Val Vega, page 8
She’s angry that I’m only three minutes late? Okay, so Levinti culture really is anal retentive about punctuality. My perpetually-late Puerto Rican family would not do well with them. But tío Umberto always said that an apology costs you nothing but can mean everything to the offended person.
“I apologize,” I say. “I was only just appointed to the ambassadorship, and came as quickly as I could.”
A phosphorescent green pattern flashes across Kantroponar’s skin. “You did not come quickly enough. The fact remains that you are late for our appointment, derailing not only my schedule but that of my staff, creating a cascade of inefficiencies.”
I imagine the situation from Kantroponar’s perspective. She’s an ambassador for one of the most powerful species in the Galaxy, and I’m from a “primitive” planet that nobody cares about. It probably annoys Kantroponar just to have a conversation with me. I’m like a rookie breezing in late for a meeting with the best coach in the league. I need to make a bigger apology—to show her I know I’m just a rookie and she’s big-time.
Pash-Ti steps forward to say something, but I speak up first. “I’m truly sorry, Doctor Ambassador. Your time is extremely valuable, and it was disrespectful of me to arrive late, to inconvenience you and your staff, and to upset your important schedules. I’m new to these duties, and still learning, but that’s no excuse for my mistake. Please accept my humble apology.”
Kantroponar hovers silently for a few moments, her dangling tendrils swaying slightly. Several of the tendrils are adorned with rings, jewels that glow with phosphorescent colors much like the Levinti’s language. “Your humility is … appropriate. With such humility, perhaps you will one day earn the prestige commensurate with the ersatz title you now bear.”
A note flashes across the holoscreen on my wrist: Prestige is an approximate translation for the Levinti concept of respect resulting from scholarly achievement and devotion to the Levinti Scholocracy. That’s helpful to know, and it’s a relief that Kantroponar seems to be easing up about the lateness.
Kantroponar floats away from me and seems to pause in reflection. Beyond her looming body, there are two other figures in the room. A much smaller jellyfish-like creature hovers just behind her—only slightly larger than a human being. Its skin is partially transparent, while Kantroponar’s is white, when she’s not talking. Is it a Levinti child? Is this bring-your-kid-to-work day?
On the far side of the room, a Hoshan stands, wearing a blue armband on their upper right limb. Wasala’s tail is thin and naked like a mouse’s, but this Hoshan’s tail is fluffy like a squirrel’s. On the Subway trip, Johnny mentioned that male Hoshans have fluffier tales, so I guess Hoshans have two biological sexes, like humans. I wonder if some of them don’t fit the binary, like with humans?
Two of the Hoshan’s claws are a flurry of motion, as if typing on an unseen keyboard. He turns to look at me. Is he here to spy on all our thoughts? Is he listening to my thoughts right now? His head cocks to one side. I guess that’s a yes.
Kantroponar’s skin lights up again, a glowing rainbow tapestry, faster and more complex than the patterns before. “Let us turn to the matters at hand. The death of Ambassador Olmeda and abrupt transition to a new mediator has raised significant concerns about the viability of the treaty talks. It was never optimal for a primitive to play the role of mediator. We only agreed out of respect for the wishes of the Hoshan representatives, and because Ambassador Olmeda had demonstrated such exceptional proficiency in the Nevachen crisis. You have yet to demonstrate such skill. Indeed, you have yet to demonstrate anything at all.”
Pash-Ti steps forward. “Respectfully, Doctor Ambassador, Ambassador Vega may be new to the position, but the agreed-upon guidelines for negotiation stipulate that the Terran ambassador serve as mediator, not that it be Ambassador Olmeda specifically.”
Kantroponar’s body inflates slightly and rises a few feet higher into the air. Another note flashes across my holoscreen: Levinti instinctively inflate and ascend when angry, or to express confidence in the superiority of their own argument. “Perhaps the point was unclear in some other translations of the document, rendered as they were in the less precise terms of non-Levinti languages. However, in the definitive, Levinti version, the present-status case of the noun ambassador clearly indicates that the agreement applies only to the Terran ambassador serving at the time of its signing, Mr. Olmeda.”
