Empire Turmoil (Gate Ghosts Book 10), page 42
That thought made Peña smile.
Miranda shared.
Peña received an image.
Peña gripped Miranda’s hand.
Miranda sent.
Then SADE and sister parted.
30: Take a Different Path
YERET SYSTEM
QUELLER ANOMALY’S FAR SIDE
After the conclave flotilla sailed with Captain Ophorous’s warship toward her home world, Captain Uferus turned his ship toward the Yerets’ local system. As he sailed toward the settled world, he considered what he’d say to Yathal, the local judimal.
A shuttle landed Uferus planetside, and he was transported toward the admin building. This system had been recently settled by the Yerets, if a few hundred annuals could be considered recent. However, the planet wasn’t a particularly excellent addition to the Yeret worlds. Therefore, the funds necessary to make it a thriving location weren’t being allocated in the amount the judimals constantly requested.
The newest judimal in the succession line, Yathal, was a taciturn individual, and Uferus’s relationship with him was contentious to say the least.
The transport’s small wheels felt the bumps in the avenue that was poorly maintained, and Uferus could see the dust disturbed by the wheels. He always felt grimy after he visited the planet, and it was no wonder that the Yerets wore filtration masks when they went outdoors. The atmosphere was fairly clear, but small dust storms constantly delivered layers of grit to the city.
Passing into the building’s vestibule, air vents struggled to pull the dust off Uferus’s clothing, but they were only partially successful. To help the weak circulation, he beat at his clothing to free as much dust as he could.
Inside, Uferus made his way to the uppermost floor. Yathal’s assistant laconically waved him toward the office, adding, “He’s expecting you.”
For Uferus, that was a small relief. Yathal had a nasty habit of making him wait to demonstrate the judimal’s importance.
“Captain,” Yathal greeted Uferus in a dismissive tone. “I want to hear about the encounter near the observation platform.”
“As you’re probably aware, Judimal Yathal, the conclave ships came through what they call a space-time continuum,” Uferus replied. He swore he could have heard the judimal’s jaw strike his desk.
After recovering, Yathal said, “It was my assumption that Captain Ophorous led the invaders away as a diversion measure, and you’d requested support from your supreme forces commander.”
“Nothing of the sort,” Uferus enjoyed replying. “Actually, we found our conversations with Julien to be pleasant and enlightening.”
“How could you have talked to them?” Yathal inquired dubiously.
“This is the nature of a race far in advance of Utilimats,” Uferus explained. “They connected to our warships and learned our language.”
“Then why didn’t you attack them and drive them away?” Yathal demanded. By now, he was beginning to sputter, and Uferus took some perverse pleasure in watching the judimal’s hysteria mount.
“There, I have to admit that we had similar thoughts. That was until I was thoroughly disabused of my opinion,” Uferus said, as if lecturing a neophyte. “The unique shape of the conclave ships made me think that they were inhabited by explorers. However, I was assured by Julien that his flotilla comprised warships in a tri-hull shape. Then he offered Captain Ophorous and me proof.”
“Then you were fired on, and you can claim that the invaders attacked you first,” Yathal exclaimed.
“Actually, no,” Uferus replied good-naturedly. “Julien’s proof came in the form of a demonstration. We saw a small shuttle approach a large asteroid and demolish it.”
“With what?” Yathal queried.
“That’s just it,” Uferus replied. “We didn’t see anything. Judimal Yathal, you must understand that we’re dealing with a civilization far in advance of any of our races. The shuttle, which was actually a fighter, collects gravitational wave energy, stores it for flight, or releases it as a beam. Naturally, you wouldn’t see this type of weapon in space.”
“Naturally,” Yathal repeated derogatorily. “Have you lost your mind, Captain? This story is preposterous. Now, I want you to tell me the truth about what happened out there.”
“To complete the story that I stand by, Captain Ophorous is leading the conclave flotilla to the Utilimat home world. Her ship carries all the proof the council and the supreme forces commander will need to ascertain the nature of these visitors. It’s my hope that an alliance can be brokered.”
“Get out!” Yathal shouted. “I hope to see you removed from the service for uttering such foolishness.”
Uferus stood, smiled, and gracefully retreated. This was his first visit with the judimal that he’d thoroughly enjoyed. He returned to his warship, took up his original station, and waited for events to develop.
Meanwhile, the situation took awkward turns for Ophorous and the conclave. First and foremost, Julien’s overtures to the Utilimats were rejected. Then Ophorous was ordered to submit herself for arrest.
Within a cycle after arriving at the Utilimat system, Captain Gistamia was sailing the Freedom away and heading for the Yerets’ system near the anomaly. The only result of the Utilimat visit was that the Freedom had acquired a new passenger, Captain Ophorous.
