Galactic Freighter: Scourge of the Deep Space Pirates (Contact) (40 page)

Slowly, unattended, the great doors swung open.

In a rhythmic cadence, his guide moved forward at Buck's side, the four Marines two steps behind.

Buck ignored the gawks and awestruck faces. The look on his guide's face showed as a mixture of fear and marvel.

A few meters into the room, they stopped and the guide said, "When the Emperor speaks to you or asks a question, look directly at him and answer forthrightly." Maybe a hundred Kalazecis lined the walls watching his entrance.

The oracle appeared and declared in a tenor voice, "All gather to hear Djac, Emperor of Myslac, Kalazecis, Pagmok, Rococo and the
First
, and the entire universe."

All attention focused on the Emperor as he entered from behind the dais eyes locked on Buck.

The Emperor seated himself on a very common looking wooden throne, silencing everyone in the room as they bowed. The attendant took two steps forward and joined the communal raking. The entire entourage watched Buck.

He gave a courteous waist bow, as did the Marines.

As Tommy had predicted, Djac eyed Buck for quite some time. "Human," said the Emperor his long flaming red hair neatly hung over one shoulder, "Are many of your kind so large?"

Buck spoke into the translator. "No, Your Majesty. Most are somewhat smaller."

"You must do well in combat. Have you ever been in battle?"

"Yes, Sire."

"You do not wish to tell Djac?"

"Majesty, I have protected myself from those who would do me harm."

"To their regret, I suspect." Djac’s manner changed abruptly. "You are less than honest.

"I understand you led the fleet that destroyed my ships," he said now standing. That brought a gasp from the hundred or so assembled in the throne room.

Buck knew the meeting had reached a crucial moment.

"Your Majesty, as any good subject would, I obeyed my Emperor."

That seemed to please Djac as he returned to the throne and sat.

"You like your Emperor Sebastian?"

"Yes, Sire. He has proven a very competent ruler. His people dearly love him."

"Not all. Jarred Mahoney raised his voice and warred against him. How can you say all love him?"

"Emperor Sebastian grants an audience to any whose grievance is just. Even the most unfortunate can make their plea before him." Buck hoped his answer didn't come across as argumentative.

"Approach, human." A gasp went up from the people as Djac signaled for the escort to remain still.

Buck moved forward a few meters and stopped. The Marines held their position. The Emperor arose, walked down the three steps. Slowly, he walked around Buck, eyes sweeping his entire height.

"Would you serve me?" Djac’s manner did not seem antagonistic or a menace.

"My Emperor has authorized me to give the Emperor information that could serve both worlds." Buck’s voice was conciliatory.

"Really." Djac took a step back. "What information?"

"Majesty, I serve my Emperor. He has instructed me to give this information to you in private—alone." Buck waited for the explosion.

Djac returned to his throne, sat, and summoned the oracle. The man listened, responded, bowed, and disappeared through the purple curtains hung behind the throne.

"I will meet alone with you."

Another gasp, this one subdued, came from the assembled.

Chapter Thirty-Eight:
The Gene

D
jac stood and Buck bowed along with others as the Emperor walked behind the curtain. The escort motioned Buck to follow as they exited the throne room.

Along with the two Marines ahead and two behind, they walked along a corridor, all white with no wall adornments, to where another Kalazecis stood. This one, in a dark blue uniform elaborate with gold trim, military, opened a door, pointed inside and motioned for the Marines to stay.

Buck nodded his approval. It had to be Djac's office. A large ornate desk trimmed with inlaid gold leaf dominated the room. A reddish carafe with matching cups, cranberry gold, Buck thought, sat on a credenza. He thought the Kalazecis use of gold bordered on obsession.

Shortly, Djac appeared and Buck bowed.

Djac motioned for Buck to sit.

Buck tried but his size thwarted the attempt.

Djac pressed a button on his desk and ordered a larger chair.

"Your size is overwhelming. I suspect few men have successfully challenged you." Djac waited for a response.

"A few, have tried, Majesty."

"From Sir Tommy, I have learned you do not use your great strength to intimidate others." It was the first time the Emperor had mentioned Simms.

