"Looks like we got a lot of local interest, then" Captain Lazarus asked Troll while their wives tried to get the children settled at the galley.
"More 'n I'd have thought, yeah" Troll replied before calling "Sherenka… now's not the time to practice throwin' Anton over your shoulder like Feltano did with you! That's for trainin' time! Not eatin' time!"
Sherenka grumbled a bit before helping Anton back to his feet and telling him "Papa doesn't like us doing training in here, Anton. We do that later".
"We do that later" Anton agreed, nodding "I haven't done this clever Kalish fighting stuff before. Done tiny bit of same stuff as Rekketh friend".
"Think last time I checked…" Troll added once all of his children were seated properly "…the camp had its centre track all shut up for trainin' for events – well, some of 'em. Shot putt an' javelin an' even a few doin' pole vault, far as I know".
"Pretty much it" Lazarus confirmed, nodding "There's been more doing running training 'round the hardball stadium track – even been a bit of informal competition during training there, even a bit of betting".
"Not got anything spare for that right now…" Troll replied "an' even if I did, I'd save it for when the games itself starts".
Lazarus just snorted, after which all the children started calling out and clapping very loudly.
"Amara an' Feltano an' their little teeny sister just got here, then…" Troll decided, grinning.
"She ain't that small, mister" Lazarus replied, chuckling a little "Sure, Maranno's smaller than your brood were, bit smaller than Anton was as well… but she's not a small one by human standards…".
"True, true…" Troll replied, grinning.
"AMARA'S HERE!" Harek bellowed happily, clapping "FELTANO AND MARANNO ARE HERE! EATING TIME NOW! YAAAAYYY!"
"He is louder than me, papa…" Sherenka grumbled to Troll – who laughed and hugged his eldest daughter before telling her "You know why that is, Sher? Harek's got a bigger body with more lung capacity. Lungs are what gets you breathing – and shouting too, especially in Harek's case".
"He is loud" Sherenka replied, nodding "but he likes us, too".
"Harek's loud and funny!" Tabitha giggled.
"Now the celebrities have arrived…" Harrigan called, grinning at Trannak and Caseya's children "We can get started with the food, I think" – and got no more than half way to sitting down before all the older children charged for the galley serving queue. Harek clapped and laughed happily, tackling anyone to the ground that came too close to him – until he heard Martha call for her brothers to run past while her and her sisters tackled Harek.
Harek still managed to keep second place by the time every child had reached the queue, but he was also hugging his friends and laughing with them about the race to the queue as well.
"Again…" Urana murmured, walking to stand with her sons and daughters at the head of the queue "Come on… all five of you… before it starts again".
The older Scarrans and those without families aboard smiled and rumbled as they watched the children at the serving counter, telling each other the occasional tale about their own younger cycles or those of their old friends – Lirak rumbled when Anton decided to climb up on his lap and eat there.
"See?" he called "I have black hat on again. Not got sneaky clothes today. Papa say those only for training".
"We don't wear camouflage outside of training either, Anton" Krynak reminded the young boy "We still got armour on… but you have thicker skin than us, so you got yours built-in".
"I got my armour on…" Anton decided "That good" before asking his father for his food.
"I eat here, papa" Anton asked "if you let me".
"Sit with your big friends" Lazarus replied "I'm sure your smaller friends will be yellin' an' shoutin' back an' forth across the galley as usual – just remember to finish your current mouthful before shoutin' back".
Maranno giggled as her new ears heard the loud voices of her friends, and she turned her head slowly to try and see them – Martha saw that and ran over so Maranno could see her, calling "See, Maranno? I am here! I am your friend Martha".
Maranno smiled, clapped, then started poking and testing Martha's armoured skin until Caseya got her to stop and let Martha back to her food again.
"Your other friends are eating…" Caseya told her newest child with a smile "They will come over and see you after they have finished. For now, I should feed you…"
"When will we arrive?" Emperor Staleek asked Captain Shursith "Will we need to stop for repairs or resupply?"
"No stoppages needed, Emperor" Captain Shursith replied, shaking his head "We're running at full flank speed and the engines are holding up nicely. We should arrive at Tal IV early on the day before Founders' Day itself. With any luck we'll be the first ones there".
"It will be a good sign if we are" Emperor Staleek agreed "Once we pass Chena'ia, have your comm officer call ahead to Talzenadar IV so that the embassy is ready… and that local security knows we're coming. I don't know if they'll have any special rules and restrictions for these celebrations… call Secretary Graffak if you can't deal with it yourself or if you're busy, though".
"Captan Kammel…" Vice-Chancellor Voss asked "How goes the journey and the new ship? It was worth not giving in to …certain others on Strategic Command… and punishing the design crew?"
"That lot are just upset they didn't have the mivonks to seize the opportunity to run through their own design" Captain Kammel decided "Personally, I like the Zelbinion-class… a good, solid, expansion on things we know will work. Considering how large and powerful Scarran dreadnaughts are, it's long overdue as well".
"Generally, Captain…" Vice-Chancellor Voss replied, sighing "I agree. What caused the major share of contention was the diverting of certain funds early in the development stages from other projects and even operational deployments... so those with influence will be watching not just these strange sporting events but also how well this ship performs and how the other major and minor powers react to it".
"When should we arrive at Talzenadar IV, Captain Kammel?" Voss' aide asked – Captain Kammel thought for a few microts, checked with the duty navigation officer, then replied "Best guess… about Second Meal, Tal IV time, on the day immediately preceeding the start of celebrations. Depending on stellar conditions on the way, of course".
"Will the Luxans arrive before us?" Vice-Chancellor Voss asked, to which Captain Kammel smiled briefly and said "Their assault carriers are faster than our own Command Carriers… and they have a shorter journey than we do… so I expect they will. I do not mind that so much, it means the species aligned with us will have their athletes ready and accustomed to local conditions by the time we arrive".
"Showlon is making good speed" the captain of the Nebari Establishment's Host Vessel told the senior political representative among his passengers "If all goes well for our journey we may even arrive before the Scarrans do. The engines run at 80% power at this time".
"Increase speed as much as you feel you can do" Marshal Fen decided after a few microts' thought "The sooner we arrive, the sooner our sporting representatives can begin adjusting to local conditions. It gives us extra time dealing with inconvenient problems caused by Talzenadar IV security as well".
As he watched the captain nod, he added The biggest problem is not those outside the ship… but the crew itself! While their professional standards are good, it turned out that tensions between the Night Watch and the Enforcers have been on a knife's edge for some time, with a significant portion of the crew siding with the Enforcers… and I only found out about this after our journey was well underway and the sporting delegation could not be transferred to another ship! The only thing keeping behaviour under control is, at least so far, the will of the Captain… which worries me… before returning to his quarters.
"Three days remaining until Founders' Day …" Nrakal thought aloud as he made notes in his medical logs "… and perhaps two until maximum general emergence time for subject Juroch has passed by. All appears to be going well with current subject and his change appears to have been proceeding in a calm and controlled fashion…" before he heard voices outside the sick bay and smiled before saving his logs to the archive and heading to the door.
