Broken Glass (Glass Complex Book 1) (22 page)

Tziksis was the leader of one of the stowaway teams. They had successfully hidden until the pirates attacked a star freighter, and then while the Xesset were preoccupied, they made their getaway in a small lifeboat which they launched into the unknown.

Fortunately their departure from the Xesset star ship had gone undetected. However Djiis planners had underestimated the difficulties of supplying and navigating a lifeboat. Their small amount of fuel was quickly exhausted and as they drifted along a shipping lane their supplies ran very low. A curious freighter captain rescued them, taking the lifeboat in exchange for their passage to the nearest planet on his route. The planet was Althere.

Disappointment continued to pursue the small team of Tziksis and his two companions. They had no funds and were unable to interest Imperial officials in their plight. They were treated as refugees and begrudgingly permitted to remain on Althere. Again and again, they tried to contact senior xeno officials but always lacked the funds to bribe the uninterested junior officials. They had been on Althere for three years and had almost given up hope when Steg had offered to take Tziksis back into space. The alien had grasped the opportunity, hardly daring to hope that somehow he eventually would return to his home planet.

“Accredited official envoy for Djii, Tziksis is. All documents held. Authority complete is.” Tziksis ended his story.

Steg sat back in silence. After a few moments he spoke. “Do you still have your documents?”

“All document held,” Tziksis confirmed as he withdrew a small pouch from a hidden recess under his carapace. “Formally signed and sealed by all senior families on Djii.”

“This alters your position, entirely. The xenos will have to take a back seat; an envoy from an alien planet is totally outside their jurisdiction. Do not release those documents under any circumstances to anyone other than the
Ziangka
captain. A Fleet captain has authority to accept envoys and diplomatic missions. He must recognize your diplomatic status. The first thing you should do is copy your documents for xeno validation. Also I can make sure your details and status are registered in the ship’s system. That way no one can deny your status.”

“To copy no problem for Tziksis is. To register them, Tziksis directions will follow.”

“Good. While you arrange a copy, I’ll see how we can arrange a meeting with the captain. I need to do some research. This will create a ripple or two, I suspect.”

“Ripples Tziksis will enjoy,” confirmed the alien as he knocked on the heavy door to attract the attention of the guard.

Steg needed to protect his small friend. He realized he had multiple problems to solve before the alien would be recognized as his planet’s envoy. The first was to arrange a meeting with the captain which was going to be very difficult. Most of all he needed to ensure Djiis were protected from the more rapacious elements of the Empire. By the time the star ship arrived at Djii, the pirate base needed to be under Djiis control. This was the only way to prove to the Empire that Djiis could manage their own planetary affairs. Otherwise they would become a vassal state, totally under Imperial control.

His mind churning, Steg contacted the system.

*Steg de Coeur to Module
Ziangka
.*

*Module
Ziangka
.*

*Advise arrival schedule for Xesset base.*

*Orbit Xesset base plus two days seven hours.*

*Prepare for transmission to Glass Complex.*

Steg dictated a long message for the Acolytes requesting their assistance. He included very detailed instructions. In response, he hoped, orders would be transmitted to the captain as though sourced from Fleet Admiralty. One of these orders would instruct the captain to accept Tziksis as a duly authorized envoy, and for ss
Ziangka
to render full aid and assistance to the planet and its people. A separate order would instruct the xeno team to authenticate Tziksis’ status. Steg hoped that by the time anyone on the star ship thought to verify Admiralty instructions, all formalities would have been concluded, with the planet back in control of its people. Faced with such a
fait accompli
it would be extremely difficult for the Empire to withdraw the recorded recognition of independent status of Djii.

Tziksis was re-admitted by the bored guard and showed the copied documents to Steg.

“Good, Tziksis. Now listen. We do not have very much time. First the xenos need to validate these documents. They will forward their validation to the captain. He will also receive orders from Fleet Admiralty to accept your diplomatic status.”

“Oh master youth, Tziksis forever in your debt is. All Djiis will be in your debt if success we have.”

“I’ll do what I can. What communication arrangements do you have with your Djiis underground?”

“Coded communication is possible. Djiis technology improved with equipment from Xesset trash stolen. Careless disposal process helped Djiis.”

“We need to contact your underground as soon as possible. Their challenge will be to take back control from Xesset forces before we arrive.” He explained his reasoning.

“Very major task that is. Twenty small star ships and two large star ships Xesset have. Xesset on planet well armed, base heavily defended is.”

“What if I can cancel the advantages held by Xesset forces? If I cut their communications links, and make sure their ships cannot fight? I may even be able to control their entire network, so that they become isolated units. Would your people be prepared to act?”

“Oh master, sir, any reward Tziksis can grant, yours is. Freedom of the planet would be wondrous, a dream of all Djiis.”

“Let us see what happens. And in return, perhaps Djiis can assist me and my people, if ever that is needed?”

Tziksis delivered his reply with care; for once, his syntax was not mangled. “Our debt to you is already high and will be substantial if you succeed in this plan, Steg de Coeur. My duty and pleasure, is to formally commit my people and their resources, to aid you and your people if ever the need arises. I, Tziksis, Ambassador for the people of Djii, make this promise and pledge my house and my life to its redemption.”

Steg bowed his head in formal acceptance of the pledge, recognizing the extent of the burden that his alien friend had imposed on himself and his people. “Thank you, Tziksis. And please, from now on—my name is Steg.”

“Oh master youth. Steg. Overjoyed, Tziksis is.”

The alien had learned to survive in the rough alleyways of Althere yet had maintained his innate dignity. His survival under dangerous and challenging circumstances justified the faith placed in him by his people on Djii.

