Post by Lorpius Prime on Dec 2, 2010 22:51:41 GMT -5
Lee Xi Feng tugged at the ends of her shirt, trying once more in vain to get the dress uniform both comfortable and straight.
"And you're sure you want to do this?" a man's voice asked.
"Commander?" Xi Feng gave up on the shirt and turned to Hiram Wade. Her XO was sitting at the briefing room table, going through reports on his PDA.
He looked up. "This meeting," he waved the PDA a little, "you really want to go?"
"And why shouldn't I?"
Wade raised an eyebrow, "Because you can't stand the Bats. You're still pissed that Caracas is making us bring the spy along."
Xi Feng wrinkled her nose, "I have nothing but respect for the OES' allies."
"Right." Wade held up his hands, "I'm on your side, Commodore. I'd lock the weasel up myself if I could. Anyway, it's all going to be politics, and I know you hate that, too."
Xi Feng didn't answer him. The honest truth was that he was right, Xi Feng would despise a meeting like this. Ordinarily. But lately she had been feeling antsy. There was nothing serious to worry about with the Task Force now that turnover was behind them and Uranus still far ahead. And with no internet access to speak of at this range from Earth, there was precious little in the way of entertainment to fill the downtime. Even the Task Force's abundant supply of stored media was a poor substitute. So at the moment, even a political meeting with Bat representatives sounded interesting. At least it would get Xi Feng off the ship for a bit.
Someone knocked on open briefing room hatch. Xi Feng turned to see Colleen Muyskens pulling herself through.
"Sorry, Commodore," the flag lieutenant said, wiping the corner of her mouth with her hand. "Had to use the head."
Xi Feng exchanged a quick glance with Commander Wade.
"All right, Lieutenant?" she asked.
"Yes, sir," Muyskens' salute was brisk enough. XI Feng decided to leave it alone.
"Let's find the shuttle, then."
Almost two hours later, Xi Feng walked onboard the Bat ship with Muyskens, Lieutenant Commander Donaldson, Ambassador Molinas, Ambassador Rokden and his aide, and the Bat Hyong Yaheek. The Bat ship was smaller than the types with which Xi Feng was familiar; the Bats had called it a yacht. It did still have the vaguely phallic shape common to all of the Bats' sublight vessels, and which was the subject of much snickering among Earth Fleet spacers.
Docking went quickly. Since the first awkward meeting between Bat and Human ships, the Bats had developed dynamic seals which could adapt to the docking ports used by nearly any Human vessel within seconds. Docking with a Bat ship was easier than docking with another Human ship, even if the equipment had been designed to work together from the start. It was one of those small conveniences of the Bats' advanced technologies which Xi Feng envied.
Three Bats were waiting for them in the vestibule compartment. The air was warm, but not uncomfortably so, just on the upper end of what a Human would consider room temperature. The gravity was lower than Earth standard, but still significantly higher than Task Force One's acceleration. The floor consisted of some sort of coarse, rubbery substance, it had a similar texture to gravel, just softer and non-shifting. The astronauts who'd boarded the first Bat ship to contact Earth had described it as all smooth, hard surfaces; Xi Feng would have to ponder the difference later.
The Bat in the center of the little trio was wearing a black and gold checkered beret, indicating a position of some authority. The other two wore the black hat of an ordinary civilian, and a copper beret one that Xi Feng had not seen before. The center Bat stepped forward and began speaking to the new arrivals—not in English, but in the Bats' own hissing language.
After a couple of seconds, the disembodied voice of a computer translator began to interpret:
"Welcome, honored guests," it said. "I am Ixyagura, Lieutenant Governor of the Republican colony in this system."
For simultaneous translation, it was remarkably easy to hear. Xi Feng guessed that something was also suppressing the sound of Ixyagura's voice.
The Bat continued, "Please allow me to introduce my companions. This is Kingochyee; he is a political advisor to Governor Shyankyang." The Bat in the plain black beret on the Lieutenant Governor's right nodded slightly. His only distinguishing features were diamond patches of cream-colored fur around his eyes which stood out against the rest of his coat.
