Carinae Sector: 01 - Traders' Scourge - Part 2 - Maveen Offer (19 page)

‘After I rescued Garendestat, he pulled a weapon and sank that rig he was suspended from by cable. The rig was full of those Voorde creatures, and the looks they gave me certainly were not friendly. Now if the rig was ruptured and sunk into deep water, then there is no way those creatures could survive?’

Garendestat looked at Steve and replied after a glance of approval from his father.

‘Steve, the Voorde would not have survived. I followed that research rig out of our main hold in deep water after attempting to tie it down after the final battle in the hold. I was quite prepared to ensure it did not make landfall by following it down to the sea floor. Now though I am happy how the situation eventually worked out.’

Steve considered the new information with unease as he looked at Garendestat and his father, then made a simple observation.

‘Once again we need to reassure the various world leaders that you and your ship are not a threat to either us or our planet. If the Barus had not arrived you may have departed without us knowing the full reasons for your landing.’

Captain Narindestat looked at the humans and kept his expression calm, as he could certainly understand their viewpoint too well. He then quietly spoke to reassure the humans.

‘We only sought to rid our ship and save our lives, and that much is true, but our honour would not allow the death of your world. As we have said earlier, we would have chosen death on your sea floor rather than allow this to occur. Ask that of any of my crew.’

Steve and his team looked around slowly at the Trader crew on the bridge, and their eyes took first in Garendestat, then Emeria, and back to the captain. The humans also looked around at the several other Traders gathered on the bridge.

All the Traders returned the gaze of the humans with polite smiles, some bowed in respect, but all held the eyes of the humans with their own eyes. Captain Narindestat looked at the humans kindly as he spoke again.

‘Another thing with us Traders is that we would seek to be fair in our relationships and trading agreements with other races. We could not let our omission stand as a result.’

Steve called the rest of his team to one side and two of the Americans were shaking their heads, whilst Douglas stood silently to one side. The two men wanted the Traders to surrender outright to human authorities after this development. Steve was surprised that Ian now with vigour took the part of the Traders as he spoke to his countrymen.

‘Paul, Simon, now look, the Traders have not actually killed anyone with the Voorde infestation. It is true we had losses with the attack of our 5
^th
fleet, but that decision has since proven to be extremely foolhardy anyway.’

Steve calmly added his own view as he gave Captain Narindestat a calculating look.

‘Also we have to avoid the situation were the Barus end up taking a direct role and that is my main concern now. Indeed as long as the Traders are telling the truth it would pay to keep the Barus at arm’s length.’

The other team members soon came around at this reminder of the current situation off world taking more precedence. The members of the team added their further opinions, and after several minutes Steve turned to speak again to the patiently waiting Trader captain.

‘Captain Narindestat, we accept your explanation and appreciate your forthright manner in explaining this all to us. We do have very real concerns about this, and we need to qualify that you do not have any more unpleasant secrets that you should tell us about.’

The captain smiled uncertainly at the humans and spoke again at length.

‘I would have told you this problem if I had time to do so. We were already admittedly frightened of your potential response to us. Rest assured there are no future unpleasant secrets to be discovered. We could have argued the same way as the Barus about you having no authority over us. But then we are on your planet now, and that would have conveyed extreme disrespect. I believe that if we are to leave we will need your assistance or at least your understanding.’

Steve looked around his mission team, and they either silently appraised the Trader captain or now nodded their heads in agreement.

‘So we have no dissent on this matter at least’ he considered to himself as he again spoke.

‘Captain, what information can you tell us about the Maveen? We have still real concerns about these ships based on their role in damaging and driving away the US 5
^th
fleet.’

Behind Steve, several nodding heads told Steve that the importance of the Maveen was not something the humans would readily ignore.

‘Steve, they are research probes, they have a reputation for being non violent. I will inform them of your concerns and ask for their assistance. They are an independent race in their own right even if they are our passengers. The Maveen had the better abilities to drive of the US fleet with minimal casualties.’

Steve was content with the reply, and the assembled gathering quickly began working on the broadcast message that they would provide to the world. All agreed that it would have to be simple at first, with general details only and with further details to follow. By unspoken agreement the Voorde were not being discussed, though Steve knew he would later speak with the prime minister this evening about them and the Maveen.

                                                            ***

Garendestat looked over the bridge before quietly walking to his seated father. Captain Narindestat looked at his son next to him and they spoke discretely in Trader for a few minutes. Garendestat then caught Emeria’s eye and they moved to the side of the bridge to talk again before he discretely left the bridge. Steve was talking with his team members and did not see the Trader leave, and he looked around for him before the captain spoke again.

‘Steve, Garendestat has had tasks assigned to him at this stage, and he will return later. We should consider getting our message to your world and your leaders.’

Within moments Steve stood alongside the impressive seated form of the Trader captain. He wanted the Trader to appear less intimidating by being seated. A communications line was set to several television channels and Steve began to speak.

‘My name is Steve Greene and I am a former Australian naval commander. My private ship happened to be at the Abrolhos Islands when the Trader ship landed here after their initial underwater landing off the Australian coast. Firstly, I will be making a further detailed report to senior government officials later in the day. Now with regards to the Traders, their ship has been damaged elsewhere and the crew will use this quiet location to repair and refuel their ship before returning to space. To my right is Captain Narindestat, who is the captain of the main ship and leader of the Traders.’

Narindestat gave Steve a small nod of thank you and began to speak in his quiet deep voice.

