The Earth Conundrum: Book 1 of the Alliance Conflict (11 page)

He continued, “What does it do?”

She could feel her anger dispersing and the adrenaline with it. She was starting to shiver. She answered, “It’s like a stun gun, but instead of stunning the nervous system it over-excites it. I am told it is extremely painful.”

He answered, “Yes, it didn’t look like your victim enjoyed it.”

She felt the fierceness return momentarily and said, “Well, he was bugging me.”

The man responded, “Fair enough, what else do you have under that skirt?”

She said in a sarcastic tone, “You’ll never know!”

This made first one, then both break out in laughter. She noticed that the one that had made the comment was looking a little sheepish, so she assumed that he was the butt of some joke. She didn’t understand why what she had said was funny, so she made a mental note to ask the computer for clarification.

The two men left her alone after that, or made polite conversation while maintaining a safe distance. It became silent for a moment and Crista could hear the conversation in the hallway.

Voice 1, “Here are some band-aids from the first aid kit. Let me see it.”

Voice 2, “I can’t believe she stabbed me, just for harmlessly flirting with her.” Crista recognized this voice as the man who had bothered her.

Voice 1, “You need to go get that hand stitched. It won’t heal with just a band-aid

Voice 2, “Hey, I’m in a law office. I should sue her!”

Voice 1, “I can’t wait to see the trial when you have to admit that you were stabbed and then shot 11 times by two different guns by a woman who stands maybe 5’ 0” and weighs 95 pounds soaking wet.” (152 cm and 44 kg)

The meeting ended and Victor came into the adjourning conference room to get Crista. As they were leaving the office, she told him about her frightening experience.

Victor hugged her tightly for several moments and told her that must have been awful. He said, “You were very brave standing up to that cruel human. I am very proud of you.” He kept his arm around her waist the entire walk back to the ground car.

Crista noticed that she actually liked Victor’s embrace.

Chapter 6

Frank checked himself in the mirror. Looking good, he thought. He combed a stray hair back into place and checked one final time. Perfect, he thought. Frank glanced at the time on his communication pad and quickly exited the bathroom attached to his office. He sat down at his desk just as the doorbell to his office chimed.

He pressed a button on his pad to unlock the door and said, “Please enter.”

Korno entered and sat in one of the chairs opposite the desk. He said, “Hello Frank, always a pleasure.”

Frank noted Korno’s forced smile. He could normally tell when other beings are lying and he could clearly tell Korno didn’t find this meeting pleasurable.

Frank briefly considered the topic. Most Alliance politicians had to lie on some level, even if it was just a casual smile and a less than heartfelt greeting. However, Korno, in Frank’s humble opinion, was a career liar. He was the type of individual that spoke a lie so many times that he began to believe it.

Frank, on the other hand, felt that he had a steady grasp of the actual truth, and only lied when he was forced to do so. This upcoming meeting was certainly going to be one of those times.

Frank asked, “Korno, have you heard from the crew of the
Vista
?” There was of course no way for Korno to have any update from them after they had made the jump to Earth.

Korno smiled and responded, “Well, they successfully made the jump to Earth. I am sure they are doing great things on the planet and should return soon with human volunteers.”

Frank responded, “I hope you’re right. It would be great if the humans are capable of flying fighters.” He enjoyed making completely truthful sounding comments like this one. However, he still believed that since the humans were so far behind technologically that they would unable to comprehend the subtleties of flying a modern fighter. Oh well he thought, maybe they can at least do as well as the Netos.

At that moment the doorbell chimed again. Frank again unlocked the door with his pad and told the person outside the door to enter. Korno stood and spoke first. He said, “Hello Ambassador Bline, always a pleasure.”

Frank noted that Korno’s greeting to the new guest was just as false as his first greeting. Frank, not to be outdone, puts on his best smile and said, “Ambassador Bline, you honor us with your presence.”

The Hiriculan ambassador entered the room and sat in the empty chair beside Korno. He was shorter than the other two, but his ear stalks were pointing up, making him appear several centimeters taller.