"And this is Councilor Yongshaiyug, he is here as a representative from the Cooperative Council."
The Bat in the copper beret was rather smaller than the other two. But still he wasted no time stepping in front of Ixagyura to start hissing enthusiastically at Ambassador Molinas.
"Welcome!" the translator said for him. "I am so happy to finally meet a member of your species."
Xi Feng glanced at the two Tadpoles, but couldn't read their expressions.
"Uh, thank you," Molinas responded after a moment's hesitation. "We're honored by your invitation."
The Bats had had enough foresight to program their translator to work both ways, and it quickly rendered his words into the aliens' language.
"We are also pleased to welcome the representatives of the Kekregka," Ixyagura said to the Tadpoles while Yongshaiyug continued staring at Ambassador Molinas. "I hope that you will not be offended by our use of the Human language in this translation. If you would prefer, we can also attempt direct interpretation into your own language, but it may not be as accurate."
Everyone turned towards the Tadpoles. "English will suffice," Rokden said.
"I am pleased," Ixyagura replied after the translation went through. "Then if you will follow me, we have prepared a customary banquet."
Hyong had little trouble slipping away from the group before they reached the dining compartment. He waited in the small conference room, stretching his back and legs, for a few minutes before the door opened again and "Kingochyee" joined him.
As soon as the door closed, the other male threw his beret onto the central table and massaged his bare head with one hand. Hyong watched him silently for a moment while he paced.
He finally stopped and caught Hyong's eye, only to give a growling sigh before speaking.
"Of all people, Operative Yaheek, you should appreciate the fact that I thought this was a bad idea."
Hyong nearly sighed himself. "I do," he said. "My absence will be noticed quickly. I suspect yours will too."
"Oh I went ahead and told them we were meeting. They were bound to suspect something sinister, hopefully by admitting this much they won't look for the greater deception."
"You don't think they will recognize you?"
"Oh I'm sure they will," the other male said cynically, "eventually. But preferably not until after this fiasco is resolved."
Hyong thought that was wishful thinking, but perhaps there was nothing else for it.
"I don't think the situation is as bad as you imply," he said.
"Your opinion is noted. Sit down, Operative."
Hyong took a seat at the table. His companion sat opposite him. There beret that he'd been wearing lay between the two. The other male was properly entitled to wear military blue like Hyong, so it was no wonder he looked as if he wanted to shred the civilian hat right then.
"So if you opposed this meeting, High Commander, why are we here?" Hyong asked.
"Why do you think? When your little cult found out you were travelling with the Humans, they wanted to invite the whole expedition to the colony so they could throw you a party. This was as much as the governor would give the Cooperative."
"Yongshaiyug isn't a Deontologist."
"No, but he's probably the biggest sympathizer they've got in the rest of the Council. Shyankyang's angry, Hyong, he thinks he's made too many concessions already."
"That's hardly my fault."
Hyong Yaheek had never been a warrior. He had some basic combat training, as all of the Republic's soldiers did, and since his training had been on Karee it was better than many others'. But while that meant he was familiar with most Republican military hardware, including combat harnesses and gliders, he was still merely an Intelligence Operative. It was not his job to be able to fight armed Charterlings in close combat. The fact that he had once done exactly that had helped turn him into something of a legendary figure among his fellow Deontologists. But Hyong knew better than anyone how simple luck had been the real deciding factor in that battle.
To the best of Hyong's knowledge, Senior High Command Operative Gyergroch had never been trained as a warrior either. It was possible, however, that Hyong's information on the subject was less than complete. Certainly the way the High Commander launched himself across the table at Hyong spoke of a level of physical fitness that Hyong would not have otherwise expected in someone half again his age.
By the time Hyong's brain caught up to what was happening. Gyergroch had him pinned against the wall. The High Commander's claws stabbed into his throat, ready to tear into Hyong's windpipe at a thought. Hyong wheezed helplessly.
