III
The next evening Buck and Wilma were preparing for the gala. Both were in full dress uniforms.
"Well don't you look gorgeous" Buck told Wilma
"You look very handsome yourself" she replied. "I sure hope this works."
"Don't worry we both know the Princess pretty well. She reminds me of a toddler and is very predictable."
With that the two left the unit and made their way to the hall where the gala was starting. Emperor Draco was standing with Dr Huer and other Terrain dignitaries, while Ardala and her coterie of attendants were along the wall opposite to door. Buck and Wilma, Wilma on Buck's arm, paused for a quick kiss before stepping into the hall to be announced.
"Captain Buck Rogers and Colonel Wilma Derring" intoned the reception drone. A murmur went through the room as many were surprised to see Buck and Wilma.
Buck and Wilma entered the hall and were immediately greeted by a number of old friends. As they circulated among the people gathered one or the other always had Ardala in view. And true to prediction she appeared to be extremely upset and before long stalked over to where Emperor Draco was standing. Draco pulled her aside abruptly. Everyone in the hall could tell the conversation was heated and Draco finished it with a wave of his hand, apparently telling Ardala to return to where she was standing previously.
"Well, I think we have our answer," said Buck.
"What answer?" ask Dr. Huer, as he joined the group.
"Buck felt that if Ardala was provoked, she would appeal to her father to leave. But since he has empathically rebuffed her, we are fairly certain that whatever Draco is after, it must be very important," said Wilma.
"She is definitely not happy." Said Buck with a smile. He was standing in position to watch her interactions with her courtiers. "Looks like she is sending one of the group on a hunt for something"
"I wonder if that will lead us to our spy?" said Wilma quietly. As she was speaking, she slipped off the sash around her waist and held it up. "Better get this fixed" she added in a louder tone. With that she turned and headed out of the door behind the Draconian courtier that Ardala had sent on a mission. Following at a discrete distance Wilma watched as the Draconian woman slipped into an ante room where a Terrain was waiting. Wilma recognized the Terrain as a member of the security directorate named Cpl. Chase. After a brief conversation Chase shrugged her shoulders and left. The Draconian woman waited a few minutes before she too left the ante room. The Draconians path back to the hall, with Wilma in quiet pursuit, took her past the area where the buffet was set up. Here the woman stopped and looked all around. She didn't see Wilma in the shadows watching her. And all at once she began eating just about everything within reach. Wilma was astonished. After a moment or two she stepped out of the shadows and said "You should try these bonbons they are delicious" pointing out some small candies.
The courtier was startled, she turned towards Wilma as she was stashing some food into her pocket. "I am sorry I didn't see you there, I shouldn't be eating yet I guess" she said.
"Don't be sorry, the food is here to be eaten" replied Wilma.
The courtier turned and started for the door to the main hall. "I must hurry the Princess will be annoyed at me for taking too long" she said as she hurried out of the room.
Wilma watched her go and she was struck by the young girls clothing. "I think you need a new tailor" she said just barely out loud. As she entered the hall she looked around, she noticed several of the members of Draco's entourage with ill-fitting uniforms. "Now I wonder" she said.
Wilma walked over and rejoined the Buck, Huer and the group of people with whom Buck was conversing as he kept Ardala in view. "Your spy Dr Huer, I believe is Cpl. Chase. I also think I have figured out what Draco is after. I need to do some additional research though. I suggest we reconvene in our unit after the gala, I should have a better idea of the situation then." Holding up the sash as an excuse Wilma slips out of the hall to return to the unit.
Buck entered the unit about 45 minutes later.
"The party is over already? Asked Wilma
"No, I got bored without you and tired of Ardala making eyes at me, so I left early. Huer and the others will be later" replied Buck.
"I want to ask you; once you told me about a catastrophic event in the twentieth century that led to crop failures?"
"You mean the Dust Bowl, Yea it was in the middle of the century, well before my time but it was pretty impactful. The was a drought and excessive winds that blew off the topsoil, the rich top layer. And unfortunately, because of the way people farmed back then they only made it worse."
Buck and Wilma spent the next hour or so going through intelligence reports and when Huer with Theopolis, Wayburn and Rose arrived at the unit, Wilma was ready for them.
"Gentlemen I think I know what is driving Draco. His people are starving."
"Are you sure, what makes you believe that?" asked Col. Rose
"Draconia uses a plant-based food system sourced mostly from an orbiting moon called Ventra. But there is data to show that the atmosphere on the moon has been undergoing meteorological changes that have impacted its ability to produce the basis for food. There have been reports of food disk and other eatables from outlying colonies being shipped into Draconia recently as well as several shipments from other worlds being hijacked by pirates that were thinly disguised Hatchet fighters. I think Draco is desperate for food. He needs to use Terrain airspace to get to in our quadrant for sources that should be able to supply some type of food for his people. Whether he does that through trade or thievery I can't say but I really do think he is desperate right now."
There was silence in the room. Then Wayburn said "Now would be the perfect time to strike at the empire. With the depleted resources I bet we could wipe them all out in short order"
"May I remind you that Draconians are really terrains. They were one of the original colonies formed after the holocaust that decimated Earth. I do believe that Col Derring is correct in her assessment of the situation," said Dr Huer.
"The best course right now is to put this information before the computer counsel before we begin negotiating with Draco." Said Dr Theopolis.
The huge conference hall in New Chicago was very impressive. Seated at the end of the large table was Dr Huer with Drs Theopolis and Milos both from the computer counsel. Around the table were several other Terrains on one side. Buck Rogers and Wilma Derring were standing in the back beside the large vid screen. Soon Emperor Draco entered with 3 or 4 other members of his staff. Ardala was not among them.
"Good day Emperor Draco and party. Please have a seat. I would like to welcome you and to open these meetings by recognizing our shared ancestry" said Huer
Draco bowed his head. "Thank you for your greeting, Dr Huer." He said
"And as an acknowledgement of that shared ancestry and as a token of our friendship, we would like to offer you a gift." Said Huer. At this point Wilma touched the vid screen and an image of several large containers marked "Food Disks" was displayed.
Draco gasped then buried his head in his hands.
It was several days later Buck and Wilma met with Dr Huer.
"Draco was very appreciative, and one might say overcome. The first of our shipments has already left for Draconia." Said Huer
"Well can not possible support the entire empire, can we?" asked Wilma
"No, the computer counsel has decided we can share half of our current reserves while we increase production for the time being. We are also providing expert and technical assistance in an effort to stabilize their production and prevent a recurrence." Replied Huer. "I don't suppose either of you would be interested in being part of that group?"
"No thank you Doc but Wilma and I prefer to rejoin the Searcher as soon as she has been released," said Buck.
"I wish you would stay in New Chicago" replied Huer.
Wilma moved over to Buck and the two were soon arm in arm. "No, there is a new head of the directorate, I would be a distraction, I think. And Buck and I are very comfortable on the Searcher. We will probably stay here for a few days for a rest before we head back to the ship" she said.
"Well, if I cannot persuade you, I with you both well" Dr Huer said.
The End