Disclaimer: I own anything you don't recognize. Everything else belongs to Tamora Pierce.
Key:
"Speaking"
'Thinking'
*Italics/intercom*
{UniLang}
[Spanish]
Chapter Six
A Time For Decisions
They were joined in the corridor by Waltich and his team, who formed an escort around them. Every being in the corridor moved out of the way as Kel set a brisk pace. People who were slow to move were snapped at by one of the Sheook, and those too engrossed in their data-plates to notice the swiftly moving group were pulled out of the way by their companions. Kel wouldn't have cared if they bowled over some of them, though she would've felt guilty later. At the moment, though, the fact that one of Commander Stevan's courier ships was flying her flagship's wing was her greatest concern. She had a bad feeling she knew what it was there for.
As she stopped by the door of the Communications Hall (1), lights throughout the ship dimmed, and light strips running along the ceiling started to flash red. "{Kyim Adar! Kic nubaatu, Kyim Adar!}" (2)
Lisan jumped at the sudden announcement and the blaring alarm that followed, quickly muffled. "What was that?"
Kel smiled sorrowfully. "That was the alarm that moved us from Yellow Alert to Red Alert."
Lisan blinked at her as they moved into the enormous Communications Hall. "Should I go back to your quarters and stay there?"
Kel read the fear in her eyes, but shook her head. "No." She led the squire and their escort down the main isle of the massive Hall, walls lined with communications and encrypt/decrypt equipment. "Too much has happened. You need to be kept informed, act as representative of the Mendari, as I can no longer do so."
Lisan blinked again. "Why and why not?"
Kel sighed inwardly as she directed them to one of the desk/panels set into the wall. A human male sat in the chair before it, earphone inserted. The screen in front of him was blank. "Because our actions here will affect the Mendari, whether we like it or not. As I am now acting as the admiral of this fleet, of the defense force protecting your home world, I cannot also act as representative of the Mendari. Usually, as you are yet a primitive - in universal terms - people, we would not consult with you regarding how we might defend you. But there is a Mendari onboard one of our vessels - you. Therefore, we must consult with you as Mendari Representative - Ambassador."
"Why wasn't I told this before?"
Kel blushed slightly. "Because I forgot that little detail."
Lisan rolled her eyes.
"Corporal." Kel said.
He twitched, the only sign he'd been startled, and rose to stand at attention. Corporal Lansigng was also a Devonian who preferred his human form when on duty, much like his superior officer Linch. The latter and Captain Sarainak were just entering the Hall, followed by who could only be the captain of the *Anathom*.
"Yes, Admiral?"
"Send a broadband distress signal encrypted orchestrally. Let me know if it bounces back."
Lansigng frowned, but returned to his seat to do as he was ordered. The screen lit up as the party of senior officers joined them. "Not a bounce-back, Admiral, but a block," he said.
The *Anathom* captain nodded gravely. She was a human, tall but stocky, with the build of a laborer. "That is why I was sent, Admiral. We tried to contact you three days ago, but you never responded. Commander Stevan grew worried, and sent us."
Linch and Sarainak exchanged looks. This couldn't be good.
Kel sighed deeply, nodding her thanks to the corporal. "This is only a conformation of what I had already suspected. Captains, Commander, Ambassador, we'll be meeting in Captain Sarainak's ready room in fifteen minutes. Captain Sarainak, if you would please help the *Anathom* captain..."
"Kyilana," she supplied.
"-Captain Kyilana ready her report?"
Sarainak nodded, and the two captains left the Hall swiftly. Kel led Commander Linch, Lisan, and the Sheook escort out a side door. As it *hiss*ed closed behind her, Linch stopped. "Why wait fifteen minutes? Time is of the essence."
Kel nodded, dismissing the guard with a wave of her hand. Lieutenant Waltich bowed slightly and led his team a short distance down the corridor, waiting for the superior officers at a discreet distance. "I know it is. But we also have to prepare Ambassador Lisan."
Linch's lips twisted into an amused smile. "I was wondering when you were going to remember that."
Kel glared at him. "Gee, thanks. I'll need your help - I haven't done this before."
The commander laughed lightly as he turned to Lisan. "It's easy. Your name is Lisan, then?"
