A Galaxy Unknown 10: Azula Carver (41 page)

~     ~     ~

Arriving at Nordakia, all passengers aboard the barge disembarked and were shown to a suite where they would stay until Jenetta's business was concluded.

After settling in, Jenetta was escorted to the king's study. As always, she waited in the corridor with Cayla and Tayna until announced and then walked to where the king was standing and bowed her head.

"Please lift your head, Your Grace. You've done splendidly so far and I want to show my appreciation. In the future, when you come into my presence, or that of my queen, you need not hold your head bowed. It will be sufficient merely to bow it slightly as a token sign of respect."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Jenetta said, "for this great honor."

And it was a great honor. In the Nordakian Royal Court, only the closest of relatives, such as the king's and queen's siblings, and of course the three Princes of the realm, had ever been granted that same privilege.

"Thank you, Your Grace, for your many services to the crown. Now, how do things really look for a successful reunification with our cousins on Dakistee?"

"I can't imagine they'll refuse our offer, Your Majesty, but the president is a very stubborn woman. I've gone over my strategy for weeks, planning every word for maximum effect based on what I believe her reaction might be to whatever I say. Lady Christa has made an appointment but has not informed Madu that we'll be bringing a group of Nordakian delegates. If I know Madu, she'll immediately eject them from her office— if they even get into her office. The delegates you've chosen must be prepared for that and never display the merest hint of anger or embarrassment."

"The people I've chosen are the best in the diplomatic core. You could stand in front of them for hours, cursing them, their families, their heritage, and even myself and their queen, and they would never do anything except smile pleasantly. They wouldn't even do anything such as clenching their hands."

"Excellent, Your Majesty. That's exactly what we need. I'll do everything else. And before we leave Dakistee, I'll have a signed treaty and promises that will make the citizens of Dakistee stand, applaud, and begin making plans for celebrations."

"Wonderful. I won't ask exactly what you'll say because we can't predict the president's reactions, but I know it will play out as you say."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Will you and your mother join the queen and myself in the family dining room for dinner tonight?"

"We'd love to."

"And perhaps you could bring the twins so we can see them."

"Of course. May I bring the nanny along in case the twins start crying? She can take them back to our suite so they don't ruin the mealtime."

"Of course."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. If I'm excused, I'll see you this evening."

"Yes. Until this evening, Your Grace."

~

"We're going to have dinner with the king and queen?" Annette asked, slightly shocked.

"Yes, Mama. You'll like them. They're very nice people."

"It's just that I've never dined with royalty before."

"Of course you have. I'm the Azula and you're the Azula Mum. We're royalty, Mama."

"Oh, you know what I mean. They're real royalty."

"So are we, Mama. The only difference is that they were born into their position while ours was bestowed by royal proclamation. When we're escorted into their presence, you must stop where I do, bow your head, and hold it down until the king or queen tells you to raise it. Don't take your cue from me because I've been granted the great privilege of bowing my head and then looking up. You have to hold yours down until told to raise it. After that, simply be cordial. You'll like them, and they'll like you."

~

As Jenetta had instructed her, Annette bowed her head and held it. Celona, so nervous she was shaking, did the same. The king and queen came over to the stroller after telling Annette and Celona to raise their heads and looked down at the twins, who were sleeping.

"Your children are beautiful, Your Grace," the queen said. "They look very much like you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. All I ever hoped for them is that they be healthy, but being somewhat attractive has its advantages in life."

"That's true," the king said. "Shall we dine?"

Celona wasn't invited to eat and hadn't expected to be, so she had eaten before leaving the suite. She stayed with the twins while the royals enjoyed their meal.

When the meal was over, Jenetta thanked the king and queen for their hospitality and returned to their suite with Annette, Celona, the babies, and Cayla and Tayna. Ruby and Jake had remained in the suite."

"See, Mama, I told you how nice they were," Jenetta said once they were back in their suite.

