Shackleton's Folly (The Lost Wonder Book 1) (36 page)

The Council Chamber was a large formal hall. One end contained an etched wall design of the galaxy and a glyph on a streaming flag. If one watched closely, it could be seen that the etched flag actually moved as if waving in the wind in the material making up the wall — a stunning effect. Red draped curtains with gold trimming framed the Empire’s flag. The desks were all fully functional, with media access and communication available to council members.

The council members streamed into the chamber and found their seats around a wide arc, with seating for thirty-six. A raised platform with a seat and a desk for the High Councilman was empty.

Councilwoman Pyrrha left Alec and Electra and found her seat. Electra nodded to some seats in the front row of the open seating before the council. Electra took the seat on the end, and Alec took the seat next to hers.

Another group of councilors arrived and seated themselves. The High Councilman’s chair was still empty.

Alec turned to Electra and spoke in a low voice, “If I am piecing it all together correctly, some political factions got together, grabbed some technology, and forced you to let them go.” He looked to her intently. “Princess Electra, I did ask you if there was anything else I should know about you.” Alec straightened up and waited for the arrival of the last person.

Electra leaned over and whispered, “Does it really matter to you?”

Alec glanced at her. “I just want to know where I stand in all of this.”

She smiled. “We will be together when this is over, one way or another.” Electra’s face soured a little. “I just need to explain things to my parents first.”

Alec’s head snapped around to look at her. “‘
Parents
.’”

Electra said, “I do have a family, Alec — an older brother and sister. Then there are the twins, younger sisters.” She sat back and watched his expression change.

“An extended family?” asked Alec.

A musical salute arose, announcing the arrival of the High Councilman. Electra stood with the rest of the council to wait for the arrival of the High Councilman. “Of course, aunts, uncles, and cousins — what would you think I had?”

“I could not tell you the last time I saw my one relative. My father and a distant cousin were the only ones in our family to survive. A single living relative I have not seen in many years.”

“I’m so sorry, Alec,” replied Electra.

“Electra, it is just a new concept for me.” Alec broke off as a group entered the chamber. The group was made up of an older couple, in their fifties all smiles, and another other couple in their mid-thirties, looking happy but tired, with a baby not more than a few months old and a set of twins in their early twenties. The group looked out to the seats and visually searched the chamber. There was a yelp of glee from one of the twins, and they rushed to Electra when they saw her. Greetings of joy and welcome were coming from all as they assailed Electra. She was crying as she kissed and hugged every last one of them. She kissed the woman with a little baby, gently brushing back the little one’s hair; she was rewarded with a burble and some kicks. Electra left the older couple until last.

“My lovely daughter Electra.” Athena, a handsome, older version of her daughter hugged and kissed her.

“You have nothing for me, daughter?” demanded King Coeus. The man stood with his arms outstretched, welcoming her home. Electra turned from her mother and ran into her father’s arms, where they embraced each other.

The other members of the family, no longer focused on Electra’s emotional reunion with her parents, turned their collective attention to Alec and Dancer. Alec took up the challenge and walked directly to who he guessed was Electra’s older brother. “I would like to introduce myself. I am Alec Shackleton.” He held out his hand.

“I am Hermes.” He looked down at Alec’s hand and slowly took it. “Alec, you have brought back our sister.” Alec showed Hermes the proper form of handshake. “Are you one of the Rovers?”

Alec shook his head. “No, I am not one of the Rovers. I am a descendant of those of your ancestors who were left on the mother world.”

Hermes then said, “This is my wife, Hera.”

Hera responded, “My pleasure, Captain. Thank you for returning Electra to us. We all thought she had been lost forever.”

“It was my honor to return her to her family.”

“Captain, I can see — we all can — that she is very fond of you.”

“I do not know what you mean,” replied the now-embarrassed Alec.