"Are you really so conceited that you can't see what you've done, Operative Yaheek?" The High Commander glowered at him.
"Shyankyang and his staff don't believe Hyarahek; they think it's all hysterical raving. But the idiot has it right, doesn't he? This is exactly your brand of deviousness."
"Hyarahek was going to destroy the Humans," Hyong gurgled.
"Fuck the Humans, Hyong. And fuck your idealism, too." Gyergroch's claws must not have been as close to Hyong's trachea as he'd though, because the High Commander now squeezed even tighter without killing him. "I put up with your eccentricities and I protected you against Hyarahek because you did damn good work. But this level of presumption… My sympathy doesn't extend to traitors, Operative."
That concentrated Hyong's mind. He'd held himself limp in the face of Gyergroch's violence, thinking it was probably wisest not to provoke the other male. But now he opened his palms and allowed his wings to extend to their full breadth. Then he growled raspingly as best he could back into the High Commander's snout.
"I serve the Republic," he choked out. "Destroying the Humans does not. Hyarahek would have done it out of a petty grudge."
"Hyarahek was your legitimate superior, Operative," Gyergroch snarled back. "The Humans are insignificant to the point of irrelevance. Your devotion to them is troubling, and your willingness to betray a superior for their sake stinks of rebellion."
Hyong almost said that killing him was the best way for Gyergroch to provoke a rebellion. It was true, but Hyong was disgusted to have even had the thought. It would have confirmed Gyergroch's suspicions, and probably not even have spared Hyong's life. However much he might dislike certain policies and officials, Hyong would never betray the Republic. He would rather die, and remembering that fact comforted him tremendously, even now.
He relaxed his wings.
"I am loyal," he said. "Judge me how you will, High Commander. But I know that I am loyal."
Gyergroch bared his teeth to menace Hyong for another few seconds. Then he removed his claws from his subordinate's throat. Hyong wanted to slump all the way down to the floor, but he forced himself to remain standing while he regained his breath.
"The Kekregka's defense systems are ancient," Gyergroch said quietly, "but they still have enough firepower that the Governor doesn't want to attack them directly. That means we will have to attack the convoy to stop their colony."
"The Humans will go to war if we do that. They have hundreds of citizens on the colony ships. Even if they didn't, their politicians are too hotheaded to let it go."
"Remind me why I should care, Operative."
Hyong knew Gyergroch didn't want to fight the Humans any more than he did. The High Commander was still testing him.
"Even if they can't threaten us, there are reasons to tolerate the Humans. Aside from the fact that it's the right thing to do," Hyong couldn't help but put in that little jab, "they make good trading partners. They may also be a huge asset in preventing the Charterlings from taking full control of the system. And we can use them to help control the Kyhyex."
"Wonderful," Gyergroch said. "Except that now they're helping the Charterlings' allies."
"I think we exaggerate the Kekregka's friendship with the Charterlings," Hyong said. He paused a moment in case Gyergroch wanted to say something, but his superior remained silent.
"These Kekregka no longer even have much connection to their own homeworld," he said. "Their relationship with the Charterlings is only based on their recorded history. Once they realize that the Charterlings here won't offer any sort of substantial help, they will see little reason to continue that relationship. The Humans are already binding the Kekregka to them. If we continue to bind the Humans to us, then we should be able to consider the Kekregka of this system our friends, no matter the disposition of their home system."
Gyergroch looked at him for a long time. "I agree," he said at last.
"The Humans despise the Charterlings," Hyong added. "Unless we do something to make them despise us more, I don't believe we need to worry so much."
"I agree," Gyergroch repeated. "And I will share your perspective on the Kekregka with the Governor; I believe it's worth considering. I assume you'll want to return to the Human convoy after this is done, then?"
"I will." If Hyong had thought they'd actually let him go to colony, he might have considered leaving. But that probably wouldn't happen so long as Shyankyang was alive and in charge.
