Empire Turmoil (Gate Ghosts Book 10), page 28
Juno had just told Withern’s son that the conclave would protect the Woots, when she saw Kelley enter the hall.
Kelley approached the stage to stand beside Juno. To the audience, he said, “I’ve just returned from visiting another race. We must interrupt the presentation to speak among ourselves before we can continue. I ask for your patience. This won’t take long.”
The Dwerves, Doktorg, Frieda, and Cyan joined the conclave members for a conference beneath the rocky outcrop. They could hear the buzz of Woot voices, as groups discussed what news Kelley might have brought.
Many newcomers to the aliens expressed fearful tidings, but the sisters’ supporters were gleefully rubbing their palms. They had high expectations for the announcement.
“What news, Kelley?” Quanitine asked anxiously.
“Julien wasn’t with the Quellers,” Kelley replied, which disappointed the Dwerves. “However, I met with Cremsylon.”
At that point, Kelley digressed to explain about Cremsylon’s standing with the SADEs and the conclave.
“So, was Cremsylon able to advise you?” Quanitine inquired hopefully.
“Actually, no,” Kelley replied. “He told me that, as Mickey Brandon’s offspring, the conclave would accept whatever I thought best.”
Momentarily, Dwerve mouths fell open, as Kelley beamed.
In a rush, Eshtitor grasped Kelley’s hand with both of his and pumped it energetically.
When Eshtitor released Kelley, Quanitine enfolded the SADE in her slender arms and thanked him for his efforts.
After Quanitine, Kelley eyed Bedoah, who wore an expectant expression. When he opened his arms, the young Dwerve fiercely hugged him.
“So, Kelley, how will this work?” Eshtitor asked when Bedoah stepped back.
“I thought I had a good idea,” Kelley replied. “But, since I’ve arrived and learned of recent events, I believe I’ve a better one.”
Then Kelley outlined what had occurred to him. When he finished, he regarded his Dwerve audience expectantly.
Bedoah was the first to speak. “That’s brilliant, Kelley,” she gushed. “Isn’t it, Captain?”
“I’m intrigued,” Eshtitor admitted. “It’s our opportunity with the Quellers, which needs more detail.”
“This project is unfolding, Captain,” Kelley replied. “In this system, we’ve the right combinations of pieces. Cremsylon tells me that only Devona, the home world, is well populated. Most settled Queller worlds need more skilled citizens.”
“Are these domed worlds?” Eshtitor queried.
“All of them have breathable atmospheres,” Kelley replied. “Here’s the best part. Cremsylon says that the Quellers would absolutely welcome grain and produce shipments.”
Ticnikrok, who’d been standing aside, chittered. Then he said, “Juno, I believe you know now what to do with the freighters that you asked me to capture.”
“The Krackus freighters are what gave me my idea,” Kelley said, smiling and tipping his head to Juno. “We’ve only Captain Armand’s freighter, which would have limited our options. I spoke with Giselle, and she informs me that the Krackus freighters are specialized to carry grain and produce. More important, her freighter’s modules are full of spare parts and supplies for the fleet.”
“This is a good start,” Eshtitor enthused. “Let’s see if we can sell this concept to the Woots.”
“If we’re successful with the Woots, we’ll need to address our citizens,” Quanitine warned.
Bedoah chuckled, drawing her audience’s attention. “Breathable atmospheres. No more raiding. Our people will jump at the opportunity,” she exclaimed confidently.
Quanitine wrapped a companionly arm around Bedoah and whispered, “You’ve spent more time with our citizens on this planet. If anyone knows their mood, you do.”
The group resumed their seats, except for Cyan. “Many of you know us, the sisters,” she said, “and you know that we’re digital entities. We’re similar to Kelley, who just arrived and spoke to you. The sisters’ existences are fairly new, but Kelley is centuries old. As such, he is highly respected by the conclave. Listen closely to what he has to say to you.”
Kelley stood respectfully in front of the audience. “Thank you for the opportunity to share with you what I think will be good news for the Woots, the sisters, and the Dwerves.”
A huge round of noise issued from the citizens of the nine fiefdoms who had attended. They’d told anyone who listened that the sisters believed in the conclave. Therefore, whatever news had come would probably be good.
“There is a race far from here who would welcome your grain and produce products,” Kelley continued. “Above are captured freighters that could haul whatever you could produce and wish to sell.”
“How would this work?” Dresat Fankert inquired. “We’ve nothing in common with this other race.”
“Trade,” many local farmers shouted.
Kelley indicated them with a wave of the hand. “Ask what you will for your goods,” he said. “The Quellers are an advanced race. Their ships sail the stars. They’ll provide whatever you want in trade for your goods.”
“How do we value our products?” a female Woot asked.
“That’s our job,” Kelley replied. “You’ll receive the Queller fair market value.”
“And what’s your cut?” a newcomer dresat called out.
Much of the audience responded with laughter.
A daughter of Withern raised her voice. “Frieda, help me out. How much do we pay you for a cycle’s work?”
The audience roared louder.
