Space Trader (Galactic Axia Adventure) (11 page)

These people are no threat
, he thought.
Just the way I like it.

Chapter Nine

Delmar Eagleman sat in his cabin staring at the screen of his personal computer. Although able to interconnect, this unit was kept separate from the ship’s main computer to allow the ship captain a certain degree of privacy. Even though he was still a student, technically he was captain of this particular training vessel. Only a direct order by a board of inquiry could breech this protocol and make anything on his personal computer public.

The last few days of this particular training mission had been a trial in the extreme. Quite unlike previous passengers, Ace Vmac, the instructor aboard, seemed to delight in making any situation particularly rough for the prospective captain. Delmar found himself longing for those early training scenarios in simulators and his classroom. This advanced training pushed him to the limits of his endurance.

His first advanced trips had been mainly transport work ferrying this person or that person to far-flung planets. Always eager to get wherever he was going as fast as possible, it had taken discipline to rein himself in a little. Although it seemed slow to Delmar, his passengers were delighted with the rapid transit time between the outlaying planets.

Then came a stint helping map one of the recently reopened dark areas on the Axia star charts. Though not among the contact teams reconnecting lost worlds with the Axia, Delmar found the work enticing. Each world he helped map was like a jewel floating in space. He wanted to just reach out and touch them.

Combat training was next. Rather than the usual gunnery range, this training involved working in concert with other ships. It amazed him how different some of the ships of the line appeared. Those not needing to ground were small moving planetoids in themselves that dwarfed even the heavy fleet cruisers. Down near the bottom in size were the scouts. Although all the ships could attain similar speeds, it was what they did with it that mattered.

And elite among the scouts were the new Fast Attack Recon ships. Delmar learned that there were actually several hundred of these in service even though they seemed so few compared with the bulk of the fleets. New speed tactics were underway to take full advantage of the FAR ships to get in and get out of situations fast.

But speed wasn’t the only thing Delmar had to master. Stealth was just as important, if not more. He learned how to hide from searching sensors. He learned subtle tricks from Ace Vmac and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Soon he was able to sneak through sensor screens by barely drifting along rather than using speed.

And now here he sat with Ace Vmac as his monitor. At first, the trooper-first seemed amiable enough but that soon ended. Instead of a pleasant passenger and fellow captain, Ace grew into a colossal irritant. Nothing he did was right, and Ace was never satisfied. Delmar began to loath the moment the man stepped into the main cabin.

With a start, Delmar realized his screen had gone blank. Looking at the time monitor in the corner, he was surprised to see it had been blank several minutes even though he had been staring at it, lost in thought. Reaching for the keyboard, Delmar had to suppress a yelp of joy when a familiar font appeared on the screen.

HI, DELMAR.

HI BACK, YOU BUNCH OF TRANSISTORS!

YOU DON’T HAVE TO INSULT ME TO SHOW YOUR AFFECTION, Ert shot back just as quickly. WHAT I HAVE INSIDE RESEMBLES A TRANSISTOR ABOUT AS MUCH AS YOU RESEMBLE A BRAMBLE BUSH.

Delmar laughed at Ert’s analysis of his own physicality. “Voice response,” Delmar spoke into the air. “Is that better? Can you hear me?”

“Perfectly,” Ert answered.

“So, what’s up?”

“I decided to sneak out of the institute’s play pen of a security net and check up on my friend.”

“You’re not going to be in trouble with the professor, are you?”

“I don’t think that’s any more possible,” the ancient computer replied. “I think he rather likes having me explore. His only concern is that my antics get him into trouble.”

“I’m glad to hear that you two are getting along,” Delmar laughed. “I was beginning to miss you.”

“Yes, it does appear that you are on a rather boring mission,” Ert said. “But it must have a purpose, even though it is not obvious to you.”

“How do you know what I’m doing?”

“I have my ways.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” Delmar said.

“Shoot.”

“All of this mapping I’m doing has gotten me to thinking. Are we alone out here?”

“You already know the answer to that,” Ert replied with what seemed like a chortle.

“I mean besides the obvious,” Delmar shot back. “Besides the Red-tails, and the Horicon, and of course, humanity.”

