Earthers Read online

  “So, you want to maximize the pool size,” Alex surmised. “Preferred races?”

  “Humans, to start,” Julien replied.

  “Méridiens?” Renée asked.

  “Apologies, Ser, but Méridiens who remain with the Confederation aren’t preferable,” Julien said softly.

  “The SADEs want New Terrans and Earthers added to the list of Omnians and Harakens,” Alex concluded.

  “Precisely,” Julien said.

  “What about the alliance races?” Renée inquired.

  “They have the telomere treatment,” Julien replied. “That allows us time to get to know them better and recruit teachers.”

  “To bring this discussion around to our immediate circumstances,” Alex said, “I assume you want to introduce implants and cell gen tech to the Earthers.”

  “Yes,” Julien replied. “There’s much to recommend the citizens of Sol. In ninety years, we expect great things from them.”

  “If we want an alliance with Sol, Alex, we can hardly withhold our med tech,” Renée said.

  “Nikki and Sol’s representatives might want an alliance, but the populace can choose not to accept our medical tech,” Alex pointed out.

  “What about the Earthers who join our fleet or participate in the plan?” Renée queried.

  “Aye, there’s the rub,” Julien said. When Alex and Renée stared at him, he added, “An ancient text. The author described a conundrum.”

  Hours later, Cordelia communicated the approach of Nikki’s traveler, and some of the city-ship’s passengers assembled outside a bay to await her arrival.

  When Nikki Fowler stepped into the corridor, she fiercely hugged Patrice and Olawale. Then she turned to the Omnians next, including Julien and Cordelia. Afterward, she politely greeted Jess, Ophelia, and Kasie. Finally, she faced Tacnock.

  When Nikki appeared undecided, Tacnock offered her an ear wig and waited until the president put it in place.

  “I would be pleased to be your first alien,” Tacnock said, spreading his arms in invitation.

  Nikki laughed heartily. Then she knelt and hugged the furry alien.

  “Was it good for you?” Tacnock asked, with a wink, when they separated.

  “Who have you been associating with?” Nikki replied, chuckling.

  All digits pointed at Jess, who shrugged his shoulders.

  “Where’ve I seen that mannerism before?” Nikki asked, eyeing Alex.

  Alex obliged and delivered his usual off-center smile and shrug. It generated human laughter, SADE noises of approval, and Tacnock’s chittering.

  “Well, Alex, shall we talk?” Nikki asked.

  2: Earthers’ Future

  Nikki was toured through the Freedom on the way to the conference room. She was surprised by the enormity of the city-ship, but she was figuratively knocked to the deck by the grand park.

  “Two of these?” Nikki asked Alex.

  “This ship is the Freedom. The other is named the Our People,” Alex replied.

  “And two fleets like this one?” Nikki pursued.

  “The Tridents that have sailed in system with us comprise a command, Madam President,” Tatia answered. “We’ve four of them.”

  “Speaking of ships,” Alex said, “Sol has constructed a number of Tridents. Have you been sailing them somewhere?”

  “They’ve been transiting to dead systems, target practicing against rocks, and getting a feel for the ships,” Nikki replied.

  Nikki had made her remark in an offhand manner, while she stopped to admire fish in a stream. She knew what Alex was asking. The aggressive tendencies of the previous government, United Earth, were dead, and she wanted him to know that.

  Alex regarded Nikki, who turned and met his stare with her own. “We’ve been preparing for your return,” she said.

  “A readymade force,” Renée said, smiling generously at Nikki.

  “What are the captains and the crews prepared to do?” Julien asked.

  “That depends,” Nikki replied, “and those are the details to be discussed.”

  At that point, the group ended their tour and adjourned to the conference room.

  After everyone settled, Alex leaned forward to speak, but Nikki interrupted with a raised hand. He nodded and gestured toward her.

