SWEET HOME ALLE BAMMA (SOLBIDYUM WARS SAGA) (9 page)

“I see,” said Senator Tonclin thoughtfully.  He sat back in his chair to contemplate the implications of an organization like the FSO that is operating at such a broad scale without initial sanction by the Federation’s governing body.  “And what is it exactly that you expect from me?”

“First and foremost, we ask that you feign ignorance of what we are doing; secondly, that you assist by providing a minimum of ten loyal natives of Nibaria to be trained as operatives and agents of the FSO and that you keep secret your knowledge of the agents you provide us.  Lastly – and this will surely be the most difficult request we make of you – that you provide us with any information you may glean from your duties that indicates any Senate member’s awareness of the FSO and its activities.”

Senator Tonclin’s growing concern was becoming apparent.  “Please allow me to paraphrase your request for my own clarification.  What you are requesting of me is that I act as an undercover agent within the Senate
– the Senate of which I am a sworn member and within which I have avowed to uphold the Federation constitution?”

“In a word, yes, Senator Tonclin, but not in any way that violates your pledge or any Federation law.  We don’t expect you to lie, but we would ask that you not volunteer information
or do anything that would alert the Senate to the existence or actions of the FSO or to your participation in our operations.  We fully intend to operate within the laws and regulations of the constitution.”

Senator Tonclin made a humming sound and stared at the table for some moments before replying.  The admiral and I fully understood the magnitude of our request to the senator and we waited silently while he deliberated the situation.  At last he said, “I can certainly see the need for what you say, and in all honesty I can see how taking rapid
preemptive action against the Brotherhood and our enemies can thwart their advancement before they have a chance to execute their malevolent plans.  However, I do have concerns for the legal rights of our citizens and their private lives.”

“Senator, I fully understand and appreciate your apprehensions.  On my home planet, Earth, a parallel situation resulted when similar organizations were formed to combat a growing problem with some very dangerous bands of insurgents and, frankly, we were not able to find a clear and easy solution to the controversy.  The legality of many methods used by the investigative body created in my homeland have required the scrutiny of the Supreme Court, the equivalent of the FLRB.  In order for such an organization to be effective, the FSO will have to walk on the edge of legality at times; but I assure you that we will make every effort to stay within the rules of the Federation’s constitution
, in spite of the fact that the organization is by nature not able to exercise the transparency expected of other agencies.  Ultimately, the plan of action for the FSO consists of direct and conscionable efforts to preserve the freedom and prosperity of all good and moral citizens within the Federation.”

The senator sat quietly again before voicing his decision.  “Honored First Citizen,
if anyone else presented me with this request, I would not hesitate to decline immediately.”  The usual melodic timbre in Senator Tonclin’s voice had been replaced by a more monotone quality that left me unsure of his position on the matter.  “However, I know the virtue of what you have done for the Federation thus far and the extent of your sacrifice for the good of the alliance of our peoples; and I understand the urgency and need for this sort of action and the gravity the overall situation.  Hence…,” Senator Tonclin paused, knowing that his next words carried a commitment that could not be undone, “I will agree.”

Beside me I heard a deep exhale come from the admiral
.  He had been anxiously holding his breath in hopes of the senator’s assent.

“I will see what I can do about providing you with ten individuals that would be willing to join your FSO and that I believe will be loyal to and suitable for your needs,” the senator added.

It was at this point that Kala’s assistant, who was supposed to be conducting the tour with Chanina, burst into the dining room and directed herself immediately to Kala.  The absence of Chanina was blatantly obvious.  “Lieutenant Commander,” the assistant began nervously.  “I fear that Chanina is lost someplace on the ship.  I was showing her the waterfall in the starboard atrium and when I turned around she was gone.  I have alerted the crew.  They are combing the ship and scanning all vid com screens to locate her.  I am so sorry,” she said, looking back and forth from Kala to the senator as she wrung her hands.”

“Can you tell me what you were looking at just before you went into the atrium?” I asked.

“I had just shown her the entertainment lounge in that section.”

“By any chance do you happen to have a version of a vid game called
Drizen Ride
among the available diversions in this lounge?” Senator Tonclin asked.

“Why, yes sir, we do
. Chanina was most excited when she saw it.”

“I fear that she probably ran back there to play that silly game.  The child is totally addicted to it.  In fact, that was one of my reasons for bringing her on this trip – to get her away from that game for a day or two.  Please do not worry; her disappearance is not your fault,” the senator said looking at Kala’s aide.  “If you return to the entertainment lounge, you will probably find her sitting at the game, oblivious to how long she has been there.”

Just as the senator finished speaking, one the crew came into the dining room with an obviously embarrassed Chanina in tow.

“Where did you find her?” asked Senator Tonclin calmly, as he cast Chanina a scolding glance.

“Actually, Senator, she showed up at the bridge and advised that she had gotten lost.  How she found her way there from the aft entertainment room I will never know.  It’s a rather complicated path.”

The senator stared at his daughter as she replied, “I didn’t find my way, father.  The little man showed me the way.”

“Little man?” asked Captain Stonbersa in a puzzled and concerned tone, “What little man?  What did he look like?”

“Well he was shorter than me… and he walked kind of funny, like he was rocking when he walked… and he had a funny back, like he had a pillow under his shirt.”

“Chanina!  What have you been told about speaking of people’s physical appearance?” the senator said in a chastising voice.

“Well he
did
father, and the captain asked what he looked like!” Chanina fumed.

“We have no one on the ship that looks like that – not to my knowledge anyway.  Everyone on the ship should be taller than you are, Chanina,”
said the captain.