“There are countless different species and life-forms scattered across the cosmos, all created by the Unseen One,” Ert answered.

Delmar paused a moment. “Ert? Do you believe in the Unseen One?”

“Of course,” answered the computer.

“Why?”

“The answer is obvious,” Ert replied. “Life is too complicated to happen by chance.”

Delmar pondered Ert’s reply. How could a computer be in tune with the complications of life?

“Nature itself attests to a divine creator,” Ert continued. “Even the sacred books declare that only a fool denies the existence of a supreme being—a universal consciousness.”

“How do you know that?”

“The Horicon believed in the Eternal Spirit many thousands of generations before humans made their presence known in the universe,” Ert answered. “Besides, I have a full database of all known sacred writings. And although they vary from culture to culture, one universal truth is clearly established.”

“And what is that?”

“That one creator created the universe and everything it holds,” Ert answered. “All life, regardless of its simplicity or complexity is by design.”

“And the Red-tails?”

“The Red-tails too,” Ert answered. “The Unseen One creates life, but good and evil are conscious choices.”

“But I thought...”

Ert cut him off. “Don’t think. Believe!”

Again, Delmar stopped to ponder Ert’s outlook on the complications of life.

“So what does the professor have you doing?” Delmar asked, diving for a more comfortable subject. The thought of a computer, even a living one, believing in an unseen creator was a bit too much for him to wrap his tired mind around.

Maybe I should get Ert and Jake Sender together and let them pick each other’s brains,
Delmar thought.

“Not much,” Ert answered. “Mainly tests of my abilities.”

“Sounds boring, kind of like what I’m doing.”

“You are correct, my friend,” Ert laughed. Delmar wasn’t aware the Horicon computer could laugh.

“How do you keep from going crazy?” Delmar asked.

“By doing consciously what you humans can only do on an unconscious level—delegate only part of myself to the task.”

“Leaving the rest of you to do what you want,” Delmar continued Ert’s reply.

“Correct again.”

“Well, I better hit the sack,” Delmar said. “I’m sure Ace has plans for me.”

“Don’t take him too seriously,” Ert advised. “I suspect there is a bigger purpose to these exercises.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Delmar agreed. “In any case, I better sign off and get some shut-eye.”

“Believe it or not, I envy you,” Ert said. “Even in standby mode, I am never really asleep like an organic being. Sometimes it gets rather boring.”

“You got me there, my friend,” Delmar replied. “Good night.”

“Good night, Delmar, I’ll contact you more often. Let’s stay in touch.”

∞∞∞

Ian looked around the office he had been brought to while his host was detained somewhere else. He looked at the different artifacts on display and found himself evaluating each for its potential worth on the trader’s net. Although he was not able to identify a few of the items, he could still attach some value based upon their oddity.

The opening of the office door interrupted his inspection. Ian turned from his strictly visual examination of an odd-shaped glass object on a shelf just as an older man strode into the room. Someone in the hall outside reached in and shut the door, leaving the two men alone.

“I see you’re curious about my collection,” the man said. His demeanor was warm and friendly. “I’m Cap Embrel, provost for this region,” he added, extending his hand.

“Glad to meet you, sir,” Ian replied, shaking hands. “Ian Cahill.”

He stared firmly into the eyes of the man, taking his measure in a glance. Ian judged by the gray around his temples that Cap was well into his fifties and clearly a man who was comfortable with responsibility.
He’s probably an excellent negotiator as well,
thought Ian.

Cap released his own firm grip and motioned for Ian to sit down while he stepped over to a small wet bar in the corner. Glancing at his guest, Cap raised his eyebrows.

“Tea, please,” Ian said in response.

The man busied himself while Ian sat down in one of the easy chairs surrounding a simple coffee table. Cap soon crossed the room carrying a tray with a small hot pot and two cups on it. From the way he handled it, he was not used to doing it this way. Ian suspected this indicated that someone else normally made the tea and waited on Mr. Embrel. Either that or ‘Cap’ as he preferred to be called, usually just made a single cup of tea without the fanfare of teapots and trays. Setting it down on the table between the two chairs, Cap poured the water and then sat down.

