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I sat in the giant shuttle hangar on a conference table. My greatest hope was that after this while fiasco was over I could get out of these stupid diplomatic suits and get some alone time with Jake. Not the Captain, but Jake! I whistled as I watched the shuttle arrive and heard the hiss as it passed through the atmosphere shield. It landed in front of the red carpet that lead to the other conference tables in front of me. The doors opened and out came Churlish, the two Mucusto, eight bodyguards for them and the two Jarban “leaders”. Following them was Captain Merlock. He had had duties on the surface so he did not know what was going on. I was warmed by his trust as he sat on the ramp of the shuttle to watch.
“What is going on Loneway? You sent the Mucusto messages saying it was a done deal? By whose authority?” said Churlish.
I smiled at the jerk.
“Have a seat everyone, it is a done deal. Everyone will be getting what they deserve I promise you.” They all declined to sit, and just stood staring at me. The bodyguards were huddled around their leaders looking nervous. The Mucusto leaders were glancing around the shuttle bay confused.
“I love this bay, then again I am a pilot. You all know I am a pilot right? This diplomatic thing will be over soon and I will not do it again because many of you are crazy.” Everyone I was facing started looking angry, good. Before they could get started I continued.
“Normally this bay is full of all sorts of different shuttles but they are off taking care of business. Or I should say they have finished the business. We have freed all of the captive commanders on the Jarban ships and released the true royalty of the Jarban people.” Captain Merlock raised his eyebrows in surprise. Churlish looked confused and the others became nervous and agitated.
“We are the leaders of the Jarban people,” they asserted.
“Really. Hm, that is not what I have been told.” I turned to the lone shuttle in the back of the bay. “Will the Lovely Tara please escort the true leaders of the Jarban people over?”
The shuttle doors opened and out came the true Jarban leaders with Tara. They refused to be on board without me or her. As they approached, the two false leaders began wailing and rushed forward, falling to their knees apologizing to the people they had been impersonating. The Mucusto leaped forward but I whipped out my small low charge blaster and hit the lead one in the chest. He staggered back into his bodyguards and they began drawing weapons.
“You have made a mistake Pilot!” I was told.
“No, you have,” said the voice of Commander Tello from the catwalk around the bay’s upper walls. The sound of many plasma rifles reaching charge echoed through the bay. Sensing their defeat the Mucusto all dropped their weapons. I let out a deep breath as I had not been sure they would give in that quick. I turned to the Royal Jarban and held up my hand and bowed. They returned the gesture pleased. There impersonators were kneeling face to the floor moaning in dismay. They were ignored for now.
“Did the Lovely Tara inform you of my people’s decision?” I said. They shook their heads.
“No I did not,” said Tara. “I believe the honor for that goes to Diplomat Jayne.”
I glared at her briefly for using that title but smiled at the Jarban.
“It has been decided that the planet is yours. The Mucusto will not be anywhere near you. It is yours and your people’s now. Our only hope is that when you are settled, if you are so inclined, you may wish to open trade negotiations. Or at least allow friendship delegations. Whatever you decide, if you need our help to get started we are there for you. If you do not need our help, we will back off. I was asked to advise you that we can and will eagerly make sure the Mucusto will not approach your planet until you are up to full strength. We feel it is the least we can do considering all you have been through to get here.” They bowed deeply, touched and moved, as was I actually. I heard muttering behind me and turned.
“As for you people. We will be watching you closely. You have tried to enslave these people to work in the mines for you! Yes, we know that was the plan. Many of your officers we captured are still telling us the plans. It was rather obvious when all of the demands for the treaty were based around the heticia mineral. The Jarban have no use for it at all, but you go through huge amounts of it for your engines. It was rather simple, I saw it right away.” I looked at Churlish who was not looking too happy. He knew how much trouble he was on the edge of. I decided to push him in.
“As for you Churlish. Your use of secret listening devices, and revealing us to hostile force by overriding silent running is now common knowledge back at HQ.” I turned to the Captain, handing him a tablet. “Captain, I would also like to lodge a formal complaint against Ambassador Churlish. He attempted to drug a Fleet officer on this ship. You will find evidence of the drug in his quarters.”
There was a growl from the surrounding security. Glowering, the Captain read the document on the tablet, then strode over to stand in front of Churlish, who had understandably drained white in fear. The Captain loomed over him.
“Tello, put him in the brig!” he said, his voice infused with rage. Churlish actually whimpered. “Place a guard so I don’t change my mind and deal with him myself! Also send a security detail with the Mucusto to escort them back to their ships. Once they are ready we will escort them home.”
Tello agreed. The Captain’s orders were carried out, and I could relax. After a little chat with the Royal Jarban they were escorted with an honor guard to the shuttle so they could rejoin their people. My shuttle bay emptied out until it was me, the Captain and Tara.
“Well Loneway, I will do what I can to keep you from a promotion, although you may not want to turn down better quarters. You too Tara, although I think Commander Talkner is appropriate.” She blushed prettily and thanked him.
“I can however guarantee you will like this. You are as of now off duty, Loneway.”
“Yes sir!” I said.
“I wonder if I can catch Churlish,” the Captain said, turning to depart.
Tara grinned. I we left the shuttle bay and headed down the corridor.