  “I need to understand our starting point,” Nikki said. “I know the tech that Olawale distributed to us was courtesy of Omnia Ships. Is that the entity that would enter the alliance with us? What about Omnia? And for that matter, what about the other human colonies?”

  “Any agreement that we negotiate now would be with Omnia Ships,” Alex replied. “Your alliances with the colonies would be negotiated separately. Although, I’m hoping our efforts will bring them to the table to join us.”

  “Not to sound hostile, but why should Sol form an alliance with a company?” Nikki asked.

  Had Nikki Fowler been an empath, she would have known how much ire she had generated with that one question. Olawale and Patrice were the most upset.

  “Nikki,” Renée said, slipping into the familiar, “for one, this company is the only entity leading the fight to eliminate dangers from sentient worlds, and that included repulsing United Earth’s battleship.”

  “I know our history, Renée,” Nikki replied. “I’m not impugning what you’ve done for us or others. I’m trying to understand if forming an alliance with Omnia Ships precludes or infringes on agreements with the colonies.”

  “If I might, Madam President?” Cordelia interjected. “Allow me to give you a brief history of Omnia Ships.”

  In visuals and words, Cordelia presented the evolution of Alex and Renée’s company. She began with the reason for its founding. The invention of the faux Swei Swee shells came next. She quickly covered the discovery of the federacy probes and the hunt for the Nua’ll sphere, which allowed Nikki to witness the destruction of Tridents and travelers at the battle with the sphere and its bullet ships.

  There were many more encounters, such as the engagement against thousands of drone fighters, the battle in the Chistorlan system, and the fight to capture Artifice.

  “That entity was destroyed, right?” Nikki asked, shuddering at the concept of a rogue despotic artificial intelligence.

  “The Sisterhood —” Alex began.

  “Who?” Nikki interrupted.

  “That’s another long story,” Alex replied, waving away the subject. “Suffice it to say, Artifice isn’t connected anymore to anyone or anything.”

  Cordelia continued with her presentation. She detailed the colonies’ contributions from the Confederation, Haraken, and New Terra.

  “So, the colonies build ships and supply crews, and they fight under Omnia Ships’ banner,” Nikki concluded. “Who pays the crews and provides the supplies?”

  “Indirectly, you do or will,” Julien replied.

  Nikki frowned, and Patrice explained, “The license fees, Madam President. I understand from Cordelia that we’ve constructed over two hundred shell-type Omnian ships.”

  “Then the colonies are paying for the privilege of producing your designs,” Nikki said.

  “Anyone who builds our ships pays the licensing fee, human or otherwise,” Renée said.

  “Are they made beam capable?” Nikki asked.

  “In most cases, but there are conditions for those who must prove their intentions,” Alex replied.

  “Have you ever thought that you might end up in a war against ships of your own design?” Nikki asked pointedly.

  Absolute silence met Nikki’s question. It belatedly occurred to her that Alex and the SADEs might have already considered that possibility and were prepared to deal with that and other eventualities. She glanced toward Patrice, who imperceptibly shook her head.

  “Apologies for the question,” Nikki said. “I’m trying to be thorough. What we’re talking about is a huge step for Sol.”

  “Your questions are invited,” Alex said congenially.

  However, Nikki noticed that t
he warmth in his voice didn’t reach his eyes. She considered that she’d prematurely rushed into this meeting and should have spoken with Patrice first.

  “You’ve convinced me that Omnia Ships is the only entity that is directly involved in the effort to control the federacy’s problems,” Nikki said. “What’s happening in alliance space?”

  Cordelia continued with her education of the president, who received a close view of more aliens than she could have imagined. She noticeably twitched when she witnessed hand-to-hand combat with the insectoids. The imagery came courtesy of Lucia Bellardo’s implant and showed Jess, Tacnock, and two Crocians fighting for their lives against reds and grays.

  Nikki gazed at Jess and Tacnock. She understood why her assumptions about the meeting’s nature had led her astray. Sol was relatively sheltered from the galaxy’s dangers. At least, it was for now. It might not always be that way.