Johnny holds out his palm, and a stream of lights project upward from it, creating an enormous, life-sized holographic projection of a Levinti in the air above him. A pattern of green and yellow flashes across the holographic Levinti’s skin as Johnny speaks. He must be speaking in the Levinti language at the same time as English. “Respectfully, there’s nothing in interstellar law that suggests Levinti translations are more definitive than any other language. Also, the present-status case is used for only four of nine references to the Terran ambassador in—”
Kantroponar cuts him off with a dance of red and lime lights. “Your counsel is not sought in this matter, warlord.” Checkers’ translation of her voice captures the tone as well as the words—harsh and impatient. “It is only by the generosity of my prestige that you are permitted on these premises. Do not overestimate your welcome.”
Johnny purses his lips and closes his palm, the giant hologram disappearing with a flash.
Kantroponar points an anaconda-sized tendril at me, decorated with rings the colors of sapphire and ebony. “Despite the dubious legal standing of your position, we are open to continuing negotiations, so long as you uphold all assurances made by your predecessor.”
I’m not sure how to answer that. Pash-Ti said our whole goal of this meeting was to keep Kantroponar on board with the negotiations even though the mediator job got switched from Umberto to me, so it seems like I should go along. And it seems safe to follow whatever Umberto agreed to. “I stand by everything my predecessor said.”
“And when I say all of the prior ambassador’s assurances,” Kantroponar says, “that includes his recent promise that he would seek fair and free access to Tumasra for all interested in the scientific study of its unique phenomena.”
Pash-Ti lets out two sharp notes. “I’m surprised to hear of this, because the Terran embassy has no record of such an agreement.”
“Ah,” Kantroponar says. “Ambassador Olmeda made this assurance on his most recent visit to Hosh, just before his untimely death. He likely didn’t have the opportunity to formally report it.”
“Will you stand by your predecessor’s word, Ambassador?” Kantroponar says. Pash-Ti starts to reply, but Kantroponar cuts them off. “I would hear from the ambassador herself.”
Suddenly the Levinti’s shadow seems even darker—and a little bit cold. Maybe Kantroponar is just lying to take advantage of me, the rookie primitive ambassador. Or maybe she’s telling the truth, and Umberto didn’t tell the others about this new deal with the Levinti, because he knew someone in the embassy was a double agent. The only thing I can think of is to get Kantroponar talking some more. “I’m new to all this, Doctor Ambassador. Could you tell me more about the assurances you’re looking for?”
“Indeed,” Kantroponar says. “All of this new information must be quite overwhelming for one born to an uncivilized planet like Terra. Allow me to elucidate. Tumasra is the site of a unique storm found nowhere else in the Galaxy. There is evidence it is linked to telepathy, which is likewise found nowhere else in the Galaxy. It presents a tremendous opportunity for learning—and above all else, the Levinti are committed to learning. But for 1,500 years, the Etoscans have permitted no Levinti to enter Tumasra. All we seek is the establishment of a permanent center at Tumasra for scientific inquiry!”
Even from the little Johnny and Pash-Ti told me on the Subway ride, I can tell the Etoscans would not be thrilled about this idea. “That seems reasonable, Doctor Ambassador, but I understand the Etoscans have concerns about protecting a site they consider sacred.”
The Levinti inflates herself to an even greater size and rises a dozen feet higher into the air. “The Etoscans would claim that a mound of waste was sacred if it suited their purposes! Their religious pretensions are nothing but a shield for their own interests.”
“Well,” I say, “I can understand your frustration.”
“Frustration?” Kantroponar says, inflating even more and floating even higher. Checkers’ translation takes on an even harsher tone—increasingly exasperated. “You speak far above your prestige, Terran. It’s becoming apparent that your lack of knowledge will make a farce of these negotiations.”
Now Kantroponar is hovering several dozen feet above us, and we all have to crane our necks to look up at her—even seven-foot-tall Pash-Ti. Last year, my brother Miguel told me where the word upstaging comes from—when an actor moves upstage, forcing the other performers to look back instead of to the audience. Miguel said when another actor did that to him, he would move upstage too, so they were still at the same level.
