Angry Ghosts (17 page)

The counselor smiles. “It’s a very human thing called forgiveness. We’ll teach you all about it.”

Thompson smiles unconvincingly and nudges his teammates. They turn and stride out. Sharon and Ortega approach Keller, stating, “We’
re going to go check on Gregor…see how he’s doing.”

Keller nods his assent, and the two depart, leaving Keller and the counselor alone in the room. Keller walks to the table’s edge and sits on it, studying the bare walls. The unhappy aftermath troubles him.

“I imagined this turning out better.”

The counselor steps in front of his captain, lowering his head submissively. “Are you displeased with my performance?”

“No! No,” Keller counters, “not at all. You were brilliant.”

The counselor looks up in confusion. “Then what is it?”

Keller shuffles his feet. “Maybe we should have left well enough alone.”

“Pardon
?”

Keller looks off to the side then looks back. “We just met these people, and did you see how they left this meeting? They welcomed u
s openly, publicly, completely… Now they’re suspicious. We backed them into a corner.”

“We had good cause.”

“Good cause?” Keller guffaws. “Argo, Maiella, and Thompson didn’t even
want
to be saved! We should have asked them first… And dragging Gregor through that all over again…
Jesus
, I wish they hadn’t shown that video…” He balls his fist and brings it up to his mouth. “We’ve all lost friends, but Gregor…he just watched his wife’s
murder
.” His fist opens, and he grips his brow, squeezing tightly. “Everything was so hopeful…and we wrecked it.”

The counselor thinks for a moment. “I disagree.”

Keller raises his head suspiciously.

“How different are our two cultures?” the counselor asks.

Keller arches an eyebrow. “Like two sides of a coin. Why?”

“With cultures as different as ours, conflict was inevitable. They may not like it, but the cadre is now fully aware we intend to keep our autonomy, and you’ve retained your authority. We set that boundary early, and that’ll save us a
lot
of conflicts down the road.”

“And what about interfering in their system of justice? We deeply offended them;
and
we made Argo, Thompson, and Maiella outcasts
in their own society
!”

“That’s an even simpler justification. If we hadn’t acted, they’d be dead.”

“Yes, but at what cost?”

“Cost is irrelevant, Captain. They’re alive, and that’s all that matters.”

Keller nods, reluctantly admitting the counselor is right. He looks to the side again and speaks to the wall ironically. “We were so afraid they were going to dominate
us
…tell
us
what to do. I guess we beat ’em to the punch.”

The counselor looks at Keller strangely. “You think we forced ourselves on them?”

“Didn’t we? We’re the only ones who wanted to save Thompson, Maiella, and Argo! We didn’t have any concern for what
they
wanted.”

The counselor looks at the floor before replying, “Morality exists independently from human desires.”

Keller looks back at him quizzically. “Huh?”

“Captain, have I always agreed with you?”

Keller laughs, “Certainly not!”

“That’s right. There were times I barred your way from what you
wanted
to do because it was the
right
thing to do.”

Keller gets the gist of it. “Go on.”

“Just like when crewman Toro lost his mind, and after his attempted sabotage of the main reactor failed he tried to kill you. You had just beaten him to the ground, and when I walked in, Gregor was passing you a rifle. You were going to kill him.”

Keller rubs his knuckles as if they still ache from the fight. “I remembe
r. I was furious, and I wanted to make an example of him so it'd never happen again.”

“I stood between you and Toro, and I refused to let you kill him. Everyone on the bridge was with you. It’s what you and they all wanted. But I ignored your orders.”

Keller nods ruefully. “Turns out there was a gas leak at his engineering station, hardly noticeable; but it was building up in his system, and it caused a chemical imbalance… After treatment, he was so grateful we helped him, he became a new man. Hardest working, never quit or complained…then the fire… He was the only one who stayed to fight the flames…and he died for us.”

“Toro was already working against the same desolation and loss of hope many of the crew were feeling. The fumes at his station for some reason made him
fixate on that until all he could think about was ending it. In his own warped way, he believed he was
helping
us all by taking away the pain of a hopeless life. If you had killed Toro, someone else would have taken his station, and the same thing might have happened all over. And maybe
no one
would have stayed to fight that fire.”

Keller nods thoughtfully at the memory, and even though he hated the counselor for defying him then, he came to be grateful he had
not killed Toro. It is an obvious parallel to the situation at hand.

“The cadre may disapprove, even hate us for what we did here,” the counselor explains, “but it doesn’t alter the fact it was the
right
thing to do. There is no such thing as perfect information, which is why justice can never be carried out summarily—the wheels of that machine are designed to turn slowly.”

Keller’s head bobs in agreement as the counselor continues.

“Thompson, Argo, and Maiella will prove themselves worthy to the cadre as they did to us. All we did is ensure they get the chance.”

Keller’s expression lightens considerably, like a great weight has been taken off. Then he grins unexpectedly. “
Man
, you’re good at this. You sure you weren’t a salesman before you were a psychiatrist?”

The counselor gives a battleship-wide grin as they walk out together. “Who says I quit being a salesman?”

