Carinae Sector: 02 - Admiral's Fury - Part 2 - Hidden Menace (10 page)

Robert’s thoughts were interrupted as a gruff American film producer with a southern accent walked over to speak with him.

‘Dr Robert Seville? I am Sam Rhodes and I am right glad you could come out to advise us about our latest telemovie.’

Robert placed Sam’s original home in the US as likely from Georgia or thereabouts. Sam shook hands with him and steered him off around the other side of the shuttle to the awaiting tents.

‘Robert, if I may call you that? We have several famous actors doing their voice over’s for our re-enactment and the young Australian couple representing the first Barede governor and his wife have been here for several days.’

Robert resigned himself to attempting to go through the data tablets he had brought with him before bedtime, if that was at all possible. He was introduced to a variety of actors before being led through the complex of tents onto the northern side of the small island. A series of six large black shapes were arrayed with parts of their hulls in the water and Robert found the resemblance to the long absent Maveen chilling as Sam kept talking.

‘….so we aim to be here for another two weeks or so and then back to Hollywood for the post production work. Now I take it you like our make believe radio controlled Maveen probes that we have had built for filming purposes?’

Robert Seville now noted the differences about the artificial probes as they rocked in the sea breeze buffeting Gun Island. He called up a data tablet and the voice of Dan Edwards, one of the original researchers on the Traders and the Maveen spoke about the probes. As he listened he felt a certain level of apprehension as he studied the artificial Maveen, but he could not exactly place his finger on what actually concerned him.

‘The black Maveen probes sit on the beach like massive pieces of metal, firm and resolute, despite being buffeted by strong breezes in the afternoon. The immovability of the Maveen suggests a powerful ability to defend themselves as was borne out in the manner they drove away the US 5
^th
fleet. For now they appear to be dormant and peaceful as negotiations with our world leaders continue….’

Sam looked crestfallen as he took in the first bit of advice he was getting from Robert.

‘Uh Okay Robert I see your point too well. Firm and resolute you say, then we will either film the artificial probes in the morning when there is no wind or I will have to get ballast added to them for the shore scenes….’

Robert suppressed the urge to groan, for the film makers were making a tidy contribution to his own research efforts. He later attempted to get away to his own tent early to both rest and attempt to access his other data tablets. However the genial film crew had other ideas, and after providing a lavish meal, several bottles of wine then made an appearance. The researcher soon found a rapt audience as he described from an inside perspective the recent emergency in orbit. He told himself not to mind as a female film associate made a discrete recording of his words from one side.

Much later, Robert went to bed and tried to think again about what else bothered him about the artificial Maveen probes, but sleep quickly intruded and he slept soundly for many hours.

                                                                     ***

Narindestat stood up to his impressive four metre height as he yet again smoothed his best blue captain’s jacket, the same resplendent one he had worn on Earth many years ago. He had left the Resuria cloaked and in high orbit and had taken sneak ship six down to meet with the Cephrit fleet master. Garendestat had come with him as both his first officer and of course as his son. The Trader captain had earlier left a pair of probes on the outskirts of the star system, and three more sneak ships had been quickly placed in different high orbits to provide communications coverage.

The rear ramp of the sneak ship slowly lowered as the ship came to rest and Narindestat noted that two Cephrit were slowly walking towards him. He could see that the fleet master must now have a mate of record, for he was being guarded by a female marine, impressive both for her size and her military decorations. Garendestat followed him down the ramp in his best green lieutenant’s uniform, and they both waited a moment for the two Cephrit. As the fleet master stopped and regarded him from a few metres away, both Traders gave full formal bows, and Narindestat then intoned a formal greeting to the Cephrit.

‘Greetings to you fleet master of the great un-named race, the Cephrit, and my congratulations on the recent defeat of the Tilmud. I bring my first officer and my son Garendestat to present to you. We have requested a formal meeting to reassure the vassal races that the Traders remain both distant and harmless. By ancient agreement, we confirm that the loss of our home world long ago was due to ignoring the wise guidance of the Cephrit.’

The fleet master decided that the formality being extended to him by Narindestat was sincere and followed the agreed ceremony between both races. He calmly gave a distinctive full bow, as if to an equal, then replied by first introducing his mate.

‘This is the assault leader of our fourth special brigade, and she is my mate of record.

Our race still remembers sadly the loss of Dracile, your former home world, even if it was many thousands of years ago. I am honoured to meet with you again Captain Narindestat, and I am delighted to meet your son in person now that he has come of age. The galaxy has changed a great deal and we have much to discuss here today.’

Narindestat took in the powerful form of the assault leader and offered a deep bow of respect as he spoke now to the crouching form of the female Cephrit.

‘Assault leader, it is a pleasure and an honour to meet you.’

The Trader captain noted that the female Cephrit was the only one armed, even if she only now possessed her two duelling blades. Narindestat could see that her blades were covered in ornate gold and silver filigrees, and he knew that the female Cephrit were literally a walking weapon. By convention both Traders were unarmed, for it was considered a serious breach of discipline amongst the Traders to walk amongst the un-named with a weapon.

The assault leader only offered a brief chirr in her reply to him, and Narindestat knew that by habit she was ever watchful. The fleet master approached both the Traders, and examined them closely, and Narindestat was worried how they would be evaluated by the keen senses of the Cephrit. Narindestat had long known that the only way forward was the truth, as the fleet master would provide the guidance and understanding that the Traders were seeking.

‘Fleet master we lost our glimmer tattoos on Earth one hundred and fifty years ago, due to the pathogens on that world. Several of our crew became seriously ill even as we arranged for the Maveen to aid the humans. We have recovered and no longer need our tattoos to survive, though our reproductive rate still remains low. However we seek your advice as there are other issues that you need to be aware about concerning the Traders and our part of the galaxy.’