Kelley calmed the crowd. “Dresat, we don’t require any portion of your trade. That’s not the purpose of the conclave.”
A male farmer stood and addressed the dresat who had spoken. He said, “The sisters have increased our crop yield, especially with the help of the captain’s citizens. If we had more help, we could increase our output again and have more to trade.”
Eshtitor rose. He spoke, and Kelley translated. “I’ve heard Kelley’s idea. Many of my citizens who’ve worked on your planet have expressed the desire to settle a planet. Queller worlds are a possibility for us. I must speak to my citizens, but I have it on good authority that they’ll be happy to work for you to increase your output. If the Quellers know Dwerves have helped Woots, it will open their doors for us.”
Bedoah blushed at the captain’s compliment, and she felt Quanitine squeeze her hand.
The attendees from the nine fiefdoms applauded and roared their approval.
When the noise died down, a dresat, who was also a newcomer, asked, “How many workers do you have, Captain?”
Eshtitor responded, and Cyan chose not to translate. Then the sisters briefly communicated. Finally, Cyan replied, “The captain has as many citizens as are contained in about nineteen or twenty robust fiefdoms. Understandably, these count the young and the old.”
“These individuals reside on one ship?” a young Woot inquired in awe.
Eshtitor’s eyebrows rose, and he nodded affirmatively.
Like the young Woot, the audience was dumbfounded.
In an avalanche, the local farmers began shouting their requests for workers.
Again, Kelley requested the audience’s quiet. “There is much to organize,” he said. “You will probably need more than workers,” which had the farmers thinking. “What I wish to hear are any objections to this idea.”
The farmers turned as one to eye the rows of dresats.
Dresat Fankert quickly stood. “If I’d heard this for the first time from alien visitors, I’d be dubious,” he said. “However, I’ve learned much from the sisters. My citizens are happier, healthy, and have baachus to spend. Also, I’ve done well too. But the best aspect of the sisters’ time with us is the cessation of attacks from neighboring fiefdoms. In fact, our enemies are now our trading partners, and life is much better for everyone.”
Fankert received a round of the audience’s approval, which gave the new dresats something to think about.
Kelley waited for objections to arise, but the new dresats seemed reticent to speak.
Cyan thanked the attendees for coming. She told them that news would be circulated via the sisters.
“How?” a new dresat inquired.
“By traveler,” Cyan replied.
“What?” the dresat queried.
“Flying ship,” a bunch of farmers yelled back.
Frieda and Cyan weren’t willing to let the forty-two dresats get away without hearing their concerns. As the crowd dissipated, the Woot lords found themselves gently urged into a group.
The Dwerves and Doktorg accompanied Juno, Gaylene, Mila, and Kelley to launch for the warship.
When the group made the Dwerve bridge, Eshtitor took his time announcing shipwide the meeting’s details, Kelley’s concept, and the Woots’ reactions. The moment he finished, his command comm buzzed, and he relayed the question and his response to the entire ship.
By the time Eshtitor exhausted the queries, the morning was gone. “It’s time to vote,” he told his citizens. “We’ll abide by the majority.”
The first officer watched the tallies mount on his panel. Deliberately, he kept his attention on his board, refusing to give a hint of what he saw.
While SADE and sister could have investigated the ship’s systems, they waited along with everyone else.
Eshtitor announced the time left to register a vote. Then about a quarter hour later by conclave time, he closed the process and requested the first officer announce the citizens’ decision.
“Captain, the citizens have responded in the affirmative by seventy-eight point four percent,” the first officer replied.
“Thank you for your support of this endeavor,” Eshtitor said. “For those who chose to resist this shift in our future, I wait to hear your concerns. Furthermore, I’ll do everything possible to manage your expectations.”
“Captain Eshtitor,” Juno said. “If you’ll share your citizens’ concerns with us, the conclave will work to aid them.”
“More to come,” Eshtitor announced to his citizenry, and he ended the shipwide call.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Gaylene said. “Who’s going to organize this?”
Heads turned toward Kelley, and he smiled. “It’s started,” he replied enigmatically.
Having spotted the twitching ears of the Dwerve comms officer, Juno checked the ship’s systems. Kelley had sent a message to every Dwerve adult, requesting the number of work hours an individual was willing to work.
Also, Kelley had notified Frieda of the Dwerve’s approval. Then he’d requested the sisters to determine which Woots wanted to participate and what they needed to increase production.
“Well, I know what I have to do,” Doktorg said. “Kelley, if you’re in charge, I need a ride, and I need you to accompany me.”
“To the Krackus freighters?” Kelley inquired.
“Affirmative. We need to understand if the imperators are operating under an executor’s onus,” Doktorg replied.
As Doktorg turned to exit the bridge, Kelley linked privately with Mila. he sent.
Mila complained.
Kelley shared his father’s deep heavy-worlder laugh.
Kelley quickly caught up with Doktorg, and the pair used a traveler from Kelley’s Trident to sail to the nearest Krackus freighter.
A conclave traveler floated near the bow of every captured freighter, and a SADE remained linked to the ship’s systems to contain the officers’ actions.