  Cordelia covered the subjects of the Tsargit, the Messinants, and the ancient race’s domes.

  “Wait!” Nikki exclaimed. “Instantaneous what, Cordelia?”

  “It’s a little freaky,” Patrice said, laughing. “Step on a platform. A console signals a gate. It energizes, and you disappear from the dome in a wash of blue light. Then you appear in another place, light-years away.”

  Nikki stared openmouthed at her envoy. Then she snapped it closed, and she studied the SADEs in the room. Finally, she focused on Alex.

  “I’ve been slow, haven’t I?” Nikki asked.

  “No, you’ve just needed a few moments to adjust your thinking,” Alex allowed. “You’ve always had a quick mind.”

  “You want the dome technology,” Nikki said. “Every race outside the alliance will want a dome with multiple gates, and the alliance will want your shell-type ships. Omnia Ships will be in the center of a massive tech distribution.”

  “True,” Julien replied.

  “But for what purpose?” Nikki asked. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Patrice fidget at her question, but she stayed focused on Alex.

  “To facilitate alliances, trade, and peace,” Alex said. “I’m tired ... we’re tired of battling aggressors.”

  Julien added, “The SADEs support Alex and Renée’s goal for Omnia Ships.”

  “The SADEs of the fleet or Omnia?” Nikki asked.

  “All SADEs,” Julien corrected.

  “You speak for all SADEs?” Nikki asked. From the mouths of every SADE in the room, she heard the simultaneous affirmations of the hundreds of fleet SADEs.

  “Our fleet’s SADEs requested Julien lead them,” Alex said. “Then the colonies’ SADEs accepted him in that position.” His eyes shone with pride for his friend.

  “Before we go much further,” Patrice interjected, “I’d like to ensure that Omnian medical tech is on the table as a point of negotiation. Our people need it, especially those who might serve in Omnia Ships’ fleet.”

  “That’s two issues,” Nikki replied. “The medical tech and how our ships would be incorporated into service, I can easily speak to the first item. I ran for president on a platform that touted we should embrace the colonies and welcome new tech, which included medical versions. I won in a landslide.”

  “Seventy-three point eight percent,” Z remarked from a corner of the room, where he’d locked his Cedric avatar.

  “Impressive,” Alex remarked.

  “The credit goes to you, the Harakens, and the Omnians,” Nikki replied. “Your visits culminated in my election. The expedition finding the descendants of a third colony ship will only add to the citizens’ drive to embrace broader goals.”

  “Madam President, we should update you on some changes made during the expedition,” Olawale ventured. “When we realized that we’d encountered a mix of races battling the Colony, it necessitated that we assume a more military command structure. Patrice became expedition co-leader, and your Tridents were placed under the command of Commodore Bellardo. Accordingly, Captain Oleg Tenard was elevated to senior captain.”

  Nikki’s eyes narrowed at the subjugation of her forces under Omnian command.

  “If I might add to this discussion, Madam President,” Oleg Tenard said. His voice issued from the holo-vid’s base. “The Sol Enclave captains requested to operate under Commodore Bellardo. She’s a battle-hardened commander. Our experience was limited to firing at asteroids. More important, I believe that after our Trident captains learn of the challenges Omnia Ships has faced, they’ll want Omnian commanders to lead them. That’s the safest way to operate.”

  Tatia suggested privately to Alex.

  Alex replied.

  Tatia sent.

  Alex replied.

  “Madam President,” Alex said, “you’re intimating that the majority of your constituents would want our medical tech.”

  “Absolutely,” Nikki replied. “The proposal need only be part of our agreement and ratified by the representatives. You have to understand what it meant to our planet’s population when our first Earth-constructed traveler landed at the Assembly building. No noise. No shuttle fumes. It was a shot in the arm of our social psyche.”

  “Then we can place our medical tech on the table,” Alex said.

  “Yes,” Patrice exulted.

