Méridien (The Silver Ships Book 3) (40 page)

Alex smiled and looked across the table to Renée. “I try, Ser Stroheim, but there is so much that requires my attention.”

Renée recalled how much of Alex’s sleep she had usurped last evening. She glanced toward Katie, who offered her a wink, and Renée returned a guilty smile.

“It’s time we joined the others,” Alex announced and led the group to one of the
Unsere Menschen
’s extensive meal rooms. The room’s 500 seats were nearly full. As Alex’s group entered, he directed the Representatives to a long table set at an angle just to the left of the front table where Alex seated the Ambassadors to one side of him and the Ministers on the other. Renée sat with Tatia and some of the flotilla’s other officers at one of the foremost tables.

Every implant in the flotilla was set to record the President’s first address, courtesy of Z’s broadcast throughout the flotilla. Even the un-implanted young were crowded in front of vid screens to watch. The people’s work throughout the flotilla came to a standstill.

“Sers,” said Alex, opening the meeting and choosing to stand in front of the head table. “This is an exciting time for us … the free people of Haraken.”

Alex’s audience felt no reason to be inhibited. They cheered and clapped at Alex’s pronouncement—they were the free people of Haraken.

“But we have a great deal of work to do,” Alex continued. “Before you,” said Alex, waving at the two tables, “are your Assembly Representatives, Ministers, and Ambassadors. While the New Terrans are familiar with most of these terms, I urge all of you to learn the histories of our societies. You are here in this room because you have been selected as the core builders of our new colony. You will be reporting to one of our Ministers or our military leader, Admiral Tachenko.”

Alex began to pace slowly, gathering his thoughts. “I challenge all of you as you apply yourself to your new jobs to keep a few things in mind. While we have immediate requirements to develop basic infrastructure, I want you to think of our future … of a city of ten to fifteen million people. Plan well.”

Pausing in front of the Representatives’ table, Alex said, “While the ten of you work to create our constitution, design our government, and write our laws, keep in contact with the will of our people … all of them. And remember the manner in which the Independents were treated by the Confederation. Be prepared to be generous and bestow our liberties on any intelligent beings.”

Turning to the broader audience, Alex pointed a finger at them. “And I challenge you to create a world we can be proud of. Preserve Haraken for hundreds of generations to come. Seek to balance the needs of our people with the nature of our planet. Do not destroy the planet for the sake of unrestrained growth. To all of you,” Alex said, turning slowly in a circle to encompass his audience and the appointed government individuals, “Work with our SADEs … depend on them. We are here today, on the eve of our new world, by virtue of their power and the gift of their goodwill. They are as much a part of our new society as all of you.”

Alex paused before retracing his steps back to the central table to lean against it. He had debated how much to concern this group with the importance of their technological development.
What would be so wrong if we only managed to produce an agrarian society with slower tech development?
Alex had thought. But Cordelia’s report of the dying Nua’ll ship’s emergency signal stayed with him, and his answer was that agrarian societies don’t repel interstellar invaders.

“On a final note,” Alex said, having decided to push his audience, “I will tell you that much of our future depends on our development of a technological edge that will open trade between us and New Terra and the Confederation. One of my primary focuses as your President will be to ensure the development of gravity-driven shuttles within the next year.”

Alex’s incredible goal was already known among the people, but few knew the challenges that goal faced. Mickey sent a quick signal to Alex to be heard.

“Yes, Chief Engineer Brandon,” Alex called out.

“Mr. President, while we are making great progress replicating many parts of a silver ship and the SADEs have every confidence that we can grow the crystal circuitry and power-crystals, none of us has any confidence that we can ‘tune,’ for want of a better word, a shell to resonate as required. You are placing so much hope for our future on this technology, which I believe we can’t possibly develop within the year.”

Mickey’s earnest face appealed to Alex, who had hoped not to have to answer this particular question at this time. “Chief, that’s the purpose of our next scheduled meeting,” Alex said.