“Well
, he was shorter than me,” Chanina insisted.  “I was crying when I couldn’t find my way back.  Suddenly he was there and asked me what was wrong… and I said I was lost… and he said he would help… and he took me to the bridge.”

Captain Stonbersa turned to the crewman who brought Chanina to the dining room and said, “Did you see this individual?”

“No, sir.  We were all occupied at our stations when she just sort of appeared on the bridge.  None of us saw her arrive and when we
did
notice her, she was alone.”

“See if you can find out who this person is!” ordered the captain and then he turned to me.

“This is most strange, Tibby.  Just last week one of the crew was checking some circuits in the vacant quarters area on the aft end of the ship and he swore that he saw a little man of a similar description in one of the unused crew mess areas.  The crewman reported that this individual simply disappeared and he was unable to find him anywhere in the area.  At first we thought he might have seen another crew member and that from his vantage point the person just appeared to be short and deformed; but now we have this corroborating report.  I must say, it sounds like we have a stowaway onboard.”

The evidence certainly supported the idea of a stowaway.  The
NEW ORLEANS
crew was placed on security alert and every crew and service staff member joined Marranalis and the security team to search for this elusive individual, but the search was fruitless.  No one was seen in the vacant areas of the ship that shouldn’t have been there.  At the same time, no one that was questioned admitted to having helped Chanina find her way to the bridge either.  Captain Stonbersa was most perplexed by this mystery and ordered all monitors in the ship activated.  Many of the security monitors in the unused areas of the ship had been deactivated until this strange turn of events.  Even after a diligent review, no one that was not part of the ship’s known complement showed on any of these monitors.

The senator and his daughter spent the night on the ship and departed early the next morning.  Shortly after, Cantolla announced that she was able to implement some small improvements to the solbidyum reactor unit after reviewing the plans that Lunnie had left behind and the original designs found in the
TRITYTE
archives.  The new unit configuration was better suited for planetary power distribution and would allow the tremendous energy created in the reactors to be managed with complete efficiency, which meant power would be generated without leakage or dissipation and without the risk of overload on any element of the existing power grid.  She and her team had already constructed two units, which were ready to be put into service.

I never ceased to marvel at the speed with which it was possible to manufacture items in the Federation territories.  The Federation technology had produced robotic equipment and machinery capable of manufacturing raw goods into finished products within minutes or hours, where on Earth the same processes would have taken much longer.  The solbidyum reactors, for instance, would have taken
two weeks or more to manufacture on Earth; whereas the technologically advanced equipment of the Federation required only that the design was uploaded into the computer while the raw materials were supplied to the mechanized factory.  After these initial provisions were made, the computer calculated the most efficient way to use the materials and complete the assembly.  As one part of the factory cut and formed materials according to a template, another area assembled and installed electronic components.  Observing these wondrous machines as they manufactured the solbidyum reactors was almost like watching time-lapse photography.

While the installation of the solbidyum reactor was taking place, I met with the new recruits for the FSO.  When dining with Admiral Regeny, Captain Stonbersa and Kala earlier that morning, I was approached by Major Sokaia, who had confronted Marranalis the day before.  “Vice Admiral Renwalt,” she said snapping to attention before me, “I wish to make an apology for my comments and actions of yesterday.  I was totally out of line.”  Admiral Regeny was seated across the small table from me with his back to the
major, and I noted a smirk on his face as the major made her apology.

“I see.  Tell me
, Major,” I began, “were you ordered to give this apology or did you come to this decision on your own?”

I could see the
major redden and clearly become distressed by my question as Admiral Regeny raised an eyebrow and looked at me in surprise.

“Ah, actually, both sir,” the
major stammered.  “Admiral Regeny did order me to apologize to both you and Lieutenant Marranalis.  I had been off planet when the uprising took place and was unaware of the recent events that culminated in the honorary titles you received.  After Admiral Regeny related to me all that had transpired and the valor you demonstrated on behalf of the Federation, I genuinely regretted my comments and actions.  I assure you, sir, that I have the highest respect for you and your staff for what you’ve done and I will not make this mistake again, sir.”

“Have you made your apology to Lieutenant Marranalis already?”

“No, sir.  I plan to do so as soon as I leave here.”

“Well
, when you do apologize to Marranalis, tell him I said he is to make you his assistant.  This means you will need to receive extra training from him; and though it will be more work for you, I think it will pay off in the long run.”

“Yes, sir
.  Will that be all, sir?”             

“Yes, Major
.  You’re dismissed.”  The major turned briskly and departed, still showing bright crimson on her cheeks.

“Tibby, I’m glad you weren’t my senior officer when I was in the ranks,” the admiral chuckled.  “Major Sokaia is actually one of our best troopers – a real go
-getter and a dedicated officer.  I like the way you handled her.  I think her abilities and aptitude will surprise you as she moves through the training.”

“I’m counting on it, Admiral.  I just hope that I will be equally surp
rised with the trainees for the FSO.  Speaking of the FSO, I need to get to the conference room to meet with them and begin their first training session, if you will excuse me.”

To say that the Federation was clueless when it came to spying would be a lie; but for all their advanced technology they were not very sophisticated about their operations.  Their methods were crude and awkward at best; and anyone with an ounce of paranoia would be quick to spot a Federation agent
investigating or spying on them.  The group that had been selected for the first candidates as FSO officers consisted of mostly humans and only about a dozen non-human species.  One of the non-human recruits in particular caught my attention; he was a chameleon, of sorts, who could mimic the textures, patterns and colors of his surroundings on his skin in much the same way that some of Earth’s aquatic cephalopods did.  I could see where this individual might be an immense benefit on spy missions.  Another non-human species was nocturnal and had to wear dark goggles during his training, as light levels for humans were painfully bright for him.  Once again, I could see strong potential for him as an agent.