  “Sol Enclave ships must serve under Omnian commanders,” Tatia said in a manner that brooked no argument.

  “Agreed,” Nikki replied. “But the ships remain ours, and the crews will be entirely our people.”

  Alex’s brows knitted. Then he said, “For now, complete Earther crews will be satisfactory, but, in the future, it will limit your participation unless it changes. Also, this is acceptable only if every crew member possesses an implant.”

  “Your captains will come with biased opinions,” Tatia said. “That can’t be helped, but an order from an Omnian commander isn’t something to be considered and discarded. It’s to be explicitly obeyed.”

  “Dereliction of duty charges must be prosecuted by Sol’s justice system,” Nikki said stubbornly.

  Tatia laughed. “We’ve no intention of disciplining your unruly captains, Madam President. They’ll simply be abandoned by the fleet. They can find their own way home.”

  Nikki glanced sharply at Alex, who stared evenly back.

  “Madam President,” Alex said. “You should make that clear to your captains. By the way, you’ve probably formed a naval hierarchy within your Trident fleet, and that’s your business. However, we’ll only accept captains and some senior captains who’ll conditionally hold that rank until we’ve finished evaluating them. Anyone above senior captain stays with Sol’s fleet.”

  “Why’s that?” Nikki asked.

  “Bad experiences,” Vice Admiral Reiko Shimada replied.

  As an ex-Earther, Reiko was a known quantity to Nikki, and she accepted her comment at face value.

  “It looks like we have the basic outline of an agreement,” Nikki said. “Will we have any say in the duties of our ships?”

  “Not with those who sail with us,” Alex said. “At any time, you’re welcome to trade out your ships or recall them.”

  “Except during an engagement,” Tatia quickly added.

  “Can I ask how you’ll proceed after this agreement is ratified?” Nikki asked.

  “Certainly,” Alex replied, “although the answer isn’t simple.”

  Then Alex spoke at length about his grand scheme, as Renée called it. It included the alliance, Earth, the colonies, and the federacy. It encompassed the exchange of tech, especially starships and domes. He painted a future of many races working together to maintain the peace throughout the known galaxy. Then he ended with his intention to bring the Confederation Council and the New Terran and Haraken presidents for a visit to Sol.

  “Ah, yes,” Nikki said in response to Alex’s final statement. “The colonies remember us as United Earth.”

  “Precisely,” Alex replied. “They need to see the new Sol.”
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  “Well, I’ll not waste any more of this group’s time,” Nikki said, rising. “I’m going to sail aboard my lovely, oh so comfortable, shuttle for Earth. I’ve got some politicking to do before you arrive. We can work out the details of our agreement in the coming days.”

  Wherever appropriate, Nikki delivered hugs, handshakes, and pats on the shoulder. Then Renée led her to where her shuttle sat. Her pilot was in the corridor, chatting happily with a crew chief and a few pilots.

  “Our people don’t seem to have a problem getting along,” Nikki commented, indicating the five individuals.

  “They’ll often appear to be cooperative and behave similarly. That is until they face a Nua’ll sphere, a bullet ship, a battleship wedge, an array of monstrous inbound missiles, or an insectoid rearing in front of them,” Renée replied,

  In the conference room, Olawale turned to Patrice. “Should you have gone with Nikki?” he asked.

  “Nikki’s always been direct, if not blunt,” Patrice replied. “If she wanted me to accompany her, she’d have said so. I think she didn’t want me on Earth and talking to others until she had time to prepare the story her way.”

  “She seemed much more relaxed than when she arrived,” Ophelia interjected.

  “Even happy,” Kasie added.

  “She bargains hard,” Tatia commented. “That works for me.”

  Alex issued a subdued “Hmm.” Then he left the conference room and headed for his suite. On the way, he linked to Julien.

  Alex sent.

  Julien asked.

  Alex replied.

  Julien inquired.

  Alex considered the question. he responded.

  Julien pointed out.