Imperium's Demise, page 18
When the story concluded, Fetler regarded the Utilimats. “What do you think of our young speaker?”
“I think we shouldn’t let her youth confuse us,” Ophorous offered. “That she carries an implant tells you a lot about her.”
“On the ride across the planet,” Ulkfay interjected, “I made a joke that the captains should wear ID to remind others of the races they represent. It fell flat.” He shrugged apologetically. “Timteri responded, and I wish I could tell you exactly what she said.”
Suddenly, the group heard word for word what Timteri said from Ophorous’s mouth.
“Now that’s a statement to make the representatives believe in a lofty goal,” Fetler admitted.
“Wait! Do the two of you have implants?” Shemla queried.
“We do,” Uferus replied. “You heard that we had to leave Utilimat naval services. It was with less orderliness than that sounds.”
“I had to leap out of open bay doors across space to land on a traveler’s ramp,” Ophorous said. “Opal was the sister who caught me.”
“And I had a couple of crew members block other bridge officers while I made my escape before I was detained,” Uferus added.
“What about now?” Shemla inquired.
“Commander Ugurter has exonerated us of all charges and apologized for the lack of recognition of our first contact with the conclave,” Ophorous replied.
“So much has happened with the conclave in our area of space,” Ojaftah commented. “I can’t wait to see Devona, and what has developed there under conclave influence.”
“I want to know what steps the Quellers took to get an invitation to join the conclave,” Fetler added.
During the trip to the Monkfred home world, the six individuals spent nearly every hour together.
Timteri was aware of the representatives’ constant companionship, and she chose to let their friendship develop without her. Besides, she was busy trying to understand the nature of the Monkfreds. What stood out to her was that Julien was the singular individual who easily communicated with them.
When the Freedom arrived above the Monkfred world, crew members aboard the Tridents celebrated Julien’s arrival.
Julien was pleased to hear that the herds were healthy and maturing. The development of the calves on the Yeret world would ensure the herds’ growth.
Every representative clamored to be able to meet the Monkfreds. As such, six more individuals joined Julien, Timteri, and Opal for the descent planetside aboard a cargo traveler.
When the ship landed, the herd rushed from their enclosure. The grazers trumpeted, and their riders shrieked with delight.
As the herd closed on the traveler, Timteri and the others with implants could see Captain Ombay astride one of the matriarchs, seated behind a rider.
After the dust from the heavy grazers had blown past the traveler, Julien lowered the ramp, and the passengers were treated to more trumpeting and shrieking.
Then the riders stared at the Freiots, Timteri, and the number of Utilimats, and the herd fell quiet.
Riders leaned close to their matriarchs to hear questions and comments, which they shared among the others in the herd.
“Professor and Testora,” Julien greeted, as a matriarch approached the bottom of the ramp.
“Julien,” Testora said. “Who?” she queried, pointing at the passengers.
“Where the matriarch, riders, and calves grow fat and happy on fresh grown grasses and fruits, there exists a strange source of energy,” Julien began. “Conclave ships can travel through this energy tunnel. On the other side is a collection of worlds inhabited by a peaceful race. This is Speaker Timteri, who is a member of that race called Quellers. She has an invitation for the Monkfreds.”
“And the others?” Testora asked, not wishing to be put off.
“Two are Freiots, and the others are Utilimats, as is Captain Ombay, who rides with you. All of them have accepted Speaker Timteri’s invitation,” Julien explained. “Do you wish to hear it?”
Testora listened to the professor. Then she inquired, “Why doesn’t the invitation come from you?”
“This concerns the five races in proximity to one another,” Julien replied.
Julien began with, “Speaker Timteri offers you an important reason to join the races to discuss your future. Let me tell you a story.”
The riders issued welcoming screeches, and they rested their forearms on the grazers’ heads to be comfortable. The herd loved stories, which were often told by the SADEs who regularly visited them.
Julien established the concept of the Omnians and the other races on Celus-5. When he spoke of Alex Racine, the matriarchs issued soft trumpets. Alex had obviously been adopted as a protector of races.
When the story concluded, which the herd appreciated, Julien shared Timteri’s question.
Testora listened to the professor. Then she asked, “Will this new body make laws that govern our worlds?”
The professor moved toward the ramp.
Having witnessed the vids of the Monkfreds on the Yeret world, Timteri felt comfortable approaching the professor.
