Chapter 55

During the three days it took to reach Zaa-wrack Acorus spent as much time as he could spare talking to the Wracki, called Erta, about life on Zaa-wrack and why the Wracki wandered the galaxy trading in one thing or another. Originally the Wracki had purchased a spaceship from Terra. The Terrans had landed on Zaa-wrack thousands of years ago. Zaa-wrack was a heavily forested planet with hundreds of fruits and vegetables. The Wracki were omnivores and welcomed the Terrans fish and shellfish, so the two races became allies.

The Wracki were more adventurous than the Terrans and eventually had purchased the technology to build their own spaceships. Their ships were small and generally crewed by one extended family. Many were happy to stay at home, farming or making goods for sale but others became galactic traders. They were non aggressive and most planet welcomed them and traded with them. Nearly all the fruit and vegetables the Pinaarans ate were bought from the Wracki with precious gems. The Wracki females were the ones who made beautiful jewellery from precious metals and gems, or simple cheap jewellery, from shells, large seeds and polished stones. This was much sought after by most races and Zaa-wrack had become wealthy through all this trade.

The Sceriae traded with them but because theirs was a peaceful planet, Acorus had never been there. He wanted to meet the planet’s leaders to let them know that he was angry that humans had fallen into Wracki hands and that it must never happen again.

Acorus visited the human females once a day to see how they were recovering. Because they were so passive and even a gently phrased request brought instant obedience, the Escorii had been able to administer their depression and trauma reducing drugs. One of the girls was making steady progress, two were slowly becoming healthier, but one was still so traumatised that the Escorii were worried that she might never recover.

Seeing the dreadful condition of these young females, Acorus was deeply affected. Knowing how intelligent Jo was, he imagined her being treated as they had and was so furious he could have killed Bezra himself. He was determined that she be properly punished.

As they neared Zaa-wrack, a message was sent to their leaders, saying that General Acorus wished to return the Wracki taken by the Xenorii. The Wracki leaders replied welcoming him and inviting him and his party to meet with them at their council chambers.

Taking just ten officers with him Acorus descended to Zaa-wrack by fighter ships, two for him and his officers and two for the Wracki.

The Wracki leaders met him at his landing site and with much ceremony led him into their main city. Wracki lined the wide roads as the procession of Wracki leaders and Sceriae officers made their way to the council chambers. As the rescued Wracki and their saviours walked into town there were cheers and greetings for both. The rescued Wracki strutted along as if it was them who were the heroes. Smiling grimly to himself Acorus took in the beauty of the countryside and the city buildings. It was time the Sceriae had an outpost here, to protect the Wracki of course! Zaa-wrack was an ideal planet from which to keep an eye on the Xenorii.

When they reached the council chambers, there were many speeches praising the Sceriae for rescuing some of their people. Then it was Acorus’s turn to speak. He started by telling them that he was pleased to rescue any specie from the Xenorii. But, he was extremely angry that the Wracki had bought human females. This had turned his attention to Zaa-wrack. The execution of Urma and his eldest sons had shown how lenient the Sceriae were. Another race would have executed the whole clan. And the way the females had been treated disgusted him. Was this how the Wracki treated other species? The leaders squirmed in their seats and didn’t know where to look. Then he stated that Bezra, the disgraced doctor would pay with her life, for her part in this.

The Wracki nodded and clapped, declaring that General Acorus was indeed a fair person to deal with. Finally Acorus got round to his real reason for visiting Zaa-wrack.

Because of the danger from the Xenorii he had generously decided to station a star ship, with full crew at a base on Zaa-wrack. That would protect them in the same way as Terra and Pinaar. And he apologised for not realising this need sooner. When he sat down there was silence for a while. Then as the stunned leaders read between the lines of Acorus’s speech muted cheers and clapping broke out. Gazing round in amusement he watched each Wracki as they reacted to his speech. By angering him they had added Zaa-wrack to his fleet of star bases.

The Wracki had prepared a feast and had remembered that the Sceriae were vegetarian so Acorus and his soldiers ate the fruit and vegetable dishes laid out before them. As he took his leave Acorus told them that as soon as he reached Scerior he would despatch two star ships and crew to build a base where suitable on Zaa-wrack. Through gritted teeth the Wracki council thanked him for his kindness. As he headed back to his ship he was laughing to himself. Maybe in future the Wracki would be careful what they traded.

Once aboard his ship he set course for home and Jo.