Fatal flaws gate ghosts.., p.3
Fatal Flaws (Gate Ghosts Book 13), page 3
Temtalum and Teffloose met, and their audience watched their wings flutter extensively.
Korvath approached Doktorg. “We’ve expertly managed not to cross paths,” he said. “Perhaps, it’s time to share a path.” Rather than deliver the Krackus salute of a declinator to a fleet imperator, he extended a hand in the traditional conclave manner.
“It’s worth discussing,” Doktorg replied, shaking the hand offered him.
It wasn’t the enthusiastic response that Korvath had hoped to receive. However, he considered it a start, and he intended to win Doktorg to the projects he visualized.
“During the next cycles, our movements will be more complicated than the previous visit,” Iltaft said, directing her attention toward Eshtitor.
“Problems?” the captain queried, which elicited soft laughter from Quanitine.
“Representative Iltaft, can we expect that the Trevonian experiment went well?” Quanitine inquired.
Iltaft grunted humorously. “You have no idea how successful,” she replied. “Multiple actions involving the conclave and the Quellers are in place to develop Trevonian and other worlds.”
“You sound more hopeful than excited,” Quanitine noted.
“There’s a lot happening to prepare for the next steps. We hope they’ll lead to the kind of success witnessed on Trevonian,” Iltaft responded.
Korvath subtly caught Doktorg’s attention, and he tipped his beak in Iltaft’s direction.
“It sounds as if we need to spend more time here before returning to the Woots to ensure your success,” Eshtitor offered.
“It would be greatly appreciated,” Iltaft replied.
“We’ve been sent to be of whatever assistance we can render, Representative Iltaft,” Orly said. “The Withern is at your disposal.”
Dwerve eyes and Krackus orbs regarded Orly.
Cyan chuckled, borrowing a Méridien female’s delightful manner. “Orly is trying on a new persona,” she explained. “Your encouragement would be appreciated.”
Orly listened to the applause that came her way. As the noise died down, she deadpanned, “There’s no guarantee I’ll keep it.” The laughter had her grinning.
“I appreciate and will take every bit of support that’s been offered,” Iltaft said gratefully. “Can we start at my offices tomorrow morning?”
As Iltaft spoke, she’d eyed the captain, the sisters, and Doktorg. Receiving everyone’s assent, she collected Korvath and Temtalum and departed.
Behind Iltaft, Eshtitor, Quanitine, and Doktorg exchanged glances. Teffloose took the hint and made herself absent.
“I received a message from Korvath,” Doktorg commented.
“The first Krackus to flee the empire, correct?” Quanitine queried.
“Many of us hated what he did. It was much later that we learned he saw the future clearer than any of us,” Doktorg admitted.
“What did Korvath want?” Eshtitor asked.
“The message said that he and I should meet with Iltaft,” Doktorg replied. “It was Teffloose who told me about developing conditions for the Quellers.”
“Negative or positive?” Eshtitor pressed.
“Korvath’s message and Teffloose’s words indicate opportunity. I take them to be positive conditions,” Doktorg said.
“Perhaps, you should keep that meeting,” Quanitine said.
“What of the two of you?” Doktorg inquired.
“I think this warship has long since served its purpose,” Eshtitor responded. “I intend to land every Dwerve on a Queller planet until this ship is empty.”
“Then what?” Doktorg pressed.
“Then the three of us will be out of jobs,” Eshtitor admitted.
“Thought as much,” Doktorg said. “Are the Woots of any interest to you?”
Quanitine sidled behind Eshtitor. She rested her long fingers on his broad shoulders and placed her scaled cheek next to his furry one. Focusing on Doktorg and nuzzling Eshtitor’s cheek, she said, “Our captain will never be one to be happy planetside.”
Doktorg gurgled. “I know the feeling,” he said. “Then I think our best opportunity to remain in space is to ally ourselves with the conclave.”
“Define alliance,” Quanitine requested.
“We know that Iltaft has a conclave implant. So does Korvath,” Doktorg pointed out. “And we know it takes an implant to crew aboard a conclave ship.”
“Are you thinking of a conclave Trident?” Eshtitor inquired.
Doktorg gurgled heavily and then added, “I don’t think the conclave principals are ready to let the likes of you and me near a warship. However, a freighter and travelers might not be out of the question.”
“It’s a possible path,” Quanitine urged.