Hera said in a lower voice, “Captain, unless you’re a complete idiot, which I doubt, the media have been following the both of you ever since you landed.” Hera smiled, “Electra whispering sweet nothings to you on camera has caused much speculation as to who you are. That one has half the population buzzing.” She stood back to evaluate his face and body language. “You know she has strong feelings for you.” She seemed to look right through him. “Yes, and you do as well. Good — Electra needed someone who can meet her on an even playing field; courageous, strong, intelligent — and a great lover, I think.” Hera hesitated, “I know Electra, and she is not a shy one, Captain. If she sees something she wants, she takes it.”

Alec turned a little red with embarrassment.

“My dear, you must not scare him off,” said Hermes as he nodded to Hera. “Electra would have our collective hides if he ran off into the night because of your wagging tongue. Alec, you have my word we will not share this with anyone.” He kept an eye on Electra and their parents.

“Hermes, this Captain Alec Shackleton is not going anywhere. Are you, Captain?” she said with a smile.

“I am here for the duration,” said Alec as he caught Electra’s eye from across the room. Then, returning his gaze to Hera, he said, “I do love her.”

This admission was enough to arch Hera’s eyebrows. “Well, then. Might I make a suggestion: Be yourself; do not try to be anything else. You have her attention, so make the most of it.”

“I understand — thank you.” Alec waved Dancer over to them. “This handsome guy is my partner, Dancer.”

Dancer was with a group of five council members who were talking of the galactic politics outside the sphere when he was called over. He excused himself and advanced to the group. “It is my pleasure and great honor to meet all of you.” Dancer put his right hands over his left chest and bowed low.

Electra and her parents were walking in their direction when Councilwoman Pyrrha spoke up. “Your highness, I hate to break up this wonderful reunion, but Electra wanted to make her report to the council.”

Electra was seated next to Alec at the table before the council. She had given a personal account of what had happened to her and about the mission in a surprisingly detailed fashion. The council and her family were enthralled in the retelling of what she had been through since her capture. When she reached the part of her story where she met Alec and Dancer, the room’s attention split between her and Alec. Alec had to smile just a little in the retelling of how she had sought out Alec and how he had rescued her from slavery and set her free. Then came their adventures at Blind Load and the races, at Snowflake, the deal-making for the star charts, and the magnetar. She was really building him up as a mythic hero, one who really could save this world.

King Coeus sat in the High Councilman’s chair. “Captain, do you have anything further you wish to add to your report?”

“No, your highness. Captain Shackleton fulfilled his promise to bring me home. We arrived here at the gardens and made haste to get here as quickly as possible,” Electra said.

Councilman Boreas said, “Captain Shackleton, I am sure I can speak for many on the council when I thank you for returning the Captain. She was greatly missed by all and especially her family.” He nodded to the King. “We know only the legends of the mother world.”

Alec responded, “Our knowledge of your civilization is much the same, councilman — legends. As the Captain has reported to you, the mother world from your legends is no more. The only members of our race who now survive were off world. I do not know the number exactly, but I would estimate there are currently less than twenty thousand human refugees from Earth among the stars.”

Councilwoman Pyrrha took advantage of the pause in the conversation to jump in. “Captain Shackleton has requested refugee status for the survivors of the disaster. They are our distant brothers and sisters, needing our help.”

Councilman Boreas replied, “Does he not understand that this world is under threat of imminent destruction?”

Councilwoman Pyrrha said adamantly, “Of course, he does. He wants a home for his people, and I do not see any reason not to grant his wishes.”

Councilman Boreas turned to Alec. “‘
Refugees
’? The Gardens are close to self-destruction, and we talk of accepting
refugees
? Can this be tabled until after the emergency has passed?”

“Is it permitted for me to speak?” asked Alec.

“Of course, Captain,” replied Councilwoman Pyrrha.

Alec said with resolve, “I put myself and my ship at your disposal for the duration of the emergency.”

King Coeus spoke up. “This, Captain Shackleton, is not your worry. You may leave, with our thanks.”

“I am truly grateful for your thanks, but I have not fulfilled my word to your daughter.”

