Dana Cartwright Mission 3: Kal-King (16 page)

Tears formed on Dana’s face when Shalee broke off the connection. She heaved a sign. The pain was suddenly gone.

After the contact, Dana could not settle back down to sleep again, even though the pain in her spine was gone. Instead, she undid the braid of her waist length hair and stepped into the sonic shower. After stepping back out, she hung the jumpsuit and set her boots inside, programming it to refresh.
 

Like the coveralls worn while she was assigned to Station Four, the jumpsuit had begun to feel so comfortable she didn’t want to part with it. While the unit hummed, she re-braided her hair, smiling during the process until something in the memories Janz Macao gave her sank in.

Dec! December!

Macao’s memory of her youngest brother haunted and nagged her.

Like Novem, he had physical deformities.

How can I help him? How do I help August? Can I locate father? There’s no guarantee the Enturian delegation can help.

At least I have friends attending the conference. Can’t trust March; but I know I can trust Prince Korwin.

Xalier woke Macao, purring in his ear, “We’re two hours out from the rendezvous with
Thresher
, Captain.”

Schaffer had a tray with food for the three of them, setting up while Xal helped Macao to sit up, using pillows to make him comfortable.

They were all dressed in fresh, civilian tunics with tan trousers and Schaffer even had new boots.

Xalier noted the Captain’s envious stare.

“Prince Korwin’s security detail offered us these.”

Schaffer grinned. “Can’t tell you how good that sonic shower felt!”

Macao sighed and nibbled some food, while they chattered.

“Princess Micah has laid out fresh things for you, too. Hopefully we can get you into them.”

It took both of them to get him up, and even then Janz had to use the wall to lean upon during the shower.
 

Schaffer was right. “Nothing beats a sonic shower!”

Janz reluctantly accepted their help dressing and especially pulling on the boots.

“Feel up to visiting in the common room?”

Janz nodded. “I actually feel much better.”

“I’ve never been aboard a Dagger Class before,” Schaffer said, offering his shoulder for Macao to hold on. “
Katana
is incredible. Alphan Ambassadors travel in style.”

“The Ambassador is a High Prince of the Elect; never forget that he is a member of the royal family,” Macao cautioned in a whisper, just before they entered the round common room. “Your Highness is the proper form of address by an Alphan to an Alphan Prince. You can get away with Mister Ambassador. However, always address his wife as Princess Micah, even though she is also an Ambassador; in fact, the only living ambassador of her people, the Fet-Kah, to ever align with the Republic.”

“Now you tell me,” Schaffer chuckled.

The three remained standing in the doorway until Prince Korwin motioned them to come inside.

“Your Highness,” Janz offered, “Thank you so much for your generosity.”

Novem and April stood at the foot of Dec’s diagnostic bed, watching as the android-nurse released the body restraints.

“Dec is free?”

Novem nodded.

“You are different,” Dec realized, studying the changes in his brother. “You are healed?”

Novem smiled.

“And you are April?” Dec ventured, looking to the woman standing beside Novem.

“I am Doctor April Talon.”

“You healed Novem?”

She nodded.

“You will heal Dec, too?”

“If you wish it, I will make an attempt. The procedure takes several years to reverse all of the DNA mutations. It is entirely experimental, of course, and there are no guarantees. We do, however, have high expectations for success.”

Dec shrugged. “You would do this for me?” He seemed to struggle with believing it was even possible.

Novem moved a few steps closer. “Dec, the King lied to us. We were sold into slavery. He could have saved us, but he didn’t. Sep and Octo need not have died.”

Dec frowned. “Why would the King lie?”

Novem helped his brother down from the bed. “It’s a long story. Come and join us? Ambassador Solon wants to meet you. He’s checking in with security at the conference.”

Dec gave no answer, but fell into step beside his siblings, nervously noticing how they were dressed in formal tunics and wearing cloaks, while he was in a simple sickbay jumpsuit and barefoot.
 

“Peace to you, Commodore Jai.” Ambassador Solon slipped back the hood of his formal cloak and offered the Galaxean salute.

Kieran responded, “Peace to you, also, Mister Ambassador,” however, his eyes quickly left the Galaxean’s face and went to the two men and the young female doctor with the aged Ambassador.

