Broken Glass (Glass Complex Book 1) (23 page)

“So you have some reason for your order—or request?”
Steg
queried.

“Er—I believe—yes, Mr. Ross. Apparently some claim has been made that the alien is a diplomatic representative for the planet where Xesset are based.” He wiped his brow. He could sense he was not using the correct approach; however his orders had been curt and to the point. “The captain wishes to question the alien to verify his claims.”

“What is the courtesy normally accorded a diplomatic envoy aboard a Fleet star ship?” Steg continued his softly voiced questioning.

The officer brightened. “Why, it rarely happens,” he responded eagerly. “I believe their accommodation is regarded as their territory—their embassy—for the period of the voyage.”

“All the rights of an embassy would apply?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Steg pounced. “So if a duly authorized diplomatic representative were to occupy these quarters,” he waved his hands at the walls. “They would be deemed foreign territory, barred to even the most senior Fleet officer unless an invitation to enter has been extended? In fact, a person entering this embassy without invitation would be a trespasser?”

“Er—I think you must be correct.”

“It would appear you are trespassing.”

The officer did not respond and Steg continued. “You agree, yes? Ambassador Tziksis is occupying these quarters and you are here, uninvited. You are trespassing. Continuance of this intrusion will be regarded as a breach of diplomatic protocol.” Steg was guessing. “That would be a major blunder. If the captain intends to—I believe you said ’question’—the ambassador, it would give rise to a most serious state of affairs. The captain is aware of protocol. Please point out that no one has put forward a claim. And advise him that the Ambassador for Djii will await the pleasure of the captain. Now may I suggest you withdraw?”

The worried officer looked from Steg to Tziksis and back to Steg. He decided to withdraw. “Your points are noted, Mr. Ross. I will return if the captain still requires the presence of the—er—ambassador.” The door closed with a resounding crash as extra force was applied to its closure.

“By default, Tziksis, I think we may have reversed roles. I think I’m now an employee of the Djiis Embassy, at least as spokesman, don’t you think?”

“Young prince correct is. Your support and approach Tziksis accepts. Next move interesting will be.”

“The captain is a career officer and will be prudent, very cautious, very circumspect. He may, of course, hold some anger. We also need to stall for time, at least until we make contact with the Djiis underground.”

******

Chapter 18

*Module
Ziangka
to Steg de Coeur.*

*Proceed.*

*DjiisContact program successful. Djii now in secure tight beam link. Contact is General Theas.*

*Transfer link.*

*Link transferred.*

“General Theas,” Steg addressed the Djiis general via the
Ziangka
’s system kink. “I’m speaking for Ambassador Tziksis. He has authorized this communication. His reference follows.” He transmitted the agreed code. “Please confirm.” The silence that followed was attributable not only to the distance and time delays, but also to the surprise on the part of the general.

“You are speaking on behalf of whom?”

“Ambassador Tziksis. Please authenticate.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” After a moment of silence the voice came back. “Code authenticated. My code follows.”

Steg checked the code with Tziksis. The little alien was almost uncontainably excited. Steg returned his attention to the transmission.

“General. We are on board an Imperial warship, headed towards Djii. ETA is plus forty-three hours. The Fleet objective is capture of Xesset forces and elimination of their base. However, Ambassador Tziksis advises that you need to act before Imperial forces arrive, otherwise your planet will become property of the Western Star Empire. In approximately twenty hours, Xesset forces will lose total control of all their star ships and heavy weapons. Their battle control computer will be unusable. When this happens, you will have a small window for your forces to take control of the Xesset base. Are you prepared to act?”

“What—? Who are you?”

“My name is Steg de Coeur. Until we can improve communications I’m acting as liaison for Ambassador Tziksis. If you need to further validate his code, please advise.”

After a moment of silence the general spoke. “I accept you are calling with the authority of Ambassador Tziksis, whoever you are. Please tell Ambassador Tziksis that we have attacked the base three times since he left and each time, we have been beaten back with severe losses. Xesset have far superior weapons. Please explain how we are to succeed.”

“I can assure you that within twenty hours all Xesset computer systems will be inactive and you’ll have an opportunity to launch your attack. It may be possible for control of their fixed weapons emplacements to be transferred to your forces. Xesset self-destruct mechanisms at the base and on their star ships will be disabled. If you are not in control by the time the Imperial star ship reaches Djii, the Imperials will claim the system.”

“If you are correct—if Xesset systems will be out of action, we have a chance, a good chance. I must discuss this proposal with my officers. Give me one, no—two hours.”

“Very well. We will contact you again when Ambassador Tziksis has access to a communication facility. Steg de Coeur out.”

Steg relayed the conversation to Tziksis. “If we can persuade the captain to provide better quarters and facilities, I should be able to connect you via a workstation.”

“Young prince, your assistance most appreciated is. Although General Theas proof will need.”

“We should be able to provide him with details and also demonstrate that we can access the Xesset systems. The closer we get, the sooner I can do that. Now we had better see who’s knocking on our door, don’t you think?”

“Come in,” instructed Steg, above the noise. The door opened slowly. “Yes?” he asked.

There visitor again was Lieutenant Commander Stenten. He did not meet Steg’s eye. “The captain’s compliments, Mr. Ross, Ambassador Tziksis. He’s—um—unaware of the protocol required by Ambassador Tziksis and requests a meeting to be arranged at a time agreeable to his Excellency. As we are fast approaching Ambassador Tziksis’ planet the captain suggests the meeting take place as soon as possible. Could you please advise your acceptance and requirements of the Ambassador?” He waited, motionless, unblinking.

