Mac, Lyri, and Silu filed into the conference room inside The Hall. Tribal Head Darclemus was there, as well as standard security and a few members of the tribal council.
“Please sit.” Darclemus offered, and the three of them settled into the chairs indicated. “I’m sure you heard; we have received word from Sol. They have sent us several messages along with some other data not in video media. Our tech is sending personal messages to your personal devices. I am told there is a cover video to see. I asked you all here to watch it together.” He nodded to one of his aids and a screen was lowered on the wall.
Soon, the image of an aging man in an expensive suit appeared to stare back at them. Subtitles began to flow as he started speaking in English. “Greetings. I am Franklin Marovanski, the elected chancellor of the Sol Federation Council. I hope I will be able to make all your acquaintances in due time. First off, ‘Chief’ Darclemus, I wish to express my utmost interest in opening a dialogue with you. This may be little more than information exchange, at the moment; but great oaks start from small beginnings. I will put it bluntly. The human species must expand or die, but our history is littered with our treading on each other to do so. Our recent history has shown that we cannot afford to make those same mistakes. We wish to enlist your people in aiding us to enter the galactic community with as little… unpleasantness as possible. To that end. The Sol Federation has named Lt Mackenzie... uh... Grarzia as our acting agent in the field until such time as we can send an ambassadorial envoy. As such, he is authorized to negotiate the exchange of sensitive information at his sole discretion. We are sending a separate data packet and have more substantial messages addressed to different parties and departments inside your government. These are subject to the approval of agent Mackenzie and the Helyon head of state. Mackenzie is the closest thing to an expert we have on the greater galaxy; we will be trusting him to help us avoid any cultural misunderstandings. I look forward to hearing from you, Chief Darclemus. Good day, and good luck.” The message ended.
Darclemus turned to look at Mac, “What is your take on this… franklin?” the head of Helyon Looked to Mac.
“He is an elected leader. He is being cautious. The real information will be in the packets.” Mac responded. But his heart wasn’t in it. It had been little more than an hour since the news that Sol had received their message. Mac wasn’t thinking like a diplomat. He was thinking like a desperate soldier who just got his first letter from home all over again.
“I am to authorize individual messages to different departments to open dialogue and information exchange. I’m sure they intended for me to vet all of them, but I don’t see this working without full transparency. Consider Everything they send, authorized. We cannot afford to hide anything. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to time to….”
Darclemus raised his hand, “I understand. This is hardest on you right now. We can talk at weeks end when this matter has had time to dull its edge. Go, be with family.” The head of state dismissed them all. Lyri flew a stunned Mac home. The emotions broiling off him made it hard for her to focus on keeping Vito Airborne.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Silu, Icario, Tristen and Tili met them at their lodge, Tili had brought food and the men sat with Mac as the women prepared dinner.
“Martin sent me one of your Human dishes to try, it’s become a household favorite.” Tili smiled as she placed a plate of kababs on the large sitting table. The cubes of meat were a bit smaller than a normal Kabab and the skewers were a touch light on the meat, but Mac raised an eyebrow as he noticed char marks.
“You grilled these?” He asked.
“Icario did, I merely prep’d them. He has been experimenting with cooking more over open flame since Tristen started raging about your cookout.” Tili responded as everyone sat down, “there is more in the kitchen, we like them more bite sized than the human version.
”Thank you,” Lyri gave her mother a human hug, she had been doing that more lately. “Today’s been a little overwhelming.” Then paused as her mother looked at her in confusion.
“Love’, she doesn’t have translators in. You said that in English, perfectly by the way.” Mac chuckled to her in Delmar.
“Oops!” Lyri giggled and repeated herself in her native tongue.
“Lyri wanted to learn English and Gaelic, I wanted to give her some Immersion to help, so we have been only using those two around the house.” Mac explained after.
“Tha e coltach gu bheil e ag obair gu math (It seems to work well)” Lyri said causing Mac to make a face, before she skipped off into the kitchen for more Skewers for everyone. She returned and sat down next to Mac, stealing a skewer from his plate with a peck on the cheek.
Mac finally gave an explosive sigh, “Fuck it! Who wants to meet the the other side of the family.” He spoke. He didn’t let anyone reply as he activated the wall mounted console screen and que’s the first message. Holographic technology was prevalent, but long-distance messages were still sent in ‘2d’ to save on data. The image of a very tan young human adult male appeared. He was sitting at an office desk, in a military uniform similar to the one in Mac’s wardrobe.
His clothes appeared clean, but slightly disheveled as one might expect after a long day in them. The top button on his shirt was unbuttoned and his almost black, brown hair topped equally dark, and very intense brown eyes. Tili gasped a little in surprise as the man bared his teeth in a very human smile, pouring from a bottle of Jeremiah Weed into a metal tin cup.
Captions scrolled as he began to speak “Lysol, alcohol, a touch of gasoline…” the man mused, “Tha gràin agam fhathast gun d 'fhuair thu mi gu dearbh mar an cac seo. (I still hate that you got me to actually like this shit).” He threw the shot back before pouring another. “Mac, I know you, better than anyone else on this planet at least. So, I’ll start with the answer to your question. No. We didn’t send anyone else... about a week after your accident, we got a burst of interstellar noise directly along your flight path that disabled the the deep space array listening over Pandora. Turns out we just didn’t know how to listen. I may have stolen that interstellar noise data and figured out it was a transmission of sorts. Aimed at LightHouse. I got caught, but Ma’ stepped in. She suspected what I did after she took her recommission to run LEAP. We triggered LightHouse after reconfiguring Pandora Array to not be overwhelmed. We were hoping to get another burst of ‘noise’. We got your message instead.”