She nodded mutely. 'Why do I get a bad feeling about this all of a sudden?'
"All right. From now on, you'll be addressed formally as Ambassador Lisan, or just Ambassador. The more conservative members of the crew might refer to you as Representative of the Mendari, but such references will be few and far between. Got that so far?"
She nodded again, silenced by his quick words.
"Good. You'll not be addressed directly often (hopefully). When you are, give your own, honest opinion, but keep in mind that you speak for your entire race - not just the Tortallans, but also the Carthakis, the Tyrians, the Scanrans, the Yamani, and all the others. Make your decisions wisely, remembering that."
"But why will I be addressed, and what about?" Lisan finally worked up the nerve to speak.
"If you were leading the force that was defending an ally, wouldn't you consult with your allies?" he asked.
"Well, yes, but then we aren't exactly your allies, seeing as we don't even know you exist, let alone that you're here and defending us. We don't even know we *need* defending."
Linch glanced at Kel appreciatively. "She's quick. Born diplomat, if I do say so myself."
"Good with words, anyway," Kel agreed.
"Which is basically what ambassadors are for. All right. We're considering you our allies because there are a number of Tortallans who know about us, and because you are aboard. Most likely, you'll only be asked who should be told, and when, and where the best places are to set up defenses to minimize loss of life, both Mendari and ours. But most of the latter we'll be able to figure out ourselves."
Lisan thought about that. "I think I can handle that."
Linch nodded curtly. To Kel, he said, "She's ready. Let's go."
Kel also nodded and started down the corridor at a brisk pace, Lisan and Linch trailing. The Sheook guard formed a screen around them again as they passed.
______________________
"Please, make yourselves comfortable," said Sarainak, motioning the admiral, commander, and ambassador to the chairs set before his desk. Kel noted he'd brought some in from the conference room. "I have a feeling this is going to take a while."
They arranged themselves in the chairs, and then looked to Kel. "A brief summary for you, Captain," she spoke to Kyilana. "A small company of Mendari have stumbled upon Columban - they wait there as we speak. I brought Ambassador Lisan with me from there to act as their representative."
Kyilana nodded to Lisan. "A pleasure, Ambassador."
"Likewise."
Kel continued. "We have recently discovered a Heronian attack force just outside the system, including vessels of a make we do not recognize. We've made a preliminary battle plan - which, I believe, Captain Sarainak has already outlined for you?"
Kyilana nodded affirmative.
"Good. We're prepared to implement it, unless something in your report causes us to change it."
She shook her head. "I do not believe so. If I may?"
Kel nodded. "Please."
Kyilana chewed her lip. "The Calam contacted us four days ago informing Admiral Liskmae that they were constructing a new fighter for the Imperium. They would not list for us the capabilities of this new fighter, but they did say that it would be put into use soon after its construction. We tried to contact you, but you never replied. It didn't bounce back, so we were worried that perhaps you were already engaged in battle. Commander Stevan sent us ahead, and an attack fleet courtesy of Admiral Liskmae follows us. If we don't contact the Commander in the next 24 hours, the attack fleet will send out a call for reinforcements and follow."
Kel leaned back in her chair, silent for a moment. "Well," she said at last, "this is both good news and bad news. Good because there is a UDR attack fleet outside the system, maybe not as near as the Heronians, but within scanner range, and it might make them (the Heronians) hesitate to attack. Bad because I'm not so sure we *have* 24 hours. The presence of a UDR attack fleet might force their hand, and I'm not sure we wanted to do that. I don't have enough ships under my command to spare you, Captain Kyilana. I need your ship - I can't send you back to the attack fleet to ask for help. The Heronians have blocked off all communications in and out of the Praont system, so we can't send a distress signal."
Hesitantly, Lisan raised a hand. Kel looked at her, startled, but nodded.
"Couldn't you send a shuttle?"
Kel nodded. "We could, but only the *Ganymede* is equipped to travel under stealth, and I don't want to send something as vulnerable as a shuttle out into dangerous ground unless it has a way to hide."
"Then why not send the *Ganymede*?"
Linch stepped in. "Because it's already been taken - I'm using it for my mission."