Gyergroch walked back around the table and picked up his phony beret. "Do you need any equipment? I don't have any Karee-standard items, but I've brought a few of our own. I thought you might like to try infiltrating their command ship."
"I don't want to risk that," Hyong said. "I don't know what sort of screening procedures they have, but they can detect the probes we make. We know they found the ones Hyarahek had released into their Foreign Ministry."
Gyergroch looked at him. "So if they find them, we don't get intelligence. Why not try anyway?"
"I'm worried about the repercussions if they find we tried to probe them. Commodore Lee, their commander, is a hardliner. Even if the Human politicians elected to ignore the discovery, I believe she would retaliate. That might make it difficult for me to gather any useful information from the Kekregka colony once we arrive." If she didn't just toss me out an airlock, Hyong didn't say.
"Very well," Gyergroch sighed. He fiddled with the beret in his hands for another moment before glancing at the door. "I suppose we ought to return to the feast, then." He replaced the black hat atop his head, and gestured for Hyong to precede him back into the hall.
Hyong saluted, "Yes, High Commander. Thank you." He walked for the door.
"Operative Yaheek," Gyergroch said before Hyong could actually open it.
"Yes, High Commander?" Hyong turned around.
Gyergroch's expression was dark.
"Do not mistake loyalty to the Republic for service to the Republic. Loyalty without obedience is worthless."
"No, I don't really see the point of it myself."
Pascual took the fork out of his mouth and turned to Lieutenant Muyskens on his right, "What's that?"
"Oh, sorry," she said, "just talking to myself." Even with her dark skin, Pascual could tell she was blushing.
"What about?" he asked. Maybe it wasn't polite, but he was desperate for any excuse not to answer any more of Councilor Yongshaiyug's inane questions. Pascual never would have expected he'd one day meet a boring alien, but there he was sitting next to the Ambassador.
His last question had been about Human hunting rituals—the third time he'd brought up the subject. Pascual had finally snapped and made up a story about hunting Paraguayan jungle rabbits with machine guns. "It's the only way to make absolutely sure they're dead," Pascual said has he mimed blasting away at a bunny. Judging by the Councilor's stupid nods, Yongshaiyug probably thought a "machine gun" was some sort of spear. After that, Pascual had pretended to be absorbed with chewing a particularly tough piece of meat. It wasn't very believable, since whatever meat the Bats were serving was remarkably tender, but Pascual didn't care.
"Um…" the Lieutenant seemed a bit put-off by Pascual's encouraging smile.
Fortunately, she herself was saved when the door to the little dining room opened. Hyong Yaheek and the political advisor Kingochyee rejoined the rest of the group. Kingochyee took a seat across from Pascual, while Hyong sat opposite Councilor Yongshaiyug.
"Welcome back," Pascual said to Hyong, grateful to have even more people within conversation range. "Has the Republic been much enlightened by your wisdom and special insights into the Human race?"
Hyong looked at Pascual, but did not respond immediately. The political advisor Kingochyee, meanwhile, watched Hyong.
"Well," Hyong said at last, "after much deliberation…" He paused a moment to seize some of the same meat Pascual had been eating from the center of the table. "We have concluded that Humans are not, in fact, cleverly disguised Charterlings."
Councilor Yongshaiyug made a noise that the computer translated as "Oooh." Pascual fought the urge to roll his eyes.
Instead he turned to Kingochyee. "Incredible," he said. "You should give this one a promotion; he's clearly one of your best agents to have figured that out in only," Pascual looked at his bare wrist, "thirty years."
"I have no influence over Operative Hyongyaheek's rank," the Bat said. His expression was inscrutable as he plucked bits of food from the table for his own plate. "But I find his sense of humor unprofessional."
"Ouch," Pascual said softly. "Don't worry, Hyong, I'd promote you." He used his fork to carefully spear one of the small variety of vegetables the Bats had served.
"Please do not be offended if I do not mention that to my actual superiors."
"Wow," Lieutenant Muyskens said while looking down at her plate, "that guy's an asshole."
Pascual snorted in laughter, causing his fork to miss his mouth and stab into his chin instead.
