Serpent's Gift (28 page)

Even as he strove for inner serenity, the air before him shimmered, then seemingly solidified, presenting him with a three- dimensional view of the CLS Council chamber, an enormous, domed expanse that would have

dwarfed StarBridge's Observatory. Stars spattered the view through the vast dome, for the CLS Council was quartered on a space station orbiting Ssoriszs' homeworld, Shassiszss.

Seeing and recognizing him, the current Secretary-General, a Heeyoon named Moondancer, bowed deeply. "Esteemed Liaison, we are honored with your presence today. Please, may we know the reason for your request to address the Councillors?"

Speaking briefly but eloquently, Ssoriszs summarized the current situation at StarBridge, ending with a plea for emergency funding to cover the costs of Horizons Unlimited's services, plus the promise of additional funding should an evacuation and temporary relocation prove necessary.

Despite the confident air he'd summoned, Ssoriszs knew that his request could hardly have come at a worse time. The Vardi

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and the Apisians were having economic problems, and two Simiu clans were feuding. The Rigellians had gone on record last year with their disappointment that the Academy hadn't made enough environmental

adaptations quickly enough to host a fair proportion of students from their world.

Worst of all, the Heeyoons were experiencing terrible economic difficulties, the worst in their history since joining the CLS hundreds of years ago. Their first colony world had just experienced a truly devastating winter, the worst in their recorded history. Thousands of colonists had perished, while many others had to be evacuated or relocated. The cost to the mother world was staggering. The Heeyoons had already requested this year to be relieved of their CLS dues until they could stabilize their own economy in the wake of such disaster.

And the Heeyoons were among the Academy's staunchest supporters.

Having stated his case, Ssoriszs took a moment to scan those present. The Arena's tiers were filled with every type of seating arrangement imaginable--

couches, slings, perches, chairs, compartments ... and more. A number of cubicles were surrounded by the glowing protective fields, where extreme environmental needs could be met for people such as the Rigellians.

Many of the tiers were dark, however. Ssoriszs felt disappointment rise in his throat like venom as he realized that almost half of the various seats and cubicles were empty today. There were only a few Apis and Heeyoon Councillors visible.

Glancing at the section reserved for the Simiu contingent, he was even more disturbed to see that Duquukk', the new member he had mentioned to Rob, was sitting next to the First Councillor.

If she gains Ankk'aarrr's ear, the Academy will be in terrible trouble,
he thought bleakly.
Not only will we be refused emergency funding, but we are
likely to find our present budget in shreds!

The Secretary-General raised a paw. "Discussion from the floor?"

Moondancer asked.

One of the Mizari, Zarshezz, signaled that he wished to speak. Ssoriszs braced himself; Zarshezz was his only surviving grandchild, but they had been estranged for years. The Liaison knew that his grandson would have little good to say about where the Academy was located and how it was administered. Zarshezz believed that the school should be brought into the mainstream of the CLS's sphere of influence, and from the beginning he'd 163

argued that the school should be located near Shassiszss, instead of in space, close to no world.

"Most Esteemed Secretary-General and Councillors," the Mizari began, "I feel it is my duty to point out that the Academy at StarBridge is now more than six years old. It is true that the school has produced a number of impressive students, but if we honestly weigh its successes in comparison to its many failures-- I speak of the high dropout rate, of course--one begins to wonder whether this school is worth its tremendous cost. And now we are told that there will be even greater costs--and that our gift, the asteroid itself, has been contaminated!"

Ssoriszs had meant to keep silent, but Zarshezz's words made his temper flare. "Six years is but a fleeting breath in the winds of Time!" he retorted.

"And the contamination was not--" he broke off, then subsided, seeing Moondancer's warning glance.

"Perhaps now is the time for the CLS and the Council to take a more active role in overseeing the day-to-day administration of the Academy," Zarshezz said. "To do that would require the school to be relocated, but that seems to be the next step, given the current situation." Ssoriszs' grandson gracefully dipped his head to indicate that he was finished, then sank back down.

