Gat’r’s response was,
The entire entourage boarded a single traveler, and the pilot took her seat. She waited for a conclave member to sit copilot, but no one arrived.
The young pilot grinned. As she lifted, she queried Wymron, who requested his admin building. Afterward, she asked Iltaft’s destination and delivered Iltaft and Timteri to their offices. Minimalist, Luther, and Morgoth needed separate locations, which she accommodated. The final check was with Shoya and Gat’r, who wanted to be returned to the Alexander.
After the ship had landed in a Quadrant bay, the young female Queller left the pilot’s cabin. Suddenly, she came to a stop. Her trainers and classmates had waited for her.
Shoya and Gat’r started to clap slowly, which the other pilots mimicked. Then the clapping came faster until the applause became wild.
As the passengers and pilots descended the traveler and entered the corridor, Shoya slipped a hand in Gat’r’s.
Gat’r squeezed Shoya’s hand, and she briefly leaned a head on his shoulder, as they entered a lift.
12: Change of Plans
EXECUTOR TERRITORIES
FAR IMPERIUM SPACE
As the Woot system seemed settled, Juno, Gaylene Pruitt, Kelley, and Captain Mila Papas had discussed what to do next.
Mila offered.
Juno watched Gaylene nod thoughtfully in assent. Kelley not speaking was tacit approval.
Immediately, Mila supplied an answer, which demonstrated that she’d given the subject some thought.
There was no doubt in the minds of Mila’s companions why she’d been chosen as the sisters’ advocate. During the battle to protect the Woot system, Mila had been front and center. Her leadership of the sisters’ actions had protected the Dwerve warship and the planet. Like the SADEs, who had never forgotten Alex Racine and Renée de Guirnon, the sisters would forever remember Captain Mila Pappas.
Juno and Kelley examined the data folder, while Gaylene and Mila waited.
Kelley pronounced.
As Kelley was an engineer like his patriarch, Mickey Brandon, Juno willingly accepted his opinion. Then she inquired,
At a prompt from Mila, Kelley activated his palm holo-vid and displayed the Imperium Empire’s territorial map.
Juno and Gaylene eyed Mila, thinking she was the one who invited the commodore prematurely.
Juno accepted that the subtle rebuke was due her to assuming too much responsibility for the fleet’s movements.
Ticnikrok replied.
Gaylene sent.
Juno shared.
A wide grin bloomed on Mila’s face.
Gaylene surmised.
Ticnikrok added.
After the conference, Mila privately queried Kelley.
“Wow,” Mila said softly on a single breath of air, which Kelley picked up. Then she sent,
It had taken several cycles to arrange the transfer of engineers, techs, and SADEs to the various projects. That included Captain Giselle Armand’s freighter distributing supplies to the Trident squadron that would remain behind.
When the transfers were complete, the Liberation set sail in the company of four Trident squadrons and a freighter.
Before the liner exited the system, Mila received a message from Frieda. She’d sent,
It was many cycles before the Liberation’s flotilla arrived at the outer periphery of the reverse spinward territory. Using the star map supplied by Kreus and annotated by Z, Ticnikrok assigned systems to his captains that they would investigate before joining the Liberation at the first resident drop.
If a Trident crew discovered a planet was occupied by Krackus, but no resident was to be returned there, a message to the flotilla was required. When the Liberation returned the next resident and the system was cleared, the flotilla could join the outlier Trident and deal with those Krackus and Radags. At least, that was the plan.
The first two territorial peripheries investigated by the Liberation flotilla had not been explored by the Krackus, and Juno didn’t expect that this third territory would be any different. As it was, she was correct.
The first stop for the liner was the Daubnede system. After arriving there, Captain O’Hara sat deep in the dark for three cycles. On the morning of the fourth cycle, he skirted the system and launched travelers, using the liner’s velocity to aid the small ships in reaching the rim.
By the time Derry finished his circular orbit of the Daubnede system, nine travelers were in place. Then it was a matter of waiting.
While circling the periphery, a sufficient amount of cursory telemetry had been collected to identify two Imperium transports and three freighters. Two of the freighters were collecting ore from the outer rim. The third was stationed above the inhabited world, and shuttles plied between the planet and the freighter.
Late on the seventh cycle, Tridents appeared out of the dark and signaled the Liberation.
When Juno had collected four Tridents, she signaled the single senior captain that she wanted to move on the Krackus ships.
The senior captain placed the Tridents above and below the Daubnede home world. They would ensure the freighter and the two Imperium transports didn’t escape.
Mila and two other traveler pilots had responsibility for the freighters on the outer rim, which would be slow to escape.