"You are here to see your friend in the tanks, children?" Nrakal asked the small gathering outside his sick bay, accompanied by Caseya.
"We are, nice doctor" Amara replied, nodding "We are here to see uncle whisper Scarran. Is he still in his tank? Has he come out yet?"
"Has he come out yet?!" asked Tabitha, a little more excited than the others "Can we help feed him and test him and climb on him?"
"We play with him and make him happy!" Garakk decided, standing beside Caseya with his brother.
"If his time for emergence arrives while you are here, children…" Nrakal reminded them carefully "I will need to help him out of his tank and test him. I might be able to find things for each of you to do to help me… if you are good and don't make too much noise and startle him. Juroch will need to remain calm and at least mostly quiet when he comes out of his tank".
"We give him food" Anton suggested "Papa says people coming out of tanks are hungry. If he comes out, we give him hot stuff in tins till he go bang".
"That is a good idea" Nrakal told Anton "You are right in thinking your friend Juroch will be hungry when he emerges from his tank. If any of you are here at that time, you can help feed him".
Anton rumbled happily before asking Amara "Where's the tank, Amara? I not come here lots so I don't know. You do. You tell us?"
"I show you" Amara replied "You all be nice for nice doctor and not shout, then we all go and find uncle whisper Scarran's tank".
Caseya almost laughed as she watched Harek's huge form walking softly around the sick bay – he looked up at her briefly, rumbled happily, then moved to stand beside Amara before asking "This is where the tanks are… which one is uncle whisper Scarran's one? I can't see which one he's in".
Feltano shifted up the side of the wall of the secure area, looked closely, then called out the tank number and pointed – the children each clapped and walked around under Nrakal's careful supervision, after which Feltano leaped into Trannak's arms from the wall.
"Heeheehee!" Amara laughed, clapping "A very good leap, little brother! I am too big to leap from walls to papa like that now".
"It will not be long before your brother is as well" Trannak replied, hugging his son before putting him down on the floor "He is growing fast".
"Amara…" Nrakal asked "Look inside the tank. See if any of the remaining special needles and pipes have failed. See if the… 'yucky pipe'… as you put it… see if that is still there if you can".
Amara shifted up the side of the tank and across the transparent upper half before looking down.
"Needles are not there, nice doctor" she reported "All gone. I see the pipe, nice doctor… but it is not all there. It is floating in the tank".
"Oh…?" Nrakal replied with some interest "I would think this means Juroch will emerge quite soon, then…".
I hear things… smell things…
This… this tank… yes, my tank… smells quite bad now…
I hear…voices… children's voices… they have come to see me…
Good…I do not know if I am ready… but I think I may try to alert them. Any of them will shout and shriek happily, and that will bring Nrakal or Moratha.
Caseya set Maranno on the top of Juroch's tank very gently. She poked and prodded at the surface, not entirely sure what to think about something she could sit on and see through – she had been poking and tapping the tank for some time when everyone heard her shriek and clap.
Amara ran over and tried to soothe her, but Caseya smiled and lifted her up before pointing to the tank – Amara looked, and shrieked herself when she saw Juroch open his eyes slowly and tap on the tank, then smile.
"NICE DOCTOR!" Amara called loudly "YOU COME NOW! UNCLE WHISPER SCARRAN WANTS TO COME OUT!"
"You know how to open and purge the tank, Amara" Nrakal replied "You've seen me do that before, you remember – and I have shown you from the books as well. Open the tank".
Nrakal stood back and watched while Amara pressed the buttons and murmured to herself – Caseya lifted Maranno off the lid, while Feltano scrambled up the wall so he could see more clearly.
Juroch turned his head as he felt the liquid inside his tank draining away, and smiled when he saw the tank split in two before opening properly.
"Not yet…" Juroch's slightly rougher but still familiar voice called "Not yet. I will stay here and breathe some cleaner air and then I will climb down… with help, I think. I think the young ones are here, yes? Call out if you are here, children".
"We are here!" Harek called, very loudly "Special stuff all working good, uncle whisper Scarran?"
Juroch rumbled, took a few deep breaths, then nodded before adding "You are very loud, Harek… even before my change, you were very loud. My ears are like yours now, young man… talk a little more quietly, please…".
"We get you food in tins" Harek said at a more normal volume "Amara and Doctor Nrakal say people are hungry when they come out of tanks. Uncle Troll man tell me he was hungry when he came out of his tank".
"Food in tins will be good" Juroch confirmed for Harek "Pudding ones and savoury ones, Harek. Help your friends find it and bring it here" before calling for Nrakal and Amara.
"Good, you are both here" he said "The light is a bit too bright at the microt…my ears hurt a little. I attribute the smells to having been in the tank for some weeken. Is there a new uniform for me nearby?"
"Amara…" Nrakal called, smiling "Can you get your uncle Juroch's new large uniform? Not his new boots, Amara, because they have his swords in them. Nor his other weapons".
Juroch smiled and rumbled softly when the lights were dimmed.
"Yes, children… I expect you like to test your special things too. They are still new to me" he told them, after which he – with Nrakal's help – got down from his opened tank and got dressed before sitting on the floor.
"I am still very tired, children" he explained "Where are the tins of hot rations? Did you find them?"
Harek held up two tins of savoury rations, grinning at Juroch as he did so – Juroch immediately opened one, and the children happily kept passing him more tins until the small stockpile ran out.
"No more tins, whisper special Scarran" Feltano told him, shaking his head "We find more? We call uncle Karroch?"
"No more tins, Feltano" Juroch replied "I think the doctor will want to test me and even scan me now. I do not know if he can scan me. Shall we look and see?"
"Look and see!" Amara replied excitedly.
Juroch lifted himself off the floor slowly and put his boots on, then his standard pistols.
"Good, I feel better already" he decided softly "I am properly uniformed, I have basic equipment, and I have eaten at least some food. I will need a full Kalish eating time next meal, I think".
"We are all glad you are well, Juroch" Caseya assured him "You are our friend as well as our comrade. All the children have been looking forward to seeing you back on your feet as well".
"I see all three of yours now, Caseya" Juroch replied, looking around in the dim light "Amara is with the doctor. Feltano is beside Anton. Maranno is in your arms. Every child is looking at me".
"We all look at you" Tabitha confirmed "You less hungry now. You got sneaky clothes on" before she looked up and said "No hat".
"I will get something from the stores later… Tabitha?" Juroch replied, getting a happy nod from Tabitha at being correctly named "Maybe a hat like I had before… maybe the square of camouflage cloth I can tie on my head. We will see about that later".
"Step on the plate, uncle whisper special Scarran…" Amara urged, before giggling a bit at how she had changed his name "Then we see if we scan you!"
"I think it will not work" Feltano told Amara "Uncle Juroch is now like uncle Anton and the big funny man. The scan does not see inside them. We need big machine with bed on".
"Not really a bed, Feltano…" Nrakal told him, smiling "…but a slab to lie on, yes. We will test Juroch on this scanner first".
"It does not work" Martha decided "Feltano is right. It did not work. That's because uncle Juroch has new special things"
"Uncle Juroch goes on bigbig scanner next" Anton suggested "That one doesn't work. It doesn't work on me and it doesn't work on him".
