The Black of Space, page 15
part #8 of Steven Gordon Series
She wrinkled her nose but tried a small bite. Her eyes suddenly shone.
‘Oh that is wonderful.’
‘Isn’t it? Walnut pancakes with honey. The ingredients were all grown here. This came from the Human’s home planet. A gift to the Modloch Emperor.’
She looked around, ‘The planet Earth must be extremely wealthy.’
A gardener approached with a basket. Darrick took it from him.
‘You came just before the harvest. They are ready. Charlie, leave your woman alone, come and crack some nuts for us.’
Charlie dropped her hand, ‘So am I the Royal nutcracker now?’
‘Of course. They neglected to give us some nut crackers.’
‘Typical.’
Charlie delved into the bowl and cracked open a dozen with his hands. He laid them on the table. Merro delved into the basket and tried to crack one in his hands. The look of surprise on his face made Darrick laugh.
‘Leave it to Charlie.’
He handed it up and Charlie cracked it and handed it back. Merro stared at it for a moment before trying it.
‘It has a very subtle flavour.’
‘They can produce a wonderful oil, but what we are after is the protein. It’s highly concentrated and digestible by my people.’
‘I have heard you make biscuits.’
‘I am sure you are aware that most races here eat grass and hay. It takes a lot to feed us all. One biscuit can provide the same protein and energy as a bale of hay; actually, that isn’t quite right, they provide more.’
‘Is there a disadvantage to them?’
‘They aren’t filling. My race has three stomachs.’
Merro laughed, ‘I hear you use those biscuits for your soldiers. I bet they aren’t very happy.’
‘They love the taste and hate the emptiness. However, they give me a tactical advantage over many other races.’
‘Of course, your biggest tactical weakness must be the large amounts of hay you have to transport.’
‘I am sure you also have races in your Empire with the same tactical weakness.’
‘We have, that is why it is so obvious. Do you store these biscuits on your ships?’
‘A six week supply one each.’
‘So you can send out a fleet immediately at top speed without having to wait for your freighters.’
‘You know your stuff Merro.’
‘We have to, don’t we? How did you come up with this idea?’
‘It was Charlie really.’
‘No it wasn’t. This is all your doing. I just introduced you to a few breakfast cereal bars. You got the idea to make biscuits with them.’
‘Only after you told me how you Humans often carry your own food into battle, up to five days of rations at a time.’
‘That’s nothing, common knowledge. All this was your idea and it was Stevie who made all this possible. He built them and even stole the engines to have them transported here.’
Steven smiled, ‘It was your idea to steal the engines.’
Charlie had forgotten about that. He rolled his eyes, ‘So, I get the blame for everything around here. That’s it, isn’t it?’
They all laughed.
Merro raised his hands, ‘It is still a wonderful idea and concept. Moreover, the implementation of that idea is wonderful.’
Darrick was pleased with the praise, ‘This is my show piece. The others are more straight-forward orchards. This is my little piece of the planet Earth.’
‘Is this stone also from Earth? I can’t help but notice the beauty of it.’
‘No, the stone is from the Ortea home-world. They were the first non-Human meat eaters to be brought into the Federation. The stone is their greatest export, it’s very popular now in many Royal households.’ Darrick smirked, ‘It was Charlie’s idea.’
‘For God’s sake!’ He grabbed Jean’s hand, ‘Let’s go for a walk and let the kids blether.’
Their laughter followed them down the path for a short while.
Jean took a deep breath, ‘Thank goodness.’
‘It will be short lived; I need to get back there.’
‘Do we have to?’
‘No, we don’t, I do. I want you to go back to your ship.’
‘Why?’
‘Because my mind is wide open, and all I can hear is your mind screaming, “I don’t want to do this, I can’t deal with this shit. Why am I getting dragged into this shit?”’
She tried to pull her hand away but he held on, ‘Just try and relax, switch off. The reason I am listening is because Darrick has ordered me to. He wants as much information as he can on these people.’
She relaxed a little, ‘Am I really shouting that loud?’
He smiled, ‘You are. I realise you are having a hard time dealing with this, I can’t blame you, but try and stay strong until these people have left. The last thing I want is to end up halfway across the universe hitched to a chick who is furry from head to toe.’
Jean suddenly burst out laughing, ‘I can see why you wouldn’t like that.’
‘It is also because all of my friends and family are here.’
She squeezed his hand, ‘Yes, I am sorry.’
‘You won’t have to deal with it after they have departed, not if you don’t want to.’
She flushed, ‘I didn’t expect this.’
‘It wasn’t a part of the deal, was it?’
‘No I don’t suppose it was.’ She stopped and took his other hand, ‘I promise I won’t abandon you in your time of need.’ She shrugged, ‘I don’t know about what comes after.’
‘What will be, will be, but thanks for your support.’
‘I will put on my feminine armour and sharpen my swords.’
‘Awesome.’
‘I will get back to my ship.’
‘I will walk you back.’
On the way past, she waved to Aurora. Charlie passed her to one of the guards and returned to his vigil.