Taking his cup, Ian sniffed and noted that it had a rather strong, sharp aroma to it. He added what it told him to the mental picture he was forming of his host. That the tea the man preferred was of a strong nature bespoke of someone who had an active mind and liked to stay sharp.

Everything is a negotiation,
Ian thought. At least that had been the general pattern he’d observed in his travels. Carefully, he took a sip. As was indicated by its aroma, the tea was both strong and sharp, perfect for clearing one’s head in the morning. Ian smiled and nodded toward his host.

“Ah... you like it then?” Cap said as he took a sip from his own cup.

“We have similar teas where I come from.”

“And where might that be?” Cap said, shifting smoothly into the questions he wanted answered. Ian was impressed with the transition.

“Most recently the planet Urun,” Ian answered, stating his last port of call. He decided to hold off on stating his home port for now. Revealing that later may or may not prove useful.

“Never heard of it,” Cap replied honestly. “But I can’t say that I have done much traveling myself. Where is it located?”

“It’s in the Scarpitti sector,” Ian replied quickly, substituting the older name for the one currently in use. The change had taken place a couple hundred years ago when the Axia had reestablished a base in the sector. Once again, his knowledge of history had worked in his favor.

“Oh, I know where you mean,” Cap said enthusiastically. “Although I will admit that galactic cartography isn’t one of my strong points.”

“There have been a few changes in recent years,” Ian admitted. He decided to take a stab in this verbal fencing match. “I take it from your comment that your planet has been isolated for some time.”

“That is correct,” Cap answered honestly. The forthrightness of his answer earned Cap points in Ian’s estimation. “It’s been quite a while since we last entertained a visitor. We gave him a rather different welcome, I should say.”

“Dare I ask?” Ian asked, clearly curious.

“Since you are obviously from Galactic Axia, then you are well aware of the Red-tails.”

“Personally,” Ian affirmed, unconsciously stroking the scar on his neck.

“The last ship that came our way was a lone Red-tail scout,” Cap continued. “He was headed directly toward our planet, obviously unaware we were here.”

“So what did you do?” Ian asked. He would inquire about hiding of the planet later.

“As soon as he traversed the barrier, it disabled his ship completely, including communications,” Cap continued. “Since he was clearly a Red-tail, we decided to let nature take its course.”

“Did any wreckage reach the ground after he burned?” Ian asked, remembering his own recent experience.

“Not much,” Cap said. “In fact, that piece of glass you were examining was the melted remains of his forward viewport.”

He took another sip of tea and watched Ian’s reaction. Ian did likewise while he pondered this bit of information. Before he could say anything, there was a knock at the door. A young man in uniform stuck his head inside.

“Come on in, Lyyle!” Cap said enthusiastically as he stood up. Ian also stood. “I want you to meet our guest.”

Lyyle entered the rest of the way, shutting the door behind him. Cap made the introductions. Lyyle dragged over another chair and they sat back down.

“So, you’re the one that was throwing rocks at us!” Lyyle declared. “Pretty neat trick. The last ship that came by blundered straight in and was burned up before he hit.”

“Cap was just telling me about it,” Ian said. “I’m glad I received a kinder reception.”

“Well, anyone who can disable missiles and then skip stones to find the atmosphere, we just had to meet,” Lyyle came back. “So we decided to draw you within reach of our tractor rays and bring you down intact.”

“The curiosity was mutual,” Ian admitted. “Anyone who can hide an entire planet is someone I want on my side.”

“I expect you’re a bit curious about that,” Cap said, looking sidelong at Ian. The trader suspected he was being sized up on whether he could be trusted or not. He hoped he passed muster.

“You could say that,” Ian replied carefully. “It is an admirable feat.”

For the space of an eye blink, there was a pause and then Cap, after glancing at Lyyle spoke, “Since you asked, we might as well show you.”

∞∞∞

Ian watched from an observation center while long-range sensors tracked an incoming asteroid of several hundred tons. He had been invited by Lyyle to observe a demonstration of their tractor rays.