“Doctor Talon, good to see you again,” he offered respectfully, hoping she would not slap his face this time.

Talon responded icily, “Commodore.”

The Galaxean apprentice slid back the hood of his robe also and he smiled.

“Novem!” Kieran exclaimed, “You look…well.”

“Commodore…I am, thank you.”

The change in the tribrid’s appearance was astonishing. Kieran struggled to find the words. “You…You’re fully healed.”

Novem nodded respectfully, “Thanks to my physician and my mentor.”

“And this is…?” Kieran looked to the fourth in the group, “December?”

“Dec…” The man nodded, fearful of the uniform Kieran Jai wore, and the security detail standing nearby.

Kieran wanted to know the details, but there just wasn’t time. “Welcome to The Crossroads Great Conference, Mister Ambassador, and guests. You are the first of the Galaxean delegation to arrive.”

Solon’s face held no emotion as he responded, “I am the only Galaxean ambassador who will attend, Commodore.”

Kieran waited for an explanation, but none was forthcoming. “May I call on you later, Mister Ambassador?”

“That would be quite agreeable.” Solon continued down the grand entry corridor, trailing April, Novem, and Dec.

Commodore Jai watched from afar as designated greeters and security details welcomed several other delegations. He didn’t know them, nor the ambassadors being greeted, but felt a sudden chill down his spine along with the powerful imperative to sit.

“Sir?” A worried security officer hovered at his elbow.

“Oh, my back!” Kieran moaned, gritting his teeth. He passed out before being able to explain.

“Get me out of here!” Kieran pounded on the C-FIIN clear lid from the inside. The EMTs ignored him, pushing the floating coffin along the corridor to a MAT station, where two lieutenants from
Thresher
, in Star Service uniforms, took over. They transferred with the medical immobilization unit directly to sickbay aboard the ship.

“Get me out of here!” Kieran demanded again, using anger to override the claustrophobia threatening to overwhelm him. He recognized no one in the sickbay, but pleaded with the first human he could, demanding, “Let me out!”

Instead, they touched the controls and he felt a sedative cloud his vision and numb his mind.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Kieran exhaled, almost weeping with relief when an android-nurse helped him out of the C-FIIN and into fresh clothes. He didn’t even notice that Ambassador Solon stood in the doorway until he pulled on
 
boots.

“Mister Ambassador?”

The Galaxean held up the cloak for Kieran, a cloak very much like his own. “The doctor insists there’s nothing wrong with you, Commodore Jai. However, I believe I understand why you experienced the back pain.”

“You do?” Kieran asked, amazed. “It’s gone now…well, just a dull throbbing.”

Solon led up to the gallery to a surgical theatre, where they could look down upon the operating room as two of
Thresher’
s doctors performed a spinal weave. Already watching were Colonel Xalier, Prince Korwin Kord and Princess Micah.

Kieran greeted the Alphan Ambassador and his wife warmly. “Your Highness and Princess Micah, how wonderful to see you both.”

“We detoured to retrieve your brother, the Colonel, and the fourth of the sokem,” Prince Korwin said, while watching the surgery being performed down below them.

“That’s Janz? So, I felt his pain. That must be it,” Kieran realized.

“Just so,” the Prince answered. “He demanded they wait until Dana arrives, but the doctors felt it unwise to delay. I’ve never performed a spinal weave. It’s fascinating to watch.”

Kieran had another word for it, but did not offer it. “I’ve had two,” he shivered. “You’ll have to excuse me. Xal, come with me.”

The Felidae, in a long, tunic uniform again, fell into step beside the Commodore as they headed down the corridor.

“You disobeyed my direct order. You have some explaining to do, but first, I’m starving.”
 

The big cat’s tail twitched nervously, as they entered Forward-Nine,
Thresher
’s officers’ lounge.

Kieran froze, seeing April Talon with Novem and Dec.

“Come, join us,” Novem invited.
 

Dec nervously made room for the Felidae to pull up a chair and sit on his left, while Kieran Jai sank down between him and April.
 

“Doctor,” Kieran offered.

For a time no one spoke, allowing the newcomers to place orders via the tabletop menu. Surprisingly, it was Novem that spoke first.