But as he surveyed the room, expectant faces stared back at him. It was obvious the people needed an answer, needed to be able to hope.
Oh well, might as well get this over with,
Alex thought.

“You’re quite right, Chief. We haven’t the time to learn how to resonate a shell. So we’ll appeal to the original builders to help us.”

Comms began working overtime and swamping the SADEs. In front of Alex, people chatted or commed and some outright argued … the New Terrans, of course. Alex glanced toward the officers’ table. They sat calmly waiting his next statement, prepared to carry out any orders. Renée wore a smile for him.

“But, Admiral …” Mickey began, “I mean, Mr. President, are you suggesting we set up our facilities on Libre to accommodate the Swei Swee?’

“Certainly not, Chief,” Alex replied. “I’m going to invite the Swei Swee to live on Haraken. I don’t expect most will come, but I have a pretty good idea that one Hive First will accept my invitation.” Alex turned toward the Assembly Representatives and said, “And you need to take that into account when you draft our constitution and define the term ‘citizen.’”

Lina jumped up, exclaiming, “Ser President, what if our people do not wish the Swei Swee to join us? They were responsible for the death of more than a billion of our people. What is the duty of our Assembly, then?”

“Assemblywoman Monti, let me clarify something first,” Alex replied. “The Swei Swee were responsible for the death of Méridiens and Librans, not Harakens. They are your people now. And, yes, if the consensus of the people guides the Assembly to restrict Haraken citizenry to humans only, you are free to do so.”

Lina sat back down with a satisfied air, ignoring the hard stares directed her way, especially from Ser de Guirnon, whose body language projected an air of poised tension.

“But, Assemblywoman Monti,” said Alex, taking two slow steps toward her table, “understand me well. The Swei Swee were taken from their home world and forced to serve the Nua’ll or see the extinction of their race. When the opportunity presented itself, they revolted and sacrificed entire hives, including hundreds of hatchlings, to win their freedom. I find great honor in their actions at Arnos and believe they would be a fine addition to Haraken. Not to mention, they would give our colony the technological edge we need to succeed.”

Alex took a deep breath and turned away from Lina, biting back his next comment. Instead, with a resigned air, he said, “If, however, Harakens believe this world should be exclusively human then I for one will exercise my free will and choose not to make Haraken my home.”

Alex turned to his table for a glass of water and a moment to cool his temper.
A fine beginning for our new society
, Alex thought, not sure whether he was angry at Lina or himself or both of them. Alex’s back was to the room, and the silence from nearly five hundred people was eerie, unexpected. While he was seeking a means by which to restore the meeting’s agenda, Z signaled him.

Alex replied.

Z’s phrasing brought a soft smile to Alex’s face.

Those at the front table were greatly relieved to see Alex’s scowl give way to a smile. Tomas had little doubt as to the source of the change. It had to be one of the SADEs.
They are more alike than anyone can imagine
, Tomas thought, recalling Terese’s words.

Alex replied.

He caught the eye of Tomas, who wore a pained and apologetic expression. While sipping on his cup of water, Alex stripped Lina’s comm security protocols and linked her with Z in time to hear the SADE’s summary. After Z finished, Alex turned around and leaned against the front table, waiting, and the people of the flotilla waited with him.

Lina’s rather smug countenance had faded and was replaced with consternation. Had she ever been on the mats with Tatia, she would have been familiar with an opponent’s combination punches. Z’s summary had included more than forty message themes, each theme backed by tens of thousands of individual messages. The people were angry with the words she had spoken to their President, and all of them offered her the same choice: apologize or resign. Lina stood and held herself stiffly erect, a sour expression on her face as she regarded Alex.

“Yes, Assemblywoman Monti, have you something else you wish to say?” Alex asked, careful to keep his countenance neutral.

“Yes, Ser President, I have received messages from our people. They indicate that I should have sought their opinions on the Swei Swee before expressing my own,” Lina said contritely. “I hope you accept my apology for my ill-considered opinion.”