'I guess I'll need to get Kel to fill me in,' Lisan thought to herself as she nodded first to Linch, then to Kel.
"Captain Kyilana, I'd like to use your ship in the main planetary defense fleet. She's fast, well-armed, and well-armored. Would that be all right?"
Kyilana nodded. "Perfectly, ma'am. And even then, who am I to argue with an admiral?"
Kel chuckled. "All right. Commander, do you have your crew assembled?"
He nodded. "We were just preparing to depart when you summoned me."
"Good. Report back as soon as possible." She looked around at the room's other occupants. "Anyone have anything to add?" All heads shook the negative.
"Fine, then. Dismissed."
As they rose and headed for the door, Kel snapped her fingers. "Captain, may we borrow your ready room?"
Sarainak nodded, pausing at the door. "Of course, Admiral."
Kel waited for the door to close behind him before turning back to Lisan, who had wisely stayed in her seat. "I've not been in Corus for nearly 10 years. I know who the courtiers are, but not their personalities. Who besides King Jonathan and his inner council can we tell about this without it becoming too-widely known?"
Lisan sighed and slumped in her chair, brow creased in thought. "Harailt of Aili, for sure. He's been your strongest 'supporter' ever since you vanished." Kel's lips quirked into a smile. "Master Salmalin, the Wildmage, Commander Tourakom...any of them, plus whoever they think is trustworthy." Lisan looked up at Kel and studied her. "So you think it's time to tell them?"
Kel nodded grimly. "I'd rather not have the Tortallan military bumbling into my people and attacking them when they're only trying to protect them."
"You realize, though; once you tell them, you can't ever take that knowledge back."
Kel sighed, her gaze drifting to the viewport. "I know."
Definitions/Terms
(1) Communications Hall. It's where the main communications take place. Transmissions are sent to the Hall and decrypted there, because it takes a lot to decrypt a UDR message, especially when heavily encrypted. Messages are likewise encrypted there, transmitted from there, analyzed, dissected, and everything to the like.
(2) Kyim Adar! Kic nubaatu, Kyim Adar! Translation: Red Alert! All hands, Red Alert!
Key:
"Speaking"
'Thinking'
*Italics/intercom*
{UniLang}
[Spanish]
Chapter Six
A Time For Decisions
They were joined in the corridor by Waltich and his team, who formed an escort around them. Every being in the corridor moved out of the way as Kel set a brisk pace. People who were slow to move were snapped at by one of the Sheook, and those too engrossed in their data-plates to notice the swiftly moving group were pulled out of the way by their companions. Kel wouldn't have cared if they bowled over some of them, though she would've felt guilty later. At the moment, though, the fact that one of Commander Stevan's courier ships was flying her flagship's wing was her greatest concern. She had a bad feeling she knew what it was there for.
As she stopped by the door of the Communications Hall (1), lights throughout the ship dimmed, and light strips running along the ceiling started to flash red. "{Kyim Adar! Kic nubaatu, Kyim Adar!}" (2)
Lisan jumped at the sudden announcement and the blaring alarm that followed, quickly muffled. "What was that?"
Kel smiled sorrowfully. "That was the alarm that moved us from Yellow Alert to Red Alert."
Lisan blinked at her as they moved into the enormous Communications Hall. "Should I go back to your quarters and stay there?"
Kel read the fear in her eyes, but shook her head. "No." She led the squire and their escort down the main isle of the massive Hall, walls lined with communications and encrypt/decrypt equipment. "Too much has happened. You need to be kept informed, act as representative of the Mendari, as I can no longer do so."
Lisan blinked again. "Why and why not?"
Kel sighed inwardly as she directed them to one of the desk/panels set into the wall. A human male sat in the chair before it, earphone inserted. The screen in front of him was blank. "Because our actions here will affect the Mendari, whether we like it or not. As I am now acting as the admiral of this fleet, of the defense force protecting your home world, I cannot also act as representative of the Mendari. Usually, as you are yet a primitive - in universal terms - people, we would not consult with you regarding how we might defend you. But there is a Mendari onboard one of our vessels - you. Therefore, we must consult with you as Mendari Representative - Ambassador."