When the professor’s short trunk extended, Timteri reached out to caress the end.
Captain Ombay slid off the professor’s back, walked to the ramp, and shook hands with Timteri. Then her device signaled. She laughed when she read Ugurter’s document.
“Professor and Testora, Commander Ugurter requests that I journey to Devona with the other representatives,” Ombay said.
Testora eyed the captain. “You’ve been a friend to the Monkfreds,” she said. “We wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable among a strange race. The professor and I will accompany you.”
A traveler with its seats removed landed behind Opal’s ship, and the rear ramp dropped.
Testora stood on her hind legs, and she waved farewell to the others. Then the professor made for the waiting cargo traveler.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Captain Ombay said. “I wish to ride with the professor and Testora.”
As the Freedom launched for the Yeret-Queller continuum, Timteri held her introductory meeting. It took place in the Monkfreds’ bay, and tables and chairs were provided by the crew. Julien and Pauline were present to assist with translations and recordkeeping but nothing more.
With a little effort, Timteri managed to get the conversations started. Initially, she worried that the presence of so many Utilimat captains and so few individuals from the four races would skew the discussions. However, after a while, she was surprised to hear the Ugurter’s ambassadors primarily promoting the needs of the Freiots, Yerets, and Monkfreds.
Hearing Captain Ulkfay speak in support of the Yerets’ immediate needs, Ophorous and Uferus focused on the steps necessary to receive conclave invites, which stressed long-term goals.
Testora’s role seemed to be to clarify the actions the representatives would take to protect the Monkfreds’ two worlds and the means by which the transfer of the matriarchs and the calves to and from the Yeret world would be accomplished.
The professor trumpeted and Testora screeched when they heard Timteri say that Quellers had conclave shipbuilding experience and were dedicated to constructing conclave-style freighters. This ensured that Quellers could traverse the anomaly and aid the Monkfreds.
As the discussions continued, Timteri realized that there were few mentions of Utilimat needs. She realized it would fall to her to provide information about the Quellers and offer support for the Utilimats. The irony wasn’t lost on her.
13: Special Assignment
THE LIBERATION
IMPERIUM WORLDS
Senior Captain Mila Pappas was able to convince both fleet imperators in the territory adjacent to Helgart’s space to head for Imperium without resistance. Then numerous residents were returned to their home worlds within the territory. After the horrendous battle in the previous territory, many were breathing sighs of reliefs.
Afterward, the Liberation had returned to Helgart so that Juno, Kelley, Gaylene, and Mila could discuss the next territory to target.
Tocknicka received news of the liner and its Trident squadron exiting the dark. That there appeared to be no damage to the ships was a great relief.
Tocknicka returned.
As the liner neared the outpost, Mila sent her report to Tocknicka, having learned her lesson for failing to do so on the Liberation’s return from the territory on the other side of Helgart.
When the four ships made the outpost, the Trident crews headed for the liner’s and the outpost’s spacious accommodations.
Juno, Kelley, Gaylene, and Mila made for the outpost’s bridge to speak with Tocknicka.
Detecting the foursome’s approach, Tocknicka directed them to his suite. When the foursome and he were seated at the conference table, he sent,
Gaylene shared.
Mila sent.
Mila ducked her head, embarrassed by the captain’s remark. Gaylene was the first to tell her that she’d earned the nickname of the Krackus Evictor from the Trident crews.
After a few cycles of downtime, the small flotilla sailed for Jumanus. Exiting the dark, the crews and the residents of the flotilla were surprised by the numerous ships that the admiral had amassed.
Gaylene shared, expressing the obvious.
Ticnikrok claimed innocently. Then he chittered loudly. Turning serious, he added,
Derry and the usual foursome created their own conference.
Four pairs of eyes turned to regard Mila, who appeared to be lost in thought.
Suddenly, Mila enthusiastically clapped her hands.
The next morning, Cordelia’s attendees assembled in a Nyslara bay to accommodate the number present. She’d directed engineering to place four of the largest holo-vids in the bay’s corners. They were constantly rotating images of worlds, races, and friends. She’d designed the vids herself, and the artistry was evident.
Temporary benches provided seating for the throng, and a fifth holo-vid aided Cordelia’s discussion.
There was polite laughter and chuckles at the thoughts of what the protectors might have shared with Cordelia.
The audience heard the laughter of five individuals.
Cordelia smiled and sent,
The small group deferred to Juno, who shared,