"Not very well, no" Nrakal corrected him "Only a little bit – but that's partly the point, isn't it?"
Anton nodded and said "We help uncle whisper Scarran to bigbig scanner with slab on now".
Juroch smiled as the children tried to support him and guide him to the larger scanner – every few microts one would call to Amara, who would give them new directions, and they would proceed again. Every time they stopped for directions, Juroch would take a few breaths and do calming exercises.
"I am well, doctor" he replied when Nrakal asked him about that "I find those exercises help me adjust to my new environment. I think they help moderate any emotional imbalances due to just having come out of the tank as well".
"I think…" Nrakal guessed "…since you related well to the children before… that having them here helps as well. There is something… and someone.. familiar for you to relate to and focus on. For now, if you could get on the slab and lie down, please…".
"Feltano, Amara, Caseya and Maranno… step away from the scanner, please" Nrakal cautioned them "I know you are changed… but that scanner does project a lot of radiation on high power settings, and despite it being very heavily shielded I do not want to take chances with any of you".
Caseya immediately stood well away from the scanner, getting hugs from both older children when she did so – Urana looked at Maranno and smiled and rumbled for her, which got a wide smile and a clap in return before Maranno tried to reach out to her.
"Go on, Urana…" Caseya said, smiling "She likes you. You trust me with your children, and I am not far away in any case".
Maranno cooed and smiled, immediately noticing the increased body temperature of a Scarran, after which she rested her head on Urana's shoulder – Urana told her children about when they were younger and she carried them in their special harness, which the girls were especially interested to hear about. All of them laughed as they remembered the games Troll and Urana played when they needed to get everyone moving and in the harness.
Juroch rumbled in relief as the scanner slab came back out again, which got Amara running over as he climbed off it slowly.
"I am well, Amara" he assured her "I think there is no more scanning now" before taking hold of her hand and walking over to Nrakal's main terminal.
"We see, we see?" Amara asked – Nrakal displayed the scan, showing everyone where Juroch had changed on the inside and why he could see that Juroch was perfectly healthy.
"Resume your usual exercise regime, Juroch…" Nrakal told him "…but do so gently and carefully. You have been out of practice for the nine weeken you were in that tank".
"I will" Juroch promised "I must obtain new Master's robes as well. My old ones will not fit me any more. Perhaps I will follow the very oldest traditions and make my own".
Nrakal made a lot of notes after that, prodding and testing Juroch in quite a lot of different ways – and all of the children who asked as well.
"Special testing!" Anton called "That's good! Harek best at night vision! Tabitha is best at smell! Sherenka is good at hearing things! I do bit of all of them well but not best".
Garakk and Alphak plodded across the sick bay and looked up at Juroch for a few microts before Garakk said "We not see you with special eye stuff. We not hear you lots when you move. Why that?"
Nrakal explained in the simplest terms for the two boys – they were interested that Juroch was like that and shrieked and clapped when Nrakal explained that both of them were as well.
"My skin colour has changed as well, boys" Juroch added "When we leave the sick bay, I will go out last and then you can all see".
Juroch covered his ears when the children shrieked excitedly and clapped when they saw his new skin in normal light.
"You are all green!" Feltano squeaked in amazement "You look a bit like grass all over! Is that to help you hide?"
"It is" Juroch confirmed, rumbling softly "It is the shade of green of a plant on the planet I come from" before telling Caseya "I should report to your husband now, Caseya, and to the War Commander. Both of them need to know I am mobile once more, if not ready for duty just yet".
"We will go to the bridge, then" Caseya replied, taking Maranno back from Urana "I think the Commander will be there. I think Feltano can call his father to meet us there".
"On my way, Feltano" Trannak said when the call went through "I expect your friends will be met by their parents at the transit platform – so they can see Juroch as well. Do not tell me what he is like… I will see when I reach the bridge. We are doing running around the crew quarters right now".
Martha smiled and used voice command to get the transit car moving, after which Amara and Feltano chased each other over the walls and ceiling – Juroch smiled and watched them both move and play as the transit car moved on, and shortly they arrived at the bridge platform and came to a halt.
"Papa is here" Feltano called, pointing to Trannak "Other green sneaky people are here. Auntie Liz wear green stuff".
Anton charged over to Liz and hugged her, asking about that – she smiled back and told him "I have been training with my Nebari friend and his other friends here for some time now, little brother…I will be with them for missions most of the time" before realising Juroch was there, that he was a lot bigger than he used to be, and that his skin was dark green.
"Partly for camouflage, Liz" Juroch confirmed "and partly to remind me of my home planet, since it is the same shade as one of the plants there" before everyone headed up the treblin corridor to the bridge.
Harek walked (which Caseya noted with interest before deciding Harrigan had trained his son at length not to run on the bridge) over to the command chair where his father sat before telling him everyone was there – Harrigan smiled and lifted his son up before carrying him back to where Juroch was standing.
"Lookin' better, mister" Harrigan said "Feelin' better now you're out breathin' at least filtered air? Eaten a bit, I hope?"
"I am feeling better, sir…" Juroch replied softly, nodding "and I have eaten hot rations in tins. I had a number of small helpers who fetched those tins for me until we ran out…".
"You been helpin' your uncle, Harek?" Harrigan asked his son, who nodded and explained how everyone helped Juroch with the rations and with other things.
"Well done, kiddies" Harrigan told the children "Your uncle needed lots of not-so-little helpers, I think – it's harder for people getting special stuff added than it is for lucky small people who grow up with it".
"We're lucky" Anton agreed, nodding "Papa tells me that a lot, big funny uncle commander".
Caseya took over at the comm desk from the Scarran currently sitting there, after which Feltano climbed up and sat on her lap – and barely four microts later, he called "Contact!"
"On screen with ident!" Harrigan called without thinking, so Caseya helped her son do that.
"Basic scan, Captain" Lieutenant Second Rank Lelthan announced "Active sensors from a ship up ahead, or a satellite".
"Trace it if you can" Captain Shursith ordered once he was summoned, after which he sat in his command chair and called "Arm the close-in defence system but nothing else – the Vorlek looks similar to an enlarged mark-2 dreadnaught on the outside, let's see if any of the locals are smart enough to figure out how we're different. Notify the Emperor and Secretary Graffak that we've arrived insystem at Tal IV".
"Magnify…" Harrigan ordered, on the Havoc "What is it, Caseya?"
"Ident lists the ship as the Vorlek, Commander" Caseya replied "Preliminary sensor cross-section and ident scan lists class as a mark-2 pattern dreadnaught".
"Not the same" Feltano announced, surprising everyone "I have seen the archives. This one is not like that".
"How, Feltano…" Harrigan replied "It's interestin' to hear… but I can't decide what to do unless you tell me how it's different".
"It's bigger, uncle commander" Feltano replied, looking at the scan closely "Ident say ship is a mark-2, sensor cross-section says it's bigger. Says ship has more turrets" before asking "Deep-scan, uncle commander?"