“I do, Assemblywoman Monti,” Alex offered politely. “We must live by cooperating with one another and with any other entities who seek to enjoy the freedom we will offer our citizens.”

Alex turned and addressed the entire audience. “I will leave you now to begin your work. You have much to do. We’ll make Haraken orbit in two and a half more days.”

As Alex ended, the applause and whistling in the room was deafening. He returned their approval with a solemn nod of his head and led the group, who would participate in his third and last meeting, to a small conference room.

Étienne grinned at his crèche-mate and sent,

Alain smiled and sent back,

Tatia, Mickey, Tomas, Eric, and Étienne followed Alex into the conference room. The participants took seats while Alex remained standing, with Étienne taking his usual place slightly behind and to the side of Alex, where he could observe the people and the door.

“We have a big job that needs to get done as soon as possible,” Alex began. “I’ll need the
Freedom
and the
Rêveur
. Admiral, you’ll need a new Captain for the
Rêveur
.”

“Already done, Mr. President,” Tatia replied. “Captain Edouard Manet is the
Rêveur
’s new Senior Captain; Captain Miko Tanaka has the
Outward Bound
.”

“Very efficient, Admiral,” replied Alex, nodding.

“Just trying to keep up, Mr. President,” Tatia replied with a cheeky smile.

“Tomas, have Captain Cordova clear out a bay on the
Freedom
and make it pristine, as in medically approved,” Alex said, beginning a rapid fire set of orders. “Mickey, build me a shallow pool in that bay, thirty meters across and one meter deep with circulation systems and filtration for seawater. Eric, work with Mickey. I need two things. First, once Mickey has completed the pool, I need to fill it with fresh seawater from Haraken.”

Eric was inclined to ask how he should accomplish this when it occurred to him that it was part of the job. Instead he nodded his acceptance to Alex and asked, “And the second item, Ser President?”

“Catch me some sea creatures, a sampling of small fish, crabs, or whatever Haraken has in the ocean. They must be kept viable and transferred to the
Freedom
just before we leave. Mickey, I’ll need a separate tank for Eric’s catch.” On a quick signal from Julien, Alex added, “And, Mickey, give me one more little tank, same size as the food tank, to hold the Swei Swee eggs.”

“What quantity of specimens will suffice, Ser President?” Eric asked.

“We need to keep the Swei Swee fed for the return trip, Eric. Try for five hundred kilos.”

“Who’s going and who’s staying, Mr. President?” Tatia asked.

“You, Tomas, and Mickey are going,” Alex answered. “We’ll leave the
Outward Bound
behind. I think Eric can make use of its heavy lift capability for his jobs. Leave Sheila behind as well. I want the flotilla well defended. Eric, you’re in charge while we’re gone. Mickey, the pool is your priority. You and your engineers will set our timeline. When you’re ready, Eric will have the specimens delivered and we’ll launch immediately.”

“You seem certain, Mr. President, that your invitation will have takers,” Tatia commented.

“I don’t think most of the Swei Swee will. Not after what they’ve been through,” Alex replied.

“But you’re counting on our Hive First, aren’t you, Mr. President?” Tatia pushed.

Alex regarded his new Admiral, and not finding a ready answer, he just shrugged his shoulders.

It was a pivotal moment for the Harakens. The ships were in formation, orbiting the planet. The SADEs were training their telemetry on the surface and projecting wide and close views of the planet. In the sixty-two years since the Nua’ll had vacated the system, the planet had maintained its bio-health. The ecosystem had limped along, developing vast grasslands across its savannahs. The few trees were small and stunted. The upper winds and heat from the plains created a sufficient energy differential to pull moisture from the oceans and drive light rains across the lands, but the effect was minimal. The planet was in dire need of deep, abundant streams, rivers, and lakes of freshwater. More freshwater would mean more trees, eventually tracts of forests, which would mean more oxygen in the air, increasing the rain cycles.