For Ophorous, it was either remain in her home system and be arrested for abandoning her post at the anomaly or accept Julien’s offer to join the conclave. She had no desire to be incarcerated for failing to do her duty or being dismissed from service and becoming a pariah. So, she leapt into space to escape her officers and land aboard a waiting traveler.
To Ophorous’s mind, she couldn’t have said which had taken more nerve ... deciding to ignore the supreme forces commander’s orders or making the leap across space to the waiting shuttle without a safety harness and line.
Aboard the Freedom, Ophorous couldn’t believe what she found. Certainly the technological superiority was evident everywhere. She rode in what she termed elevators that moved with no sound and no sensations of acceleration or deceleration. The holo-vids were interactive to even her touch, and, while the food was different, work was done to adapt recipes to her taste.
However, Ophorous considered the technology the lesser surprise. Everywhere she looked, she encountered a new race. The different appearances were mesmerizing. Yet, the ship’s crew members treated one another with respect, with kindness. The warship captain thought she’d stepped into a make-believe world.
After waking on the second morning aboard, Ophorous returned to the bridge. Of course, that was her intention, but she needed the aid of the SADE who had stood in the corridor outside her cabin.
“Julien, please,” Ophorous requested.
“He’s on the bridge, and he’s anticipating your arrival,” the SADE replied.
This was another surprise to Ophorous. That digital sentients existed was one thing, However, it was more amazing that they mixed with biologicals as equals. She found it amusing that the SADEs continually engaged her in conversation. At first, she thought they were developing information about her race, the Utilimats, as intelligence for future confrontations. Then it dawned on her that the subjects they discussed were more personal. The SADEs wanted to know about her ... her life, her experiences, and her desires.
“Greetings, Captain Ophorous, did you rest well?” Julien inquired, as the captain stepped onto the bridge.
“Slept well, and ate well, thanks to the efforts of your SADEs,” Ophorous replied, softly nickering to indicate her appreciation.
“You’re probably curious about what we intend to do now,” Julien offered.
“You’re sailing back to the tunnel ... I mean space-time continuum,” Ophorous volunteered. “Then you’ll probably try to speak to the local Yerets. At least that’s what the SADEs say.”
“You’re well informed,” Julien commented.
“I love the way information is so freely shared among this ship’s passengers,” Ophorous replied. “Is it like that among most of the conclave?”
“The entire conclave,” Captain Gistamia replied via Julien. “That’s one of the things I enjoy most about this organization.”
“What can you share with us about the local race?” Opal inquired.
Ophorous had found the sister fascinating. The sister had freely shared her story of how she came into existence.
“When the local inhabited planet was founded, funds poured heavily into constructing cities, opening mining operations, and developing transport infrastructure,” Ophorous explained. “Then they discovered that many of the ore deposits weren’t as deep as surveyors originally believed. After that, the planet failed to gain the interests of the home world, and it’s languished ever since.”
“Telemetry we collected while near your observation platform indicates that the planet is a mix of vegetated areas and deserts,” Gistamia pointed out.
“Terraforming plants were constructed, but not enough of them before the poor deposits were discovered,” Ophorous explained. “Winds off the deserts blow sand and dust everywhere. I visited the planet once. After that, I never dropped planetside again.”
Ophorous was about to say something else, but she felt the brief energy waves that signaled an exit from the dark. She noted the bridge had become quiet, which she understood meant that the conclave members were communicating via their implants and comms.
Catching Opal’s attention, Ophorous pointed at the holo-vid. Then she indicated the ship’s bow. Immediately, the holo-vid displayed the Freedom’s forward view. As Ophorous had learned, she used first fingers on each hand to expand the view. To her delight, the flotilla was headed for Captain Uferus’s warship.
After midday meal, Julien approached Ophorous and said, “Captain, we require your presence on the bridge.”
It was the invitation that Ophorous had been waiting all morning to hear.
Knowing the conclave ships were approaching, Captain Uferus hurried to take his place on the bridge.
“Captain Uferus, Captain Ophorous’s ship isn’t among the conclave ships,” the telemetry officer reported.
That was a cause for concern for Uferus, but he replied, “Several reasons for that. Let’s wait to hear from Julien.”
Soon afterward, the bridge crew heard,
“Are you well, Captain?” Uferus inquired.
“Very well,” Ophorous replied. “The Freedom is a wonderful ship, and the crew is even better.”
“I’m pleased to hear that,” Uferus replied. “Where’s your warship, Captain?”
“That’s where things get difficult,” Ophorous replied, much of the enthusiasm draining out of her voice. “The council and the supreme forces commander rejected Julien’s invitations.”
“But what about the evidence you carried?” Uferus questioned. He could see the confusion on his officers’ faces.
“A combination of disinterest, disbelief, and downright phobia,” Ophorous replied, her voice acquiring strength.
“Then Ugurter didn’t accept that you had a legitimate reason for leaving your post,” Uferus surmised.