Both Lorano and Frank had used the Alliance letter combination ‘Bline’ to greet the ambassador. Since the Hiriculans were not in the Alliance, they technically should have tried to pronounce the ambassador’s real name of Blifgot’ne. The slight was intentional, of course. If the ambassador wanted to talk to Alliance personnel, he would have to acknowledge his Alliance name.

Bline responded in perfect Alliance basic, “Always a pleasure to meet with you fine senators. Hopefully, our conversation will prove fruitful.”

Korno said, “What can we do for you ambassador.”

Bline responded, “I have heard reports that you are sending a mission to Earth.”

“Yes, yes,” Frank said dismissively, “We send a mission to Earth every 50 years or so. This one is no different. It is well documented that the last one ended in disaster for the crew and apparently dinner for some humans.”

Bline asked, “Did the humans really eat the crew that crash landed on the planet?”

Frank could have given several answers, including the most recent information that the humans probably just had a doctor cut open the bodies to see what had killed them. Instead, he hesitated for a moment and said, “Yes, I am afraid so. However, each time we go to Earth and check on them, they seem to be a little more civil than the last.”

Bline pushed the subject a little. He said, “What made you decide to have them evaluated now?”

Frank said, “Well, we haven’t checked on them in 60 years. That is a decade past when we normally go. The Senate just felt it was the correct time, despite what happened during our last visit. Why the sudden concern?”

Bline looked directly at Korno, then at Frank and said, “My sources told me that you are recruiting human pilots for the Alliance military. They say that you intend to fill your ranks with these humans. That way you can man your ships with a disposable life form and save both Advranki and Altains from any conflict. Is this not so?”

Bline had said it in a very accusatory tone. Frank wondered who had leaked that information to him. He also thought that perhaps Bline was just guessing and wanted a reaction and a fierce denial. Frank looked at Korno and shook no with his head. Korno took the clue and stayed silent.

Frank suddenly realized that Bline was trying to determine whether the Alliance knew that there were Netos piloting the fighters in the earlier battle. Bline had asked the question hoping that Frank would respond in kind with a similar accusation.

Instead, Frank smiled and began lying. He said, “Ambassador Bline, surely you know that only Alliance members are allowed to serve in the military and that we only accept volunteers. Therefore, humans would not be allowed to serve until the planet was accepted into the Alliance.”

Bline responded, “And what of the secret mission?”

Frank responded, “The humans were discovered 300 years ago. To date, there have been exactly six missions there. This will be the seventh. The previous six reports were made public and this one will too. As I am sure you know, the planet is under quarantine to ensure everyone’s safety. The humans are the strongest, meanest, and easily the most violent species we have ever encountered. Further, I doubt they have enough brainpower to pilot a ship.”

Bline responded, “Then surely you wouldn’t mind if we send a representative to perform and independent evaluation. I am sure that this shouldn’t be a problem if your true intentions for the humans are as transparent as you imply.

Frank stood up and flashed his award winning smile
⁷
.

⁷
Frank had literally won a smiling contest earlier in life. His prize was getting picture on a box of cereal, which he felt helped fuel his rise in politics.

Frank said, “Of course ambassador. We have absolutely nothing to hide. You may tell your government that they can send a mission to Earth whenever they are ready. There are a few stipulations though. First and most important, the ship cannot be bigger than a small corvette. Second it cannot have weapons aboard. Third, there can only be four crew members maximum, and fourth, the ship cannot land on Earth. Finally, an Alliance corvette will escort you. Are those terms agreeable?

Both Korno and Ambassador Bline looked stunned. Frank could tell that Bline had been posturing. Frank knew that the Hiriculans wanted the Alliance to deny them the right to visit Earth. Then, they could pull a legal stunt similar to the one that they used in Opron a few months earlier. They would use the Alliance rejection as an excuse to send an entire battle fleet to Earth and effectively take control of it. Now, with a reasonable, open invitation to visit Earth, that avenue was blocked. Frank thought to himself, another political victory.

Ambassador Bline said, “That should be acceptable. I must confer with my government. I am sure they will prepare a team as soon as possible. Thank you.” Bline hurried out of the Senator’s office.