“Oh, and how is that, Captain?” asked King Coeus inquisitively.

“I promised to take her safely home, your majesty.” He searched for just the right words. “Until this emergency has ended, it would not be considered a safe home.”

The council members discussed the issue amongst themselves. Electra reached down under the table and took Alec’s hand and squeezed it. This did not go unnoticed by her father.

King Coeus brought the conversations to a close with a tapping of a small stick upon a crystal. “I believe, from what I am hearing from the council, Captain Shackleton, that we are more than willing to accept your generous offer.” He watched as his daughter drew closer to Alec. “I also understand, from the Captain’s report and from Councilwoman Pyrrha, that you have returned two of the three pieces of technology we have been searching for. Captain Shackleton, we must have all three to complete the repair work needed. You reported that the third piece is here within the gardens?”

“Yes, your highness. A militant race bent on galactic domination called the Koty Union has followed us here. The Captain was correct in her assessment — they have two battleships here and will use weapons and troops indiscriminately to take control of the gardens. The Koty Union controls what they can and plunder their prizes for technology and resources. This place is beyond belief in riches, and they will not go quietly.”

“The Koty Union are a problem but not in the way you are thinking.” King Coeus checked with the council. “We are in agreement; first, Captain, we must extract the third piece from the Koty battleship. Secondly, it will be an honor to have your people join us here in our garden.” He got up, as did everyone in the chamber. “Follow me, please.” King Coeus left the chambers through the same doorway as he came in.

King Coeus motioned to Alec to walk with him as they left the building and entered a very large air limousine easily carrying the King’s entire entourage. The family were all seating themselves while the King watched Alec closely. “Captain Shackleton, I believe my daughter has made a few adjustments to the story she told to remove some less-than-flattering things.”

Alec smiled, “Yes, she did leave a few things out.” He turned to the King. “Your highness, everything of consequence was the truth. Electra was a very brave woman, and I am proud to know her.” Alec caught Electra looking at him with a glint of fear in her eye.

King Coeus said, “She was top of her class, gaining the rank of Captain through hard work and discipline. Electra insisted on joining the generational search outside the Gardens for the Rovers. She is very strong willed.”

“That I have experienced, your majesty,” returned Alec.

The air limousine rose and took the route across the park where the
Quest
had landed. The security forces had cordoned off the ship. The long, lean space yacht looked fabulous even without a recent wash-wax and detailing.

King Coeus had the driver take them down to get a closer look at the ship. He turned his attention back to Alec. “The gardens have been our home for a very long time — more than 11,000 cycles,” commented the King, who nodded to the driver to continue their journey. “Everything you see, smell, and taste is from our mother world and are all flourishing here.”

Alec stole a glance at Electra.

“Electra was our third child. She wanted to prove her independence from the rest of the family. She would put herself in such dangerous situations just to show us she could make it on her own.” King Coeus watched as Electra talked with her brother and sisters about her adventures. “We owe you a debt of gratitude for bringing her home — and much more.”

“Your majesty, you do not owe me anything. I would have crossed the galaxy to return her home. No personal reward is needed. She saved my life more than once and was instrumental in the recovery of one of the inscription pieces,” replied Alec. “I do have something most precious to offer you.”

King Coeus evaluated the man before him. “What is it you offer?”

“My father was on a cultural mission off Earth when it was destroyed. He had with him what we referred to as the Library of Alexandria Project. It was a portable digital copy of the culture of our people.”

Alec looked off into the distance. “Our people had networked all of the libraries, museums, and other culturally significant establishments capturing the thoughts, dreams, and aspirations in books, art, and music and entertainment in all forms. Anything and everything was copied to the libraries.”

Alec turned to the King. “All the sciences, personal genealogy, and social networks are available. The Library of Alexandria contains the knowledge of my world during the last 4,100 cycles. I will make it available to you.”

King Coeus spoke up. “This is truly a great gift you bring with you, Captain Shackleton.”