Chapter 28
Steven was winding up the meeting, ‘Our first port of call will be the Ortea home-world, then they want to visit the Ambatta. Obviously they want to see how the Federation is treating its newest citizens. Their first few days will be taken up with the Modloch Emperor. He is going to give them a guided tour of his home planet, then the city ship. They will be staying one evening at Mya’s home, the mountain one, then moving on to the world Charlie lives on. They will stay at the Chief Engineer’s mansion. There isn’t too much of a difference between their world’s gravities, so they should be all right. Cookie, you have their itinerary?’
‘Aye. We are directly responsible for their food while they are on the Modloch home-world and the city ship. However, when they are going up to the mountains, they will be responsible for their own food. We are only supplying the ingredients. It will be a weekend off for them. When they are at Charlie’s we will be trying lots of different vegetables and greens on them. As for the Ortea and Ambatta home-worlds, they are going to take responsibility for feeding them. The rest is Buzz’s domain.’
Steven turned to Buzz, ‘How is that going?’
‘Right now their ship is on fresh rations. Tomorrow I am meeting the Captain and we are going to go through the army ration packs. We will give them enough fresh meat for about half of their journey. Most will be frozen. What we are looking for is freeze-dried or tinned goods that they can eat for the second half of their journey home.’
‘That’s good. Colonel Howe, how are your preparations coming?’
‘Very well for their visit to our President on the city ship. I have liaised with his staff. They are going to have a two-hour informal meeting with a small buffet and various teas from Earth. As they are not part of the Federation, we can trade directly with them, and they us. The President is hoping to lay the groundwork for future relations. The President has his own staff for their protection. He also has a couple of scientists with him so they can swap periodic tables and such things, working out what we might have that they need, and vice versa. The Modloch Emperor is supplying an escort, so Beaver and a couple of our guys will be providing an escort for yourself and Komoru.’
‘Thank you.’ Steven looked over his notes, ‘That’s it from me, anything else?’ There was nothing, ‘Alright, let’s all get some rest. It has been a long day.’
The meeting broke up. On the way to his quarters, he discovered Charlie on watch with the girls. They had all kicked back and were listening to soothing music while watching a replay of something.
Charlie made to get up when he noticed him, but Steven put a hand on his shoulder.
‘Don’t move, I’ll sit next to you.’ He took Buzz’s chair and kicked back. ‘What are we watching?’
‘Footage from the other side.’
‘Ah! When we were orbiting the Behema home world.’
‘Aye, you recognise it.’
Steven pointed, ‘I want to go visit that star cluster.’
‘You’re not the only one. Every lady here is howling to get there too.’
‘Glad you’re back onboard.’
‘I’m just glad I have somewhere to hide and an excuse to get away.’
‘Bad is it?’
‘Bedlam. Not to worry though. From here on in it is my job to fade into the background and yours to step forward and guide our noble guests on their quest for information about the naughty Federation.’
‘Do you think that’s what it is all about?’
‘What else is it ever all about? Power and greed. Regardless of how it all goes, or how hard we all work to make things seem rosy, if their intentions are bad, they will glean what they will from this visit.’
Steven thought it over, ‘I get you. Any advice?’
‘No.’
‘Ouch!’
‘Sorry, getting pissed off with being blamed for everything.’
‘Even if it’s good?’
‘I am just a very small part of the cog Stevie. There’s too much song and dance made about the things I have done. You tell me to help people out. I find something, I pass it on. I’m just doing my job. There’s no need for praise, I am not going above and beyond the call.’
‘Everything all right between you and Jean?’
‘Nope.’
‘Problems?’
‘Yup.’
‘Want to talk about it?’
‘Nope.’
‘Did you know my guard arrives tomorrow? Your buddies will be back.’
‘Sounds like fun. Now shut up and kick back.’
With a grin Steven obeyed. The music began to seep into his soul. His mind began to wander amongst the stars. A few minutes later he was fast asleep.
Chapter 29
Richard and Abby couldn’t believe their eyes. The trip underground had been quite tedious. They had been ordered to put away their drones and switch them off for the journey. Now they had arrived at the city, they received permission to release them. The whole city was blue, a light blue that shimmered across the underground sea.
Richard guided the drones to focus on Abby as tears streamed down her face.
‘Richard, this place is beautiful,’ she wiped away a tear. ‘I want to get married here.’
He was momentarily stunned, ‘Really?’
She nodded vigorously, ‘You asked me weeks ago and I said yes. This is where I want to be married. It is incredible.’
‘I wonder if they have churches.’
Abby laughed, ‘I doubt it, but they will no doubt have somewhere for a ceremony. Instead of returning to Earth when we get leave, I want to return here.’
Richard nodded, ‘It looks like we aren’t the only ones to be taken by surprise.’
The looks on the faces of the Behema were novel. Richard turned to the camera.
‘Ladies and gentlemen of Earth. We are standing on a platform overlooking the most beautiful city I have ever seen in my life. The story of the Ortea surviving persecution is barely known at home. When I first heard the story, I doubted its authenticity. I imagined a race dwelling in caves, this is anything but a cave. This is a large domed underground city with its own sea. I can’t wait to get down to street level. What do you think Abby?’