“Commodore, it is very good to see you again. I wanted to thank you earlier, but it…”

“It wasn’t the time,” Kieran nodded. “And no need… You…look well and so different.” He turned to Dec and then to April. “Doctor, can you help Dec, too? Whatever it takes? If I can be of assistance…”

“I have already proposed certain hematological treatments,” April answered.

“Good…very good.”

Novem spoke to his brother, “Dec? This is Janz Macao’s brother, Kieran Jai. He’s the man who freed me from the mercenaries.”

Kieran locked stares with Dec, admiring the mismatched pair of eyes looking back at him.

Novem continued, “We want to find our parents. Can you help us?”

Kieran sighed. “Dana’s been trying for a very long time. She said she found your father on Earth, but that was over fourteen years ago. However, she’s on her way here. You can have a family clan reunion.”

“Is the King coming?” Dec demanded, fearfully shrinking away from them. “Dec is his slave. It would be…bad.”

“I have no idea,” Kieran answered, looking to Xalier.

The Felidae shrugged and lifted a paw. “The King has no jurisdiction here; and slavery is illegal in Republic territory. You are free, Dec. I will defend you.”

Dec swallowed. “Would you…eat him?”

Xalier licked his left paw. “I’m sure he wouldn’t taste very good.”

“Where is Mac?” Dec continued.
 

“In surgery, as we speak,” Kieran said, but seeing Dec’s expression he added, “I’m sure he’ll be fine. He has a history of back injuries. Right Novem?”

Novem nodded.

While the others picked at the remnants of their meals, Kieran and Xalier dove into theirs with gusto.
 

Just as they munched their last bites, the red alert klaxons blared.

No one moved.

Dec became agitated, fearfully asking, “What does it mean?”

Xalier’s tail twitched. “Some ship probably strayed into restricted airspace. There are always one or two during a conference this size.”

Dec knew, “It is the King. He comes for his slave.”

Just as Kieran was about to contradict, the COM speakers blared, “Commodore Jai to the Bridge.” He bowed his head to excuse himself, leaving them staring at Xalier who continued to chew what appeared to be a drumstick from a roasted fowl, bones and all, then proceeded to lick his paws.

Dec fretted, looking to his siblings, nervously finding them unconcerned.

Ambassadors Solon and Kord appeared shortly after, urging the group to return to The Crossroads Station conference center, without adding any details.
 

Xalier offered to escort them to the MAT station, but it seemed they were not quite ready. Dec hesitated until Novem coaxed, “Dec you must come with us.”

Xalier rose up, apologizing, “I will leave you to decide.” He nodded his snout and, tail twitching, started for the bridge.

Commodore Jai stood beside Captain McHale’s command chair in the center of the lower circle on
Thresher
’s Main Bridge. Xalier arrived and crossed around behind them to stand on the opposite side, but couldn’t contain himself, hissing at the Tresgan imaged on the forward view screen.

“I am Task, the Tresgan Ambassador, and I demand to be permitted to attend the conference.”

“For the tenth time,” McHale repeated, “you are not on the security pass list, therefore, you are barred from admission.” The Captain groaned, “Is the translator malfunctioning? What part of no, N-O, do you not understand?” McHale looked to Kieran Jai. “Commodore?”

Kieran leaned down and whispered a suggestion.

McHale changed his approach, offering, “You are welcome to come aboard
Thresher
to discuss the issue. Perhaps we can make an exception.”

The Tresgan squawked and terminated the connection.

“Guess he didn’t like my suggestion,” Kieran chuckled.

Xalier hissed again, “He’s up to something.”

“What do we know about that ship, Mister Coe?”

Thresher
’s First Officer had his head buried in a viewer at the Science Station on the rear, upper circle of the bridge. “That ship — this is weird — it’s a refit of the Blade Class Alphan shuttle,
Trident
, aka
Trader One
, sold as scrap three years ago to Crown Enterprises. There are no Republic ports-of-call logged since she left Station Four. Her home port is listed as Polaris-Station Three, which is utterly impossible.”

“
Trident
?” Kieran echoed, “That was Ambassador Kord’s first shuttle, Prince Korwin’s father’s.”

“Renamed,
Trader One
,” McHale remembered it from a clandestine mission, when he was stationed aboard
Lancer
.