"Yes, dear. They were very nice. By the end of the meal I had almost forgotten they were the king and queen."

"They've always made me feel at home here. They've never acted pretentious in the slightest."

"Yes, dear. I know you like them. And I do also, now that I've met them."

~

The following morning, with everyone aboard, including the Nordakian delegation to Dakistee, the barge lifted off and headed towards the original home world of the Nordakian ancestors.

~ February 15
^st
, 2290 ~

"Madam President," her secretary said when he buzzed her office, "Admiral Jenetta Carver and Lt. Commander Christa Carver are here to see you with a group of— um— delegates. But there doesn't seem to be an appointment listed for them."

"Yes, I made an appointment with Commander Carver a week ago. I guess I forgot to tell you so you could log it. Send them in, Doresru."

"Uh, all of them, Madam President?"

"Yes, all of them."

Madu smiled and stood up as the party, led by Admiral Carver with Cayla and Tayna at her sides, entered her office. But her smile quickly disappeared when she realized there were Nordakians in the party. "Out!" she screamed as she pointed at the Nordakians. "I don't allow you people in here. Get out!"

Minister Dtaple Gkibuke stopped so abruptly that the Nordakian behind him walked into him. Without expression, he looked at Madu, bowed his head, then turned and left, shooing the others out ahead of him without a word.

Madu extended her hand towards her desk and tapped a button. The doors to her office closed quickly and silently.

"That wasn't very nice, Madam President," Jenetta said. "They came a long way to see you."

"I don't have to be nice to them. I'd ban them from the planet if I could, but the People's Congress voted to allow them free movement here since Nordakia is a member planet of the GA. I may have to tolerate their presence on the planet, but I don't have to allow them into my private office. They should know they aren't welcome here."

"Oh, they know. Everyone on the planet knows. Everyone in Region One knows. Probably everyone in the GA knows. I can't speak for the people outside GA space, but they probably know also."

"Did you come here to insult me, Admiral Carver?"

"Have I insulted you , Madam President, by agreeing with you and innocently stating common knowledge?"

Madu stared at Jenetta for a few seconds before saying, "It's nice to see you wore your own uniform this time."

"I'm sorry for deceiving you that day, Madam President, but it was necessary if I was to evaluate the situation properly."

"No harm done."

"No, no harm done, thanks to your quick response in cancelling the contract with TGP."

Madu was seething on the inside. Admiral Carver had only been in her office for two minutes and she was already ready to scratch her eyes out. She calmed down and asked, "To what do I owe the honor of a visit by Admiral Carver?"

"I came to extend an offer."

"What kind of offer?"

"An offer to end the sterility plague among your people and restore fertility."

"You've found a cure?"

"We believe a cure has been found."

"Well, where is it?" Madu asked anxiously.

"With the people you just ejected from your office."

"What? They have the cure?"

"We believe so. In every test the GA scientists have been able to run, the test was positive."

"What do those green-blue monsters have to do with it?"

"The Nordakians are responsible for the cure."

"They were responsible for the plague."

"The people responsible for the plague died twenty centuries ago, and you know it."

"They are their descendents."

"And they are your cousins. They come from the same bloodlines as yourself."

"I won't deal with them." Narrowing her eyes slightly, she asked, "Exactly who developed the cure?"

"The doctors, scientists, and researchers at the GA labs actually developed the cure, but they might never have found it if not for the research provided by the Nordakian government."

"Then
you
can give it to me as a representative of the GA."

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"You have to. The GA must have spent millions of credits to develop it for us. You have to give it to us."

"No. If you want the cure, you must apologize to the people you chased out of your office. Then you must make a formal announcement thanking the Nordakians for their efforts and accepting them as cousins who will always be welcome on this planet as if it were their home."

"Are you insane? You think I'm actually going to do that?"

"Do you want the cure or not?"

"This is blackmail."

"Blackmail. Such a terrible word for what this really is."

"And what do you call it?"

"Peacemaking."

