Heirs of the New Earth (35 page)

"I'd like that,” said Firebrandt. His daughter stood, hugged her father around the shoulders and then joined the others in the back of the shuttle.

The next morning, Simon Yermakov turned around when the elevator doors opened. He frowned for a moment when he saw John Mark Ellis step through the door with Kirsten Smart, but stood up and offered him the captain's chair. Mark placed his hand on the back of the chair.

"Welcome aboard, sir,” said the first officer as he moved toward his chair.

"Thank you,” said Mark. “What's our status?"

"Mr. Mahuk says the mapping engines will be fully operational within the next forty-eight hours."

"Good,” said Mark. He looked at Kirsten. “That should give me time to sell the house on Nantucket."

"I still can't believe you're giving up that property,” she said, taking his hand. “In a way, though, I'm glad. You belong to the stars, not tied to that island."

Mark nodded and gave Kirsten's hand a squeeze. Natalie looked up from the communication's console. “We're getting a signal from TransGalactic. It's Ms. Meiji."

Kirsten and Mark looked at each other. “She's all right,” said Kirsten with a smile. “What are our orders?"

"As soon as the ship is repaired, we're to start mapping the Epsilon Eridani and Gamma Eridani sectors. More orders to follow as ships are contacted and assigned,” she said.

"I guess we'll be getting in some overtime,” said Laura Peters.

"The Cluster certainly played havoc with the jump points,” said Kirsten. “I'd better start getting the mapping instrumentation on line."

"Lots to do,” Mark said. He bent down and kissed Kirsten, then both turned to go into their offices. Before the door closed, Mark turned around and looked at Simon. “Oh, Simon, you should know that I've accepted an appointment in the Alpha Coma reserves. So, one week out of every month, I'll need to be away from the ship. Kirsten has already approved the schedule. Do you think you can fill in as captain during my absences?"

Simon Yermakov smiled and nodded. “Yes, sir, I think I can.” He looked down at his feet, then back up at Ellis. “Thank you, sir."

"Let's get back to work, people,” said Ellis. “Lots to do.” With that, he stepped into his office. Simon strode over to the command chair and put his hand on the headrest for a moment. Looking down, he self-consciously tucked in his flannel shirt and then sat in the chair.

G'Liat entered the conference room in the government building under the Rd'dyggian dome on Titan. It was good to be back in moist, hot air, but he still longed to return to his home on Rd'dyggia. He reached out and touched a potted, purple plant, then closed the door and checked the seals. He then pulled out a scanner and checked the air and surfaces for cameras and microphones. When he was certain that all was secure he pushed a button on the table.

A door opened and Teklar, matron of the Titans, stepped through. It appeared that she was unprotected against the hot conditions of the room, but G'Liat caught the faint shimmer that indicated that she was surrounded by a personal force field.

"I have done as you asked, M'Lady,” said G'Liat with a stately bow.

"Very good,” she growled. “Your solution was excellent. You not only stopped the Cluster but you have put them in a position to keep the humans occupied for a very long time.” She ambled over to a large couch that could accommodate her bulky frame and fell onto it. “In fact, I think the Cluster will keep everyone busy for a long time. You have assured the Titans of continued dominance. We are most grateful."

G'Liat sat down at the table, steepled his fingers and looked at the Matriarch over them. “You say I've assured your dominance, yet your position in the galaxy is weaker than ever. You did nothing overt to stop the Cluster. People wonder why."

She opened her mouth to speak, but G'Liat held his hand up to silence her. “I think you knew that if you did nothing, the Cluster would keep this solar system safe. If the Cluster succeeded, the humans would be slaves, all of your rivals would be eliminated and you would be the dominant creatures in the solar system. If I succeeded, the Cluster would be transformed, keeping all of the races in the galaxy occupied and the only barriers to maintaining your dominance of the galaxy would be political."

Teklar inclined her shaggy head. “Political problems are trivial to us,” she said simply. She pulled herself off the couch, stepped to G'Liat and gazed down into the warrior's black eyes with her own. “We will double our payment to you if you keep this knowledge to yourself."

G'Liat's mustache twitched. “We Rd'dyggians are a pragmatic people. I would be foolish to refuse such a generous offer."

"Very good,” she said, then turned to leave.

"I would not underestimate these humans, though,” said G'Liat thoughtfully. “Given more time, Ellis would have come up with his own solution to the Cluster. Also, the human fleet would have likely destroyed another Cluster. They would have gone for reinforcements. They could have won. If they had won that way, they would have been in a position to topple your dominance of the Confederation.” He paused and stepped next to the Titan's ear. “They still could."

"Our probes indicate that two of the Clusters have already reproduced. There are now five. There will soon be more.” She turned to face G'Liat. “Thank you for your help, but I think the time has come for you to see to the safety of your people.” With that, she loped through the door.

G'Liat watched as it closed behind her then turned. She was right. It was time to go home.

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David Lee Summers is an author, editor and astronomer living somewhere between the western and final frontiers in Southern New Mexico. His novels are
The Pirates of Sufiro, Children of the Old Stars, Heirs of the New Earth,
and
Vampires of the Scarlet Order.
His short stories and poems have appeared in numerous magazines including
Realms of Fantasy, Aoife's Kiss, Star*Line and The Santa Clara Review.
David is also the founding editor of
Tales of the Talisman
Magazine.