‘Greetings to the people of Earth and know we mean you no ill will. We are a people of the stars known as Traders and it is the literal translation of our species name. We are a free and independent race that is peaceful and law abiding. The Barus are a galactic race in thrall to a powerful alien race in the centre of the galaxy. They are a decent and honourable race, and know that any repeated attempts to attack them are both unwise and unwarranted. Even as a vassal race, the Barus can be troubled by terrorists and I now understand that your own race has had this problem as well.’

The captain paused and looked at Steve by his side, and then the other human team members further to other side, before he resumed again.

‘Please know that I have a personal debt of gratitude to Steve Greene for saving the life of my son Garendestat. We are building on this beginning to a mutual understanding and peaceful resolution to our ship’s temporary presence on your planet. Also I must convey my deep regrets for the losses of your young warriors last week. We did all we could to avoid this conflict and we used minimal force to ensure our flight from the scene.’

The captain looked quietly across at the humans and now Steve took the opportunity to speak.

‘We first came aboard yesterday and it is apparent that while they can still look after themselves, the Traders have been adversely affected by our atmosphere and biology. Several of them remain in their sick bay and are slowly improving. However they need to protect themselves when working outside and also have a cultural aversion to being filmed that we have recently overcome. They have shown us their initial attempts at repairs and refuelling of the main ship, and it is apparent that mankind could benefit greatly from their technical knowledge.’

Captain Narindestat now spoke again after giving Steve another nod.

‘The Barus ship overhead seeks to coerce us into surrendering to them; whereupon we would be removed from your planet. However we would be executed once in imperial custody as we have violated strict galactic edicts. We Traders look as the edicts as a guide only, we treat them as of lesser importance over responsibility and independence. Note that according to galactic law the Barus are within their rights to demand our surrender. However this interpretation is clouded as your planet is still classed as independent and a haven world as well. The added presence of Maveen probes, another independent race, also complicates the situation greatly, as they rely on us to leave your planet for the safety of deep space.’

The Trader captain paused to think and this time did not look at the humans on the bridge before continuing.

‘Now the other issue that humanity has to resolve with the galactic hierarchy is your new role in the greater galaxy. I recommend for your own safety that you adhere to any and all galactic edicts that are issued for your attention. Note that I am an independent advisor in this situation, and I have possibly told your something that could be to my own detriment. So be it, as I will not see your race possibly destroyed by a simple misunderstanding. We will speak again later and hopefully I can help you again before I attempt to flee your world.’

Steve looked downcast as he understood the import of the last part of the captain’s message to humanity. He then also repeated his earlier statement that he would contact Australian authorities later in the day before concluding the broadcast. As a wave of relief passed through both races on the bridge, Steve turned to Captain Narindestat after several moments and offered a question.

‘Captain, you are a professional at this and I appreciate your efforts in reaching out to humanity. So know how do you think the Barus in orbit will react to our broadcast?’

                                                            ***

Ian Ridge held the cordless phone as he again paced around his office. After speaking with Steve Green this evening he would be flying to Perth to be closer to what was happening. At the moment he was in a five way phone conference with the leaders of the USA, England, Russia and China. The prime minister was well aware that other world leaders had sought to add input into the pressing problem of the Trader landing. But he knew that if he had these leaders in agreement the rest should be straightforward. James Whiting, the US president was speaking again and the other world leaders thoughtfully took in his words.

‘We recognise our errors in attacking both groups of aliens; however we must now make a choice in how we deal with this situation. We can either help the Traders to flee as we are not actually a galactic race at the present time, or we can help hand them over to the unknown but suspect actions of the Barus. I do not favour handing them over to the Barus. We can also state that we will not back down on the rights of our people to peacefully obtain technology that may assist us in light of the recent alien visits.’

Ian paused and listened as another leader replied, before he then spoke again.

‘Also note the Barus have placed themselves above any direct involvement with humanity. As a matter of principle we should both decline any suggestions they have and advise them to leave.’

The leaders of China and Russia still wanted to tempt both the Barus and the Traders to surrender their ships. But the other leaders pointed out again that military action had not worked when pitted against the greater technology of the alien races, leaving only negotiation. The UK prime minister now made his views known.

‘I recommend that we go with Ian’s initiative, we can have additional scientists on the island within two days. Now we need to state the leadership and the parameters of the scientist’s involvement. I think we need to obtain appropriate technology my preference is for the power technology, and then the shields and finally the large beam weapons. We should not squander this opportunity to progress our technology and the information should be freely shared amongst all nations.’

Ian Ridge listened in agreement, though the US President gave a protest that he half expected.

‘Well we do not want the technology to disrupt the economy too much, though I understand that every thing has already changed due to the arrival of the aliens.’

Ian had no problem voicing his own opinion as he started with the US president’s concern.

‘Well James, so be it if everyone has access to the power generational technology. Hopefully we can keep the shields, and especially the weapons, under tighter control due to their nature. Now getting back to the scientists in the research mission, we will impress upon them the value of defensive knowledge primarily, plus anything we can use to add solutions to our existing problems. As for leadership, I propose that Steve Greene be named science mission leader, and that he be supported by Douglas Stoneham. There is a military component to this mission I feel that Steve best handles that requirement and the new relationship between his team and the Traders will help with this decision as well.’

The Australian prime minister soon had agreement from the other leaders, and they continued their conversation to cover the types of scientists that should be involved in the science mission. Ian was already looking forward to the conversation he would have with Steve later in the evening.