The Adventures of Deacon Coombs (45 page)

“Deacon Coombs,” Landrew mightily said, “I thought that you would have gained twenty pounds by now from Jim’s cooking. Instead you look thinner and perhaps more fit!”

“Landrew, there was far too much exercise and very distasteful food on this adventure.” The group chuckled. “Travel in outer space has exhausted me but driven me to new physical limits. Hike over here, hike there, up, down, run, leap, jump, worry. Lots of worrying, Landrew. I am so happy to see you again and be able to address this gathering on such short notice.” As Landrew and Deacon shared an extensive hug, Deacon gazed over his shoulder to intercept the ominous glare of Xudur. “Villya, Coombs.”

“Villya, Xudur.”

Landrew said, “I met your bold new companion the other night.”

As they made eye contact, Lyanna said, “Sorry.” Landrew frisked her mockingly. “My pistol is not here tonight.” Landrew breathed a strong sigh of relief to draw a laugh from the others.

Deacon exchanged pleasantries with Schlegar, Dreveney, Eggu-Nitron, and Raal in turn. Finally, he boldly stood before Xudur to say, “I am pleased that you can attend, Xudur.” Only Dithropolis had been prevented from attending.

With the meeting declared open, Deacon, with Jim providing videos, recounted their adventure from the time that they left Brebouillis to the arrival back on Earth. This took about forty minutes, and Jim answered the questions posed.

At Deacon’s instruction, Jim then retraced the adventure and elaborated on some specific events at Glagn and the investigations on Nix. He then showed extensive footage of the savages. The Council members were riveted at the introduction of Urzel and how Deacon deduced the path to Goharn Lok’s abode. This drew a flurry of questions from the Council, which Deacon deflected. “We haven’t much time. I must control the balance of this meeting to establish what I believe is our best chance of a planned path to victory.”

Omitting the identity of Urzel, Jim concluded with commendations for himself, Gem, Quobit, Travers, and Deacon in the face of danger, and explained how Lyanna and Chubby Eaves had joined the investigative team. Jim ended by asking for a moment of silence for Travers. The group bowed their heads in unison.

Deacon then spoke. “Landrew and members, the creature that Jim referred to is highly dangerous. He must be quickly defeated before he confronts Alliance forces and gains additional allies. Time is not on our side. We must painfully understand the origin of this creature to understand how to defeat it.

“The creature on the mount on planet Nix is named Urzel. More specifically, his name is Urzel Lok. The evidence that Gem, Jim, and I have compiled on Earth, Brebouillis, Aralia, and Nix conclusively indicates that Urzel Lok is the offspring”—he paused to look at each one around the table in turn for effect—“between an Earthman and a Medullan.”

The group erupted in disbelief—all except Landrew, who continued to stare at Deacon. Deacon allowed the attendees to vent their doubts for a few minutes, deflecting the vicious taunts of Xudur, who intimidated Deacon with bloody gapes of her mouth.

Deacon stood with arms folded as the clamor finally faded. “Hear me out. I have overwhelming evidence of what I say. You fight me with words. I confront you with facts. The Earthman’s father was an Asiandan named Phendal Lok—blind at birth, welder-draftsman by trade, born in Ketapongo. The mother was Nedilli, a well-known Medullan stateswoman.” In a soft tone, as they cynically stared back, he added, “This affair was properly sanctioned by both the Medullans and the Alliance.”

Xudur roared as she stood to contradict the statement. “Impossible! The Alliance has never allowed such a mating. It is forbidden. It has never been approved by this Council or before me!” Her voice maintained a deep, menacing tone. “Earthman, why do you speak of such falsities? You call this meeting and confront us with these blasphemies.” The other members allowed her to speak on their behalf.

“Answer us!” Eggu-Nitron shouted, also rising with objections.

Deacon allowed Xudur and Eggu-Nitron the courtesy to continue as Xudur cited the policies of interbreeding in the Tetrad Auspices. Her knowledge in this area was respectful.

Deacon focused on Landrew. “As I said to you, this mating was sanctioned by the Alliance, years ago, during the reign of your office as chief security minister of the Alliance.” Landrew remained stoic at the end of the table. He raised his head and fixed his gaze on Deacon as the other members of the Council waited for Landrew to deny these insinuations.

