|
The Tzel - Chapter 1 The dew on the broadleaves had not yet fully evaporated in the morning sun when Junn arrived. He was at his favorite mediation spot in the city park, a stone bench overlooking the duck pond. Setting himself on the bench in the lotus position Junn then spoke a mantra to bring himself into a meditative trance. This was a daily event and only the worst of weather would dissuade him from trying. In this particular meditation Junn, a councilor in the Caucus, was seeking guidance from the Universal Soul on a matter most important to the Tzel race. Nine months earlier the Tzel were contacted by an alien race called the Humarsh. While a trade treaty was the result of a successful first contact the Humarsh seemed rather insistent on forming a military alliance. From what the tree-eyed aliens said they were threatened by another race and needed help. The current Caucus felt that the Humarsh’s request was less than honest and was refused. Funding for bases and ships was approved in case the Humarsh became aggressive. With the existence of warp points now known a survey was authorized to find more in the home system. Only one was located after two months of searching. In the surveys that followed two new systems were explored, but there were no additional warp points. A colonization bureau was created to exploit the new systems, claiming them for the Tzel race. Which was just as well for the Humarsh had sent their ambassador again. It was the way he presented his renewed case for a military alliance that spoke volumes. Apparently the alien race had won a significant victory, leaving the Humarsh in a tight spot. Again the Caucus refused, saying to the ambassador that his case was unconvincing. Junn’s meditation carried him to several lines of thought. One was on cutting off relations with the Humarsh. While this would end trade it would mean the Tzel won’t be bothered by further requests for military assistance. Another thought, barbaric as it was, is to attack the Humarsh in their proclaimed stance of weakness. Barbaric, for the Tzel were a singularly peaceful race that would only attack if overtly threaten. Going along with the three-eyed race for military assistance might bring misfortune if not defeat. Then there was just keeping the current relationship and refuse further advances. Ignore, attack, join or trade. That was all Junn could think of when he came out of his meditation at the predetermined time. The Caucus meeting was set to being in an hour. It was the goal of that meeting to come up with a long-term policy to deal with the Humarsh.
It was a long meeting given the seriousness of the discussion. After four hours a vote was called. Each of the four possible choices was considered in turn. At the head of the table Senior Councilor Dass flicked his ears. “Then it’s agreed. Trade with the Humarsh will continue. Our defense build-up and science programs clearly need the revenue to complete their current projects. For our long term dealings, however, we must have a consensus.” The Caucus Hall, while a large building, had only a very small portion of it devoted to actual Caucus business. For the fifteen member council only a regular sized conference room was required. When not in use by the council, vary businesses and committees rented it for meetings. Not much was spent on Caucus-specific amenities. So it was that Wexx, one of the younger councilors, finished scribbling on a pad of ruled paper that he had bought at a store. He looked at Dass eagerly. “I believe we have another option open to us.” With the other councilors looking on Dass scratched his muzzle like a tired professor. Wexx has only been on the Council for a year. A representative of the entertainment industry, his suggestions usually turned out to be vapid and insipid. A joke from him would break the monotony. “Please do tell us, Wexx. Perhaps you may yet wake our calcified brains with your wisdom.” Wexx went on and ignored the implied slight. “We’ve only been looking at the four options as labeled by Councilor Junn. Well, there is a fifth. Clandestinely, we should make contact with the aliens that fought against the Humarsh and get their side of the story.” Dass’ ears swiveled forwards automatically, so as to better hear the inanity of Wexx’s suggestion. “Sounds like a plot for a dramatic thriller. Are you going to cast yourself as the hero?” “Let him finish, Dass,” said Junn on the other side of the table. “It’s not like we have anything better to debate over.” A clipped nod from Dass sent Wexx on his exposition. “First, we must ascertain the location of the other warp points in the Humarsh system. Since the UWL won’t voluntarily divulge such information, we’ll have to clandestinely collect it. We’ll modify one of our Bag Boy freighters to carry long range sensors and the recently developed