Chapter One

TSF APPLEWHYTE 3

LT. DENYS TABOR
ARCHIVIST

 

They were coming aboard via shuttle. I didn't know how many or what, and was as nervous as first contact.

 

We had decided--we had no choice, but to decide--to have the entire crew, that included the Zees, form a line of honour, from the hanger bay's door to the meeting room.

 

Matching them one for one, with one ZeSha included, and if they antsied, we'd have a react, cause these Zees were part of us and would stay there until we were brigged.

 

The shuttle that was approaching could hold twelve so we'd matched up The Old Man, Crane, ivKitha, Bari, myself, were the fixtures, depending on how many came out of the shuttle, there'd be Hanna Stern, she was the chief Science Officer, then Ngao Hyundi, to make twelve.

 

When the shuttle docked, we were trembling. The beep from a warrant officer gave there were seven.

 

Lucky seven. 

 

I watched them come through the portal into the corridor. The last one, Zee. I scoped him as if he were my brother. Everyone was gloming him and smiling. He seemed unsuprised by our warmth, it proved we hadn't been wrong. Integration, of some form, had happened.

 

We double glommed them, the first new faces we'd seen for a dozen years.

 

"I am Captain Jill Chinn See." Stated a perfect woman so beautiful it wasn't just refo.  "This is my first officer, Gerry Craig." He was a non-refo type, seemed hardy and right.  "My archivist, Lieutenant Cymbal Hope." She looked the part, old and maiden, Chief Engineer, Arlo Castro, Ensign Geffen Marradonna, and Ensign Stacy Jovic," This one carried a bag, and seemed very shy and rather bad shaped for a top team fly girl. "And the head of our Observor team, oRain imKoldi."

 

He was shorter than our Zees, so was his hair, but his arms were ropy with scars, and one of his hands was bandaged.

 

"Captain", the Old Man choked, tears glistening, "I am over- whelmed to see you and your team, as is my crew, and I think three cheers the tip of our esteem...."

 

We shouted our guts and our Captain, wiping tears; "Excuse me, I am Captain Robert O'Banion, this is--" He choked out introductions, hands shaken, save the Zees who glommed each other, sizing.

 

The Old Man led to the meeting room, and their Captain Jill turned to their Ensign Jovic, who smiled shyly; "I think you'd like a drink."

 

The Ensign put a bottle of Chivas Regal and fourteen shot glasses on the table.

 

"Denys?" The Captain popped.

 

I stood, opened the bottle, poured, the ceremony as poignant as any I'd ever been part of or witnessed.

 

"A toast!" The Old Man stated, and raising his glass; "To peace, friendship, and Home."

 

We drank, the Zees as well, then seated.

 

"If I may speak." Began ivKitha.

 

I wanted to tell him to shut it off, but couldn't. In Shaz he goes to imKoldi: "Is the ZerShaznealayZay aware of the contents of the messages."

 

Kit was staring at their Zee, who flung the glom back at him.  Grimmy told me they stare to see 'aura', to learn who is superior to whom. Kit wasn't winning this contest. Their Zee, imKoldi, didn't line Kit, knowing protocol he output to the Old Man;

 

"Captain," He gave in ultra sound, "I would confer with umRain ivKitha."

 

"In private?" Pried the Old Man.

 

"Yes, Sir." He gave, pale eyes penetrating.

 

imKoldi's speech so ultra it was ratchy to scope a Zee outputting.  The Old Man trades with Captain Chinn See, who goes; "We expected your Observors would harbour misgivings. I suggest, that before discussions, we allow the ZeSha to assure themselves of our intentions."

 

The Captain was uncomfortable with the suggestion, but my wife was giving him a hard eye and he listened to her.

 

"How long?" he asked.

 

Captain Chinn See scanned her oRain.

 

"Twenty minutes." He gave.

 

She turned back to us; output: "Meanwhile, we can bring ourselves up to date..."

 

For my reason I was not comfy with Zees going off alone but couldn't word it. I tried to match myself to their grid, wanted to follow , but didn't dare.  I was telling myself that were it altered, five saps on a Zee boat we'd want a private runoff with our boy, but it wasn't gentle.

 

I told myself not to mistrust. Grimmy was my azi; their boy, imKoldi, has a nook in the Parky. Maybe they wanted a private hug up or cry down or word trade, it shouldn't deduct but add.

 

Yet, I can't dele the feel I took from imKoldi that he was no player like Grimmy but cold and backstep as Grimmy had been before the flip.

 

Chapter Two

 THROUGH OTHER EYES

OMTAY efRekta
APPLEWHYTE

 

The presence of a ZeSha among them pleased yet dismayed me. I was not convinced of the alliance between humans and ZerShaz and this oRain seemed too young and peculiar to gain my trust.

 

His hair too short, the bandage on his hand, how he enunciated the human language were discordant. I would sooner believe he was here to deceive than impart information. Yet, he was all that was accessible and choice was not mine.

 

"Follow, oRain." I order when we depart the meeting room.

 

I led him to my cabin, posting oRain iDruyik, whom the crew knew as aeFelgchoy, to prevent entry. The oRain examined my quarters with his eyes, made the sign for silence, then led out. With wonder, I followed him.

 

He knew the configuration of the ship well, as if he'd served upon one and not as Observor. He led me to a disused Observation Port, so dark I could not see his face.

 

His voice was so low, just above whisper, yet clear.

 

"omTay, your quarters, and I assume those of your entourage are monitored. This room is not. I require encounter with Kema."

 

"oRain, I must contact my iSaz." I retort.

 

"High Authority is aware." He replied.

 

"And they send no one?" I prick.

 

He did not react to the insult. His voice came again, just as unprojected, I am sure ZeSha ten steps hence heard naught.

 

"Your ZeSha and Kema board my ship; the Applewhyte proceed."

 

"Your ship?" I twist.

 

"omTay, there is limited time."

 

"I can not observe your face, oRain. I can not taste your heart. What secrets repose in your sha?"

 

"Conduct the Kema here."

 

I did not esteem orders from one of lesser rank, but could not locate impetus to

Impressum

Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 03.02.2022
ISBN: 978-3-7554-0688-4

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