"Why wasn't I told this before?"
Kel blushed slightly. "Because I forgot that little detail."
Lisan rolled her eyes.
"Corporal." Kel said.
He twitched, the only sign he'd been startled, and rose to stand at attention. Corporal Lansigng was also a Devonian who preferred his human form when on duty, much like his superior officer Linch. The latter and Captain Sarainak were just entering the Hall, followed by who could only be the captain of the *Anathom*.
"Yes, Admiral?"
"Send a broadband distress signal encrypted orchestrally. Let me know if it bounces back."
Lansigng frowned, but returned to his seat to do as he was ordered. The screen lit up as the party of senior officers joined them. "Not a bounce-back, Admiral, but a block," he said.
The *Anathom* captain nodded gravely. She was a human, tall but stocky, with the build of a laborer. "That is why I was sent, Admiral. We tried to contact you three days ago, but you never responded. Commander Stevan grew worried, and sent us."
Linch and Sarainak exchanged looks. This couldn't be good.
Kel sighed deeply, nodding her thanks to the corporal. "This is only a conformation of what I had already suspected. Captains, Commander, Ambassador, we'll be meeting in Captain Sarainak's ready room in fifteen minutes. Captain Sarainak, if you would please help the *Anathom* captain..."
"Kyilana," she supplied.
"-Captain Kyilana ready her report?"
Sarainak nodded, and the two captains left the Hall swiftly. Kel led Commander Linch, Lisan, and the Sheook escort out a side door. As it *hiss*ed closed behind her, Linch stopped. "Why wait fifteen minutes? Time is of the essence."
Kel nodded, dismissing the guard with a wave of her hand. Lieutenant Waltich bowed slightly and led his team a short distance down the corridor, waiting for the superior officers at a discreet distance. "I know it is. But we also have to prepare Ambassador Lisan."
Linch's lips twisted into an amused smile. "I was wondering when you were going to remember that."
Kel glared at him. "Gee, thanks. I'll need your help - I haven't done this before."
The commander laughed lightly as he turned to Lisan. "It's easy. Your name is Lisan, then?"
She nodded mutely. 'Why do I get a bad feeling about this all of a sudden?'
"All right. From now on, you'll be addressed formally as Ambassador Lisan, or just Ambassador. The more conservative members of the crew might refer to you as Representative of the Mendari, but such references will be few and far between. Got that so far?"
She nodded again, silenced by his quick words.
"Good. You'll not be addressed directly often (hopefully). When you are, give your own, honest opinion, but keep in mind that you speak for your entire race - not just the Tortallans, but also the Carthakis, the Tyrians, the Scanrans, the Yamani, and all the others. Make your decisions wisely, remembering that."
"But why will I be addressed, and what about?" Lisan finally worked up the nerve to speak.
"If you were leading the force that was defending an ally, wouldn't you consult with your allies?" he asked.
"Well, yes, but then we aren't exactly your allies, seeing as we don't even know you exist, let alone that you're here and defending us. We don't even know we *need* defending."
Linch glanced at Kel appreciatively. "She's quick. Born diplomat, if I do say so myself."
"Good with words, anyway," Kel agreed.
"Which is basically what ambassadors are for. All right. We're considering you our allies because there are a number of Tortallans who know about us, and because you are aboard. Most likely, you'll only be asked who should be told, and when, and where the best places are to set up defenses to minimize loss of life, both Mendari and ours. But most of the latter we'll be able to figure out ourselves."
Lisan thought about that. "I think I can handle that."
Linch nodded curtly. To Kel, he said, "She's ready. Let's go."
Kel also nodded and started down the corridor at a brisk pace, Lisan and Linch trailing. The Sheook guard formed a screen around them again as they passed.
______________________
"Please, make yourselves comfortable," said Sarainak, motioning the admiral, commander, and ambassador to the chairs set before his desk. Kel noted he'd brought some in from the conference room. "I have a feeling this is going to take a while."
They arranged themselves in the chairs, and then looked to Kel. "A brief summary for you, Captain," she spoke to Kyilana. "A small company of Mendari have stumbled upon Columban - they wait there as we speak. I brought Ambassador Lisan with me from there to act as their representative."
