Galactic Freighter: Scourge of the Deep Space Pirates (Contact) (39 page)

Lord Fryman waited out the sideboard honors, stepped through the hatch onto the bridge of the heavy cruiser HMS Cochise, named after Tenkiller's, now a Vice-Admiral, forbearer in recognition of the naval officer's contribution at Katakan. The man made no effort to hide his elation at commanding the Cochise and the squadron, his flag-level command, small as it were. To Buck's chagrin, Admiral Hizerman had the
special
computer installed in Buck's cabin. In time, Buck put his hands on the plates.

'Good morning, Captain. It has been some time. I trust all is well with you.'

"It is. What useful information regarding Myslac or Sir Tommy Simms do you have?"

'Probably nothing that you do not already know. I can give you what little I have.'

Buck accepted the offer and thanked the computer.

***

"One T-day to Myslac's one billion klick marker," the comm announced breaking the interminable boredom.

"Admiral, any signal?" Buck asked.

"No, Sir," Tenkiller said after the comm operator shook his head.

"I suggest another signal," Buck offered. "I'll be in my cabin." He stepped through the hatch as the Marine announced “minister off the bridge.”

Lacking a reply that acknowledged their presence, Tenkiller ordered the ships to stop at Myslac's outer marker. He detailed one ship ahead at half-military speed with no weapons charged. "One ship should bring some kind of response."

"Incoming," the comm operator said. "Tight beam from the Olin-Free."

Buck, back on the bridge had no idea why the message. No Kalazecis ships had appeared and no comms suggested anything had changed.

"On speaker," Tenkiller said.

"Cochise, we've detected an anomaly. Both radar and lidar suggest cloaked ships." The message gave the coordinates and Tenkiller ordered an electronic sweep of the area.

"Something there, alright," he said eyes glued to the plot. "Can't be over two or three ships. It seems they've bunched up to reduce their electronic cross section. Not very wise."

"Cloaks down and transmitting," comm said, "and it's in English."

"Hey Lord Fryman, Tommy hyere. Jist testin' out a cloakin' gadget I gave these folks. What cha think of it?"

"Tommy, good to hear your voice, but don't you think this is a little strange?" Buck responded with a chuckle.

"Emperor Djac ain't one easy ta convince. He wanted a live test so I came up with this. Worked didn't it?"

"Yes, my friend, it certainly did. Are we free to enter Myslac space?" Buck asked.

"Course. I done tole the Emperor all about cha and Admiral Tenkiller. The Admiral's name took a lot of 'splainin'. It didn't translate to their likin'."

From his earliest recollections, that problem had plagued the Admiral as he told Tommy.

Astrogation set the approach course to Myslac for high orbit to arrive in two T-days. Tenkiller established a defensive posture with the crews on standby alert—no weapons powered.

"You never let your guard down," Buck said to the Admiral. "You can watch my back anytime."

Days earlier, Buck had picked the delegation that would accompany him to the planet and at the Admiral's insistence included six Marines. By launch, that trip would last one T-day. Molly would stay aboard the Cochise. Seasoned spacers labeled it as the most boring trip one could take and something all dreaded. Told they would not need rebreathers if they didn't exert themselves, most decided not to put them on, and placed the small devices in their pockets.

***

Buck stepped from the launch expecting some kind of formal reception.

The delegation that waited gaped at the enormous figure standing before them. Buck, twice as tall as any Kalazecis or Pagmok, tried a smile and got pointed fingers along with excited jabbering from the stunned assembly. For years, stories abounded over the New Earth human giant Jabari. Yet, when confronted with Buck Fryman, the Pagmok stood in awe.

Somewhat taller than the Kalazecis, Tommy broke the silence as he strode forward and grabbed his friend in an embrace. Inquisitive Pagmok gathered around Buck until one Kalazecis barked an order and the warriors retreated.

"Hope they ain't sizing ya up as a meal. Might be wonderin' if ya could feed them for a couple a days."

"Tommy, I've warned you about your rootless meanderings. At least I hope they're rootless. And remember, I'm not above beating the crap out of you."

Both laughed. Their exchange translated, the Kalazecis and Pagmok seemed perplexed with the two.

Tommy formally introduced the delegations. Apparently, the Kalazecis had overcome any misgivings over his relationship to Maloney. Four Kalazecis accompanied Fryman to the aircar.

