A Galaxy Unknown 10: Azula Carver (12 page)

~     ~     ~

"Your Grace, I asked you come down here so we could test the connection between Cayla's collar mic and your CT using the range extender."

"I'm ready whenever you are, Mr. Wilkerson."

"Fine. If you'll just put this extender on your belt and activate your CT while depressing the tiny red button on the side of the unit, we can begin."

"Unfortunately I'm not wearing a belt with this gown, but I can simply hold it," Jenetta said as she synced the extender to her CT.

"Fine." Looking towards Cayla, who was watching attentively, Wilkerson said, "Are you ready, Cayla?"

"Ready, Wilkysson," the Jumaka said.

Looking at Jenetta, Wilkerson smiled and said, "I still have to tweak the translator a bit so my name is pronounced properly."

"I heard Cayla clearly via my CT. This is wonderful, Mr. Wilkerson."

"I believe so, too, Jeneeta," Cayla said.

"I have to tweak your name a bit more also. But it sounds closer now than before. We'll keep working on it as we assemble a full translation dictionary."

"How long do you think that will take?"

"I really don't know. So far I've managed to establish a basic speech pattern translation capability. The rest may develop automatically within the translation device as the conversations between yourself and the Jumakas progress. There may, of course, be times when they reference something from their home world that you're unaware of, but I can probably help there because of the many years I've spent on Taurentlus-Thur."

"I'm very pleased by your progress so far, Mr. Wilkerson. I, and the GA, owe you a great debt for your dedication to this project. I suppose the next step is for me to petition the GA Senate to accept that Jumakas are sentient. Getting that passed will take some doing."

"I agree. But when they do, the effort will have been worth it."

"Yes, but I have trouble envisioning a day when Jumakas will be able to roam around freely whenever Terrans are present. Their appearance is too close to the carnivorous animals of our home world. I remember how it was whenever I was on a station concourse and people first noticed my girls. They would scramble to get away, fearing they were about to be attacked and eaten."

"In time, that too will change. Perhaps the microphone collars will help. It makes them look slightly more domesticated."

"But I don't want people to think they're mere pets," Jenetta said, "that need to be controlled by being kept on a leash."

"Perhaps there's some way we can modify the appearance of the collar so it doesn't look so much like a restraint device and more like a decorative piece of jewelry like a necklace, or perhaps a bandana."

"I think I'll ask my mother and sisters-in-law for suggestions. They're all so wonderful with decorating and clothes selection. I'm sure they'll have some excellent ideas. Thank you for all your hard work to date, Mr. Wilkerson. It's been wonderful to be able to converse with the Jumakas."

As Jenetta turned to leave, Cayla said, "Should I come with you, Jeneeta?"

The range extender was still switched on and Jenetta heard every word clearly via her CT. Turning, she said, "You're free to come and go as you please, dear, while we're on the palace grounds."

"Me think you want to show my collar to mother and sisters?"

"Uh, yes, that's a thought, if Mr. Wilkerson is finished with you for today."

"Yes, she's free to leave," Wilkerson said.

"Then let's go visit my relatives," she said to Cayla.

As Cayla and Jenetta walked through the palace corridors, Jenetta said, "Conversing with you is going to take some getting used to. I love that we can, but for so many years I've had to determine your likes, dislikes, and moods mostly by guessing."

"You always wonderful to Tayna and me since day you rescue us from cargo people. Tayna and me like you from the start. We still talk about first day when you sit in hold and talk to us like real people."

"Did you understand Amer back then?"

"Yes. We learn by listening to crew on ship. But we unable to speak Amer. All they heard was growling."

"I'm happy to say we've made the first steps towards having the galaxy understand you're not normally vicious animals. And things such as happened on Hudeer should become increasingly rare. You understand that the Hudeerac people aren't all mean?"

"Yes, Jeneeta. Thor tell us what done to him. Zoo man poked with long pole every day. Sometimes, he hit Thor with pole."

"That's what I suspected."

"Thor didn't mean to kill zoo man. He carried away when saw chance to get even. Didn't know Hudeerac so easy to damage. They look strong and powerful, not weak like you."