“It would also be a serious demotion,” Eshtitor said, his shoulders sagging.
Quanitine’s long strong fingers dug briefly into Eshtitor before she stepped around him to look him in the eyes. “I don’t think the conclave has a ship bigger than this one for you to captain,” she remarked.
Eshtitor’s deep-chested laughter reverberated from him. “Too true,” he agreed. “I suppose we must consider a possible future as opposed to no future at all.”
“That was my opinion,” Doktorg added. “If I can be of help to Iltaft, then we would have the Quellers on our collective side for requests made to the conclave.”
“Tomorrow’s meeting should be interesting,” Quanitine opined.
Just before starlight lit Devona’s capital, Temtalum collected the sisters and the Dwerve contingent. Her sibling sat copilot with her, as Temtalum dropped planetside.
The conference room was crowded.
Temtalum’s passengers had joined Iltaft, her new direct reports, Korvath, Timteri, Kosyet, Wymron, Minimalist, Luther, and Morgoth.
Iltaft presented the Trevonian developments, which pleased the Dwerves and Doktorg. “You can see that the conclave’s efforts are aiding the Trevonian settlements,” she said. Then she introduced Timteri and Kosyet.
Timteri explained her role to support the next phase of Dwerve landings on Queller worlds.
Kosyet followed with an explanation of her job to support the growth and sale of Trevonian products.
Eshtitor’s frown had increased as Timteri and Kosyet spoke.
Minimalist signaled Iltaft about the captain’s expression.
“Do you have concerns, Captain Eshtitor?” Iltaft asked.
“From these reports, it would seem that you have everything in hand, but that wasn’t what you implied when you were aboard our ship,” Eshtitor said.
On hearing the translation, the Quellers, including Wymron, grunted heavily.
Wymron shook his quills, gathering attention to himself. “Excellent plans. Challenges to deliver,” he remarked.
“So, you have the outline of a strategy, with, as yet, undefined tactics,” Doktorg surmised.
“Well said,” Iltaft replied.
“Then this meeting is meant to coordinate the implementation details of the next phase of Queller adoption of the Dwerves,” Quanitine concluded.
“Now we’re in sync,” Iltaft said, pleased that they’d achieved a common recognition of the circumstances.
“Will the grain dispersals align with the Dwerves immigrating to Queller worlds?” Cyan inquired.
Eshtitor replied, “On the last visit, the majority of the shipment was delivered to the most populated planets. Some was saved for the Trevonians.”
“Understood,” Cyan replied. “Then the Withern could facilitate dropping the Dwerves planetside, while the freighters sail to their destinations.”
“Efficient,” Wymron commented, which the audience took to mean the suggestion was adopted.
“Representative, which worlds are being offered Dwerves and how many can land?” Eshtitor inquired.
The conference table’s holo-vid lit, and Minimalist displayed imagery taking from Devona’s databases.
“These are the four planets that need serious help,” Timteri said. “I’ve met with each council to determine their immediate problems and the long-term solutions they require.” Then she outlined the issues and the types of Dwerves requested by the councils.
“You don’t appear to suggest any issue with acceptance of the Dwerves,” Quanitine noted.
The holo-vid display changed, and the audience observed head-and-shoulder images of Quellers.
“These individuals were credited by the Trevonians and the Dwerves with managing their successful integration,” Timteri explained. “I took them with me to visit the four planets I mentioned. A SADE displayed before and after vids of Trevonian. Afterward, the question was always how soon will the Dwerves arrive.”
“And the Dwerve numbers for the four planets?” Eshtitor asked.
The holo-vid shifted to display the four planets. Across the face of each planet was a number written in Queller, Dwerve, and Krackus.
Eshtitor added the four numbers, and he turned to smile at Quanitine, who smiled in return and whose fingers brushed his muzzle.
The Quellers planned to settle more than nine thousand Dwerves on four planets.
“Now the tough part,” Timteri said, and she motioned toward Morgoth. As she passed him, she ran her hand down his scaled arm, and Morgoth rumbled contentedly.
“Each planet presents unique and multiple challenges to Queller settlers,” Morgoth began. “In two cases, grain can’t be dropped to be stored for later. Humidity would rot the seeds. Infrastructure is required. As the Dwerves leave the ship, Captain, it’s hoped there might be material available to provide the infrastructure.”