Buck would like to hear Djac's opinion of Tommy but his mind was on the message he had from Sebastian.

With the chair issue resolved, and after Djac seated himself behind his desk, Buck sat.

"What,” Djac asked, “has Sebastian to say that my people cannot know?"

For the next few minutes, Buck related the original reason humans left Earth or Terra as now called. "We thought the gene died when your forces destroyed New Earth and Cullen annihilated the inhabitants of New Hope."

Djac stared at him.

"That is not something of which we are proud—terrible stain on who we are." The Emperor seemed genuinely apologetic.

"It is done. Sebastian carries no malice. He believes if humans are to exist in space, it must be with other species."

Djac didn't respond as he looked out a large window perhaps pondering the thought.

"We discovered the long-life gene in the ruins of New Hope," Buck said perhaps a bit too casually. "Along with the Federation of Aligned Worlds, we plan to reintroduce it to the known worlds."

"And my people?"

"Our scientists have learned the gene can be modified for you. If you want the gene, that is. Your people will live much longer. Being untested, we cannot say how long. With humans, life is extended almost four hundred years."

Djac's head jerked toward Buck.

"It will not work on some humans, those who have reached sixty T-years of age. We have no idea if that same age applies to your people."

"It is good that Sebastian had you give this in private. I have no idea how it will be received by my people."

"At the present," Buck added, "our scientists have not found a way to make it fit the Pagmok genome. The Hommew can also participate if they wish."

"Lord Fryman, you and Sir Tommy must know we did not develop our space technology that it came from the Hommew."

Buck didn't respond, curious that the Emperor would publically make such an admission. Reflection suggested the presence of the Barnard’s Star scientists and engineers made that obvious.

Djac again looked out the window. "The Pagmok are a subjugated race. They were cannibals until we defeated and gave them structure. They have served us for hundreds of passages. I have no idea how they might react to the news of the gene. If they rebel, the Kalazecis will cease to exist. They outnumber us over one thousand to one."

Djac had serious concerns facing him. With Tommy's comment that he thought trouble was brewing on Myslac, Buck wondered if the Emperor had anyone with whom he could discuss something so monumental. From what he'd heard, Djac trusted few of his fellow Kalazecis.

"There is another matter, Majesty," Buck said moderating his voice. "Jarred Mahoney and the child."

"Mahoney is not welcome on Myslac. He has no say in the child's future." Djac's voice, hard, left no doubt.

"He, along with a man named Andrik Fillman, has assembled a fleet. We don't know the size or how well armed, but with five hundred ships, you should have no concerns stopping him."

"His little fleet is not what concerns me. We have a number of humans on Myslac, ones Mahoney brought here to give us the synthetic plant and metal processing needed to restore our fleet. Many may be loyal to him and they could easily destroy what they have built. Some, I understand, want to return to their world. You upset those plans. Others have expressed a desire to remain on Myslac." He looked asking at Buck. "You see the problems I must solve."

"I do not envy your position, Majesty."

"You are married, Lord Fryman?" Djac surprised Buck with his question. "I am,” Djac continued, “and have three children. I would like for you to dine with us this evening. I will also invite Mjonca and she can bring the child."

"Thank you for the kind invitation."

"Is there anyone you wish to invite? You have a fleet on orbit and there must be someone who would enliven the conversation."

Buck chuckled and said, "My wife and children, Sire. I could invite Admiral Tenkiller. I understand his name caused some concerns."

"Excellent choices. May I suggest Sir Tommy as well? His speech is a trial for the translators and gives us much amusement."

With that, the meeting ended. Buck bowed and backed from the office.

In the hallway, the officer motioned Buck and the Marines to follow, leading them to the portico before passing them off to another Kalazecis.

En route to his rooms, Buck commed Tenkiller to attend along with Molly and the children. The Admiral expressed his appreciation and said they'd leave on the ten-hour jaunt to the planet.

Tommy waited at the hotel.

"Get your best duds ready,” Buck said. “We're having dinner with the Emperor his wife, Mjonca and the child will attend also."

"Hope they 'member ta have human food there," Tommy quipped.

Buck readily agreed his early morning experience all too vivid.