Jenetta chuckled. "Yes, they do. But most intelligent species have overcome their physical shortcomings by developing powerful weapons for defense."

"And to hit with."

"Yes, for offense as well. But most of us just want to live in peace."

"Tayna and me like that about you. We know you powerful military leader but don't go make trouble. You only fight when have to. Jumakas on home world just want live in peace, too, and avoid two-legs as much as possible."

"How large is the Jumaka population on Taurentlus-Thur?"

"Big. So big have trouble stay hidden from two-legs."

"If we went there, would you and Tayna be able to find your family?"

"You our family, Jeneeta. And we yours. And now have Thor and Nicky in family."

"I love all four of you."

"And we love you. No want look for Jumakas on home world."

~ November 28
^th
, 2288 ~

"It's official, honey," the image of Hugh said as Jenetta opened the vidMail message. "Captain Simpson will return to the ship on December 18 and resume command. It'll take a couple of days for her to get back up to speed, and then I can leave. So officially my leave commences on December 21
^st
. As soon as I can arrange transportation I'll give you an Obotymot arrival date. God, I can't wait to see you and hold you again. I know I won't be able to sleep the night before I arrive at your estate. Gotta go. I just wanted you to hear the good news. I love you.

"Hugh Michaels, Commander, First Officer of the
Bonn
. Message complete."

Jenetta immediately began recording a reply. Since she had arrived back in Region One they had communicated with increasing frequency, so their messages tended to be a little shorter. Hardly a day passed when they didn't both send a message.

"Message to Hugh Michaels, Commander, Acting Captain aboard the GSC Destroyer
Bonn
. Begin message.

"Just send me your location and I'll send my barge for you. I guarantee it'll be quicker than any other form of transportation you can arrange.

"Azula Jenetta A. Carver, from the Palace on the Family Carver Estate on Obotymot. Message complete."

Since the
Bonn
was one of the older pre-DS ships, it had always been assigned patrol duties close to the heart of Region One. It was unlikely that the trip would take more than a full day each way at Marc-1.

~     ~     ~

"Your Grace," Captain Pwuhvasqu, the head of security for the Family Carver Estate, said in a phone call, "I've just received an unconfirmed report of a ship landing in the northernmost part of the estate."

"A ship, Captain? What kind of ship?"

"The description would indicate that it's a cargo vessel small enough to land on a planet."

"Who reported it?"

"An estate tenant on holiday who was fishing in the Aquillwla River tributary."

"But we have no confirmation yet?"

"I've dispatched two squad cars to investigate. They should reach the reported location in roughly twenty minutes."

"Very good, Captain. Keep me informed as you learn more."

~

"The two patrol cars I sent have reported in, Your Grace. There are, in fact, four freighters on the ground now. It appears that aliens are marking off the land into farm-sized parcels. When our men approached, they were fired on."

"Fired on?"

"Yes, Your Grace. No one was injured. I ordered our people to pull back, and I've issued an order for full mobilization of my forces. All off-duty officers are beginning to report in. We should be ready to go in about thirty minutes."

"Captain, I don't want this to escalate until I've had a chance to speak with the alien visitors. Have you identified their race?"

"My men report that they appear to be Yolongi and Mydwuard."

"I see. No Olimpood?"

"None observed yet, but as I understand it, that species is most at home in the sea. Perhaps their ships have landed elsewhere on the planet, closer to an ocean."

"Understood, Captain. I'm going to see for myself in my barge."

"They may attack you, Your Grace."

"The barge is sheathed in Dakinium, so it's virtually indestructible. I'll be careful, Captain. Thank you for your concern. Azula Carver, out."

"Captain McDonnell," Jenetta said when she had contacted the CPS-14, "I have a little trip planned. How soon can you be ready?"

"Five minutes, Admiral. May I ask where we're going?"

"To the northernmost part of my estate."

"On this planet?"

"Yes, Captain. It appears we have some uninvited guests there."

"Yes, ma'am, Admiral. We'll be ready to lift off in four minutes forty-five seconds."

"Very good, Captain. Carver, out."

