The Phoenix Project (22 page)

    
“We already have,” Joshua said.

    
“What did they have to say?”

    
Joshua eyed the Ferine. Elliot caught the
need for a more private meeting.

    
“Lathiel, will you be able to inform your
ships of the time for departure?”

    
“Definitely, I will see to it now,” he
walked away with both hands clasped behind his long back. Once he was out of
earshot, Joshua continued.

    
“They’re sending an envoy.”

    
“Who do they want to send?”

    
“That bitch, General Hanover.”

    
“So let her come aboard.”

    
“I don’t like spies,” Joshua said.

    
“Josh, calm down,” Madison said.

    
“She’s a Coalition General! Are we just
going to just let her walk around here?”

    
“Of course not,” Elliot said.

    
“I want some guarantees.”

    
“You’ve got them. What do you need?” Elliot
asked.

    
“The bitch gets restricted access.”

    
“Done, and stop calling her a bitch,”
Elliot said.

    
“No access to the bridge whatsoever and I
want a guard on her at all times.”

    
“Anything else?”

    
“No, we’d better get going. She’s going to
arrive soon.”

    
“Have someone tell Joshua and Ranik to meet
us at the airlock. I’m sure they’ll want to be there,” Elliot said.

    
Madison
nodded and relayed his orders. The two groups of people met up at an airlock
two decks away from their previous position. Joshua thumbed a chirping device
at his ear, replied a confirmation to an inaudible voice and turned it off. He
motioned to a guard nearby who took up a protective position near the hatch.

    
“She’ll be here in two minutes.”

    
All five of them waited in silence for a
shuttle to dock with their ship. Just as Elliot looked to his watch, the
familiar muffled clang of a docking ship was heard. Seconds later, the airlock
door parted and a blue eyed woman stepped into the corridor.

    
“Lathiel, Ranik, it is good to see you
again,” Nadine said, ignoring the rest of the party.

    
“Likewise, General,” Lathiel said.

    
“As I have said before, call me Nadine.”

    
“Yes, I understand you will be spending
more time with us.”

    
“My government requested an envoy to be
dispatched to improve our relations with you and your people. I hope that there
isn’t any problem with this arrangement?” Nadine asked.
 

    
“Not at all. I believe we’re getting
underway for your home world soon.”

    
“We are?” Nadine asked.

    
“I was going to inform you as soon as I
could and see if that would suit your needs,” Elliot said.

    
“I believe it would be alright. Just allow
me to consult with the commander of the battle group,” she said. Nadine turned
to her side to speak into her earpiece.

    
“My ships are ready to depart whenever
yours are.”

    
“Good, Joshua, tell the helmsman and the
battle group to set a course for Earth at ten c. We’re leaving immediately,”
Elliot ordered.

    
“Aye, Sir,” Joshua said and spoke to his
earpiece.

    
“Lathiel, are your ships ready?” Nadine
asked.

    
“My ship will join us but my associates
onboard the other two ships would prefer to remain in the immediate area,”
Lathiel replied.

    
“Can I leave my battle group with them for
protection?” Nadine asked, seizing an opportunity.

    
“Yes, that would be fine,” Lathiel said.

    
“Would you mind if some of our ships stayed
as well?” Elliot asked.

    
“Admiral, surely an entire battle group is
sufficient to protect the Ferine. Others are in the area if there is a need for
more,” Nadine said, before Lathiel could reply.

    
Elliot decided to let the matter rest, even
though a battle was just lost. “You’re right, Ambassador. May I show you to
your quarters?”

    
“That would be nice of you,” Nadine
responded. “Gentlemen,” she said to Lathiel and Ranik.

    
Elliot left the group, with Nadine and the
guard at a short distance behind them. He showed her to a lift, which began its
descent several decks down into the ship and away from primary systems. The
guard joined them in the lift, too close to be excluded from their
conversation. Nadine chose to become more formal in her speech.

    
“I take it that I will always have an
escort?”

    
“At the Captain’s request. But you can
understand the need for security. I do support his order.”

    
“What other orders are there for me to
observe? I wouldn’t want to be shot,” she said, nodding towards the armed
guard.

    
“The guard of course.”

    
“Of course.”

    
“You will have limited access to the ship,
and no bridge access,” Elliot said.

    
“That is exactly what I would have done in
his place. I may have attempted to be more subtle, though.”

    
“Point taken,” Elliot said.

    
The lift came to the end of its short
journey and the three stepped off. Elliot indicated a right and they continued
their walk. The guard now took his position at a further distance away.

    
“I also hope you will keep in mind that I
will block you from invading the minds of anyone on this ship,” Elliot said.