Abby laughed and wiped away a tear, ‘I am crying again. It is overwhelming. I was very frightened when I saw my first Ortea. They looked a bit like what I imagined a werewolf would look like. Now I see their cities, their homes, I will never be frightened again. How could anyone be frightened of a people that created such wonders? I feel shame towards those races that began the two-thousand-year war. A war it took we Humans to put an end to, thanks to the endeavours of our two Goodwill Ambassadors. My admiration for them has just increased tenfold.’
Steven was surveying the scene with a smile on his face, ‘I never tire of this view.’
Merro regained his wits, and his mouth closed, ‘I have never seen anything like it.’
‘Few have.’
‘Why?’
Darrick barked a laugh, ‘Because everyone is shit scared of the Ortea. It wasn’t all that long ago that the curious used to end up on their dinner plate.’
‘I was told that you were the first Emperor to visit?’
Darrick nodded, ‘My race has never really had much of a problem with meat eaters. The Ortea found our people to be unpalatable. They kept any they caught and gave them jobs. In fact some of my people, the moment they were released from captivity, returned home, collected their families and returned to their life here.’
‘Your race is an astoundingly courageous one. What about the other meat-eating race we are going to visit? Have you been to their planet?’
‘Of course. We have never had any problems with the Ambatta either. My father actually had a secret alliance with them. Their situation was totally different to the Ortea though.’
Merro turned to their guide, ‘Commander Oralia?’
‘Please just call me Morval sir. My rank is now only honorary. We have long since abandoned what you would call a civilian title. We simply just don’t know what to call the official guide.’
Merro laughed, ‘It is so ingrained into your people now.’
‘Every member of my race was a member of our armed forces with a role to play. There were no civilians as there are now.’
‘What do you think of the peace?’
‘That is not my place to say. However, I will tell you that my wife and I have just had our second litter of kids. That was previously unheard of.’ The smile on his face was evident. He looked around, ‘Excuse me a moment.’
They watched Morval walk over to where Charlie and the Chief were standing. He had obviously passed on the news by the way they laughed and back-slapped him.
‘They are acquainted?’
Darrick nodded, ‘Thick as thieves. I have no doubt that three will be roaring drunk later on tonight. I first sent the pair of them here on a mission.’
‘Who is the Modloch?’
‘My Chief Engineer. The only Modloch to ever survive a trip to Earth.’
‘I thought there were laws concerning that?’
‘He survived where all of his crew mates had perished. I felt he deserved the chance to live. He became the first Ambassador to Earth. On that mission Charlie saved his life when he fell down a hole. When he returned across the barrier, he did come down with the plague that had all races banned from crossing back over. It was the Humans who treated him initially. They had him in an isolation chamber, so there was no danger to anyone else; they are immune to it. He survived and we collected a lot of data on the disease that struck him down. I eventually made him a Lord. He hates it as much as Charlie does, but those two have done more for the Modloch Empire than all of the rest of my Lords put together.’
‘You made an Engineer a Lord? Well, I suppose he was an Ambassador. Do you keep them apart from your other Lords?’
‘Of course I do. They would eat them alive, or Charlie would end up killing all of them. He has a great intolerance for fools and liars.’
‘I have had a demonstration of his strength. It is quite frightening.’
Their attention was diverted to the approach of an Ortea. White hair cascaded behind her as she walked. She was obviously a female, but very different to any other they had met so far.
‘Who is that?’
Darrick grunted, ‘General Barum Lee, or at least that is who she was. She is in charge of off world accounts. No doubt after Charlie.’ They watched her walk straight up to him. Charlie took a step back and offered his hand. She seemed to reluctantly take it.
Merro was shaking his head, ‘Does he have that effect on all females?’
Darrick laughed, ‘Mostly those not of his own race.’
Merro burst out laughing, ‘Are all Ortea females that good looking?’
‘No, most have very short fur like Morval. She is descended from the surface dwelling Ortea.’
‘That makes sense, more fur to protect them from the sun. It is quite harsh. I am impressed by your knowledge of these people.’
‘I have been here a few times. I have even taken my wife and children here.’
‘Wonderful idea. But I don’t think the other members of my family would like the five-month journey.’
‘Didn’t they put you in stasis?’
‘Yes of course, but you know Royalty, most have an abhorrent fear of it. I feel I am too far down the line to warrant assassination.’
Morval noticed them watching and obviously felt guilty. He marched back over.
‘Please excuse my absence. Would you like to go down to the city now? I would suggest the airway.’
‘Lead on,’ Merro smiled.
They split into groups and travelled down to the city. All were mesmerised by the sight. At the bottom waited an official welcome. A small ceremony was held.
When it was over, Merro leaned into Darrick, ‘They aren’t very good at this, are they?’
‘The Ambatta are worse.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Easily.’
Merro laughed, ‘It is quite entertaining. How were you greeted by the Ambatta?’
‘A cup of very old, very bad tea, and a small bowl of hay. It was just as bad as the tea.’