"A good idea" Trannak added "Any ship named Vorlek for the past eight hundred cycles has been unofficially known as one used as a test platform for military technology. Whatever the ident says the Vorlek has on it, I expect there will be at least a few things added on".
"Papa do deep scan…" Feltano told his mother as he watched Trannak at the navigation desk "See? Papa do it. We find out sneaky stuff about new ship".
""We have been deep-scanned!" Lelthan announced quite loudly as an alert siren sounded "To be scanned in that much detail this far outsystem, we have been scanned by a fixed station".
Not entirely true Shursith knew I'm fairly sure what's there… but let's see if Lelthan's at least heard the rumours before deciding to keep quiet.
"Stand down" Shursith told his security officer when they arrived "Leave the close-in defence system armed, leave the naval guns offline for now".
"Helm…" Shursith ordered "Proceed insystem. All ahead one third".
Harrigan looked at the scan for a half-momen or so before ordering Trannak to rotate it so they could see the underside of the Vorlek.
"If that is what I think it is…" he called "…then there should be quite high power readings 'round that. We got any?"
"Above average…" Trannak replied "If that's a weapon, it's only on standby mode".
"Railcannon" Harrigan explained "Four of 'em. Capable of planetary bombardment from high orbit" before turning to Caseya and ordering her "Sound general quarters. All hands to naval combat stations".
Both Karroch and Captain Tareg ran onto the bridge within a momen.
"What have we found?" Karroch asked – Harek actually pointed out, on the big displays, where the railcannon on the Vorlek were, while Harrigan revealed what he thought they might be able to do.
"Captain Tareg" Karroch called "Arm our own close-in defence systems. If the War Commander agrees, arm both the primary and secondary naval defence systems".
"Do it" Harrigan replied "Don't lock on to anything yet… but get it ready. Get at least a few people on cockpit alert in Strykers, but don't launch anyone yet either".
"Massive energy spike!" Lelthan called "Multiple heavy weapons on target coming online! Close-in defences on target online!"
"Hostile sensor emissions?" Shursith asked, to which Lelthan shook her head and replied "None, Captain".
"We're being hailed!" the duty comm officer called.
Harrigan's huge form immediately appeared on the main screen.
"We've detected bombardment weapons on your ship" Harrigan stated "Diplomatic mission or not, we can't have that. If you got an excuse, I'll hear it – if it's one I can actually believe while keeping my breakfast down, I won't take this further".
"Summon the Emperor or Secretary Graffak" Shursith immediately ordered his bridge security officer "This needs a diplomatic explanation, not a military one! Preferably quickly!"
Almost five momens later, Graffak arrived and Captain Shursith told him about the current situation.
"To whom am I speaking?" Graffak asked.
"I'm War Commander Harrigan…" Harrigan replied, which got a couple of low growls from the Vorlek's bridge officers "…an' that's my ship you prob'ly detected powerin' up the big heavy stuff. Governor here lets us have the biggest toys here… an' even then it took us a while to bring him round to our way of thinking. He doesn't like it if anyone else brings any".
Graffak turned to Captain Shursith for an explanation, who whispered one to him – Graffak grumbled a bit, but called the Emperor for permission to reveal his presence before saying "The Emperor of my people is aboard this ship, War Commander Harrigan. He requires the very best protection we can provide, so the Vorlek, its captain, and its crew were provided. We do not mean any harm to the world under your protection… but we will stand ready to protect our leader" before he smiled briefly and added "Besides… we were invited…".
"You got your boys an' girls for the games, then?" Harrigan replied "Not just your big man?"
"There are a smaller number of support vessels" Graffak replied "Some of these contain our chosen athletes. Some of the chosen athletes are aboard the Vorlek as well".
Harrigan turned to face Trannak and Lazarus – the three of them whispered for a half-momen or so before Harrigan decided "Come up to midsystem, then – for now. One of my officers thinks we let you come a touch closer once everyone's here 'cause it's your holiday an' you got your big man with you. You're still gonna be well out of range of big bertha on your belly there, though – an' stay with the bow pointed away from Tal IV as well".
"I must communicate this to the Emperor, War Commander Harrigan" Graffak replied "The captain can decide for his ship, I could decide for the diplomatic staff… but only the Emperor can decide for us both".
"Go on, then…" Harrigan replied.
"I suggest remaining just short of midsystem markers, Captain" Graffak suggested to Captain Shursith ""At least for now. If the Emperor gives his agreement to this protocol, we can move right up to midsystem and wait there while we discuss how to transport our Emperor, the diplomatic staff, and any athletes and security personnel to the surface of Talenadar IV".
"Do it" Shursith decided, calling out necessary orders to the helm and the rest of the battlegroup "Slow us down gently as long as we have just enough speed to maintain emergency manoevreability if required – then we can come to a halt at the designated place. Secretary Graffak says this will help it look like an agreement between powers, and not like we are getting told to do anything".
Trannak communicated the change in speed and projected course to Harrigan, along with his opinion of it.
"Fine by me" Harrigan replied "They gotta feel right about it on the inside, I get that. Once the Emperor gives the word, we can get the athletes down here an' used to the weather an' gravity – an' the Emperor nicely squared away some place in the embassy, I expect".
Emperor Staleek grumbled a bit when he heard what was going on, but said "You've done well dealing with this one, mister Graffak. The only time I've ever had this many problems personally, I had to deal with a human – and believe me when I tell you that they are the most troublesome species anyone has ever encountered".
"I have not met one of that species before" Graffak confirmed "Shall I tell Captain Shursith to proceed to midsystem markers as local Security requires?"
"That one giving the orders is a bit more than just 'local Security', mister Graffak" Emperor Staleek replied "You might want to read the intelligence archives on the Blood Hand, such as they are, for yourself next time you have a spare arn or two. But yes… advise Captain Shursith to move the battle group to midsystem markers and wait for further hails".
"They are moving as requested" Trannak called "Orders?"
"Guns stay on" Harrigan decided "but no one locks onto anything without orders. The Hierarchy's big boys got here first, which is a bit of a surprise considering their journey – but a nice diplomatic victory to start the celebratory weeken with, I imagine".
"I'm sure they'll like that…" Captain Tareg replied "…which is just as well… since they won't like me being in the shot putt and javelin…".
"No mentalism or stoneshifting, mister" Harrigan replied immediately "I'd let you if it was a Scarran-only games… but not this time. Besides, you're a big man for Scarrans in any case".
Tareg just nodded and smiled before rumbling in amusement, replying "There'll be enough fun for me in the games already, that's true…"
"We have reached midsystem markers, Captain" the helm officer announced "Orders, Captain?"
"Turn the bow to face just to hammond of the planet" Shursith replied "It's been made a condition of our even coming this close that our belly cannon do not point at the planet. Frigates to circle the Vorlek. All close-in defence systems to be armed at all times" before he commed Graffak to tell him.
"I am with the Emperor, Captain" Graffak replied "Your news has been passed on. The Emperor is requesting grolsahk after dealing with the big man on the screen earlier".