Kantroponar is asserting her superiority, literally. If I were another Levinti arguing with Kantroponar, I’d probably just float higher too, to stay on her level. Too bad humans can’t fly. But I do have …
“Checkers,” I whisper, “can you anti-grav me up so that I’m on the same level as Kantroponar? And can you not translate this?”
“Of course, Madame Ambassador,” says Checkers. “And I’ll assume you don’t want me to translate your commands unless you instruct me otherwise.”
I lose my balance for a second as I rise into the air, but quickly straighten myself back out. Checkers brings me up until I’m at the same level as Kantroponar, hovering only a few feet away from her. From this close, Kantroponar’s white skin looks smooth and slightly slimy, like a squid’s. I can see my own reflection in the blue spheres that dot the circumference of her bell-shaped body. Now I’m pretty sure they’re eyes—each one as big as my head, several of them looking right at me.
“I meant no offense,” I say, trying not to be intimidated by having a conversation with a giant alien while floating several dozen feet above the floor. “And I don’t mean to speak above my prestige. It seems reasonable that you want to study Tumasra, but I’m not sure it’s my role as mediator to take your side on the issue.”
Kantroponar inflates again. The Levinti’s skin becomes thinner and more translucent as she expands and rises even higher. “Your role is to assure that these negotiations remain fair and balanced. At the very least, fair access for the ongoing study of Tumasra must be discussed in the formal talks.”
“Checkers, bring me up again?” I say.
“At your service, Madame Ambassador,” Checkers says, and takes me up to Kantroponar’s level.
“So you just want it to be up for discussion,” I say.
“Yes!” Kantroponar says, and she rises again, so high now that she nearly reaches the ceiling of the cavernous room. “A half-day of the talks devoted to parameters for ongoing study of Tumasra.”
This time, I don’t even have to give Checkers the order—he immediately lifts me up to the ceiling with Kantroponar.
“Well, that seems reasonable,” I say, hoping I’m not making a mistake. “I’ll do what I can to make sure the study of Tumasra is a topic of fair discussion.”
“Excellent,” Kantroponar says. Drops of bluish-green color rain across her skin. “And we seem to have argued our way to the ceiling! Thank you for your time, Madame Ambassador. You may leave.”
How … abrupt. Checkers slowly lowers me to the floor, landing me gently beside Johnny and Pash-Ti. As we turn to leave, Kantroponar huddles with the smaller Levinti and the Hoshan. Kantroponar’s many-ringed tendrils entwine with those of her smaller counterpart. The gesture between the two Levinti is odd—maternal yet almost romantic.
“That was great,” Johnny says, patting me on the back. “For a Levinti to say that you argued your way to the ceiling is practically like being acknowledged as an equal.”
“That was a terrible mistake,” Pash-Ti says, all three feet padding on the floor as we walk out. “Umberto had already settled the Tumasra issue, with both Levinti and Etoscans agreeing that the Levinti would be allowed temporary visitations, with only the schedule to be determined in the formal talks. Now you’ve committed to re-opening the matter, and the Levinti will renew their demand for the establishment of a permanent base at Tumasra, which is anathema to the Etoscans. Your ignorance is already derailing the negotiations and bringing us closer to war.”
“Whoa,” Johnny says. “Ease up, Pash-Ti. It’s not ideal, but we can make it work. The important thing is that Val established a bit of credibility.”
“She established that she is easily manipulated,” Pash-Ti says, quickening their pace. “We must put more distance between ourselves and Kantroponar’s Hoshan agent to assure that we are out of his range.”
Pash-Ti leads us down a whale-sized corridor, in long strides that alternate between their middle leg and outer two legs. They guide us to a small alcove that juts off the side of the corridor. “This should be far enough. Though I suspect your thoughts have already betrayed just how vulnerable our position is.”
“So that Hoshan behind Kantroponar—he was there to spy on our thoughts?” I say.
“Yes,” Pash-Ti says. “Throughout the meeting, he was transcribing your thoughts—and mine—and transmitting them to Kantroponar. Fortunately, Hoshans cannot read the thoughts of Synthetics like Johnny, and I steered my thoughts carefully. But I doubt you did the same.”