The fleet master came forward, and nestled the head of Narindestat in his antennae for several moments, before he replied at length in a soft chirring voice.

‘Narindestat, my protégé and friend, there can be no secrets between our races due to our glorious past together. I could earlier smell that the glimmer was no longer amongst your race and my taste buds on my antennae just confirmed the discovery. I am prepared to accept your word that your species reproductive rate is still restrained. Now we also seek a new path in the galaxy as the Zronte have replaced respectful détente with nasty plots against us, such as the recent war with the Tilmud. We distrust their words and are fearful of their next efforts against our race.’

Narindestat acknowledged the fleet master’s direct answer with one of his own.

‘Much of the recent strife in the galaxy can be traced to one particular Zronte, Lord Temeroth by name. Hopefully he will lose interest and return his attentions to the centre of the galaxy….’

After a brief discussion centred on the Zronte overlord, Narindestat gave another bow of respect, and led both the Cephrit up the ramp and into the cargo hold of the sneak ship. Garendestat went forward and began pulling the covers of several items stored along the sides of the cargo hold. Narindestat gestured around the hold and gave an overview of what the Traders had brought with them.

‘Fleet master, this light cruiser gun came to us by way of Omerio after he stole it from the Vorinne many years ago. The next gun over is one we have devised for our new sneak ships, and we have larger guns in development for our larger flying wing ships. The Maveen have also provided us with a portable anti-matter generator and smaller fusion generators. The Barede humans have devised a special missile that fires something they call a sabot round, and it is surprisingly effective as the Barus found out many years ago.’

The assault leader came forward and cautiously ran her antennae along the missile, before inviting the fleet master to do the same. She took in the strange scents of the missile, and decided that they must belong to the humans and that the scents seemed to be fresh. The assault leader gave quiet chirr of appreciation in an obscure dialect about the contents of the hold, and then also a quiet evaluation of the scent.

‘Fleet master, the technology is indeed impressive and we will hide this away for further research. I urge caution as the likely human scent is strong and only a few days old.’

The fleet master gave a chirr of humour at this news and briefly replied in the same dialect.

‘Noted and agreed, and our keen senses once again confer us an advantage.’

Aware that the fleet master was now looking at him anxiously, the fleet master sought to first reassure both Traders, before being crystal clear with what he was expecting from them in the future.

‘The technology meets with our approval and I am not too worried about the specifics of their supply to us. You will of course continue on your mission, whatever that may be, but I strongly urge you to avoid going to the planet Earth.’

Narindestat quickly reassured the fleet master on this key point.

‘I understand fleet master and I already have standing orders not to approach the human world.’

The fleet master paused for a moment to parse the Trader’s reply for any hidden meaning before he spoke again.

‘I will then write a report that states your race made contact under diplomatic accords and that your race remains unchanged. However your part of this new arrangement is for you to remain with the rest of your race in the outer parts of the galaxy until we send for you. To this end you must supply a new contact point were we can reach you without travelling to the outer part of the galaxy.’

The Trader was already prepared for this request and furnished the coordinates and contact details of a star system that the Maveen probe had provided to him earlier.

The Cephrit looked over this new information with heightened interest, for he now knew the Maveen could also be reliably contacted in this star system. He in turn reassured the Trader captain that this new information would remain between the two of them, but with a caveat.

‘Well Narindestat that is convenient for the Maveen have had little to do with us for a great many years. We will contact them independently and advise that they only talk to us if no other vassal races are present. Otherwise an unexpected Vorinne patrol could destroy the gate ship hidden in that system.’

Captain Narindestat now felt gratitude towards the fleet master, for the Cephrit could easily have decided to abandon the Traders if they felt threatened. The Trader was also aware that his mentor had now crossed the line as far as loyalty to the Zronte was concerned. However he was relieved that the twin secrets of the earlier Maveen instructions and the presence of humans would not be discussed by the Cephrit.

Garendestat unfolded a pair of tables and was soon laying out a selection of foods that the Traders had brought from the Barede colony. Narindestat and Garendestat now took turns introducing both the Cephrit to the human foods.

‘The humans come from a diverse world with over six times the genetic diversity of even the most abundant Deltas Vass worlds. The tables only hold a modest sampling of what is available from the humans. We urge caution in ingesting these foods, noting we only have had trouble with their so called dairy products.’

The fleet master with his greater senses could smell strange and powerful aromas from the human foods, but knew that by protocol the assault leader would be given first taste. He crouched back from the tables as he listened patiently to the food descriptions, and his mate willingly tasted them all. After several minutes she was back at his side and crouching to offer him a large plate of selected human food.

‘Fleet master, I have brought over a selection of root vegetables that the Traders favour. They also have a selection of fruits and there is something interesting called honey that comes from an insect called a bee.’

The fleet master thanked the assault leader and slowly began to eat; savouring the exotic flavours as he considered again the reasons the Traders had sought for this meeting. Narindestat called up a holographic map of the immediate area of the galaxy around Cephrit and human space. The fleet master could see that their territories would not encroach for centuries, and he waited quietly for Narindestat to get to the point. Narindestat brought up another display, this time of a chart of planet names and population figures.

As the Cephrit looked over the holograms critically Narindestat began to speak.

‘I am un-aware of the current population of Earth, but historically we know that it was over populated before their great pandemic. Now the figures you see in front of you list the population of the Barede federation over the last one hundred and fifty years.’

Narindestat was aware of a sharp rasp of anxiety from the assault leader as she considered the information. But he also noted that the fleet master had gone still as he looked over the numbers.