"There isn't any in the officer's lounge" Shursith replied "nor the enlisted rank's club. I don't tolerate alcohol on my ship. Since my crew didn't search your own luggage, or the Emperor's, who's to say if there's any in there? I know the Black Omega will probably have some, but I don't know if any of their people are aboard the Vorlek or not".
When this was communicated to Emperor Staleek, he grumbled a bit but said "I should have remembered Captain Shursith's attitude to alcohol, mister Graffak… I'll wait until we reach the embassy, then…".
"I have a single bottle with me" Graffak replied "I do not drink a great deal, but I did bring one. It is a premium brand. I will find it and glasses".
"Better…" Emperor Staleek sighed, leaning back in his chair – he smiled, rumbling a little, as he'd drunk almost three-quarters of the bottle himself.
"I'sh…I'd better shtao…stay here for an arn or twee…two" he said a little drunkenly "You have foo…farlll…full authority to speak on my behalf. Until I can sht…stand up straight and shpii…speak properly again".
"I am more than a little under the influence myself, Emperor…" Graffak reminded Emperor Staleek "but I can walk and I can talk clearly… and you have placed more than the expected amount of trust in me, considering I hold a comparatively junior rank still".
"Find out where the Sholphaurans are" Staleek said, concentrating as hard as possible on speaking clearly "I know they took a direct route from their own world, but they have at least one guest with them who's needed for the cultural exhibitions and who I happen to have forgotten to tell War Minister Ahkna about…".
"Yes!" a loud and pleased voice called aboard the Luxan assault carrier Ka'Hakk "We've outran the Judicator nicely! Oh, the Peacekeepers will be here some time later today, yes… but we still got here before they did! Activate the cloak… let's see if local security can find us. All ahead one half, take us insystem".
"Yes, Captain" replied the duty helm officer "Alert fighter squadrons are changing right now, it's a good time to head in…".
"Sir…" Lieutenant Lelthan called softly "Anomalous energy signature detected, extremely faint, heading towards us".
"Anomalous how" Shursith asked, turning to stare at her "More importantly… why".
Lelthan took a few momens, but no longer, to explain her theory – far from dismissing it out of hand, Captain Shursith grinned and called "Note time and date in the log… Lieutenant Second Rank Lelthan has made a provisional finding of vessel massing similar to Luxan assault carrier while said vessel remains cloaked. Commendation for her file should she manage to make a positive ident".
"I… request the target be scanned at high power and on a narrow beam" Lelthan asked hesitantly "I… do not suggest sensor wavelengths that would penetrate the hull and deep-scan the ship. Just enough energy at the right wavelength to render their cloaking shield pointless".
"Do it" Capain Shursith replied "You have scanning controls on your desk – use them, find out what I need to know".
Every electronic warfare receiver control light on the Ka'Hakks bridge lit up and a klaxon sounded once the ship had made it noticeably insystem.
"We have been found" Captain Ka'Jekkan announced sourly "All that remains is to figure out by who we have been found. The Peacekeepers' embassy gave us the usual position for the enormous ship controlling system space… tell me if the scan originated from there or from somewhere else".
Less than five momens later, the security officer said "From elsewhere, Captain – I have an estimated position but not an ident or sensor scan".
"The Scarrans are here" Ka'Jekkan decided "It can't be anyone else. Their official delegation arrived before we did and, for one reason or another, they know how to find us. Log where they found us and how they found us – every last tiny detail. That information goes back to our leaders and whatever treznot's in charge of naval research and development".
The captain's mood didn't get any better when alarms registered Lelthan's second scan.
"They confirmed what their first scan made them suspect" the helm officer suggested when their captain glared at them all "They'll have our ident and class – and a decent estimate of our sensor detection threshold rating".
"Can we get the same from them?" Ka'Jekkan asked, though the helm officer replied "Not yet, sir – whatever sensors they have are very long-ranged and have good operators".
The Vorlek's own alarms went off when the Ka'Hakk scanned them in return, but Shursith waved everyone back down, rumbling and calling "Doesn't matter – we got them first. They didn't deep-scan us, or I'd risk putting a shot across their bow".
Lelthan's earlier discovery of the Ka'Hakk was being passed on to the Emperor.
"Good…" he replied, notably more sober now "This Lelthan should be commended. What species is she?"
"One of the Kalish, Emperor" Graffak replied "A bridge officer for navigation, according to ship records".
"Hmm…" Staleek replied "I don't need to offer huge amounts of currency, then" before deciding "Commendation for her personnel file, promotion to Lieutenant First Rank… put a bit of extra credit in her account anyway… doesn't have to be too much…".
Graffak entered the details before asking if the rewards should take effect immediately.
"No" Staleek replied "When I open the diplomatic banquet, I'll announce it then…make a presentation of a framed commendation, people do tell me Kalish put a lot of stock in public shows of status like that".
"OK…" Harrigan said "That's the Luxans a safe distance away from the Vorlek… anyone else on the way insystem yet?"
"One large mercenary company and one Zenetan nomadic clan wanting to know where they can station their ships" Caseya replied – both went to their assigned positions with a minimum of fuss, though the Zenetans stayed more than usually well clear of the Vorlek as they went.
"We are getting athletes arriving for the games, then?" the governor asked when he commed in.
"Scarrans and Luxans so far from the big movers an' shakers" Harrigan replied "One entire Zenetan nomadic clan… though whether they're competing or here for business is anyone's guess. Some mercenary company or other, never heard its name before".
When Caseya passed on the ship idents, the governor said "No impounds or bounties out on either one… as for the mercenaries, I expect they're mostly here for rest and resupply, but they will likely compete in a few of the events if not all of them".
Captain Kammel sat down on the Judicator's command chair and laughed a little.
"Our Scarran comrades were a little upset, so the governor of Talzenadar IV tells me…" he told his bridge officers "Those odd mercenaries he keeps in orbit detected the Scarrans' bombardment weapons well outsystem… and are making their dreadnaught wait at midsystem markers".
Once the chuckles faded, he added "Our Luxan friends arrived a short while ago… and were promptly embarrassed by the Scarrans. They used their cloaking device and the Scarran dreadnaught found them anyway".
"Does anyone know where they were found and how?" asked the duty security officer, though Captain Kammel replied "Not that I'm aware of".
We might be able to learn something interesting about whatever ship the Scarrans sent here at the head of their battlegroup Kammel decided even if the Luxans aren't cloaked any more. Perhaps their battlegroup leader has the first of a new kind, as I do.
"Comm local security in orbit on the frequency we were given" Captain Kammel decided "Announce that the Sebacean people have sent the Judicator battlegroup to bring its military athletes to represent them at these Founders' Day games… and request directions to a suitable orbit placement" before turning to face his first officer and adding "The Scarrans and Luxans want to play games before reaching the planetary surface, that's up to them… we will enter proudly, for all to see and marvel at. We will make formation landings so our athletes and diplomatic personnel can be taken to our embassy with both speed and ceremony. Once local security has been notified of our presence, contact the embassy and request that they be ready to receive the athletes and the diplomatic delegation".