heavy science instrument installation. Since all cargo transaction are handled by shuttle, due to the security reasons on the UWL’s part, they won’t know about the modifications.” “Once we gather the warp point data, what then?” asked Junn before the others, especially Dass, could interrupt. “Suppose we find not one warp point, but two or more? Plus, how are we going to know which one to use?” “If there’s no inference of shipping patterns gathered in the survey period, we’ll have to send a contact team to each warp point. Instead of ships, we’ll use a new form of small craft that’s able to transit warp points.” Wexx earned approving nods from the Councilors of Science and Engineering. “On the words of Councilors Saat and Qenn the feasibility of making such a craft is within our grasp. It only remains as a matter of funding.” The Senior Council sighed. “Invoking the F-word has been the death knell of many a project, Wexx. There are many other projects on Tzel that require our attention. Of far more importance, what you’re proposing could easily bring us into a war with the UWL and even the aliens they’re fighting.” “All the more reason to make contact now while the potential danger is on the doorstep of the UWL instead of ours,” Wexx countered. “The sooner we know about the aliens the better our preparations.” Again Junn stepped in on Wexx’s behalf. “This fifth option has opportunities for positive and negative results. I suggest that we all meditate on this option and have the Overseer pass final judgment.” Seeing affirmative nods and hearing agreeing grunts from the others made Dass’ unspoken retort die an orphan. “Good. Let’s do this properly. We’ll meditate on Wexx’s idea for a week, and then make a comprehensive case to the Overseer. Junn, make the arrangements for the Overseer to attend our next meeting, ten days from now.” As the tactfully acknowledged person with the last word on anything the Overseer was as close as any non-Tzel would call a world leader. Appropriate aged, his wool was light gray and his hoofed feet were covered in impact-cushioning shoes. His ears remained nimble and eyes keen. As the Caucus made its presentation the Overseer looked at each councilor in turn. He obviously sensed the enthusiasm of Wexx and the pessimism of Dass. Thanking the councilors for their time, the wise man went to meditate in a small cubicle next to the Caucus meeting room. A week passed. Having fasted for two days before the meeting the Overseer had no need for physical relief during his mediation. He immediately took his seat at the head of the conference table and waited as the Caucus was assembled. “I’ve come to a conclusion,” he stated formally without preamble. The current Overseer was on the terse side, unlike his predecessor who liked to exhibit long bouts of speaking in-between breaths. “History has shown that only those that take risks will gain intellect, wisdom and a closer understanding of the Universal Soul. Therefore I endorse the proposal forwarded by Councilor Wexx. We must take the initiative and contact the aliens in peace so that it is not forced on us in war.” “A laudable goal, your Eminence,” said Dass. Once the Overseer made his judgment the Caucus saw that it was implemented. “I also have a suggestion on the composition of the contact team,” the wise man added. “We must have a balanced representation of our race. One for caution, one for exuberance, and one to moderate the others. From where I’m sitting I see an example of all three. We have Dass for his predilection for risk-aversion, Wexx for his infectious enthusiasm, and Junn. As a former school teacher, Junn’s skill in keeping noisome children in line will come of use when the other two are in disagreement.” Both Dass and Wexx felt a little put-off in being compared to unruly tots. Junn, having acted as the moderator during Caucus meetings, felt complimented. It was estimated that the clandestine survey was going to take the better part of two years to be completed. Junn had no doubt he was going to moderate many more council exchanges between Dass and Wexx. It was a successful operation. The Bag Boy class freighters Two Wheeler and Pallet, operating on alternate runs, completed their clandestine warp point survey of the Humarsh system in eighteen months. At no time did the UWL suspect the freighters were modified. Both the long range sensors and science instruments were thoroughly deactivated before transiting into the system and before reaching orbit of Humarsh. To the Caucus’ relief there was only one other warp point, simplifying the follow-up stage. The
Tzelan
Embassy had in the interim learned the name of the
alien force that
fought the UWL. Called the Republic, little else was
told to the
Humarsh public. It was left to the imagination of the
public to as what
the Republic wanted. Undoubtedly spurned on by their