Buck and Tommy spent the remainder of the morning touring the city. That afternoon, they visited the scientists and engineers imported from Barnard's Star to build the synthetic and metal processing plants. Buck expressed his concern over how the people might take his presence since he'd destroyed their way home.

A scientist met them at the lab. "Lord Fryman, I'm Dr. Gillespie, head of this little band. Come in." Gillespie’s welcome seemed less than cordial. Close to Tommy's height he didn't seem awed by Buck's size."

Buck and Tommy entered the very plain unadorned office and met several other members of the team. "Thank you for seeing us," Buck said. "Tommy has told me a great deal of your accomplishments on Myslac. You are to be congratulated for your work."

"And you sir, are why we are still here," Gillespie arms on hips stepped back. Damon Gillespie, head of Mahoney's group from Barnard's Star, seemed aggravated and maybe just a touch pompous.

"No need for rancor," Buck said. "We defended Katakan against an unprovoked attack. Many innocent people died and for what?"

"That's political, something that I devote little time to." Gillespie responded tartly. "If this is a social visit, we are quite busy. If not and you have anything of substance to say, get it said otherwise, please leave."

Tommy, quiet as he usually was before hitting someone or something, stepped forward. "Sir, I been workin' with you folks for nigh on ta a year and we got alone jist fine. Seems that is all behind us. So unless your smart mouth shuts down by itself, I'm gonna shut it for ya." He stood defiant and resolute before the man. Smaller, and without the gut the scientist had, Tommy left no doubt he would make good on his threat.

"No, Tommy," Buck said. "We came here to help these people but if we're not welcome we'll leave." With that, the two turned toward the door.

"Wait," another voice said. "Dr. Gillespie doesn't speak for me in personal matters. I say you are welcome." He turned toward Gillespie. "Damon, if you don't want to hear what the man has to say, you can do one of two things, leave or keep your damned mouth shut."

"And you Sir are?" Buck asked.

"Harper, Harper Basselrod. I head the engineers. Please, join me over here." He motioned toward a desk and chairs.

"Basselrod," Buck said and gave the man a good once over. "Any chance you have relatives on Iona?"

"Not that I know of. Are there Basselrod's there?"

"Yes, Admiral Ross Basselrod, retired, former aide to the Emperor and now runs Inter-World Freight. A most accomplished and well respected man."

"A man of that import, we must be related," Harper said with a laugh. "I'll claim him at least until someone says differently."

Buck immediately liked the man. He and Tommy chatted with Harper for the better part of two hours. "We must leave," Buck said checking his chronometer. "If you want, Iona can and will return those to Barnard's Star who wish."

"A fine gesture, but Jarred Mahoney is en route to do that very thing," Harper said.

"Might not work," Buck said pensively. "He won't be allowed to enter Kalazecis space."

Harper leaned back in his chair as Gillespie, listening from behind his desk asked, "How would you know?"

Buck ignored the question. Harper repeated it and Buck said, "Emperor Djac told me."

"And his son?" Harper questioned.

"No idea."

"Have you seen the boy?" the Chief engineer asked.

"No, Tommy has."

Harper looked at Tommy a half smile on his face, "What do you think of the lad?"

"Handsome by anyone's standard an' smart as a whip. Kid's got a good head on his shoulders," he said.

"What does he know of his father?" Harper asked.

"No idea 'cept he knows about his mamma bein' Kalazecis and his daddy ain't. Seems right proud of his difference. Good kid."

As the two left for their hotel, Buck stopped at Gillespie's desk, "Sir, in your situation, you would do well to make friends whenever possible."

A smirk crossed the scientist’s face and Buck shook his head. "Your problem, not mine." They left to prepare for dinner with Djac.

Outside, parked next to their aircar, three more filled with Pagmok blocked there exit. The officer who had shown Buck into Djac's office sat in the rear seat of the last car.

The door opened and the man called to him, "A word with you, human."

He didn't use Buck's honorific nor did he leave the car to talk. Buck looked at the Kalazecis and never acknowledged the command, continued to his aircar, Tommy on his heels.

Ten Pagmok piled from the two leading vehicles and surrounded the two humans.