“Of course the ambassador would like to present his letters of appointment to the captain as soon as arrangements can be made. You must appreciate that these quarters are hardly fitting, given the historic importance of this first formal meeting with the Empire. So until suitable quarters are made available, the Ambassador is not willing to embarrass the captain by requiring him to attend here. The only Djiis protocol applicable in these matters requires that equal numbers of representatives attend formal meetings. This is to ensure a balanced meeting.” Steg was very formal in his delivery of this information, while setting a pattern of behavior based on an invented protocol. At the very least it should constrain the number of attendees at any meeting with Tziksis.

“Understood, Mr. Ross. I’ll convey these details to the captain.” He almost saluted and his hand froze halfway as he remembered the court-martial proceedings. He withdrew hurriedly and the heavy door slammed behind him.

“Well, Tziksis—Mr. Ambassador—you are on your way. We’ll have new quarters, shortly. Even if they are temporary, they’ll be an improvement on this cell. I daresay the captain will continue to post a guard, though.”

“Truly, my friend, fortunate the Fleet you dismissed. Your assistance to Djiis invaluable is.”

“As long as this doesn’t all come undone. I want to prepare the Xesset so that your Djiis forces will be successful against the pirate base. I need an hour without interruptions, if the guard will cooperate.”

Steg prepared himself for the task of contacting the Xesset systems, tensing involuntarily as he recalled the deluge of evil that flooded his mind with every contact. The challenge now was even greater; he needed to penetrate not two or three systems, but twenty or more. He forced himself to relax and focused on re-establishing contact with the seeming myriad of Xesset systems. He reached out and cold, alien filaments impinged on and penetrated his awareness, as they flowed along the tenuous strands of his mental probes. He sought for a way to penetrate the larger system controlling the pirates’ operations and defenses. Xesset now were on alert, aware of the approaching Imperial destroyer, apparently warned by the fugitive Xesset star ship.

Steg probed and tested, moving into the center of the Xesset base system. Each passing moment brought him closer and the diminishing distance allowed him to improve his hold and permit deeper probes into the center of the alien system. He analyzed its various elements, identifying their functions and capabilities. At last he was able to detect program structures as he moved deeper and deeper into the system. He lost awareness of ss
Ziangka
, lost conscious contact with the Imperial system, and was no longer aware of his cell-like quarters, or of Tziksis waiting patiently for a progress report. His contact with the Xesset system was complete.

He moved through the alien system, mentally labeling each unit as he grew more certain of its purpose and functions. The automatic defense units were of minimal intelligence, coarsely structured, easy to read and to subvert. Steg canceled out their effectiveness, unit by unit, adding primitive logic traps and resource consuming loop commands until the pirate base lay exposed, defenseless against any attacking force, Djiis or Imperial. As he eliminated the automated effectiveness of the defense units, he interposed data signals to conceal his invasion, circumventing any pre-emptive reaction from the pirates. His incursions would remain undetected and his efforts to sabotage the defenses would stay in place until reality forced awareness on the Xesset forces.

Steg sought and identified control programs until he reached the self-destruct system for the base. He isolated these programs from the Xesset communications net, eliminating links that provided the path for the flow of that final command. However, Djiis forces would need to ensure quick capture of the self-destruct center, to prevent manual triggering of the explosive devices.

Next he focused on neutralizing Xesset star ships. He formulated and coded recall commands, and transmitted them via the base system to all distant Xesset ships, instructing them to return to their designated orbits in Djiis space. He reached out to the star ships already in Djii orbit, and one by one, penetrated their defenses. He used knowledge gained from the first Xesset pirate ship to isolate ship weapons and simultaneously to close down drive systems. He expanded these commands to seal off the self-destruct systems. He blocked communication links and locked access to engine rooms, so that Xesset crews could not destroy their drifting star ships. At last he was finished.

Steg struggled to return his focus to
Ziangka
. He felt drained, exhausted by what seemed like hours of intense activity.

“I have subverted the Xesset systems, and now they are unable to utilize their weapons systems or star ships to defend their base,” Steg advised Tziksis. “As well, all of their attention is on the ss
Ziangka
which will help General Theas and his forces. As we approach closer and closer, Xesset will become more and more de-stabilized.”

“Excellent news, oh young lordling. With General Theas now will you communicate?”

“Once we move to new quarters, which should be soon, I’ll set up a link for you to speak directly with him.”

The new quarters, although temporary, were a substantial improvement. They had a small suite, with separate bedrooms, and a reception area. Steg assumed a guard was still stationed outside the door.

Captain Gallos, when he made his appearance, was painfully polite. “Ambassador Tziksis, my welcome is belated but nonetheless genuine. You must be disappointed your papers were not processed on Althere where a more appropriate welcome could have been arranged. In turn, that oversight has allowed me to be the one to welcome your mission to the Empire.” He was standing in the center of the large reception room, trying to avoid acknowledging Steg’s presence. His aide was unknown to Steg and also was avoiding eye contact.

“Thank you, Captain Gallos,” Tziksis welcomed. “Your hospitality most re-assuring is. Almost certain Empire and Djiis would never meet, and my task to fulfill impossible was.”

“Ambassador, I realize how difficulties can arise. Now, may I dispense with the usual lengthy exchanges and pleasantries of diplomacy?”

“Captain, why yes. Time on our side is not.” He bobbed his eyestalks.

“Precisely. Your planet unfortunately is being used as a base for these Xesset pirates.” The captain cut to the key issue.

Tziksis had very carefully prepared his speech and presented it with surprising lucidity. “Captain, some time ago a Xesset expeditionary force landed on Djii and took possession of a small region. Their armor and arms were far superior to anything we had experienced. We were overwhelmed. Since that first defeat my people have struggled continuously to overcome and repel this invader. They made slaves of our freemen, starved our populace and used the planet as their base for incursions into Imperial space.”