"Nice to meet you too, Judicator" Harrigan replied "Since you an' the Luxans got treaties, I'll put your lot over next to them so you get neighbours you like. As far as I'm aware, your lot have a sector of the port to yourself – you wanna use that or you want to make your landing a real show where people can see?"
"If we can make the landing we require in a public district…" Captain Kammel decided "… without affecting public safety… then we will do so. Marauders will land, make a brief stop to release diplomatic vehicles, then retreat to our sector of the port in good order".
"I'll pass that on to the locals on the ground, then" Harrigan replied "They'll record it an' broadcast it 'round this world. Not sure if interstellar channels got cameras up this early, they might… they might…".
As soon as Harrigan discommed, Captain Kammel called Vice-chancellor Voss and told him landings could proceed at any time.
"We got permission to make it all showy, you lot!" he bellowed to the Marauder crews and athletes "So this is going to be a hot and fast combat drop – drop nice and quick, as close together as we can safely manage, before pulling up sharp and dropping off the cars and trucks. Every Marauder will head to our sector of the spaceport once all vehicles have been unloaded. Any questions?"
When none came, the Marauders' captains shouted their assigned passengers aboard.
"For once…" Commander Valden Hez told his fellows "…a drop I don't have to be a pilot in. I get to relax, and of course criticise the pilots who do fly for not doing it my way…".
The man beside him, Ruozo Silec, just smiled – but the woman on the other side, Solaari Raena, said "Hah – these pilots from the Judicator have all the latest conveniences laid on for them, it makes them fat and lazy and complacent! We'll see if that makes them too heavy to accelerate on the running track events…".
The eight Marauders, as soon as they made atmosphere, dropped like stones for the surface – and remarkably enough managed to stay in tight formation until they pulled up to avoid crashing into the ground.
"Not a bad showing…" Valden Hez decided "Their pilots know how to get the best out of their Marauders, anyway…".
"We'll do well" one of the Judicator's own athletes aboard told Hez "I hear there's actual sporting medals awarded if you get a third, second, or first placing in an event – in any event! Not sure if there's some kind of commemorative certificate for being part of the winning team… but who knows, there might be…".
"I want to see how well those top-heavy lizards do at running…" a Black Ghost from the Dacon's contingent said "I think they'll not do so well. I think we'll do better".
The drop light went from red to green – and every vehicle shot down the aft ramps on their Marauders, the contact with the port road being rough but not badly so.
"Last one down!" came their detachment leader's voice "Keep in close behind me, that way local security's gotta clear us to the embassy as a block, no arguments, now move it!"
"A bit showy…" Captain Shursith decided "but not bad for our skinny unscaled opposition, I think. With us and the Peacekeepers here, along with the Luxans, that only leaves…?"
"Those greyskins" his first officer replied "We've not seen even an unmodified Host Vessel ourselves, sir – I don't know if you have. I'd suggest getting all sensors recording their ship's arrival regardless, though".
"We'll see if their cloaking shield is any better than the Ka'Hakk's, too" Shursith replied "Thanks to Lelthan, we now know what to look for – as a matter of fact, she stays on bridge duty until everyone's arrived and we make our own landing".
"We are arriving insystem at Talzenadar IV within the arn, Marshal Fen" the Showlon's captain said, watching his bridge officers closely "I do not know what preparations you need to make for the competitors… but you may wish to start now. Since you head the diplomatic representatives as well…".
"I will likely leave Commander Lintaii in charge there" Marshal Fen explained "At least as far as all matters pertaining to the Scarran celebrations are concerned. I like the idea of these sporting celebrations, however, so I will retain overall leadership of that matter. Security of both diplomatic and athletic personnel is in the hands of the Enforcers, although I expect the usual number of Night Watch will be present".
"You never like being left out of anything, I know that…" Captain Cal Paddan replied, smiling very thinly "You like to move around, to look and see… one might think that your skin was orange and not grey…", alluding to the colour of Kalish skin, since that species was well known as being unfailingly curious.
Marshal Fen just snorted and turned around before heading off the bridge, to the quarters assigned to diplomatic personnel.
A single warship of extremely non-standard design crept in behind the Showlon, its navigation officer making sure they stayed in the dead zone created by the exhaust flare where the likelihood of detection was least.
"The Showlon is entering Talzenadar IV system space…" a quiet Kalish voice called "We are following. We are staying hidden unless you give orders directing otherwise".
"Good…" a massive male stonewalker replied, sitting in the bridge's reinforced command chair while still in stone form "…good. Continue to do this. Watch and see and record all that happens concerning the Host Vessel Showlon – information received from A-teams stationed along the Nebari border suggests the possibility of friction between the professional soldiers and the political special forces on this particular ship – should this provide an opportunity to board and seize either valuable technical information or even the ship itself, we should be ready to do so. Tell Commander Rasmanak this is happening and ask him if he has further orders for us".
"None" came the reply, within five momens "Get us insystem far enough to drop our athletes but stay out of detection from the Showlon and the Vorlek. I don't know what those Irregulars have done in refitting their Fortress-class ship… but we'd best stay well outsystem to avoid detection from that as well. The original design documents suggested the use of the best and longest-ranged intelligence gathering sensors for both search and weapons control – so assume it has them" before he added "… and the first person making landfall on Tal IV is to enquire if our friend has made contact with the embassy yet. He missed his rendezvous with us".
"Athletes to board their Reapers…" a loud voice announced over the quarters' PA "Athletes to board their Reapers. Embarkation in ten momens. That will be all".
After his soft grinding rumble, the ship's captain called "Keep us at three-quarters insystem. We will stay here. If we need to resupply, I will send people outsystem to purchase what we need at the Riaanond markets".
"Additional anomalous readings outsystem, Captain Shursith" Lelthan called, startling her captain – who was dozing in his command chair "Much fainter than before, Captain. I only saw them because I knew what to look for and was looking in the right place at the right time".
"How many?" Captain Shursith replied, once he'd drank an entire mug of hot stimjuice without stopping "and where?"
"Three, Captain" Lelthan replied "Impossible to say, at this range, what class of vessel any of them are".
"Watch them" Shursith ordered "Be prepared for any weakness we can exploit in order to determine what kind of ships approach!"
"It is the Nebari delegation, captain?" Lelthan asked, and Captain Shursith nodded and replied "Any of us could tell that…it's fine detail that concerns me, namely being what did they send…".
"Energy readings on the edge of the system…" Hellbolt said less than half a momen after taking control from Captain Trannak "…consistent with Nebari warships running cloaked. Real faint… but I'd say we have at least one Host Vessel. If it was me sending those in… I'd say the two front ships would be Purifier-class… they're a bit bigger than Switchblades but a lot smaller than Reavers. Probably from the docking collars on the upper sides of the hull aft".
"Nice, though…" Harrigan decided "Your guys prefer goin' low-key, I take it…Peacekeepers brought a large battlegroup and didn't even bother hiding, Scarrans came in like they got nothing to hide, either – which considering we invited them, they don't. Only the Luxans tried to hide, and they ended up being so sharp they cut themselves".
It took a few momens before the Scarrans correctly interpreted Harrigan's humour, though they laughed when they did.