defeat, the
typical Humarshan imagined the Republic to be a
hostile and war-like
nation. Since the survey was done in secret the send-off of the contact team was done with equally anonymity. In the figurative middle of the night Junn, Dass and Wexx embarked on the Hand Cart, an unmodified Bag Boy freighter. In the ship’s shuttle bay, however, it carried one of the new pinnace type small craft in place of two of its shuttles. Once transit was made into the Humarsh system the pinnace was launched once it was clear of the guarding bases’ sensor envelope. Taking the most direct course to the second warp point involved a journey of 90 hours. The Hand Cart was scheduled to follow 72 hours later, diverting from its run so that it would arrive at the warp point four days after the pinnace made transit. Aside from the flight crew, the pinnace only carried twenty passengers. Enough supplies were on hand for twenty one days. With top communications experts and linguists the Tzel hope to establish first contact rather quickly before being forced to transit back into Humarsh. Far from being disappointed in not having a proper documentary film crew, Wexx took the task upon himself. He even had one of the berthing compartments converted into a micro-studio, complete with backdrop and lights. It took some doing on Junn’s part to have Dass go through with the interview session with Wexx, even though it was for historical purposes. Everything was set when the pinnace reached the warp point. It was now a matter of bluff and guile. Junn was chosen to talk to the warp point commander. Having studied the comm logs of Two Wheeler and Pallet, as well as all known sociological data gathered by the ambassadorial team, Junn had a fair idea on how to talk to Squadron Captain Vern. “Your visit is unscheduled, Tzelan Councilor,” Vern said after the initial round of pleasantries. “Your presence here is in violation of the rules. Remove your craft from the immediate vicinity and head towards Humarsh.” Junn regarded the three-eyed alien levelly. “I think not, Vern,” he stated sternly. His use of the Captain’s name instead of rank at this stage was aggressive. For a Humarsh, one doesn’t call another by their personal name alone in official settings. “My government and yours have just concluded preliminary talks in upgrading the official relationship. Contingent on finalizing that agreement are courtesy tours of UWM ships and installations. Here is the relevant documentation.” A curt nod from Junn told the nearby comm tech to transmit a datafile to Vern’s command base. All of this was news to Vern. He had no idea it was all subterfuge on the Tzelans’ part. The document he received looked genuine, but it was a clever forgery concocted by the Secretarial Corps of the Tzelan Embassy. Both electronic signatures were genuine, but the one from the UWL Secretary of Defense was lifted from a restaurant receipt, swiped by the Tzelan Ambassador himself. “I’ll have to confirm this with my superiors,” the Squadron Captain said cautiously. “I’ll brook no delay, Vern.” Junn put on an irritated look that even Vern could understand. “The tour of your base is listed in the document. Any delay on your part will be viewed unfavorably.” He leaned toward the video pickup authoritatively. “Do you want to be compared to Admiral Bals for making a mess of things?” That pressed the right set of buttons. Admiral Bals was made into a scapegoat for the UWL’s defeat in the war with the Republic. Given the public nature of UWL media it was easy for the Tzelans to learn what had happened. Vern clearly didn’t want to be known as an obstructionist officer, much less another Bals. “Very well, Councilor. Have your craft approach my base. Docking details will be transmitted presently.” “Thank you, Squadron Captain,” Junn acknowledged. “I look forward to the visit.” As soon as the transmission ended Wexx came up from his seat outside the range of the video pickup. “Very well done, Junn. You can play yourself in the dramatization of this event.” Dass, also sitting out of range, harrumphed. “Don’t be making plans so soon, Wexx. If we’re found out we’ll be looking at prison if not execution.” “So much for your sense of adventure,” Wexx countered. “I think I’ll have you play yourself. There is no other actor able to convincingly portray a fuddy-duddy like you.” Junn was displeased. The last eighteen months had it share of exchanges between the curmudgeon and the juvenile. He once again fulfilled his role in balancing the two. “Now is not the time for such needling, Wexx. Keep to your recording. We’ll be making transit in two minutes.” The pinnace closed at full speed towards the UWM base. In fact there were thirty bases and forty cruisers, arranged between one and two and a half light seconds from the warp point. Vern’s base was in the outer