Galactic Crash Part 2


    Shen Rae began to discover just how unusual a planet Caph was after she and her crew had been invited to dinner with the Emir himself.

    The first strange event was finding that Caph had no problem accommodating her space faring crew.  The Caphans had no official port large enough for the Heart of Light - a space craft roughly the size of a pleasure cruise ship on Earth - to land safely, the Light Cruiser was equipped with plenty of Energy Gliders for the entire crew.  They were, after all, designed both as shuttles and a means of emergency escape.  The Heart of Light would be fine in orbit by itself.

    But Caph did have a space port.  It was a fairly well equipped one for a planet that did little of its own space travel.  It contained a few large yet fragile, lightweight space vehicles of Caph design.  The Caphans did indeed learn something from the people of Earth and the Parody Master’s forces...though in a much more limited fashion.

    The four Energy Gliders  - each about the size of a mobile home on Earth - which descended in a triangular formation were dwarfed by the much larger yet inefficient Caphan craft - nearly all of the Caphan ships’ bulk was dedicated to raw fuel-based propulsion just to escape the atmosphere.

    Labor was cheap on Caph, especially where public projects were concerned.  The Caphan people would work hard, long hours with little or no pay just for the honor of working on something so visible and permanent.  That’s why the Caphan space port’s tarmac was made entirely of precisely cut stone.  Its building was gilded in gold and silver, and lots of exposed hand-made stained glass.

    But like any other desert location, there were grains of sand accumulated on every surface.  The four Energy Gliders kicked up every grain of it in a whirwind as they approached the stone tarmac - and curious onlookers just outside the painted iron fence line covered their eyes as they tried to watch.  The Gliders descended until they stopped, hovering inches above the ground, just as Shen Rae’s did earlier at the palace.

    There was a cheer from the green skinned crowd watching as the doors opened, and out stepped Shen Rae’s crew, dressed in crisp blue and silver uniforms - the people of Caph loved visitors, and loved a good show.  The space faring crew all seemed surprised by the power and heat of the bright sun as they stepped out.

    The crew was brought from there to the palace with a contingent of more silent guards.  They ran on foot alongside a train of closed brightly colored carriages drawn by what could pass for camels on the desert planet of Caph - they were not the most modern vehicles available on Caph, but they were traditional, and visually appealing.  A crowd of citizens followed and cheered.  The palace was close, fortunately, and the trip was only a half hour long.

    Kiivan, the Emir of all Caph, greeted Shen Rae in the main hall this time.  The nervous guards made it clear that he was violating tradition to do so.  He greeted Shen Rae’s crew with a short bow.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Your people have a flair for greeting strangers, and making them feel welcome.”  Shen Rae said.

    The Emir looked out the open door of the palace, squinting against the hot desert wind.  “They do, indeed,”  he replied with a smile.

    He began walking through the giant hall as he spoke to her some more.  The rest of her crew was being served fresh fruits by a large contingent of female servants.  “My intelligence people say your speaking to us is an act of piracy,”  he said.  “That your government would not approve.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m surprised one of yours would know about my government.  It’s very secretive.”  Shen Rae noted.

    Kiivan laughed.  “When you have trade partners, it’s near impossible to keep secrets, Captain.  For instance, we’ve had dealings with Frammistat...and I believe they have traded with your people.”

    Shen Rae stopped walking.  “They’re blackmailers.  They trade with us in exchange for steering clear of certain planets.”  She resumed walking and added, “I assume your intelligence people tell you Frammistat has an amazing arsenal of stolen weaponry.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I see you’re handing me information to earn my trust.”  Kiivan noted.  “A woman who believes trust must be earned, I take it?”

    The Captain nodded, and stopped again.  “I cannot promise perfection or harmony, that would be impossible.  It’s quite likely a trade arrangement will lead to a war with jealous rivals who believe we’re giving you an unfair advantage.  I can only show you the benefits, and hope the worst does not happen.”

    Kiivan wasn’t smiling anymore.  He stood perfectly straight, eyes squinting like a man who was searching for a response.  “I appreciate your honesty.”  he said quietly.  “I will offer you the same, Shen Rae.  I spoke to the Elders...and sadly, they are all old men who dislike and fear all change.  They were against any arrangement with your people--”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m sorry to hear--”  Shen Rae replied.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Let me finish.”  Kiivan stopped her.  “They were against it, until I pointed out another set of changes.  The Parody Master’s change.  The man whose name must no longer be mentioned...who tried to wipe out my entire family so that he may rule all of Caph...a quest for power, not for peace.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“And I told them,”  he continued, “that at least you gave us the option.  That it is our choice this time.  And they voted...and approved it.”

    Shen Rae nodded.  “That’s good to hear.  So we’ll be in business together now?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“As Emir of Caph,”  Kiivan answered, “it’s my primary duty to protect my people.  I know you can’t offer assurances...but you can offer yourself.  Before I approve this...business deal...I want your promise that as long as you are alive, you will personally look out for Caph.  That if I have any problems or difficulties...it is you I will speak to.”