Xudur stood behind Landrew. “I urge you to eject Coombs and discontinue this conversation. We can easily read the accounts of his investigation. In the interim, please remove him from our sight.”

Deacon retaliated. “Tell them, Landrew. Tell them of your knowledge of his existence before he devours all of us. I beg of you. If we are to proceed with the destruction of this very lethal creature, we must begin with the foundation of truths, and you must face your peers with honesty. I know you had good reasons for its birth, but now the time comes to admit your past indiscretion.”

There was an interlude of cross-dialogue as Raal quaked and challenged the detective. “Coombs, you do not have the right to conduct a trial with you as prosecutor and judge of our leader.” The Mendalgon’s colors changed as she became agitated.

At last Landrew arose, walked away from the table, and turned his back to them. He heaved a heavy sigh, preparing to address them. He turned. “I love this Earth and I love the Alliance. How could our ancestors have guessed that history would place Earth in this magnificent Alliance with other foreign races? I have dedicated my entire life’s work, my soul, to the safety of the Alliance, for the success of this High Council, for all of us. When I look back at what we have accomplished, I feel so proud. But”—he expelled an ominous burst of air that established a different tone—“Deacon Coombs is correct. There is a political abortion hidden in my past. It is just one.” He quivered. “To you, in confidence, I express my deep regret.”

Landrew looked at each attendee in turn. “I supported the hiring of Deacon Coombs because I needed to know if my mistake was the current evil. I prayed for you, Deacon, to return with news that the monster we seek is someone else. It was with great enthusiasm, and then deep regret, that I nominated you, Deacon Coombs, for this assignment. I stand here before you, the High Council, to humbly ask for forgiveness. I am consumed with grief.”

Sanctioning

With tears welling in his eyes, Landrew expressed further regret. “Coombs speaks the truth. I alone sanctioned the mating of this Medullan and the Earthling after great deliberation during my reign as chief security officer of the Alliance. Later, when I heard about the child’s ill demeanor and his horrible deeds against even his own kind, I felt that my political career would be jeopardized, so upon the request of the Medullans, I authorized its destruction.

“Unknown to me until recently, the child obtained sanctuary from the Medullans, who placed the child on a savage planet, the very same planet that Deacon Coombs has just returned from, the planet Nix. However, rumors of its existence in our world persisted and eventually reached my ears. I have lived in deep repentance since the first time I heard these rumors. I have lived in mortification since Como’s death.”

Now Landrew held his head high. “The Alliance is as strong in peace as she ever has been. I have performed my deeds for the sake of all. You must understand that I erased this singular blemish from the records of the Alliance to protect our people. The laws of interbreeding were broken, as you so rightfully pointed out to us, Xudur. I unilaterally sanctioned the act of expunging this affair from all record bases. It was a mistake to sanction it; it was a mistake to then cover it up.”

The room was engulfed in eerie silence. All members of the Council had their gaze fixed on Landrew, and all were contemplating their resolution of this grave matter.

“Now you must understand something else of this chapter. At the time of the birth of this child, I thought this event a new milestone, a brave new step toward unification of the Alliance. It would have brought us closer to the Medullans. Don’t you see, all of you, why I did this? Medullans want corporeal bodies as part of our friendship. What a triumph. In their current spiritual state, they do not interface with any of us in the flesh.”

Deacon spoke again. “Landrew, please, we all admire your contributions during your reign. I accept whatever mistake you made, more easily than the rest of this group. We must move on to the reality of the situation. There are more important issues to discuss. I recommend that we move forward to an action plan and leave the discussion of your actions behind closed doors with High Council members.”

The members of the High Council each stared back. Schlegar and Eggu-Nitron expressed bewilderment; Xudur, disgust; Raal and the Dreveney, sympathy. Deacon broke the stillness. “You, Landrew, journeyed to Aralia to become the first on board the
Sleigher
. You ordered it off limits until your arrival. What did you discover?”

With his head bowed, seated, he said, “I found voice recordings and indirect evidence of his existence on board. I became ill when I saw what had been done to the crew. One trader, named Chubby Eaves, was not present when I arrived. Nor was Urzel, the one that I now fear.”

Xudur interjected. “No courage to face him. Confront him only in your thoughts.”