"Deep-scan, uncle grey sneaky friend?" Feltano asked Hellbolt, walking up beside his chair "Find ships? See ships? See inside ships?"
"I know what's in those, Feltano" Hellbolt told the young boy, making him smile "I used to be on one like the big one that's coming. We don't need a deep-scan… just a strong one. Enough to let them know they can't hide… and to really annoy their bad sneaky people, Feltano".
"Grey bad sneaky people wear black" Feltano replied "You tell us that before. They wear suit like auntie Liz friend. I seen those before".
"That's right" Hellbolt confirmed "I had to be sneaky to get the two I brought with me". Feltano smiled and rumbled before leaning against his friend briefly, then walking back to his father and telling him everything Hellbolt had said.
"Nice tight long-range scan, then" Harrigan decided "Light up the system, mister".
The Showlon's navigation officer threw off her headset and dived off her chair as the sound and visual overload from her systems hit full-force.
"Very high energy scan from way insystem!" she told Cal Paddan "Whoever scanned us knows we are here, beyond any shadow of a doubt".
"That will be this Cry Havoc our consulate reported as being here" the Captain explained to all his bridge officers "An exceptionally powerful ship, even for something made by Scarrans. Whatever ship the Scarran government sent, I believe it was the Cry Havoc which detected us".
"Knock, knock… ready or not… comin' to find you…" Harrigan called over their comm, his grinning face appearing on their screens "Congrats on a nice clean approach, all three of you… but I am seein' what you got right down the middle of your Host Vessel there, so your big boy's staying at midsystem while it's here".
"We are here by invitation" Captain Cal Paddan replied.
"An' nice house guests bring nibbles or beer, mister – not bombardment cannon" Harrigan replied "Scarrans gotta stay out at midsystem, and it's their public holiday… so you will too. Oh, your smaller ships can come close – but the Host Vessel stays at midsystem".
"Scan the midsystem space range" Cal Paddan told his political officer "Finding out where our political competitors are is as much your job as mine… so find out from your console and tell me what you see".
"Luxan assault carrier, Ka'Hakk…" came the reply "Peacekeeper carrier, unknown type, Judicator – staying close to the Luxans" before he paused to draw breath and add "Dreadnaught, pattern unknown, Vorlek – off to hammond, with support vessels I can't identify. Smaller number of independent-flagged ships appearing to be of Interion origin. Large number of ships nearly around the dark side, Zenetan clan idents".
"The Vorlek…" Cal Paddan grumbled "Well, well, well… if nothing else, that alone shows the Scarrans take these games seriously. Deploy two Purifiers with the athletes aboard…I don't know if that monstrosity named Cry Havoc can detect what we have docked on our collars, but my instincts say it can. Our remaining two Purifiers are to release their docking clamps and assume protective stations when the other two leave for the port and our consulate".
"With all this political testing going on before we even land, captain…" the political officer replied "I will call our consulate and ask them to have forces standing by at whatever blast pits we are assigned. It must be shown to all that we consider the lives of our people worth protecting".
"That I do agree with" Cal Paddan replied "Get it done now, and once you have then make sure every athlete – and I do mean every athlete – is ready for immediate debarkation to Talzenadar IV".
Captain Shursith laughed loudly when Lelthan detected the scan the Irregulars used to find the Nebari ships.
"Hah!" he said, rumbling loudly and happily "That on its own makes up for being forced to stay at midsystem markers! Just knowing how humiliated that greyskin captain's going to be at being found so easily! Did you record the sensor return?"
"I did, Captain" Lelthan confirmed "Very clear, very detailed. Full sensor cross-section profiling on both the large vessel in the middle and the two smaller ones either side and forward. The best attempt I can make at what both ship types may be armed with. Locations are marked where I suspect the flight deck entry and exit points are. Four more points on the aft half of the larger ship are marked also, although I do not know what they are".
Shursith debated whether to reveal the purpose of those, eventually deciding to tell everyone anyway.
"Docking collars" he explained "Most likely a unique design only used by those smaller ships, or by smaller Nebari military craft in general. Four ships, same type as the smaller ones we see now keeping formation with the Host Vessel, each with their own docking collar on the hull of the Host Vessel".
He let his bridge officers talk about this new development, leaning back in his command chair for a few momens before deciding "Let me know when the Nebari send something down to Tal IV. Get our athletes ready to deploy to Tal IV… but don't launch until after the Nebari pass our position" and passing his plan on to the Emperor for approval.
"Do it" Staleek replied immediately "Secretary Graffak is preparing my own delegation for flight down to Talzenadar IV as we speak… so this gives him more time to prepare. Since we have a few momens in hand… I will come to the bridge".
When Staleek arrived, he waited for the guard at the base of the bridge entry tunnel to call "EMPEROR ON DECK!" before entering.
"As you were" Staleek called "Unlike our smooth-skinned opposition, we authorised seats on the bridge of our dreadnaughts because we expect you to sit in them to perform your duties – which you can't do if you're complaining about your feet after standing for a ten-arn duty shift".
"Lieutenant Second Rank Lelthan is to be commended…" Staleek announced "…for detecting the Luxan vessel Ka'Hakk before they knew this could be done. A proper presentation will be made in the embassy at the welcoming banquet… so you have until then, Lieutenant Lelthan, to find yourself a partner should you want one, and to make sure your dress uniform and medals are at an acceptable standard for a diplomatic event".
"I thank you for the commendation, Emperor" Lelthan replied, bowing briefly before saluting in the Scarran manner "More so for taking the time and effort to acknowledge my efforts before diplomatic staff of other species".
"Get ready" Staleek repeated "When you are ready, report to Secretary Graffak – he will assign you to a ship, which will take you and others to Talzenadar IV. The Proconsul will despatch vehicles to take everyone to secure accomodation inside the embassy" before waving for her to leave the bridge.
"Nebari have just launched two of those Purifiers you told us about, Hellbolt" Harrigan said "That's what it looks like to me, anyway. Looks like the Vorlek's waited and launched its own ships once the Nebari passed by. No Switchblades, but about half a dozen mark-2 Strykers".
"I see ten" Hellbolt clarified "Mostly athletes, I expect… but a few diplomatic or intelligence staff going down to talk to the proconsul as well, I'm sure".
"Reapers moving up alongside" one of the Stryker pilots called over his comm to the Vorlek "Are they ours, or are they local?"
"Reapers aren't approved for export" came Captain Shursith's reply "I'd say these are Sholphauran. Special Forces. A-teams. They're expected. The only Reapers we have were brought aboard by the Ministry, and they left as soon as we arrived insystem".
"Noted" came the lead pilot's reply, after which he passed that on to his other pilots.
"Nebari small capital craft…" one Sholphauran called over open comm "…have launched small craft from their flight decks to escort them into atmosphere. These are a known design identified as Cyclone".
The lead Scarran pilot watched, then grinned, before calling back to Graffak.
"Do it, but don't be too reckless – remember, the Emperor is with us" Graffak decided.
"Swarm them…" the lead pilot told his own pilots and the Sholphaurans "Sweep around both sides, close to the hull of that larger ship, then fly ahead for a kilometra or two before proceeding to our sector of the port and landing in good order. Sholphaurans, you take lead – my Strykers will follow".