Moondancer glanced at her podium to see which Council or should be recognized next. She signaled to the Simiu contingent.

"I share the fears of my associates here." Duquukk's crest rose slightly as she stood. "I feel we have been pouring funds into a dream that has little reality now, and will have none if it must be relocated. They say this move will be temporary. How do we know this? What assurance do we have?"

Ssoriszs signaled that he wished to respond. "Dr. Mikhail Andreiovitch is on his way to StarBridge to evaluate the situation," he countered. "He will surely be able to render a definitive opinion."

"Andreiovitch is a human!" the Simiu said scornfully. "And the humans are the ones who have tried to take over the Academy for their own glory!"

The senior Councillor for the Drnians signaled to be allowed to speak. "I believe the Academy merits every support we can give it. One of the first graduates of the Academy has just been appointed our new Ambassador to Shassiszss. Although still quite young, he has remarkable maturity and insight into other cultures. StarBridge also gave him an impressive skill in languages. We are convinced he is but the first of many outstanding young people who will come from the Academy at StarBridge, to make all of 164

our cultures richer through increased understanding."

The Mizari First Councillor was next. "Let us set aside the issue of the value of the Academy for the moment," Most Esteemed Rezantz began. His scales gleamed reddish-orange and silver-white beneath the starlight. "I do not believe that the Academy's worth is in serious question here today. Most worlds agree that the Academy is important. However, should the

Academy's asteroid become poisoned or destroyed by this radonium-2

contamination, my people could never afford to sacrifice another of our radoniumrich asteroids."

A Heeyoon delegate was next. "My people have a moon that would be suitable," he said. "There is a large university facility there, plus an observatory. We would be honored to have the Academy in orbit around Arrooouhl."

Now it was Duquukk's turn again for a biting retort: "And honored, no doubt, to have undue influence over the way the school is run, in addition to those much-needed CLS funds pouring into your economy!"

As the two delegates glared at each other, Ambassador Susan Shepherd was recognized. "Why not move it nearer to Earth?" she asked, her shoulder-length white hair sparkling in the light. "Terra is such a new member of the CLS ... we only achieved our full membership last year. We are too new to have much influence on issues. We are also among the Academy's most ardent supporters, and we could--"

Duquukk' bolted to her feet, heedless of being recognized. "For 'new members,' you humans run too many things already!" Her muzzle curled, showing a hint of her strong white teeth. "You have already swayed otherwise clear-thinking people to give your species full membership. And it was you, if I recall correctly, who argued that students must be allowed to graduate from the Academy at their own rate, and not be limited in the time they can spend there."

"Individuals progress at their own rates," Shepherd countered. "Demanding that all students complete their program within four years is just not realistic!"

Moondancer hastily broke in to tell Duquukk' that she was out of order, and warned her not to speak without recognition again. "Other delegates are still to be heard from," she said. "No further outbursts will be permitted."

Zarshezz was recognized next. Ssoriszs knew before he opened his mouth what his grandson would say. "Perhaps the Academy should be located here, at Shassiszss. After all, this station has

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been the heart of the CLS for centuries."

Ssoriszs quickly signaled and was recognized to speak.

"I thoroughly disagree," he said, unable to keep his anger from showing.

"The station here is officially neutral, yes. But in reality, the Mizari have too much influence because of their close proximity as hosts to the CLS Council.

That influence must not extend to the Academy, which is why we chose its current location. Moving the school to Shassiszss would be contrary to the highest goals of the Academy. No one species must dominate, or StarBridge may become a political pawn!"

"Keeping the Academy so far away from the hub of interstellar and CLS

commerce makes it much more expensive than originally planned for,"

Duquukk' said, having been officially recognized this time. "Not to mention the special purchase we authorized last year--"

"We needed a new shuttle," Ssoriszs broke in, and knew that Moondancer would warn
him
next. "We only had one, and it was too small for our needs.

Our costs have been .. ."

The debate continued, growing ever more emotional and volatile. Finally a breath of reason, in the person of the Vardi First Councillor, moved that the Academy's request be separated into two parts, to be voted on separately.