"Oooh," Councilor Yongshaiyug said.
"And you're sure you want to do this?" a man's voice asked.
"Commander?" Xi Feng gave up on the shirt and turned to Hiram Wade. Her XO was sitting at the briefing room table, going through reports on his PDA.
He looked up. "This meeting," he waved the PDA a little, "you really want to go?"
"And why shouldn't I?"
Wade raised an eyebrow, "Because you can't stand the Bats. You're still pissed that Caracas is making us bring the spy along."
Xi Feng wrinkled her nose, "I have nothing but respect for the OES' allies."
"Right." Wade held up his hands, "I'm on your side, Commodore. I'd lock the weasel up myself if I could. Anyway, it's all going to be politics, and I know you hate that, too."
Xi Feng didn't answer him. The honest truth was that he was right, Xi Feng would despise a meeting like this. Ordinarily. But lately she had been feeling antsy. There was nothing serious to worry about with the Task Force now that turnover was behind them and Uranus still far ahead. And with no internet access to speak of at this range from Earth, there was precious little in the way of entertainment to fill the downtime. Even the Task Force's abundant supply of stored media was a poor substitute. So at the moment, even a political meeting with Bat representatives sounded interesting. At least it would get Xi Feng off the ship for a bit.
Someone knocked on open briefing room hatch. Xi Feng turned to see Colleen Muyskens pulling herself through.
"Sorry, Commodore," the flag lieutenant said, wiping the corner of her mouth with her hand. "Had to use the head."
Xi Feng exchanged a quick glance with Commander Wade.
"All right, Lieutenant?" she asked.
"Yes, sir," Muyskens' salute was brisk enough. XI Feng decided to leave it alone.
"Let's find the shuttle, then."
* * *
Almost two hours later, Xi Feng walked onboard the Bat ship with Muyskens, Lieutenant Commander Donaldson, Ambassador Molinas, Ambassador Rokden and his aide, and the Bat Hyong Yaheek. The Bat ship was smaller than the types with which Xi Feng was familiar; the Bats had called it a yacht. It did still have the vaguely phallic shape common to all of the Bats' sublight vessels, and which was the subject of much snickering among Earth Fleet spacers.
Docking went quickly. Since the first awkward meeting between Bat and Human ships, the Bats had developed dynamic seals which could adapt to the docking ports used by nearly any Human vessel within seconds. Docking with a Bat ship was easier than docking with another Human ship, even if the equipment had been designed to work together from the start. It was one of those small conveniences of the Bats' advanced technologies which Xi Feng envied.
Three Bats were waiting for them in the vestibule compartment. The air was warm, but not uncomfortably so, just on the upper end of what a Human would consider room temperature. The gravity was lower than Earth standard, but still significantly higher than Task Force One's acceleration. The floor consisted of some sort of coarse, rubbery substance, it had a similar texture to gravel, just softer and non-shifting. The astronauts who'd boarded the first Bat ship to contact Earth had described it as all smooth, hard surfaces; Xi Feng would have to ponder the difference later.
The Bat in the center of the little trio was wearing a black and gold checkered beret, indicating a position of some authority. The other two wore the black hat of an ordinary civilian, and a copper beret one that Xi Feng had not seen before. The center Bat stepped forward and began speaking to the new arrivals—not in English, but in the Bats' own hissing language.
After a couple of seconds, the disembodied voice of a computer translator began to interpret:
"Welcome, honored guests," it said. "I am Ixyagura, Lieutenant Governor of the Republican colony in this system."
For simultaneous translation, it was remarkably easy to hear. Xi Feng guessed that something was also suppressing the sound of Ixyagura's voice.
The Bat continued, "Please allow me to introduce my companions. This is Kingochyee; he is a political advisor to Governor Shyankyang." The Bat in the plain black beret on the Lieutenant Governor's right nodded slightly. His only distinguishing features were diamond patches of cream-colored fur around his eyes which stood out against the rest of his coat.