“
General
," Keller continues with exasperation, “how can you say it doesn’t matter how our DNA is combined?
It’s part of us!
Why wouldn’t we want a say in how our parts are combined? We’re making
people
here! People who are going to be our
children
!”

“
Yes
, Captain,” O’Kai grates through clenched teeth, “we
are
making people, but you make your case as if you were donating limbs. Your DNA is a
product
.
Nothing more!
”

“A
product
?” Gregor leans forward, splitting at his seams. “A fucking
product
? Our DNA, it’s… it’s who we
are
!”

“It’s our intimate self,” Sharon restates less forcefully, “our uniqueness… our…our…” She trails off, searching for words stifled by emotion.

“Nothing could be more important or sacred to us,” Ortega finishes.

Ralla leans forward, much cooler than anyone besides the counselor. “Captain, you speak of your genes as if they comprised your identity, as if by giving up a sample, you would cease to be who you are. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Do you know how many cells your body sloughs off in a day? We could benefit vastly from a swab of your cheek, and you would still be who you are today.”

Keller looks down at the table shaking his head. “No, Major, you’re not understanding…” He lifts a hand to his mouth and looks off into space, trying to regroup, trying to make them see.

The counselor notices the lull in discussion and seizes the moment. “General, let’s back away from the topic for a moment and take a deep breath. We have reached a point where both of our arguments are valid and important. Please believe that we want to resolve this issue, so let’s start again where our real breakdown in communication is occurring.”

The pause is a welcome respite to all, and the storm clouds hovering over the table begin to dissipate. Much sighing and rubbing of faces ensues, and after a few deep breaths, everyone is ready to try again.

“General,” the counselor continues, “a key difference between our societies is how we think of our own bodies. In your cadre, it appears tha
t everything is shared, and it's a practice born of necessity. We can see how you've struggled to endure, and it is largely due to your extensive sharing of resources, such that there's no ownership of anything. Not even yourselves!”

“Oh-nur-ship?” O’Kai questions.

“Possession of something to the exclusion of everyone else,” the counselor explains.

O’Kai furrows his brow at the concept as do his officers. The counselor easily re
ads revulsion to the concept in their faces, and he preempts their objection.

“General, we understand why your cadre works the way it does because it
has
to. There is no alternative. To survive, this was your option. I want you to believe that we genuinely respect that.”

“All right, Counselor, then can we end this debate?”

“We can, General, if you can make a similar leap of faith that we are this way because we, too,
have
to be.”

O’Kai pans his head at his fellows, stymied as to how the counselor could possibly be serious.

“General,” the counselor says, calling O’Kai’s attention back to the table. The aged operator squints back at him, eyebrows lowered.

“Do you believe we have lived the same lives?” the counselor poses.

O’Kai nearly loses his seat, guffawing at the obviousness of the answer. “Clearly, we have not!”

“Fair enough,” the counselor concedes. “You became the way you are because of the realities of life around you. Why, then, is it so hard to believe
we
became the way we are because of the realities of
our
lives?”

The mocking look is gone
, skepticism evaporates. “All right, Counselor,” O’Kai states, “I’m listening.”

The counselor takes a moment
to regroup, to make sure the hard-earned attention he has just won is not wasted.

“I submit that all our differences are strengths. Each of our two cultures has so much to offer the
other, I don’t know where to begin! But maybe we should start right here with how we think of our own bodies. In your world, they are community property. But in our world, they are private; and it is paramount we retain the ability to determine what we do with, and what becomes of, our own bodies.”

“You’re
deliberately
withholding something we need for
no
justifiable purpose!” Chusan explodes.

“No,” the counselor counters calmly, “we are simply obeying what our inner voices tell us is right.”

“
Slag
,” Shao-Lo says in derision. “You’re trying to use
words
to attain dominance over something you
fear
.”

Gregor is almost completely out of his seat before the counselor gets a hand on his shoulder and eases him back down. Gregor stares holes through Shao-Lo, but she is unmoved by his visual attack. Moreover, it proves to her
that she is right.

“Colonel, it
is
true, your cadre can be frightening to us,” the counselor begins, “but is that what we were discussing?”

Shao-Lo blushes slightly at being called out on her non sequitur. “No,” she admits reluctantly.

“Okay,” the counselor accepts, giving Gregor’s shoulder a brief squeeze before continuing. “Now then, we were talking about ourselves and how we differ in our views, how those views should not be discounted by
either
side.”

Shao-Lo opens her mouth to debate, but O’Kai’s stern glare mutes her abruptly. She purses her lips and folds her hands in front of herself. O’Kai scans the rest of his council, ensuring there is no further dissent
, and defers to the counselor with a nod.

Again, the pause is welcome; and the counselor relaxes his stance, rounding his shoulders slightly.

“I understand your position. I really do. You've had a
very
difficult existence of scarcity and uncertainty, and the reason you do things this way is because they
work
. Your group is strong and alive. Well, we, too, are strong and alive. What
we
have done to survive has worked as well. Consider that.”