As Kelley’s traveler approached, the SADE signaled the freighter imperator to launch a shuttle to make room for guests.
“At least, we might learn something,” the imperator grumbled. “Launch a shuttle.”
It had been seven cycles since the end of the battle. The imperators had seen their freighters’ systems commandeered, and their ships sailed to a large moon orbiting the inhabited planet. After they became stationary, no one had called them, and certainly, no one had visited.
When the bay pressurized, a Krackus crew member hurried to greet the guests and lead them to the bridge. He stopped in his tracks when he spotted Doktorg.
“Thank you for the courtesy,” Doktorg said kindly. “If the imperator is on the bridge, I know the way.”
“He is,” the crew member responded lamely.
Kelley hid his smile at the shock on the crew member’s face. In the corridor, he whispered, “Do you think you were recognized as the notorious traitor, or do you think he was surprised to see an unknown Krackus?”
“The executors referred to Korvath as a notorious traitor,” Doktorg replied. After a moment of thought, he gurgled and added, “I hope I’ve earned the same reputation.”
Doktorg’s response had Kelley booming his laughter down the freighter’s long spine that led to the bow module, and Doktorg gurgled louder.
The imperator had been warned about the nature of his guests. That confused him. However, it was the nature of their laughter that truly unsettled him.
“Doktorg,” the imperator said in a rush when the pair stepped onto the bridge.
“See, you were recognized,” Kelley said in perfect Krackus to Doktorg.
“I do feel better,” Doktorg replied.
The freighter’s imperator and bridge officers stood with their beaks open. The camaraderie between Krackus and alien seemed unnatural.
“We won’t keep you long, Imperator,” Doktorg said, getting to business. “Under what conditions are you allowed to return to Imperium or any other Krackus home world?”
“Why do you ask?” the imperator replied, trying to regain his composure.
“Next ship?” Doktorg queried, looking up at Kelley.
“We can only try,” Kelley replied, and the pair turned to leave.
“Wait. What do you want to know?” the imperator pleaded.
“My friend already asked you a question,” Kelley said. “Unless this avatar has a comm problem, I didn’t hear an answer.”
“Bot,” was heard from several officers in deep hushes.
“Do forgive their ignorance, Kelley,” Doktorg requested. “They’re children of the Imperium. Then again, if you’re highly insulted, I imagine you can have a SADE steer their freighter into the star. After all, there’s nothing valuable aboard.”
As Doktorg spoke about value, his orbs scanned the bridge officers, making his point clear.
“There’s no need to make this exchange adversarial,” the imperator said. “Executor Rebtar lost the presiding officer election to Executor Gaketork. As you know, that forces an exchange of territories. Rebtar gathered the fleet commanders. He made it clear that any freighter returning must be three quarters full or more. Also, the fleets can’t return until every freighter has been filled.”
“Fleets?” Doktorg queried urgently. “How many returned to this territory?”
“Just the two patrol fleets,” the imperator replied.
“Where is the other fleet?” Kelley asked.
“Unknown,” the imperator responded.
“You must have some idea,” Doktorg pressed.
Kelley’s palm holo-vid lit, and a star map appeared. “These are the territory’s systems,” he said, advancing on the imperator, who took a step back.
“Only our fleet imperator would have known the destinations of the other fleet,” the imperator protested. “He died in the fighting.”
“Black space,” Kelley uttered in the Omnian tongue.
“I know that one,” Doktorg replied. “Can Ticnikrok sail to aid those worlds where residents were returned?”
“To be determined,” Kelley replied. “Do we have what we need here?”
“One more thing,” Doktorg said. He stalked the bridge, focusing on each officer as he passed. He ended by looking at the imperator. “Think long and hard about your futures. You can stay in this system aboard your ship until you grow old, because your freighter will never be filled with grain for Imperium. The alternative is to decide that you want to support the conclave and be part of something worthwhile.”
With that, Doktorg exited the bridge. Kelley was right behind him.
“Kelley, that begs the question about the peacekeepers that ran,” Doktorg said.
“Which is?” Kelley queried.
“The imperators lost their freighters and their fleet commander. So, where did they flee?”
“Good question,” Kelley remarked, while he focused on organizing a meeting aboard the Liberation.”
21: Resolute’s World
CONCLAVE FREED SYSTEM
IMPERIUM SPACE
Before the patrol fleet sailed into the Woot system, the second patrol fleet in Rebtar’s territory exited the dark to approach Resolute’s world. The fleet commander couldn’t believe his good fortune. The reports from across his fleet were the same. No conclave ships were spotted.
With no Radag warriors available to either fleet commander, they had to make do with issuing stun batons to every crew member. Normally, this would have caused the crews to quail at the thought of combat, but the message had been sternly delivered.
The fleet imperator had announced fleetwide, “If the freighters aren’t filled, they can’t be sent home, and if the freighters don’t deliver grain to Krackus worlds, then we can’t go home. So, every local citizen who stands in your way is telling you that you don’t deserve to return to your families and friends.”
But the world that this commander had been unceremoniously evicted from wasn’t the same one that he left.