Kyilana nodded to Lisan. "A pleasure, Ambassador."
"Likewise."
Kel continued. "We have recently discovered a Heronian attack force just outside the system, including vessels of a make we do not recognize. We've made a preliminary battle plan - which, I believe, Captain Sarainak has already outlined for you?"
Kyilana nodded affirmative.
"Good. We're prepared to implement it, unless something in your report causes us to change it."
She shook her head. "I do not believe so. If I may?"
Kel nodded. "Please."
Kyilana chewed her lip. "The Calam contacted us four days ago informing Admiral Liskmae that they were constructing a new fighter for the Imperium. They would not list for us the capabilities of this new fighter, but they did say that it would be put into use soon after its construction. We tried to contact you, but you never replied. It didn't bounce back, so we were worried that perhaps you were already engaged in battle. Commander Stevan sent us ahead, and an attack fleet courtesy of Admiral Liskmae follows us. If we don't contact the Commander in the next 24 hours, the attack fleet will send out a call for reinforcements and follow."
Kel leaned back in her chair, silent for a moment. "Well," she said at last, "this is both good news and bad news. Good because there is a UDR attack fleet outside the system, maybe not as near as the Heronians, but within scanner range, and it might make them (the Heronians) hesitate to attack. Bad because I'm not so sure we *have* 24 hours. The presence of a UDR attack fleet might force their hand, and I'm not sure we wanted to do that. I don't have enough ships under my command to spare you, Captain Kyilana. I need your ship - I can't send you back to the attack fleet to ask for help. The Heronians have blocked off all communications in and out of the Praont system, so we can't send a distress signal."
Hesitantly, Lisan raised a hand. Kel looked at her, startled, but nodded.
"Couldn't you send a shuttle?"
Kel nodded. "We could, but only the *Ganymede* is equipped to travel under stealth, and I don't want to send something as vulnerable as a shuttle out into dangerous ground unless it has a way to hide."
"Then why not send the *Ganymede*?"
Linch stepped in. "Because it's already been taken - I'm using it for my mission."
'I guess I'll need to get Kel to fill me in,' Lisan thought to herself as she nodded first to Linch, then to Kel.
"Captain Kyilana, I'd like to use your ship in the main planetary defense fleet. She's fast, well-armed, and well-armored. Would that be all right?"
Kyilana nodded. "Perfectly, ma'am. And even then, who am I to argue with an admiral?"
Kel chuckled. "All right. Commander, do you have your crew assembled?"
He nodded. "We were just preparing to depart when you summoned me."
"Good. Report back as soon as possible." She looked around at the room's other occupants. "Anyone have anything to add?" All heads shook the negative.
"Fine, then. Dismissed."
As they rose and headed for the door, Kel snapped her fingers. "Captain, may we borrow your ready room?"
Sarainak nodded, pausing at the door. "Of course, Admiral."
Kel waited for the door to close behind him before turning back to Lisan, who had wisely stayed in her seat. "I've not been in Corus for nearly 10 years. I know who the courtiers are, but not their personalities. Who besides King Jonathan and his inner council can we tell about this without it becoming too-widely known?"
Lisan sighed and slumped in her chair, brow creased in thought. "Harailt of Aili, for sure. He's been your strongest 'supporter' ever since you vanished." Kel's lips quirked into a smile. "Master Salmalin, the Wildmage, Commander Tourakom...any of them, plus whoever they think is trustworthy." Lisan looked up at Kel and studied her. "So you think it's time to tell them?"
Kel nodded grimly. "I'd rather not have the Tortallan military bumbling into my people and attacking them when they're only trying to protect them."
"You realize, though; once you tell them, you can't ever take that knowledge back."
Kel sighed, her gaze drifting to the viewport. "I know."
Definitions/Terms
(1) Communications Hall. It's where the main communications take place. Transmissions are sent to the Hall and decrypted there, because it takes a lot to decrypt a UDR message, especially when heavily encrypted. Messages are likewise encrypted there, transmitted from there, analyzed, dissected, and everything to the like.
(2) Kyim Adar! Kic nubaatu, Kyim Adar! Translation: Red Alert! All hands, Red Alert!