"And this is Councilor Yongshaiyug, he is here as a representative from the Cooperative Council."
The Bat in the copper beret was rather smaller than the other two. But still he wasted no time stepping in front of Ixagyura to start hissing enthusiastically at Ambassador Molinas.
"Welcome!" the translator said for him. "I am so happy to finally meet a member of your species."
Xi Feng glanced at the two Tadpoles, but couldn't read their expressions.
"Uh, thank you," Molinas responded after a moment's hesitation. "We're honored by your invitation."
The Bats had had enough foresight to program their translator to work both ways, and it quickly rendered his words into the aliens' language.
"We are also pleased to welcome the representatives of the Kekregka," Ixyagura said to the Tadpoles while Yongshaiyug continued staring at Ambassador Molinas. "I hope that you will not be offended by our use of the Human language in this translation. If you would prefer, we can also attempt direct interpretation into your own language, but it may not be as accurate."
Everyone turned towards the Tadpoles. "English will suffice," Rokden said.
"I am pleased," Ixyagura replied after the translation went through. "Then if you will follow me, we have prepared a customary banquet."
* * *
Hyong had little trouble slipping away from the group before they reached the dining compartment. He waited in the small conference room, stretching his back and legs, for a few minutes before the door opened again and "Kingochyee" joined him.
As soon as the door closed, the other male threw his beret onto the central table and massaged his bare head with one hand. Hyong watched him silently for a moment while he paced.
He finally stopped and caught Hyong's eye, only to give a growling sigh before speaking.
"Of all people, Operative Yaheek, you should appreciate the fact that I thought this was a bad idea."
Hyong nearly sighed himself. "I do," he said. "My absence will be noticed quickly. I suspect yours will too."
"Oh I went ahead and told them we were meeting. They were bound to suspect something sinister, hopefully by admitting this much they won't look for the greater deception."
"You don't think they will recognize you?"
"Oh I'm sure they will," the other male said cynically, "eventually. But preferably not until after this fiasco is resolved."
Hyong thought that was wishful thinking, but perhaps there was nothing else for it.
"I don't think the situation is as bad as you imply," he said.
"Your opinion is noted. Sit down, Operative."
Hyong took a seat at the table. His companion sat opposite him. There beret that he'd been wearing lay between the two. The other male was properly entitled to wear military blue like Hyong, so it was no wonder he looked as if he wanted to shred the civilian hat right then.
"So if you opposed this meeting, High Commander, why are we here?" Hyong asked.
"Why do you think? When your little cult found out you were travelling with the Humans, they wanted to invite the whole expedition to the colony so they could throw you a party. This was as much as the governor would give the Cooperative."
"Yongshaiyug isn't a Deontologist."
"No, but he's probably the biggest sympathizer they've got in the rest of the Council. Shyankyang's angry, Hyong, he thinks he's made too many concessions already."
"That's hardly my fault."
Hyong Yaheek had never been a warrior. He had some basic combat training, as all of the Republic's soldiers did, and since his training had been on Karee it was better than many others'. But while that meant he was familiar with most Republican military hardware, including combat harnesses and gliders, he was still merely an Intelligence Operative. It was not his job to be able to fight armed Charterlings in close combat. The fact that he had once done exactly that had helped turn him into something of a legendary figure among his fellow Deontologists. But Hyong knew better than anyone how simple luck had been the real deciding factor in that battle.
To the best of Hyong's knowledge, Senior High Command Operative Gyergroch had never been trained as a warrior either. It was possible, however, that Hyong's information on the subject was less than complete. Certainly the way the High Commander launched himself across the table at Hyong spoke of a level of physical fitness that Hyong would not have otherwise expected in someone half again his age.
By the time Hyong's brain caught up to what was happening. Gyergroch had him pinned against the wall. The High Commander's claws stabbed into his throat, ready to tear into Hyong's windpipe at a thought. Hyong wheezed helplessly.
"Are you really so conceited that you can't see what you've done, Operative Yaheek?" The High Commander glowered at him.