The counselor pauses, letting the message sink in. Shao-Lo, Chusan, Ralla, and even quiet Munro nod their heads in, at least, a tacit acceptance. Wrapping up, he adds, “So long as we don’t discount the
needs
of each other, we
can
come together, and we can do so without feeling we have given up something important.”

O’Kai’s head bobs with agreement. “I believe we understand each other. And on this point, we will agree: in combining the DNA of our two groups, we
will
obtain input for education and occupational determination from the colonist contributors, which will be balanced against the cadre’s most critical needs.”

Keller nearly bursts with relief. “Thank you, General! I know our people will be much stronger from our joining.”

“General, one more thing,” the counselor requests.

O’Kai looks at him with a renewed wariness, almost dreading another request from these familiar looking, yet thoroughly alien people.

“Yes?”

The counselor takes a thoughtful lo
ok around the room. “I know we're different. Maybe expecting us to just immediately understand each other is asking too much too soon. That will have to come with time. Instead, can we end this meeting with the accomplishment that despite our differences, we will make effort to accept each other, as we are?”

O’Kai smiles and stands to clasp the counselor’s outstretched hand. “I’d like that.”

On cue, the council officers stand and salute respectfully.

O’Kai retracts his hand, announcing, “Meeting adjourned!”

The council officers huddle around their general as he immediately begins issuing orders. Keller and his officers huddle up as well. Keller’s eyebrows rise then fall with a heavy exhale.

“Jesus!” Gregor exclaims. “Is
everything
gonna be this hard?”

Sharon shrugs, her face mirror
ing the question. Keller turns from his crew and stares at the cadre officers. They are so closely engaged, they do not notice him looking.

“I'
ve a feeling we’re gonna have to fight with everything we have to keep from getting gobbled up… like puffer fish in a tank full of sharks.”

The counselor puts a hand on Keller’s shoulder. “Captain, the cadre is a group that has survived by forcefully taking whatever it needs. Today, its general learned the meaning of the word ‘compromise.’ Please don’t belittle that.”

The counselor steps around Keller, making his way to the other side of the broad table. Gregor sidles up close to his captain.

“Sir,” he whispers, “why do you let him talk to you like that? If these people see him talking down to you, they may think he’s the boss. Personally, I trust you to look out for us more than I trust him.”

“I get your point, Gregor...” Keller states glumly, “but I’m no diplomat. I was trained for command of a colony ship, not spanning these cultural chasms.”

They all turn at once to watch the counselor, how easily he has broken into the
cadre officers’ conversation, how receptive they seem to his comments, how comfortable they are having him near.

“If this was something about the
Europa
,” Keller explains, “you’re right, I wouldn’t have it, but here... I trust him. His detachment gives him an objectivity I could never have.”

“With all due respect,” Gregor hisses, “as captain of the
Europa
and her crew, can you
afford
to be objective?”

Keller
's eyes gape as he contemplates his subordinate having just lectured him on his duty.

“I realize, Gregor, you are only making sure I keep perspective on my role as captain, so even though it
sounds
like a challenge to my authority, I will not take it as such. The counselor has my full confidence, and that'll have to suffice for you as well.
Is that clear?
”

Gregor stiffens nervously.
“Clear as vodka, sir.”

Once Keller is sure Gregor understands, he claps him on the
back to show there are no hard feelings.

“Captain!” calls the counselor.

Keller looks across the table to see the cadre officers and the counselor attentively gazing his way. 

“What is it?”

“With your permission, I’d like to offer the general a tour of the
Europa
.”

Keller scans the faces of his officers. Their wary expressions do not deter him. “Of course!” he replies grandly, “provided the favor is returned.”

O’Kai nods immediately. “Perhaps seeing how we live will enhance our understanding.”

The counselor smiles fondly as he alone understands what a huge undertaking it will be to deviate the cadre’s rigid work schedules.

“Colonel Munro,” O’Kai orders, “take these people wherever they would like to go and ensure their safety. Major Ralla, you will go with the counselor and inspect the
Europa
. Brick Argo described several items of interest in his report, and I’ll expect your full analysis.”

Munro and Ralla snap to attention and salute. “Sir!” they reply in unison.

“But, General,” the counselor questions, “won’t you join us?”

O’Kai ponders a moment and his mouth curls slightly, somewhat pleased his presence was asked for
specifically.

Shao-Lo leans forward, saying, “Chusan and I could assume your duties over the next three hours.”

O’Kai frowns thoughtfully. “All right, Counselor. Let’s go.”

* * * * *

Colonel Munro throws aside a hulking pressure door with his strong arm. Immediately, the hiss, clank, and screech of heavy industry pour out.

“
This is our primary fabrication facility
,” he shouts above the din. “
Most of our final assembly is completed here
.”

Keller peers past the big man, taking in the total scene of conveyors, sturdy load lifters marching with large metal parts in their grips, arcing sparks, massive automated machines, and, wavering with heat in the background, the foundry. Driving the load lifte
rs are bald humans with metal-capped heads and dark lenses over their eyes. Tall numbers are printed on their armored chests.