“No, he didn’t,” Ophorous confirmed. “In fact, the supreme forces commander told me that I was to be arrested and stand trial.”
The conclave bridge could hear the shouted objections of Uferus’s bridge officers. They were angry at Ophorous’s mistreatment.
Uferus hushed them. Then he inquired, “How is it you come to be aboard the Freedom and not in custody?”
“I jumped ship,” Ophorous replied proudly.
“You’ll have to explain that one, Captain,” Uferus requested.
“I was on the bridge, when Ugurter ordered me to submit to arrest,” Ophorous replied. “Some of my officers blocked others who tried to detain me, allowing my escape from the bridge. Down below, crew assisted me to gain an environment suit. Then I entered a decompressed bay and saw a conclave fighter floating just beyond the hull. The rear ramp was down, and I jumped.”
Aboard Uferus’s ship, he and his officers stared open-mouthed at one another. Space walks were regularly taken but with great security protocols. Leaping from your ship without a harness and line to an unknown shuttle was unimaginable.
“Now what for you, Captain?” Uferus inquired.
“I’ve been invited to join the conclave, and I’ve accepted,” Ophorous replied. “Initially, I’d thought Julien would be exiting this area of space through the anomaly, as they call the tunnel, and returning to the race on the other side. Apparently, I underestimated either his stubbornness or his dedication.”
Julien’s companions enjoyed the characterization, and Uferus’s ship heard the noise they created.
The manner in which Ophorous appeared to have been accepted by the conclave gave Uferus some comfort.
“Captain Uferus, why don’t you accompany us to visit the judimal?” Ophorous offered.
Uferus almost said he’d rather exit an airlock into space without a suit. Then he thought better of it. A second visit with the proof of what he’d shared with the judimal would be sweet revenge. For a brief moment, he believed he was being petty. Then a second reason for visiting the planet occurred to him, and he replied, “I’d be happy to accompany Julien and you to visit the judimal.”
“Would it require me to leap across open space?” Uferus queried.
Julien heard the captain’s bridge officers’ nickering.
“I can arrange that, and I accept your hospitality,” Uferus responded.
When Ophorous learned the link with Uferus had been dropped, she uttered a soft neigh. “We’re going to spoil Captain Uferus,” she remarked.
“Captain,” Uferus’s telemetry officer said. “The conclave ships have halted their approach, and one of their fighters is speeding this way.”
“Prepare a bay for the shuttle and open the doors,” Uferus ordered. “First Officer, you’ve command until I return.”
“And if you don’t return, Captain?” the first officer inquired.
“I doubt I’ll be that fortunate,” Uferus remarked, which confused the bridge crew. He didn’t wait to explain. Instead, he headed for his cabin to pack a small bag. The last item was stuffed into the bag when he heard his first officer report that the conclave shuttle was aboard.
Hurrying below, Uferus entered the bay and was met by Ophorous, who gave him a generous hug.
“As an Utilimat officer, I’ve never been able to do that, Captain,” Ophorous explained. “But, as a conclave member, I’m free to do what I want. Give me that bag and come.”
Ophorous led Uferus around to the far side of the gleaming shuttle.
Uferus reached a hand out to touch the smooth shell. At the steep steps, he paused to eye them. Then he gamely made his way up them. Ophorous tossed his bag to him and clambered up the steps into the interior.
In the traveler, Ophorous introduced Julien and the two SADEs who accompanied him.
Uferus was invited forward to sit with Julien. As he walked the aisle, the cabin lights dimmed. When he sat across from Julien with Ophorous beside him, he searched for his harness.
“Unnecessary, Captain,” Ophorous explained. “The cabin lights dimming signaled our lift.”
Expecting the usual disbelief exhibited by first-time traveler passengers, the SADEs were surprised to hear Captain Uferus bray.
“We have to get the judimal to ride in this ship,” Uferus declared.
“Why does that sound a bit like revenge?” Julien inquired.
“It would be,” Uferus replied. “I should probably tell you that the judimal and I have the worst of relationships. After I related the events of our meeting, he threw me out of his office. His last words were about his expectations to see me disbarred from service.”
Uferus expected Julien to feel let down, but he smiled and a strange object appeared on his head.
“So, we have a challenge with the judimal,” Julien said. “What are his weak points?”
The cabin lights brightened, and Uferus glanced toward Ophorous.
“We’re aboard the Freedom,” Ophorous announced and urged Uferus to rise.
Uferus shook his head in disbelief and nickered softly. Then he made his way off the traveler.
For the next cycle, Ophorous played host and toured Uferus around the ship, while always in the company of a SADE.
Uferus had tried to test the SADE to see what information might be off-limits, but every question he asked received a full answer.
At one point, Ophorous had nickered. “I did the same thing when I was first introduced to a SADE. Their patience is unbelievable.”
After midday meal, Julien told the Utilimat captains that he required their attention. “Captain Uferus, I would like to return to my previous question.”