"Shyankyang and his staff don't believe Hyarahek; they think it's all hysterical raving. But the idiot has it right, doesn't he? This is exactly your brand of deviousness."
"Hyarahek was going to destroy the Humans," Hyong gurgled.
"Fuck the Humans, Hyong. And fuck your idealism, too." Gyergroch's claws must not have been as close to Hyong's trachea as he'd though, because the High Commander now squeezed even tighter without killing him. "I put up with your eccentricities and I protected you against Hyarahek because you did damn good work. But this level of presumption… My sympathy doesn't extend to traitors, Operative."
That concentrated Hyong's mind. He'd held himself limp in the face of Gyergroch's violence, thinking it was probably wisest not to provoke the other male. But now he opened his palms and allowed his wings to extend to their full breadth. Then he growled raspingly as best he could back into the High Commander's snout.
"I serve the Republic," he choked out. "Destroying the Humans does not. Hyarahek would have done it out of a petty grudge."
"Hyarahek was your legitimate superior, Operative," Gyergroch snarled back. "The Humans are insignificant to the point of irrelevance. Your devotion to them is troubling, and your willingness to betray a superior for their sake stinks of rebellion."
Hyong almost said that killing him was the best way for Gyergroch to provoke a rebellion. It was true, but Hyong was disgusted to have even had the thought. It would have confirmed Gyergroch's suspicions, and probably not even have spared Hyong's life. However much he might dislike certain policies and officials, Hyong would never betray the Republic. He would rather die, and remembering that fact comforted him tremendously, even now.
He relaxed his wings.
"I am loyal," he said. "Judge me how you will, High Commander. But I know that I am loyal."
Gyergroch bared his teeth to menace Hyong for another few seconds. Then he removed his claws from his subordinate's throat. Hyong wanted to slump all the way down to the floor, but he forced himself to remain standing while he regained his breath.
"The Kekregka's defense systems are ancient," Gyergroch said quietly, "but they still have enough firepower that the Governor doesn't want to attack them directly. That means we will have to attack the convoy to stop their colony."
"The Humans will go to war if we do that. They have hundreds of citizens on the colony ships. Even if they didn't, their politicians are too hotheaded to let it go."
"Remind me why I should care, Operative."
Hyong knew Gyergroch didn't want to fight the Humans any more than he did. The High Commander was still testing him.
"Even if they can't threaten us, there are reasons to tolerate the Humans. Aside from the fact that it's the right thing to do," Hyong couldn't help but put in that little jab, "they make good trading partners. They may also be a huge asset in preventing the Charterlings from taking full control of the system. And we can use them to help control the Kyhyex."
"Wonderful," Gyergroch said. "Except that now they're helping the Charterlings' allies."
"I think we exaggerate the Kekregka's friendship with the Charterlings," Hyong said. He paused a moment in case Gyergroch wanted to say something, but his superior remained silent.
"These Kekregka no longer even have much connection to their own homeworld," he said. "Their relationship with the Charterlings is only based on their recorded history. Once they realize that the Charterlings here won't offer any sort of substantial help, they will see little reason to continue that relationship. The Humans are already binding the Kekregka to them. If we continue to bind the Humans to us, then we should be able to consider the Kekregka of this system our friends, no matter the disposition of their home system."
Gyergroch looked at him for a long time. "I agree," he said at last.
"The Humans despise the Charterlings," Hyong added. "Unless we do something to make them despise us more, I don't believe we need to worry so much."
"I agree," Gyergroch repeated. "And I will share your perspective on the Kekregka with the Governor; I believe it's worth considering. I assume you'll want to return to the Human convoy after this is done, then?"
"I will." If Hyong had thought they'd actually let him go to colony, he might have considered leaving. But that probably wouldn't happen so long as Shyankyang was alive and in charge.
Gyergroch walked back around the table and picked up his phony beret. "Do you need any equipment? I don't have any Karee-standard items, but I've brought a few of our own. I thought you might like to try infiltrating their command ship."
