| |
Avra’s flagship was in Doolari space where it met with Gaeitsu-aqin space.
Or, rather, the recently established neutral zone between their territories.
Avra had signaled for a meeting with Gaeitsu-aqin officials when they arrived. Now xez waited.
It had been three days. Avra had known this would take time, but xez was still feeling uneasy.
During xerz last meeting with the Gaeitsu-aqin, Avra had promised they would not be bothered by the other races again. Xez had two purposes to xerz meeting today and hoped they would be understanding.
It was fortunate that the Gaeitsu-aqin had no weapons.
Avra was on the bridge looking out the main viewport. Xez had gotten restless and, despite the importance of this mission, did not enjoy wasting time xez could be conducting legitimate business.
Of course, if the Ditufgne succeeded, further business dealings would be the least of anyone’s concerns.
The lift to the bridge opened, and Pira Delvi arrived. Avra’s assistant took her place at xerz side.
“We’ve received some new information from the IITA,” Pira stated.
“That’s the military, yes?” asked Avra.
Pira chuckled. “Yes. Keeping the IITO and IITA straight is challenging. Think we should call them the Armada?”
“Maybe,” Avra agreed. “What did you get?”
“Navarch Dromm believes they can have a total of fifty capital ships ready to face the Ditufgne ring-ships,” Pira reported. “That’s a mix of new ships and upgraded existing ships.”
“Normally, a military buildup such as this would be distressing,” Avra said, “but not in light of the Ditufgne.”
“It’s something,” Pira agreed. “The very creation of the IITO is astounding. All the races involved have never been too contentious with one another, but never allied like this, either. This is something else entirely. Mutually beneficial peace.”
“Did your homeworld sign on to the compact?” asked Avra, realizing xez could not recall where it was.
“Yes,” Pira replied. “I didn’t think the Frodi Imperium would, but they did.”
“That’s good. How many Human sectors and nations did not sign?”
Pira laughed. “Truthfully, I have no idea. How many single solar system governments are there? Among Humankind? Your guess is as good as mine.”
There was a flash outside the viewport, and as alarms went off on the bridge, a saucer-shaped craft with a boxy underside and spherical top appeared alone.
“They got your message,” Pira remarked.
“Captain, send the hail,” requested Avra.
“Yes, Avra,” he replied.
There was an electronic greeting that was broadcast between starships not only to open friendly communications, but also to establish the method of communications.
“Incoming message,” the captain said.
“Let’s hear it,” Avra requested.
Unlike xerz last meeting with the Gaeitsu-aqin, Avra did not hear their native language before the translation in xerz head. Maybe it was xerz ship’s impressive translation AI, or a different type of communication from the Gaeitsu-aqin.
“Avra Pii K’tark’ah,” the soft, musical voice began, “now is not your time to join the conclave.”
“That is correct,” Avra agreed, shuddering slightly at the recollection of what the Gaeitsu-aqin had suggested at their last meeting. It was not so much the idea of going to them rather than the conclave, but the notion of being at the end of xerz life that Avra wished not to consider.
“Then why are you here?” the voice asked.
“I come representing the new government, the Interplanetary Interspecies Treaty Organization.”
“We are aware of this new entity,” the voice replied. “What has it got to do with us?”
“There are two things I am here to bring to your attention,” Avra replied. “The first is in regard to our prior agreement. Rather than the Cosmic Security Agency providing enforcement of this neutral zone, the Interplanetary Interspecies Treaty Armada would take that on.”
“Do you believe them to be a sufficiently neutral party?” asked the Gaeitsu-aqin voice.
“I do,” Avra replied. “As does the CSA. They have signed off on the treaty and intend to utilize the Armada in future need for a neutral force.”
“We need to consider this a moment,” the voice said.
Avra knew, somehow, that they were offline.
“Are we hearing them over the speaker or in our heads?” asked Pira. “Last time I heard both their voices and a translation of them in my head. This time it’s just the voice.”
“Captain?” Avra asked.
Xerz flagship’s captain was looking over a screen. “There is a signal being registered, but it’s not exactly a voice. It’s almost like it’s encrypted—or, no, maybe a lot of voices speaking as one.”
“It may be worth analyzing,” Pira said.
Avra looked to xerz assistant, who shrugged. “Well, if it’s an encryption of some sort, that might be of value.”
Avra laughed. “You truly are a wonder, Pira Delvi.”
“Communication incoming,” the captain interrupted.
Once more, Avra heard that soft, musical voice intone, “Avra Pii K’tark’ah, we accept this. But no ships from this force may cross into the neutral zone unless they are stopping another. They are to remain outside of our space and the space between us.”
“Very good,” Avra agreed.
“What is your second purpose for coming here?” the Gaeitsu-aqin asked.
Avra paused, considering how to breach the topic. “If you are aware of the treaty, you are also aware of not just the Ditufgne, but the Xorcerizts as well?”
“Yes.”
“The primary reason for creating the IITO and the Armada was to stop the Ditufgne incursion,” Avra continued. “While the Xorcerizts were willing to provide any with defensive capabilities better suited to handle the Ditufgne weapons, providing more effective offensive capabilities came with a price. That was the agreement—that no race armed with these weapons would employ them one against another. They are only to be used to combat the Ditufgne attacks.”
The Gaeitsu-aqin voice was silent a moment. “We are aware of the Xorcerizts. Fomenting a peace between the peoples of the galaxy is noble. But the races involved are but a small number of the total peoples of the galaxy.”
“I am aware of that,” said Avra. “But these are the peoples who are impacted by the Ditufgne incursion. The Ditufgne have gone even further with their attacks. They are employing a weapon with more power than any of us can comprehend.”
“We have felt this power,” the Gaeitsu-aqin commented. “What is its use?”
“To send a planet across space and time instantly to a lone solar system in the void between the galaxies,” Avra informed them.
There was a moment of silence. Then the Gaeitsu-aqin said, “That is most distressing. It is an unfortunate use of power.”
“And it needs to be stopped,” agreed Avra. “To that end, the Armada is preparing ships to take on the Ditufgne and stop the weapon. But there is very little time, and the Xorcerizts have only a limited number of resources. I believe that their understanding of universal energy is not too dissimilar from yours.”
“The Gaeitsu-aqin do not manufacture weapons nor condone their use,” the voice nearly interrupted.
“I am aware of that,” Avra replied, “as is the IITO. But you were willing to help us with power supplies for defense before. Could you supply us with your engineers to help bolster our defenses now?”
There was no response for a time. Despite the silence, Avra knew the Gaeitsu-aqin were still there.
“That is not our way,” they finally replied.
Avra sighed. “No, we know it’s not. Maybe the Ditufgne will never trouble you, nor any peoples other than the Humans, Doolari, Zathru, Ravusq, and Yalifira. We are aware that you desire to be left alone and not be troubled by the rest of the galaxy. Were we not desperate, I would not be here to ask this of you.”
Once again there was a prolonged silence. Then, the Gaeitsu-aqin said, “We have analyzed the energy system on your ship created by the Xorcerizts. It is clever and clean technology. We know that we cannot remain apart from the galaxy for all time. But now may not be the time we associate with others. Still, this matter you bring to us is grave, and bears analysis. We need to consider your request further.”
“Is there anything I can do? Information I can provide?” Avra asked.
“No,” the Gaeitsu-aqin replied. “Leave us now, and do not return again until your time to join the conclave is upon you. Should we decide to assist your cause, we will send a message to the Xorcerizts that they alone will understand.”