“Quiet, Xudur!” said Rande.

Landrew recommenced. “I destroyed all the evidence of an intruder before Alliance security boarded. I ask all of you to understand the chaos among the masses that would break out if word of this demon’s powers left this room.” He remained stone-faced.

Deacon delivered a message to the group. “Chubby Eaves is now safely part of my team. We encountered him in Asianda, where he pledged his allegiance to our cause. He is to arrive on the trade ship
G’uillger
with the Owler Gem soon. Are any of the tapes of the
Sleigher
preserved, Landrew?”

Landrew seemed to be in narcosis. “What? No.”

“Did you note anything unusual about the energy patterns of Urzel? Were you able to find them?”

“Well, ah… yes, I found some of them. At times there were periods when the energy presence of Urzel was not there.”

Deacon was satisfied. “Exactly as I postulated! Schlegar, you provided me with the first important clue to this mystery.”

“Me?” he said proudly.

“Yes. When I arrived on Brebouillis, Jim and Gem noted that top security Owlers were on the moon. When I noticed that they were guarding files rather than inmates, this left me to confront you with the real purpose of Brebouillis—that it served as an Alliance center for criminal files and criminal investigations.

“But you proudly accused me, Schlegar, of underscoring the medical research that was being conducted on Brebouillis, underestimating the contributions of the doctors. In your voice and attitude, I shall never forget the pride that you conveyed. It has remained with me.

“Lyanna, you presented me with selected tapes of criminal investigations when you joined our team on the
Heritage
. I studied these and, as I did so, came to recognize the true identities of those stationed on the planet. They are biologists, geneticists, evolutionists, physicists, all renowned in their fields. In examining the others in the post who had worked on Brebouillis, I find the same host of professionals. So I asked myself, what are all these renowned doctors doing on Brebouillis? And why are Owlers posted at file stations? And what prompted Schlegar’s outburst?

“This will come as a shock to some of you in this room when I answer my own questions. I will tell you what Jim, in one of his summaries, transmitted to me. It was a very curious piece of information that we uncovered here at the history library. I noted that the hospital on Brebouillis was opened on the very same date that the planet Medulla was admitted to the Alliance. Coincidence? I think not.” Raal fidgeted in her translucency.

Deacon folded his arms and then started to stroll around the room. “Along came Chubby Eaves, who tied my fears together by informing me that all trade ships go to planet Medulla empty. No cargo has ever been transported there, and yet the Alliance extracts valuable commodities. Chubby has dismissed this fact for years as a lack of our understanding of what the Medullans want! Chubby accepted that there is nothing that the Alliance can give to these spirits.

“Think of it, Raal! Think of it, Xudur! Think of it, Eggu-Nitron! The ships go to Medulla empty. We, the Alliance, extract ores, fresh water, gases, and plant and animal matter. So what do the Medullans get in return? Why did they even bother to enter the Alliance if we give them nothing in return for their admittance or for the extracted resources? Have you ever considered that?”

The Council members shifted in their seats as they focused on Deacon’s answer to this question. “Chubby Eaves’s statement was the great revelation that I needed to tie this all together. I know what the Medullans want. So does Landrew. So does Schlegar.”

What the Medullans want

Deacon continued to speak to the Council. “Aralia is the oldest planet in the Alliance. Life evolved on this planet when suns were millions of miles closer to it. Aralia was the birthplace of the Alliance. There was no one else. Just Aralians. But millions of years later, Aralians were dissatisfied so they searched out other life forms and found them. One by one, other races have been admitted to the Alliance through Vespering. Planet Medulla was the entry just ahead of Barnard’s Planet and Earth. How odd to me that the isolated distant moon of Brebouillis was transformed from a mining colony to the center of security records on that very day that Medulla was admitted to the Alliance.

“On Earth, I remembered reading that the Medullans are forbidden to teach their mental powers to other races, that they are forbidden to interface with any visitors, forbidden to allow foreigners on the surface of the planet, forbidden—and excuse me, Landrew—to interbreed. Think of the potential misuse of power if the Medullans were to teach their abilities to others. Think of the potential destruction. As each member was admitted to the Tetrad Alliance, friendship was the primary directive. But no one has ever seen a Medullan in its native state. The Alliance admitted a race that they inwardly distrusted.”