"The people Mahoney brought in ta set up the synthetics plant also built a metal processin' system ta make the material ta keep their fleet spaceable," Tommy said. "The Kalazecis haven't forgot that. Them folks are still here, the ones brought to do the job. When you killed Mahoney at Katakan and destroyed all the ships, they had no way ta git home. The Kalazecis weren't gonna' to take 'em."

"Tommy, Mahoney didn't die at Katakan," Buck said. "Not long ago, we learned he and Andrik Fillman are gathering a fleet. It has all the signs that they plan to attack Myslac. Apparently, they will put a regent on the throne until Ajnoc is old enough to be crowned Emperor. That's why I'm here with the fleet."

"No shit? That changes everthin'. We was plannin' to take them folks home. They finished with the work long ago and been doing other stuff, ya know, really fixin' these folks up with all kinds of neat things. Been doin' a first rate job too. These Kalazecis ain't too swift at thinkin' up new ideas. Word among the humans is someone else give them their spaceships. Don't know how they'll feel about Mahoney and Fillman startin' somethin', both bunches," he said referring to the Kalazecis and humans, those for Mahoney and any against the man. "The Pagmok jist follow orders from their Kalazecis officers."

"I understand the Kalazecis fleet has five-hundred warships. Mahoney isn't going to attempt an attack against numbers like that. How does the Emperor feel toward the man?"

"First of all, there is one hundred fifty ships," said Tommy. "The rest is mothballed. Seems what they need the ore they got from Usgac—that's what they called New Earth. It ran out and they had ta find a new source. Finally did and the factory Mahoney's people built is jist now makin' the metal they need to fix the ships. I reckon it might take four or five years to get them ready to use. Now 'bout Mahoney, the Emperor won't let him come dirtside. Djac don’t like the man and there is his woman. They ain't married, an' she's kin with Djac. Women got no say around here. 'Bout all they do is bed their men and from what I understand, do a damned good job of that. You might want to tell your missus. I don't mean about the beddin' part."

Buck, amused at Tommy's comment looked pondering at his friend. "You haven't sampled any have you?"

"No sir. My wife would find out even with us a T-year apart. No siree. Not me. But the Kalazecis talk and…" Tommy paused, "…come to think of it, there may be one or two of those men Mahoney brought here that took women, Kalazecis women. Maybe you should talk to them."

"No need. I want to talk with the Emperor. I would think losing four-thousand warriors and five ships would not sit well with him."

"The warriors. Don't think he cares ‘bout that. Now the ships, that's a different story."

"Lord Fryman." Admiral Tenkiller, along with his aide and four Marines, approached. "We received a coded message for you."

Buck accepted the comm, inserted the earpiece, entered his code, and listened.

"Lord Fryman, this is Dr. Highlandermann. We searched the Kalazecis ships and found sufficient information on the Kalazecis and Hommew genomes to complete our research. With modifications, the long life gene can be adapted to these beings. The Pagmok, I'm afraid not. Maybe with more research something might change that. The Emperor suggests you tell their Emperor in private and stress the need to keep the information quiet. You know the reason."

Buck erased the chip and handed the unit to Tenkiller. From what Tommy had told him, audiences with the Emperor were public.

Two aircars eased up to the group. Told the driver would take them to their quarters, Buck and Tommy climbed in and the restraints folded around them. His escort followed in the second.

Admiral Tenkiller along with his entourage returned to the shuttle and their ship.

One hundred meters above the ground, Tommy had the driver overfly some of the more spectacular buildings. "That one is the palace," he said pointing toward the largest building in sight. "They got us in that white one over there. Pretty nice place though don't know how comfortable it'll be for you. May have ta ask them for a bigger bed an' you'll have to get used ta duckin' yore head. Ya know goin' through doors and hangin' lights will keep you lookin' where ya're goin'. I'm short 'nough it don't bother me." Door heights were one hundred ninety centimeters and Buck needed another twenty-five.

Buck laughed. "Lived with the door heights all my adult life. I'll admit these door openings are more than I'm accustomed too but I can handle it. The bed is a different matter."

The aircar landed and a Kalazecis, in a white uniform with gold trim on the shoulders, escorted them to Buck's rooms.