    The Captain looked down at the metallic bracelet on her wrist.  It seemed to be a continuous loop with no clasp, but at her touch, it fell free into her hand.  She offered it to Kiivan.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“What’s this?”  he asked as he took it gently and looked at it.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“A communications device.”  she replied.  “It’s for you only.  I will have my crew launch a communications satellite so that you may communicate with my ship’s secure channel.”

    Without speaking a word, Shen Rae noticed that Kiivan was trying to figure out how to operate it - so she showed him.  She switched it on, and showed him the silver hawk logo broadcast back from the ship.

    After that, Kiivan figured out himself how to turn it off.  And then where to touch the device to release the clasp.  He put it around his own wrist, and was impressed that it changed size to fit him as it closed.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Your crew should be gathered in the dining hall by now.”  Kiivan said.  “My attendants will have seen to that.  Care to join me?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Of course.”  Shen Rae replied with a nod.


---


    The dining hall in the palace seemed more like a party than formal.  It wasn’t noisy, but there was a sense of controlled chaos - like many conversations and events going on at once.

    There were female servants, some offering food, some offering scented water, and some offering massages.  Music played throughout the hall.  It created a casual feel, so the Heart of Light crew felt comfortable engaging the palace staff in casual conversation.

    Shen Rae smiled, watching her crew having so much fun through the open door.  She almost entered, but Kiivan stopped her.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“We have to be announced.”  he said.  “It’s custom.”

    Before he signaled his nearby aides to do so, Shen Rae whispered to him, “There’s one additional thing you should know about me.”

    Kiivan laughed.  “Whatever it is, Captain, it can wait...you have earned my trust.  Our guests, however, await our presence.”

    One of the aides announced them at great length, during which they were both able to cross the room and sit down on the floor cushions, Kiivan at the head of the table, and Shen Rae directly to his right, as was custom.  Servants rushed in and began serving the main courses immediately.

    Shen Rae was a little surprised at how little meat they served - most of the meal was vegetarian, and very fresh.  When she expressed that to Kiivan, he laughed again and noted it was one of the changes he was trying to bring to the palace, as it was too decadent already.  So many people of Caph couldn’t afford three meals a week with meat...it disgusted him that the palace served two courses a day with it.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’d like to raise a toast.”  Kiivan announced, and the room fell silent as he raised his glass.  “To new business.”  He looked at Shen Rae, and added, “And perhaps, new friendship.”

    Everyone at the table raised their glasses silently.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“If no one objects.”  Kiivan noted the Elders at the far end of the table, watching them carefully.  “I believe we can officially accept your company’s offer, Shen Rae.”

    There was a loud shudder from outside, causing all the plates and glasses on the table to vibrate.  The lights in the palace flickered ominously, as did Kiivan’s smile.

    As a second loud shudder sounded, all of the people in the dining hall quickly rose and headed for the nearest door, to see what was going on outside.

    Shen Rae stared skyward, as her First Officer fell in line beside her.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Jai.”  she whispered, and swallowed hard.  “Gather the crew.”

    But as she spoke those words, her First Officer and her crew were already summoning the four Energy Gliders, at the space port a mile away, on auto-pilot to meet them in front of the palace.

    Shen Rae still stared skyward at sleek, ominously black painted spacecraft zipping over the city, occasionally dropping what looked like flash bombs.  They weren’t causing any damage, they were simply designed to spread fear.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I guess someone objects.”  she whispered to Kiivan.

    He nodded somberly.

    She looked at him and added, “I’ll be glad to evacuate you to safety.  These ships seem to have very advanced technology.  I’d hate to think what would happen if they attacked the palace.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“No.”  Kiivan insisted.  “Do what you must to help us...but my place is here, guiding my people.”

    The Captain nodded as the four Energy Gliders arrived.  “Jai, contact the Heart of Light’s automated defense system.  Launch all fighters.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“All of them?”  Jai asked.

    Shen Rae’s eyes narrowed.  “All of them.  They want a scare tactic...they’ll get one.”


TO BE CONTINUED


-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2009 by Jason Froikin, and may not be 
--    reprinted without permission.  
-- Yuki Shiro designed by Jason Froikin, based on designs by Masamune Shirow
--  Liu Xi Xian and the Psychic Samurai are original design by Jason Froikin
--  Lara Night is an original creation by Jason Froikin

I'm a bit surprised that the people of Caph aren't a bit more gunshy about giant ships in the sky and aliens offering assistance after their recent history with the pigeon warriors followed by the Parody Master.  It seems like company isn't usually a cause for celebration.  Still, Kiivan has significant experience off world, so I suppose it's just a sign of his influence that the populace is as optimistic as they are.

I'm curious to see who the troublemakers are, and what comes from it.