"I warn you that I'll file a formal complaint against you with Space Command if you don't give me that cure."

"Fine. Would you like to say it to me verbally or give it to me in writing?"

"I'm not giving it to
you
. I'm going over your head."

"Perhaps you aren't aware of what different rank insignias in the military represent, but if you look at my shoulder boards, you'll see five stars. That means my rank is Admiral of the Fleet. My predecessor, Admiral Richard Moore, wanted to retire last year, so the Galactic Alliance Senate voted on a nomination that I replace him when he retired. The vote was unanimous in favor of my appointment. But I needed some time off for personal business, marriage, and having children, so he delayed his retirement until two days ago. He's cleaned out his quarters and his office, and is presently underway for Earth aboard the GSC Battleship
Artemis
. I officially became Admiral of the Fleet two days ago. I am now the highest ranking officer in Space Command. Effectively, I
am
Space Command. So if you want to forward a complaint to me, feel free."

Madu hadn't paid attention to the number of stars on Jenetta's shoulders. Military people notice that immediately but not civilians who have never been in the service. But it could be another uniform gambit, such as when Jenetta had visited in Christa's uniform, so Madu looked at Christa, who raised her eyebrows and nodded slightly.

"So you're not going to give me the cure?" Madu asked, returning her gaze to Jenetta.

"I don't have the cure. The Nordakians have it. The question is— how bad do you want it? Didn't you once say you'd do anything to get the cure, even give your life? Surely making peace with distant relatives is better than giving up your life, spending the rest of your life in a prison cell for sharing restricted information with a criminal organization, or watching your entire race die out."

"And all I have to do is make a public speech thanking them?"

"Essentially, but— with a bit of displayed warmth as they share the stage with you, even if you don't feel it. You have to embrace them as former Dakistians and tell them pointedly, on camera, that Nordakians will always be welcome here on the planet, in your office, or in the president's mansion. And you must sign a formal treaty with Nordakia declaring your intention to work with them on common matters of interest and an agreement that establishes them as a trading partner."

Madu snorted slightly. "If you expect me to hug them, you're pushing it."

"How important to you are the lives of the one hundred forty-two thousand citizens that were awakened
and
the future of your entire race?"

Madu walked around the office trying to think of a way out, or another alternative, while Jenetta remained impassive. She knew Carver was playing hardball and appeared perfectly willing to condemn the people of Dakistee to death if Madu didn't relent. She knew her last thought had been overly dramatic, but hatred for the Nordakians had been a part of her life for so long she was having trouble surrendering it up. However, as Admiral Carver had said, forgiving the descendants of the ancient people responsible for the plague was better than dying.

"Okay," Madu said. "You leave me no choice. I'll do it." Leaning over her desk, Madu tapped the com and said, "Doresru, send in the delegates that arrived with Admiral Carver."

"All of them, Madam President?"

"Yes, all of them."

As the door opened, Minister Gkibuke led the way in. He was calm and smiling. He hadn't been upset when he and the other delegates had been ejected from Madu's office because Jenetta had explained it was very likely to happen. And Azula Carver had been correct, as she always was. She had also told him that he would be invited back in after Madu had a chance to review her actions and options.

"Madam President, I would like to introduce Minister Dtaple Gkibuke, the Chief of Protocol for their Royal Majesties King Tpalsh and Queen Ckuhah. He will present the sterility cure at the press conference you will arrange by telling the press you have something to tell the populace that will affect the lives of every Dakistian on the planet."

"Then I don't get the cure now?"

"At the press conference, Madam President, as I've said. The sooner you hold the press conference, the sooner you'll have the cure."

If Madu had been hoping to get the cure now and then never seem to find the time to conduct a press conference, she was disappointed. And if she expected to have a conference that was lightly attended, she would likewise be disappointed because Jenetta had told Christa to contact every correspondent known to her office and inform them that if they missed the press conference they would miss the biggest story of the millennia.