I think back on what my thoughts could have given away. “I don’t even know enough to give anything away.”
“Precisely,” Pash-Ti says. “Your thoughts undoubtedly revealed your lack of knowledge, which is why Kantroponar knew to press her advantage and won a significant concession from you on Tumasra within minutes.”
I thought I’d done so well, using Checkers to float up to Kantroponar’s level. But Pash-Ti’s right—I’ve already messed things up, undoing the progress tío Umberto had been making. I scuff the smooth yellow floor with my boot and walk away from Pash-Ti and Johnny, toward a floor-to-ceiling window on the far side of the room.
Through the window, I have a clear view of the city I only glimpsed before. The floating, peach-pit-shaped buildings seem to be moving in a set pattern, like a miniature train set making its way around the tracks. Each building is dotted with holes of various sizes, like Swiss cheese. I must be looking out from the inside of one of those holes. Less than an hour ago, the sight of this alien city gave me goosebumps. Now it’s just overwhelming, reminding me there’s no way I can live up to tío Umberto’s expectations of me.
Johnny sidles up to me and gives me a friendly nudge with his elbow. “Don’t let Pash-Ti get you down. It’s true the Tumasra thing was kinda sub-optimal, but we’ll make it work. And I meant what I said. Floating up to Kantroponar’s level was an awesome implicit clapback—and diplomacy is all about the implicit communication.”
I nod, hoping that’s true, but still not sure if I can trust him. Maybe he wants me to fail.
Nearby, a Levinti swoops down into one of the buildings, disappearing into a window on one of the middle floors. They’re not just windows, they’re doors, so the Levinti can enter and exit from any level, which makes sense for beings that could fly. Dozens of Levinti are floating back and forth between the towers, as are aerial pods that must have Hoshan passengers.
“This city is made for floaters,” I say, thinking out loud, “for beings that move through the air, not on the ground. This is Hosh—but this city seems made for the Levinti.”
“This is the Southern capital,” Johnny says, “so there are more Levinti here than anywhere else on the planet. But pretty much the whole continent looks like this. Actually, pretty much all the Levinti colonies look like this. Oh, colonization! Levinti-towns everywhere!”
Pash-Ti joins us, their tall frame nearly as tall as the window-door. “The Levinti, the Etoscans, the Sufri—all of them have subjugated and assimilated primitive worlds for their own benefit. Terra may be fortunate that it was never of strategic enough importance to be conquered before Article Nine was introduced.”
It’s the same as all the exploitation and unfairness that happens on Earth. I understand, more than ever, what Umberto was trying to do. I want to do the same thing, to be an ambassador who makes the Galaxy a better place for Hosh and Earth and all the primitive worlds. If only I had a clue how to do that.
Pash-Ti goes on, bending their long torso forward, so that their eyestalks are almost at the same level as my eyes. “Ambassador, I do not wish for us to operate at cross-purposes. I merely ask that you learn from this. Do not make commitments when you know not their full implications. Do not take actions when you know not their consequences. Now let us return to Terra and complete your orientation so that, for your next meeting, you’ll be properly prepared.”
From Pash-Ti, that almost seems generous. And they’re right. “Thank you, Pash-Ti. I don’t want to—”
“Hold up,” Johnny interrupts. He’s staring intently, as if his eyes were lenses zooming in on something—which, they just might be. “Someone is watching us.”
I follow Johnny’s eyes to the building closest to us. A silver pod emerges from the level right across from us and zips into the bustling aerial traffic.
“It’s a Hoshan agent! Come on, Val,” Johnny says, pointing a thumb at his back. “Hop on.”
Pash-Ti lets out a shrill. “This is exactly what I’m talking about. We are diplomats, not agents of espionage. Prudence must guide our actions …”
Pash-Ti is probably right, and I’m still not sure I can trust Johnny, and Johnny’s probably about to do something opposite-of-prudence. But whoever’s spying on us now was probably spying on Umberto before. This agent might know the truth about who killed Uncle Umberto—might even have been involved in his murder. And whoever killed Umberto was also trying to sabotage the negotiations. Figuring out who killed him could also be the key to saving Hosh.