Jenetta debated whether to change into her SC uniform, then decided to remain in the gown she had selected to wear that day. She hadn't worn her uniform since first arriving on Obotymot and loved the feeling of freedom the gowns gave. The palace dressmaker had been busy making gowns for her through all those years she had been away. She had so many gowns now, she wondered if she'd ever have a chance to wear them all, and the dressmaker continued to work on new gowns as styles continually changed. Jenetta did, however, decide to wear her soft SC boots. She had always worn high heels in the palace because the entire staff were Nordakians, but high heels were not particularly suited to walking in fields.

When she was ready to leave, she walked out onto the balcony in her bedroom. It overlooked the rear garden and she could see the Jumakas playing with the boys.

"Cayla, Tayna, Thor, and Nicky," she shouted. "Meet me out front of the palace."

As she watched, the Jumakas raced for the house.

The four Jumakas were waiting by the palace shuttle pad when she emerged from the palace.

"Where going, Jeneeta?" she heard Cayla ask via her CT.

"To check out a report that ships have landed on the estate without permission and fired at our people. But I don't want any of you to attack them unless they attack first. And then only the person who represents a threat."

"Yes, Jeneeta."

With Tayna and Thor walking on one side, while Cayla and Nicky walked on the other, she passed through the main gate and headed to where the CPS-14 was sitting. Jenetta wondered if the pairings had any significance, such as established mating partnerships.

An engineering chief was standing at the ramp outside the craft and saluted as she approached. She returned the salute and climbed the ramp to enter the cargo container. The chief had to wait until the four Jumakas preceded him so he could close the hatch. The ramp automatically retracted.

"Straight ahead, Admiral," the chief said. "There's a lift for your use. But all four of your cats won't fit inside with you. Two can wait for the car to come down or use the stairs."

Without waiting for instructions, all four Jumakas raced for the stairs.

"Um, can they understand me when I speak, Admiral?"

"Yes, they speak Amer, Dakis, and other languages."

"Speak, ma'am?"

"You have to have a receiver. Your CT— or ID chip in your case, Chief— can be set to receive the translated signal their microphone collar broadcasts. Without the collar, their speech sounds like growls."

"I see. I had no idea they were that intelligent."

"Few people do, Chief. They're sentient beings and far more intelligent and civilized than some of the other sentient species in GA space."

As the lift gate opened topside in the CPS-14, Lieutenant McDonnell was waiting to greet Jenetta. The Jumakas arrived a couple of seconds later.

"Welcome aboard, Admiral."

"Thank you, Captain. You may lift off whenever you're ready. Our destination is the northernmost part of my estate."

"Yes, ma'am, Admiral. Would you care to join us on the bridge?"

"Yes, thank you, I would. This will be my first journey in a CPS-14."

"Actually, it's precise designation is a CPS-14 type B."

"I have noticed a few modifications, such as the fact that the container lift actually rises into the ship. In the CPS-14 I toured, you had to use a stairway. And I know about the speed increase in this vessel."

"Yes, ma'am. Those are the main differences. This way to the bridge, Admiral."

Once on the bridge, McDonnell offered the command chair to Jenetta. She declined, pulled down a jump-seat near the tac station and belted herself in. Since they would be operating in the planetary atmosphere, things could get bumpy. The four Jumakas had followed them in and then sat down near Jenetta's feet.

The small crew was well practiced, and in seconds the ship was aloft and zooming towards the northern part of the estate. Although it could take up to thirty minutes to reach the northern border by air car, the CPS-14B would make the trip in minutes. McDonnell raised the ship up high enough to ensure there was no chance of hitting an oh-gee vehicle, and then had the helmsman apply the maximum safe Sub-light power. In just three minutes they were approaching the mountain range that marked the estate's northern boundary.

"Captain, turn eastward, staying south of the mountains until you see alien craft on the ground. You'll see a large lake with a river flowing both in and out."

"Navigation?" McDonnell said.

"I have it identified, Captain," the navigator said. "I'm sending the course to the helm."

As the area came into view, Jenetta could see the four ships on the ground. They looked oddly familiar. Then she realized why. One of the SC warships operating under her command had once seized a small freighter that was transporting stolen merchandise. That ship looked almost identical to these ships. It had been consigned afterwards to SCI agent Trader Vyx for use by his teams as a base of operations.