"I don't want to risk that," Hyong said. "I don't know what sort of screening procedures they have, but they can detect the probes we make. We know they found the ones Hyarahek had released into their Foreign Ministry."
Gyergroch looked at him. "So if they find them, we don't get intelligence. Why not try anyway?"
"I'm worried about the repercussions if they find we tried to probe them. Commodore Lee, their commander, is a hardliner. Even if the Human politicians elected to ignore the discovery, I believe she would retaliate. That might make it difficult for me to gather any useful information from the Kekregka colony once we arrive." If she didn't just toss me out an airlock, Hyong didn't say.
"Very well," Gyergroch sighed. He fiddled with the beret in his hands for another moment before glancing at the door. "I suppose we ought to return to the feast, then." He replaced the black hat atop his head, and gestured for Hyong to precede him back into the hall.
Hyong saluted, "Yes, High Commander. Thank you." He walked for the door.
"Operative Yaheek," Gyergroch said before Hyong could actually open it.
"Yes, High Commander?" Hyong turned around.
Gyergroch's expression was dark.
"Do not mistake loyalty to the Republic for service to the Republic. Loyalty without obedience is worthless."
* * *
"No, I don't really see the point of it myself."
Pascual took the fork out of his mouth and turned to Lieutenant Muyskens on his right, "What's that?"
"Oh, sorry," she said, "just talking to myself." Even with her dark skin, Pascual could tell she was blushing.
"What about?" he asked. Maybe it wasn't polite, but he was desperate for any excuse not to answer any more of Councilor Yongshaiyug's inane questions. Pascual never would have expected he'd one day meet a boring alien, but there he was sitting next to the Ambassador.
His last question had been about Human hunting rituals—the third time he'd brought up the subject. Pascual had finally snapped and made up a story about hunting Paraguayan jungle rabbits with machine guns. "It's the only way to make absolutely sure they're dead," Pascual said has he mimed blasting away at a bunny. Judging by the Councilor's stupid nods, Yongshaiyug probably thought a "machine gun" was some sort of spear. After that, Pascual had pretended to be absorbed with chewing a particularly tough piece of meat. It wasn't very believable, since whatever meat the Bats were serving was remarkably tender, but Pascual didn't care.
"Um…" the Lieutenant seemed a bit put-off by Pascual's encouraging smile.
Fortunately, she herself was saved when the door to the little dining room opened. Hyong Yaheek and the political advisor Kingochyee rejoined the rest of the group. Kingochyee took a seat across from Pascual, while Hyong sat opposite Councilor Yongshaiyug.
"Welcome back," Pascual said to Hyong, grateful to have even more people within conversation range. "Has the Republic been much enlightened by your wisdom and special insights into the Human race?"
Hyong looked at Pascual, but did not respond immediately. The political advisor Kingochyee, meanwhile, watched Hyong.
"Well," Hyong said at last, "after much deliberation…" He paused a moment to seize some of the same meat Pascual had been eating from the center of the table. "We have concluded that Humans are not, in fact, cleverly disguised Charterlings."
Councilor Yongshaiyug made a noise that the computer translated as "Oooh." Pascual fought the urge to roll his eyes.
Instead he turned to Kingochyee. "Incredible," he said. "You should give this one a promotion; he's clearly one of your best agents to have figured that out in only," Pascual looked at his bare wrist, "thirty years."
"I have no influence over Operative Hyongyaheek's rank," the Bat said. His expression was inscrutable as he plucked bits of food from the table for his own plate. "But I find his sense of humor unprofessional."
"Ouch," Pascual said softly. "Don't worry, Hyong, I'd promote you." He used his fork to carefully spear one of the small variety of vegetables the Bats had served.
"Please do not be offended if I do not mention that to my actual superiors."
"Wow," Lieutenant Muyskens said while looking down at her plate, "that guy's an asshole."
Pascual snorted in laughter, causing his fork to miss his mouth and stab into his chin instead.
"Oooh," Councilor Yongshaiyug said.