Eshtitor appeared stricken, and he felt Quanitine squeeze his forearm. He knew this moment would come some cycle, but he was unprepared for it to arrive this soon. After gathering his wits, he replied, “We’ll do whatever is necessary to help the Queller-Dwerve settlements. However, I would like to remind this group that my ship still needs its engines.” His quip elicited polite laughter. Many understood the angst the captain would feel surrendering equipment and significant portions of his ship.
As the presentations from Morgoth, Luther, and Minimalist continued, Korvath saw the attention of Eshtitor, Quanitine, and Doktorg flagging. He stood and stepped beside Luther. “This information is complex, but it’s easily absorbed and shared by many here,” he said. “They either possess implants or kernels.” Focusing on the Dwerves and Doktorg, he said, “Have the three of you thought of receiving them?”
The trio was taken aback by the suggestion.
Finally, Doktorg replied uncertainly, “We thought we’d have to earn the right to request such a thing.”
Korvath gurgled and said, “The three of you have more than earned the right to receive conclave support.”
“Need we wait until after the disbursement of Dwerves and grain in the event of implant impairment?” Eshtitor inquired.
“Doesn’t implant impairment cost extra?” Cyan inquired innocently of Minimalist and Luther.
“We haven’t done one of those operations recently,” Minimalist remarked. “We’d have to check with the medical suite.”
On hearing the translations, Doktorg was gurgling, and Quanitine was laughing softly.
“I think I’ll go with the standard implantation. No frills for me, thank you,” Eshtitor said, which had his audience erupting in grunts, laughter, rumbles, and gurgles.
The following morning, Korvath accompanied the Dwerves and Doktorg to the Alexander.
“Beautiful ship,” Eshtitor remarked, as the group strode a wide, brightly lit corridor.
While the Dwerves underwent genetic analysis, Doktorg received his implant. Having been cautioned by Korvath to wait to use his implant, he requested a tour of the Quadrant. It wasn’t long before he tired of walking the ship, and the pair stopped to eat.
“Medical has had Eshtitor and Quanitine for a long time,” Doktorg noted, as he enjoyed the food.
“I’ll check,” Korvath said, holding up a finger. Moments later, he added, “That’s interesting. Eshtitor and Quanitine have significantly different genetics.”
“Multiple adoptions of other races,” Doktorg explained.
“You’ll have to tell me about that some time,” Korvath replied.
“Ah, here they are,” Korvath said, even though he had his back to the meal room’s entrance.
Gat’r and Shoya met with Iltaft and Timteri aboard the Alexander, and she’d urged them to train the Dwerves and Doktorg.
When the Quellers saw Gat’r’s and Shoya’s brows furrow, Timteri sent,
Gat’r quickly accessed the Alexander’s controller for information about the Queller world. he shared privately with Shoya, and the pair laughed.
Timteri blinked twice. Then she said,
3: We Can’t Swim
PAVBLEG
EQUATORIAL QUELLER WORLD
It was decided that the grain carried in the Withern’s travelers would be a good start for the four planets.
After the Krackus freighters left for their destinations under the guidance of SADEs, the Dwerve ship and the sisters’ mini-Quadrant set sail for Pavbleg.
During the journey, Minimalist, Luther, and Morgoth scoured the Dwerve ship for equipment that they could use to support the nine thousand Dwerves who would be offloaded to the various Queller planets.
In a conference room, Eshtitor, Quanitine, Doktorg, Korvath, Iltaft, Timteri, Gat’r, and Shoya met to discuss the transfer planetside to Pavbleg.
Long ago, the sisters had set a holo-vid into this one conference table, which many conclave members had put to good use. This time, Gat’r and Shoya were sending images from multiple sources to the holo-vid.
As this was the third cycle after implantation, Eshtitor, Quanitine, and Doktorg spent their allotted training time monitoring the conference session.
Timteri quickly offered.
The following morning, Temtalum and Teffloose dropped planetside to pick up the five councilors. They followed Timteri’s directions and sought a focused beam flashing on and off high in some tall trees.
Temtalum backed the cargo traveler toward a tree house with a wraparound deck. Then she dropped the ramp.
Teffloose hurried to assist the councilors, who she believed might be older. Instead, the councilors were about Iltaft’s age, and they jumped sprightly from the tree house deck to the ramp.
Then the Quellers stared at their first Toralian.
“You are conclave, correct?” the senior councilor inquired.