Buck looked around. There was a good-sized main room, bedroom, small kitchen, toilet with shower, and a walk-in closet already filled with his clothes. Three chairs and a divan were scattered around the main room. On one side, a computer console with a large view screen sat on a too-small desk. "Quite nice. Tommy, tell them I like these accommodations," Buck said. "You might ask if I can have larger chairs and bed." He questioned that not one Kalazecis had addressed him.

"You bein' a royal, they can't talk to you unless ya say somethin' ta them first."

Buck nodded. "How do we get an audience with the Emperor?"

Tommy stepped to the door, opened it, and told the Kalazecis posted outside the door, about the chairs and bed. "Tell your superior Lord Fryman wants an audience with His Majesty." He shut the door without an acknowledgment.

"That simple. Just tell them what you want, is that it?"

"Minister, you bein' here is a big deal. No other royal has ever visited Myslac. Jist your commin' makes Djac even more important—if that's possible. He ain't nothin' like Sebastian." Tommy didn't elaborate on the differences and briefed Buck on the court protocol. "Now you bein' so big and tall, don't say nothin' if the Emperor looks ya over, maybe for a long time before sayin' anythin' to ya. Jist stand there lookin' straight ahead. An' don't forgit to bow."

Buck gave him a look that said ‘don't lecture me.’ Both knew neither took the comments personally, seriously yes.

Tommy triggered the comm and put it on speaker. "Emperor Djac will see Lord Fryman at ten in the morning." The comm went dead.

"Ya'll have ta have at least four attendants," Tommy said. "Want me to have Admiral Tenkiller send some men?"

Buck nodded and the call set it up.

The engineer answered the door buzzer and showed the Pagmok where to put their dinner.

"Ordered food we can handle. Did git cha a side dish of their stuff jist so ya could get a taste." Tommy eyed Buck with a wry grin.

"What's Kalazecis food like?" Buck pointed at the offering unsure he wanted to hear the answer and got a chuckle.

Between mouthfuls, Tommy told Buck everything discussed in his two audiences with Djac.

"Not bad," Buck said with a satisfied grin and pushed his plate away having eaten the Kalazecis food.

"Git up early and don't leave 'till ya go ta the terlet. Best laxative I've ever dealt with. Cleans ya out. See ya in the mornin'" the engineer said as he laughingly hurried for the door.

Rising early, Buck took Tommy's warning seriously and congratulated himself for doing so. He showered and considered his minister's clothes but decided it best if he appeared in the suit he wore when seeing Sebastian.

Tommy commed and told him the Emperor's aircar had arrived. He joined his friend on the steps as four Marines in parade uniforms arrived in their vehicle.

"I take it you're not going with me." Buck gave a once over glance at the engineer's dungarees.

"Nope. Weren't invited." Tommy's earlier briefing had noted to go before Djac alone was disrespectful.

"Being a royal is different. Ya need someone taggin' along ta open doors an' sich," he said with a laugh.

"I been meanin’ to say something. Things don’t seem too good around here…" he paused, "…with the Emperor. Ya hear a lot a bitchin’. Not the kind some folks do ‘bout Sebastian. This is mean nasty stuff. I think troubles abrewin’."

"Thanks for letting me know." Buck had no idea how this might affect his audience with Djac. He didn’t doubt Tommy’s information. The man had a knack for understanding people’s real feelings.

Buck accepted Tommy’s ‘good luck,’ along with a translator, and climbed into the gold adorned aircar for the trip to the palace.

A Pagmok took the driver side in the Marine car and followed.

Buck's Kalazecis driver never said a word during the short trip. The vehicle settled to the plasticrete surface under the palace portico, and another Kalazecis, dressed in an all-white, opened the car door with never a word said.

Buck walked up the flight of ten steps where a third Kalazecis, in a like uniform, stood holding the door open. At the top, in white with gold shoulder trim, waited yet another officer. As Buck cleared the last step, the man turned and walked inside.

Buck followed. Not a word had passed between anyone since he'd left his hotel.

He waited in the anteroom with the Marines and a Kalazecis approached, eyes fixed on Buck's chest. Never did the man look higher. "I will accompany you. These humans will follow."

Buck noted Tommy had precisely described the palace interior. Tall gilded stone columns, solid ebony colored wooden doors inlaid with ivory, white marble floors, intricately patterned with precious and semiprecious stones polished to a mirror finish, reflected light from overhead domes.