“Now we have work to do,” Steg reminded Tziksis. “You need to deliver the copy of your credentials to the xenos. Simply leave them with the duty officer, and if questioned, simply state you have been instructed to make the delivery. They’ll
also
receive a message ordering them to examine the copy and authenticate your status to the captain. Do not surrender the originals. Return here at shift changeover and we’ll await developments.”

“Yes, my friend. Influence the ship system now you plan?”

“Er—yes. Now go, while I organize the next step. Please make sure I am not disturbed. Check with me in the morning.”

Steg waited for the guard to let Tziksis out of the cabin.

*Steg de Coeur to Module
Ziangka
.*

*Module
Ziangka
.*

*Monitor and advise status of communications from Fleet Admiralty on Althere to Captain Gallos. Subjects are planet Djii and envoy Tziksis. Advise when received. Also monitor for communication to xeno team lead, same subjects. Advise when received.*

He released his contact with the system, confident that he would be advised when the messages were received. Now he would test his abilities to the utmost. His success or failure would influence the future of Djii. He sat back and relaxed, closing his mind to the cabin, to the ship and to the system. He concentrated, listening, searching, extending his reach. He could detect sprinkles of light scattered across the vast expanse that surrounded him as though he were searching a star-filled sky on an exceptionally dark night. He reached out along the path the star ship was heading, stretching his mind, seeking any and every faint murmur. Nothing. Nothing at all.

Steg was only marginally dismayed. The star ship would take another two days to reach the Djiis system. He realized the timing would be exceptionally tight. He lay on the bunk, and closed his eyes, and relaxed, purposefully moving to a deep relaxed state. Deeper. Deeper. The stars returned. He watched them, felt for their source, listened to their messages. He moved deeper, further into a relaxed state until he slept soundly.

*
Ziangka
Module to Steg de Coeur.*

*Steg de Coeur.*

*Communications received from Admiralty both for xeno team lead and for Captain Gallos. Message contents follow.*

Steg sat up and reviewed the contents of the two messages. The Glass Complex Acolytes had implemented his instructions. Steg suspected the Complex also had added records to the Admiralty system on Althere that would confuse any validation process. Pleased with completion of the first step in his plans, he lay back and closed his eyes, hoping for at least another hour of sleep.

He was in a nightmare, struggling to survive. Cold tendrils sought him and filled his mind, clawed at his will. He fought back, struggling to breathe in the black airless void of his imagination. He wrestled with the tendrils, trying to grip them, forcing them to turn back, to leave him alone. As soon as he succeeded with one tendril, another moved in and attacked him. He continued his battle, alone, fighting against the dread that filled his mind. He recognized the touch of Xesset systems. He drew on all his strength and lashed out at the threatening collection of evil. It retreated, tendrils lashing futilely. The nightmare ceased and Steg resumed a restful sleep.

He awoke when the guard opened his cell door to allow Tziksis to enter.

“Copy of Djiis documents to xeno team with success delivered,” confirmed Tziksis after the guard left. “Duty officer intrigued was. No protest or questions made.”

“They’ve received instructions to examine the documents and report their validity to the captain. The captain has also received instructions. We should be hearing from him some time in the next hour or so. Then, Tziksis, it will be in your hands. The important objective is to ensure that no matter what happens, sovereignty of Djiis is preserved.”

“Tziksis understands, young princeling. In short acquaintance Tziksis observant was. Imperial ills its strengths almost outweigh.” The alien was cautious.

“Not almost,” Steg had no such caution. “I’ve no doubt about the ills of the Empire. My homeworld has been caught up in its corruption and cruelties, and I must continue to warn you of the dangers.”

“Tziksis and prince agreed are.” His eyestalks bobbed up and down. “Djiis will do all possible to pirates defeat. My people could not survive. The yoke of a second oppressor they do not need. Djiis free must be. We friends with Empire and Homeworld would wish, however major debt to Steg de Coeur we will owe.”

“Very well. Now, how do I contact the underground leaders on Djii? Can you give me names? Codes? Contact frequencies?”

“Yes, code is. Protocol I have. General Theas very surprised will be. At first also suspicious,” Tziksis warned.

“If I use the Xesset language they’ll respond?”

“Yes, we understand Xesset and speak. Xesset refused to learn Djiis, difficult is. Even Imperial xenos, problems will have.” He waved his eyestalks to emphasize his point.

“Very good. Now, let me try for contact. We may still be too far away, I need to check. Block the door for me, just in case the guards decide to pay us a visit,” Steg directed as he settled down to the task.

*Steg de Coeur to Module
Ziangka
.*

*Module
Ziangka
.*

*New program, DjiisContact. Use following codes and frequencies.* Steg prepared and input the parameters for the system to use in the attempt to contact Djiis forces. Using
Ziangka
for that task would free Steg for other activities. The system would continuously beam a message to the planet, targeting the Djiis communication net. The system would listen and advise Steg when it detected a reply, however faint. He monitored the communication process until he was confident the program was running smoothly.

“We’re still too distant,” he advised Tziksis. “However, the communication program is running and will not stop until we have a reply. It shouldn’t be too long, if your people are monitoring the channels—” His comments were interrupted by loud knocking on the cell door. “Perhaps someone wants to speak to us, do you think?” The door swung open to reveal the guard and a senior ship’s officer, Lieutenant Commander Stenten. He had been a member of Steg’s court-martial board. The officer stepped into the small cabin.

“Lieutenant—er—Mr. Ross. The captain’s compliments and he orders—um, that is, he requests the presence of the Djiis alien known as Tziksis.” The officer was nervous because he had heard strange rumors about the Homeworlder in addition to the evidence at the court-martial, and he was uncertain how to present the captain’s order.