Part One would provide funding for Horizons Unlimited to keep working on the radonium-2 threat, provided Dr. Andreiovitch agreed with their assessment and methodology. Part Two would provide emergency funding for moving the Academy to temporary quarters on Shassiszss, should that prove necessary.

After the Vardi had finished, Moondancer signaled for quiet one final time.

"Esteemed and honored colleagues, this debate has gone on, and I believe all views have been heard at least once. Discussion is becoming redundant.

Our time today grows short. We must either table this discussion to continue tomorrow, or call for a vote. What do you wish to do?"

Quickly members flashed their decision to vote onto her console. "Very well," Moondancer said. "Please cast your votes at this time. Remember to vote on both Part One and Part Two of this question."

Ssoriszs held his breath as the votes were cast and compiled. Finally, Moondancer raised her head, obviously not pleased, but bound by the will of the majority. "Esteemed Liaison," she said, "the Councillors have decided.

Funding is approved to allow Horizons Unlimited to continue with its work for the moment, until Dr. Andreiovitch can give a second opinion on the feasibility

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of their planned course of action. As for relocation, temporary or otherwise, the vote is no."

Ssoriszs bowed one final time, then terminated the connection. I
have lived
too long,
he thought, feeling his strength drain away until he could scarcely summon the energy to coil himself in his sleeping compartment. He knew he should call Rob and Kkintha, but he was too heartsick. News as bad as this could wait until he felt stronger.

He stared at his meditation disk, and wondered if there was anything he could have done to have changed the Council's decision.
Perhaps a
younger person could have been more vital, more convincing,
he thought dully. The memory of Zarshezz's words stabbed him, until he writhed in the solitude of his quarters.

Zarshezz was his third grandchild. Handsome, with pale gold diamonds patterning his dark green back, he had followed his grandfather's path into public service. Unlike Ssoriszs, Zarshezz liked politics and had always argued for more Mizari influence in the CLS, rather than less.

His grandson had always been openly scornful of Ssoriszs' yearning to discover the fate of the Lost Colony. "It is the future that is of importance now, not the past," he'd told his aged relative on many occasions. "Your vision is shadowed by your years, Grandfather."

The intercom chimed again, and in a voice barely above a whisper, Ssoriszs acknowledged it. "It is your grandson, Zarshezz," his assistant said. "Will you take the call? He sounds most anxious to speak with you, Esteemed One."

"Tell him--tell him I am not well," Ssoriszs said. He knew he was being a coward in not facing Zarshezz, but at the moment he felt he could endure no more. "Tell him I will call him in a few days."

"Yes, Esteemed One," she said, and then he was alone again, with the quiet. Slowly, Ssoriszs stretched his head out, resting his lower jaw on the padded riser of his sleep-cubicle, all the while wishing dully that he could fall asleep and never wake up.
Truly, by the Spirits of all the Stars, I have lived
far too long. . .

Serge paced nervously in the waiting area outside Docking Tube Five at StarBridge Station. Scowling, he glanced at his watch for the twelfth time in as many minutes.
There must be a cosmic rule that says shuttles and Hing
Own are never on time,
he thought ruefully.

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The
Night Storm
was a few minutes overdue. . . Hing was considerably more. They'd come up together several hours ago, had a quick bite of lunch, then she'd gone "to pick up a few things, and be right back." Knowing her as he did, Serge had repressed a knowing smile as he watched her stride away.

Things were growing easier between them, and the stiffness was nearly gone. If nothing else, Serge's efforts at reconciliation had resulted in a renewed friendship.
Which is nothing to denigrate,
he thought with a sigh.

But he knew that he wanted more. But how to make the first step? Hing had always taken the lead in advancing their physical relationship. Serge had never fancied himself the caveman type.

Glancing at his watch again, he frowned.
That ship will be here any--

"Your attention, please," he heard the announcement in Mizari. "StarBridge Station has the Mizari cruiser
Night Storm
on our sensors. The ship will be docking in five minutes. Passengers will be disembarking immediately following docking."