    
“Fair enough.”

    
“Here are your quarters,” he said, and
indicated a door to his left.

    
“Does the guard stay outside, or will he be
watching me shower?”

    
“The guard stays outside out of respect for
your privacy.”

    
“Good,” she said and walked through the parting
doors to her quarters. They heard the small beep of the lock being activated
from the other side.

    
Maria sat alone on a doctor’s examination
bed clothed in a blue hospital gown. The damn things were always uncomfortable
in their loose confines and embarrassing in their tailoring. She looked at the
white walls of the small room and examined items on the counter with her eye in
an attempt to ignore the growing bowling ball sitting in the pit of her
stomach. One side of her face remained partially hidden by the mask protecting
the damaged flesh of her face.

    
The door opened and a grey haired
specialist in the field of reconstructive surgery entered. He held a link in
his hands, examining the details of her results. He looked up at her with a
stony stare. The doctor looked back to the link, all the while avoiding her
questioning gaze.

    
“Admiral Peterson, we have the results of
your tests.”

    
“I thought so.”

    
“We are able to do a fair amount of
reconstruction,” he said.

    
“How much of it can you restore?” she asked,
looking up to his face.

    
“We can grow the destroyed bone of your
skull. We can also encourage growth of new muscle and skin.”

    
“That’s good news.”

    
“Yes,” he said and nodded, “but we do have
less encouraging news.”

    
“What is it?”

    
“We can only partially grow the muscle at
this point.”

    
“Oh,” she said and fought back threatening wetness
from her eye.

    
“Most of the muscle is gone. It appears
that what hit you was superheated. Much of that part of your face was vaporized
when it did. We think it may have been a minute amount of plasma.”

    
She remained mute at his comments.

    
“At any rate, it will take multiple surgeries.”

    
“I understand,” she said, looking down at
her lap.

    
“Realize Admiral Peterson, that there are
alternatives and we will be diligent in returning you to your original
appearance.”

    
She listened to him with only half of her
attention. Her gaze shifted to a spot on the opposite wall.

    
“In the meantime, the protective prosthesis
will be necessary at all times.”

    
“Even when I’m bathing?” she asked.

    
“Yes, we will give you a crystalline
implant. It will see just the same as a regular eye. The procedure is short and
non—invasive.”

    
“That’s good.”

    
“Through future surgeries we will be able
to show you just how much can be accomplished,” he said and attempted a
reassuring smile.

    
“Thank—you Doctor.”

    
He looked once at her and walked from the
room, only briefly regarding the metal plate hiding her face from his sight. For
the first time Maria was thankful for the metal being there. The doctor never
saw the tears on the other side of her face.

    
“The Ferine delegates are holding a
diplomatic function tonight and would be delighted if you attended,” Joshua
read from a link in disgust.

    
“Why are you reading this to me?” Nadine
asked, regarding Joshua’s pained expression.

    
“Probably because Elliot knew I wouldn’t
want to.”

    
She smiled at the accusation. “He is incorrigible,
isn’t he?”

    
“More than I realized.”

    
“Tell the Admiral and the cats that I would
be delighted to attend. Where is it?” she asked.

    
“Their quarters.”

    
“Their quarters? Why not a more public
area?” she asked.

    
“They said it has something to do with
their traditions.”

    
“Is there anything else?”

    
“It’s formal, like non—military formal. No
uniforms,” Joshua replied.

    
“I believe I’m prepared for that.”

    
Joshua left with the metal doors closing
behind him. She turned around and regarded the empty room. “I’m glad I packed a
dress.”

    
Nadine made sure to arrive early for the
party. She was pleasantly surprised to find herself as the first guest.

    
“Nadine, welcome,” Ranik said after the
doors parted. “Please wait outside,” he said to the guard.

    
“I have my orders,” the guard replied.

    
“This is considered Ferine soil, isn’t it?”

    
“I guess so, Sir.”

    
“Then wait outside,” Ranik said. The guard
issued the aliens an obedient nod and took up a position outside the entrance.

    
“Thank—you, Ranik,” Nadine whispered in
gratitude.

    
“You look wonderful,” Lathiel interjected.

    
She was glad of the compliment. Nadine had
only one evening gown packed with the other things that had been brought to her
quarters. The vibrant silky blue gown accentuated her curves and hung down past
her knees in one line. It came over her shoulders without a low back to
guarantee she would not feel exposed in it.

    
Lathiel handed her a glass of red liquid
which seemed to reflect the light giving the drink the appearance of a warm
glow. Nadine cautiously inhaled its scent to find the drink had a strangely
sweet and inviting aroma.

    
“What is this?”