A double-click was all the acknowledgement received – but the Sholphaurans' Reapers shot out in front, staying in the Purifiers' engine wake, until splitting into multiple groups and going around both sides of the upper hull and right under the lower hull.
"Follow them in!" the lead pilot called, grinning "This will likely be the only chance we get outside of full-scale war to get this close to one of those ships – so I want pictures for when we get back! A hundred crindars for anyone who gets detailed images of their flight deck… and two hundred extra for the best one!"
"Scarran pilots have appeared aft of us, Captain…" the political officer aboard the Purifier announced, before almost screaming "…and they have just increased speed! Should we arm our close-in defences?"
"Now?" came the reply "No. They're already well past us anyway, and they flew too close to the hull for the turrets to track them easily – and they knew that, I expect".
"What are those odd disc-shaped craft?" the political officer asked "I have not heard of that design before. Have you?"
"No" the captain replied, shaking her head "Sensors have recorded their appearance, so you can always pass on what we have to your superiors. Despite their reckless action, I am sure someone in the Night Watch will be interested to see those craft – perhaps one might even be able to identify them".
Once the laughter from the Vorlek's pilots subsided, their leader called "That was fun, that was! Anyone get good images?"
"Hull, rear to front" the leader's wingman announced "Nice an' clear. Looks like a fairly clear shot from the tail turret showing most of the bridge as well – I can certainly see some fekkik in a black suit staring at us".
Other pilots reported hull images, one or two reporting flight deck shots of unclear detail, with their most recent transfer actually reporting "Three shots, inside the flight deck, front and rear – that's why I was trailing a bit for a microt, sir. Tail cam got a real nice pic of two craft I've never seen before – now I look again, they turned up on front cam as well".
"Send me copies!" flight lead ordered – after five microts, he called "Send those pictures to the Emperor and to the Vorlek as well" in a much more firm tone of voice, after which he called "Not sure where you Sholphaurans are landing – but come in with us if the Scarran sector of the port suits you".
"We will land at the Scarran sector of the port" the Sholphauran lead pilot confirmed "We will need blast pits right in the centre of our port sector to maintain proper security over these new craft. We will deploy our own guards to supplement the sector guards, after which our athletes will accompany your own to the embassy".
"Look, father!" Devin called, almost shrieking in excitement as the pair of them returned from a repair commission "Smaller craft landing – at the Hierarchy's sector of the port! Mark-2 Strykers and some other new ship I have not seen before!"
"They are very interesting" Feltano Duleno agreed, nodding "I saw an emblem on one of those odd disc-shaped craft – did you see it?"
"I saw it, father!" Devin agreed happily, jumping up and down "Can we tell our friends on the Cry Havoc?! Maybe they will know what these ships are or what that emblem means!"
"After we are clean" Feltano decided, smiling at his son "then you can comm your friends in orbit. Call Trannak's private comm, Devin – not the main comm desk. They will need that to manage business related to these odd events scheduled for Founders' Day".
"Greetings, Devin…" Trannak answered when he heard Devin's excitable voice "We have seen a lot of new spacecraft up here over the past day. What have you been doing?"
Devin told Trannak about the repair commission, especially the part he got to do himself, before mentioning the new craft and the emblem – Juroch rumbled as softly as his change let him, before asking a few questions about it of his own.
"That is a Sholphauran emblem, Devin" Juroch explained "One from my home planet. That emblem should mean people from the A-team I was in are present, possibly even Commander Rasmanak himself. I do not know what kind of craft those are, however"..
Juroch smiled when Devin asked the questions he expected about his skin being green, rumbling softly and telling him "I expect I will come to the surface soon, Devin – if we have time to come and see the shop, I will talk to you and your family then".
Devin passed Juroch's plan to his father and mother as soon as he got back inside the shop – there were a number of customers there, of several species, who all watched and laughed a little when Devin's mother ordered him off to the refreshers along with his father. He had far too much energy to sit down and rest, so he joined his mother in the shop and took currency and made change for every customer he could until his father called him back to the dwelling lounge to study.
Juroch did simple exercises and, later in the day, the more basic movement forms of his art – and Amara and Feltano were ecstatic when he let them stay and watch.
"Your father is my captain…" he told them "and your mother is Kalish… and you, children, both learn well when Keyah and I teach you our art. So you can watch".
"Sherenka wants to learn, uncle Juroch" Feltano said "She said so when papa took us to the forest in the PTR for training. She said it was clever sneaky fighting and she wanted to learn".
Juroch made sure Feltano explained everything about why Sherenka would ask, and when he heard he smiled and rumbled before deciding "I will see, Feltano… I will think and I will talk to both your auntie Keyah and Urana… and then Keyah and I will decide. For now, Feltano, you need to practice… you and your sister… not Sherenka. The special exercises I know you and Amara have seen me do".
Feltano and Amara both smiled and bowed, after which each of them went through the patterns they knew – even though Amara knew more than Feltano did, he watched and smiled and rumbled approval often.
"He is not here" one of the Sholphaurans told Commander Rasmanak "We know why, though. His passenger liner was unavoidably delayed for replacement of unsafe foods".
"ETA?" Rasmanak asked, and the same Sholphauran as before said "Tomorrow evening, sir, as long as no further delays are encountered".
"Comm Secretary Graffak and tell him what you told me" Rasmanak decided "I need all you lot out training – embassy guards can do the night patrol. Maybe they'll learn something".
"At least we know something" Staleek said when Graffak told him what he'd just heard "Namely that whatever happened to the ship, he'll be here on time".
"Yes, Emperor" Graffak agreed "Master Odass doesn't usually like travelling with a retinue, or even bodyguards… but the Sholphaurans, being the kind of people they are, will probably watch him and protect him".
"They're strange, all of them…" Staleek decided, thinking aloud "but they're our strange people. Is everyone from special forces' worlds like that – or just them?"
"I don't know, Emperor" Graffak admitted "Before coming here aboard the Vorlek I had never even met one Sholphauran. I certainly don't know how many worlds fall under the domain of Special Forces – even less where they are".
"Interesting that these events are being held…" one Kalish told another on Kalian, well hidden from the outside world "…but it does reveal why a number of operatives reported that the Emperor and a select group of others left Scarras Prime".
"Will we be able to use this to advance our own cause?" came the predictable response, though the older of the two said "If we had heard about it sooner… maybe. For now, it does mean we should be able to obtain certain supplies from sources on Scarras Prime rather than from elsewhere".
"Perhaps our ally of convenience may be able to assist us?" another Kalish suggested "They were amenable to assist in transporting Reganto Retti to his meeting point – and they even saw to his medical care when he was injured reaching them". The older Kalish wondered about that – did they think to scan him? Do they have anyone skilled in even the theory of bioloid augmentation? Would any of their medical personnel be able to replicate what they saw, assuming they understood Reganto's augmentations at all?
After a few momens, she put such worries behind her, but decided to send a message to Talzenadar IV to put operatives there on increased readiness.