shell. Instead of slowing down the small craft kept moving. The perplexed captain could only watch as the Tzelans moved into the minefield, defeating the single mine that attacked, and then plunge into the warp point. Headquarters was definitely not going to like this situation. A new set of stars greeted the Tzelans along with a new set of sensor contacts. No less than thirty-six bases and fifty ships of all sizes were arranged around the warp point. There were also a hefty number of buoys and an undoubtedly thick minefield as well. Staying relatively motionless, the pinnace team immediately began its attempt to establish contact with the Republic forces. Employing the alphabet of the primary Humarsh language, the team’s work was rewarded after two days effort. After confirming the life support needs were practically the same the pinnace was given safe passage through the minefields and landed in the shuttle bay of a Calan class frigate. Dass, Junn and Wexx were dressed in intricately patterned robes and laced shoes as they descended the ramp. Facing them was a group of Terpla’ns. From a Tzelan eye the race looked like walking cylinders with their six legs at one end and two arms in the middle. They were all dressed in what were obviously shipsuits. From the arrangement of symbols and color on one of them Dass deduced that he was the lead contact. “Greetings,” the Terpla’n said in lightly accented Humarsh. “I am Perses Detal, captain of this vessel.” Dass took a step forward and bowed at the neck. “Dass, Councilor of the Caucus. I greet you in the name of the Tzelan race.” His Humarsh was accented with a melodious quality, one that Wexx in a thousands years would never attribute to his senior. Terpla’ns couldn’t bow, so Perses closed both sets of eyelids in a manner indicating respect. “Larant, our ambassador with the UWL and senior government official on site, will talk with you presently. I will guide you to the conference room.” “Thank you, Captain.” Dass broke out in a smile. “Take us to your leader.” While the Terpla’ns heard a simple sentence both Junn and Wexx were mentally sideswiped by Dass’ wordplay. For as long as they knew him Dass hadn’t expressed a single joke or shown reaction to any shade of humor, subtle or gross. He had now shown a previously unknown side of his personality, and proved that he still had the gumption to learn new things and take risks. Talks with Larant went extremely well. Two weeks of negotiation and meditation on the Tzelans’ part a trade and military assistance treaty was signed. News of the Tzelan pinnace was kept secret by the direct order of the UWL President. Then the figurative dam broke when a Terpla’n pinnace made transit one day after the treaty ceremony. It was carrying Larant, and he told his counterpart on Humarsh what had happened. Such news couldn’t be kept secret for long, even in a democracy. In the record time of eleven minutes the Humarsh media learned what transpired thanks to an eavesdropping secretary. The UWL underwent a political crisis usually reserved for very close elections. What few unashamed warhawks that remained in the UWL Congress spoke their minds, declaring that war was inevitable due to the alliance between the Republic and Caucus. They were shouted down by their more rational fellows while the media tried to quell the near panic they created in the citizenry. In a three day session the Congress came to a consensus. The President met directly with Larant and offered to enter into a pact like the one between the Caucus and the Republic. This was what the Terpla’ns had been waiting for, since their citizens had also grown tired of the two year standoff. In a ceremony held in a performance hall the mutual trade and military assistance pact was signed. The Tzelans were also present, upgrading their relations with the Humarsh by appending a military alliance treaty to their current trade pact. Wexx filmed the event, getting the ending he needed for his historical documentary. Dass became a celebrity in the Tzel media. His book on meditative thoughts remained a best seller for two years. Junn resigned his councillorship to head a cultural observer team, spending five years in Republic territory. It
still
grated a few nerves in the UWL Diplomatic Corps that
peace came about
from Tzelan subterfuge, but then they would’ve had to
admit that their
own efforts to enlist Tzelan military aid were less
than forthright. In
a space of a few years whatever lingering animosity
there was between
the UWL and Republic vanished. Both Tzel and Humarsh
were allowed
access to an unexplored warp chain and jointly
colonize whatever
systems they happen to find. It would be an almost
quite six years
before the Republic-turned-Commonwealth called upon
their new allies to
assist in combating the Asteroid Axis, but that’s
another story.
|