Korno said, “Frank, we cannot let the Hiriculans go to Earth. They will discover that we truly are trying to recruit pilots. And, where do you think he got that piece of information? That was supposed to be a top secret meeting.”

Frank said, “I don’t think he knew for certain. I think he was just guessing. I think he was trying to bait us into a response.”

Korno said, “Response of what.”

Frank replied, “He wanted to know whether or not we knew that the Hiriculans are using Netos in their fighters. Remember, they blew up their fighters to keep that secret hidden.”

Korno said, “Now what do we do. Under no circumstances can they go to Earth.”

Frank said, “I know. I have a plan.” He paused for a moment. He would rather get his plan in motion and then tell Korno, but he realized that Korno was waiting for a response.

He said, “Computer, place a call to Captain Solear. Engage the privacy screen.”

…Calling now. Screen in place. Solear has answered…

Captain Solear looked into the viewer, saw Senator Frank and said, “What can I do for you Senator.”

Frank said, “Captain, there is no easy way to say this, so I will be blunt. The Hiriculans are planning on sending a battle fleet to Earth and effectively conquering it.”

Solear said, “Wow!” He stammered as if he was going to say something else, but eventually just stopped moving his mouth. Finally, he said, “What can I do for you?”

Frank said, “I want you to take an unmarked corvette to Conron and close the hyperspace lane to Earth.”

Solear asked, “How am I supposed to do that?”

Frank responded, “I don’t know, but I have the utmost confidence in your abilities. There is a corvette waiting at the ship yard. Take the
Sunflower
over there for an inspection or something, then quietly leave on the corvette. I will contact fleet headquarters and have secret orders drawn up for you.”

When Frank disconnected, Korno turned to him and said, “You are going to strand the Lorano and his crew on Earth, possibly forever.”

Frank said, “Yes Korno, we will. But I see no choice. We cannot in good conscience allow the Hiriculans to enslave humanity.

Korno replied, “Isn’t that a bit dramatic.”

Frank responded, “No, not really. We still don’t know exactly what they did to the Netos. I do know that we cannot allow them to have Earth. They would have effective control over two races. This is for the best.”

………………

Captain Solear broke contact with Senator Frank and immediately said, “Ella, set course for the shipyard. Clowy, open an all-hands channel.”

Clowy asked, “Do you want the channel open to everyone on the ship?”

Solear responded, “Yes, Clowy, everyone.”

Solear addressed everyone, “All-hands, this is the Captain speaking; the
Sunflower
has been approved for immediate repairs at the shipyard. They are going to replace the solenoids in the emergency pressure sensor module and make some other minor repairs and upgrades. Effectively immediately, all non-officers have two weeks of shore leave.”

Ella said, “We have a confirmed docking slot. I am making the final steering adjustments now. We will dock in ten minutes.”

Clowy asked, “Do officers get shore leave?”

Captain Solear replied, “Normally, you would. Unfortunately, Arean and I have to attend a two week conference on identifying, creating, and sustaining effective leaders.”

Arean made an audible gurgle sound something like “uugghh.”

Ella did some quick mental math and said, “That means that only Clowy and I will be left on the ship.”

Both Clowy and Ella were lieutenants of equal rank. Clowy had been in the service for a year longer than Ella, so as a result the Altian technically outranked the Solarian.

Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it. Captain Solear said, “Clowy, you will be in charge while Arean and I are gone.” There, he said it.

He continued, “The repair crews have already been scheduled. Please ensure that all required work is completed. Also, the primary access corridor from the launch bay to crew quarters was not painted. Please have it painted.” He decided to try a new tactic, “Clowy, do you have any questions?”

Clowy smiled and appeared close to crying. Her large blue eyes had moistened around the edges and her gray skin had visibly reddened. She said, “No questions Captain. It won’t be a problem.”

Ella guided the
Sunflower
safely into the pre-assigned slot in the Alliance military ship yard. The shipyard was huge. It was the largest man-made structures in the known galaxy. It had five slots for the construction of new ships and 10 slots for repair and overhaul.