His intense serious expression vanished in a goofy grin as he took a sip of the whisky this time, “In other news you crazy motherfucker, you gave us FTL! Your basic explanation let us place the last pieces. Titan industries is launching an arrival beacon next week to try a drone test… but Slipstream is viable. We need more data, but we might be able to get to you in 4-9 months if we launched today.”
Captain Silu swore in shock at that one.
“We aren’t totally sure yet. We have no idea how you made your trip with such haste, but it’s not something we feel safe trying, Yet. Ma’ and I have been pulled off LEAP to oversee the research team. I now outrank your ass. HA!” The man Barked a fierce laugh as Mac finally noticed the Commodore insignia on his Brother’s uniform.
“So, I get to torture you with this next part… CAPTAIN… it’s all on our official transmission, but you are being field promoted commensurate with your status as acting agent of Sol, and your outstanding effort in NOT FUCKING DYING despite the eggheads best efforts. Congratulations, captain. Now! That’s all I got, falbh pòg mòr air a’ bhan-dia iomlan sin de bhoireannach a bha e coltach gun do mheall thu a bhith còmhla riut. (Go kiss that absolute Goddess of a woman you seemed to have tricked into being with you.)” He whipped out a lighter… and lit the entire remaining contents of the mug on fire…. “FOX2!” He bellowed and slammed back the flaming beverage, somehow managing to still extinguish the flames despite the cups wide mouth.
The message ended with Clint tapping a button.
“And that, was Nitro” Mac chuckled... slowly sitting back to ponder what he had just watched.
“That’s your brother?” Tilli asked, “I thought you two were related?”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Bonds formed in death and bloodshed are one of the few bonds that rival family among humanity. He is kin in every way that matters.” Mac explained.
“He’s… intense.” Tristen said carefully. Tili nodded at that.
.
“I like’em” Lyri announced proudly, triggering a burble of involuntary laughter from her father and Silu.
“You would. Void born know their own after all.” Silu said sagely, only for the moment to be ruined by his smirk.
“One more to go, who wants to meet my aunt.” Mac said finally, breaking the silence.
“Oh yes please!” Giggled lyrian as she bounced back from the kitchen holding Delmar soft drinks for everyone. Some things turned out to be universal across the Galaxy. Carbonation was one of them. Mac and Lyrian did not drink them often, but they kept some for special occasions or entertaining company when alcohol wasn’t on the menu. She handed all the bottles out then plopped back down, popped the cap off her bottle and took a swig.
What happened next happened quickly. Lyri had not been careful with her own drink; And the carbonation responded to her over exuberance just as the bottle touched her lips. The effervescent pressurized foam forced its way out of the bottle just as Lyri tried to drink. She tried to keep from spilling, instantly realizing her predicament. It was too late, and the amber foam exploded out of the corners of her mouth, then both nostrils as she hosed the front of her poncho down in the sticky elixir.
Mac lost it first. Snarfing into his more gingerly handled drink before a belly laugh washed away much of his inner stress. He was closely followed by Tili’s laugh, and soon the whole room was howling, including Lyrian after she regained her composure.
“Fizz” Mac said finally, after taking a minute to regain his composure.
“What?” Tristen asked.
“Fizz” Mac repeated the same word jerking his thumb to point at Lyrian.
“Wait, what? NO!!” Lyrians head snapped up for where she was dabbing her poncho. Her face a mixture of horror’d understanding.
“Too late!” Mac laughed again.
“I’m confused.” Silu looked a question at Icario. Who was just smiling like an idiot. He had put it together from his snafu with the wedding papers.
“Fizz” her father nodded to Lyrian.
“Nooooooo!” Lyri’s begging dissolved into resigned laughter.
“It’s a Human tradition in military flight training. Eventually everyone gets a call sign issued to them. It must be given and earned through an event of note, fame or infamy.” Mac finally got out, waving dramatically at his wife, “Fizz” he stated like he was making an introduction. The realization smacked Tristen across the psyche and he dissolved into laughter finally.
After a few moments of resumed laughter and clean up everyone settled back in as Mac started the second message. It was obviously the same room as the screen snapped back on and the young male had been replaced by a statuesque older female Human sitting at the same desk. She had a regulation naval hair style of silver laced with grey. Assuming she was indeed at the same room, she was considerably taller than Mac’s brother. Her uniform was immaculately tailored and in perfect condition. Mac got his Icy blue eyes from this side of the family, and it shone as a matching pair bored into the camera with calm, unquestioned authority.
“James Mackenzie,” a strong commanding soprano voice rang as she spoke, “you were always the one that trouble followed.” she scolded.
“Yes Ma’ ” Mac mumbled involuntarily.
She held her gaze on the camera for a moment before her features softened considerably, “Tha dàn-thuras cumhachdach air a bhith agad, tha e coltach, a bhalaich.(You've had a mighty adventure, it seems, my boy.)” her voice finally relented as her relief bled through. “Mura biodh d’ uncail air m’ fhalt a thionndadh liath, bhiodh tu air crìoch a chuir air an obair (If your uncle hadn't turned my hair grey, you would have finished the job)”
Mac snorted and raised his soft drink in mock salute.
“Clint said most of it in his message, you are to thank for much of what we have learned. I’m heading up the group deciphering it all.. it’s, breathtaking. You are right. Sol must tread carefully for the sake of the Galaxy. I still don’t understand how that part of the Galaxy made it to space as they have.” She explained, switching to English, a hint of her Gaelic accent around the edges.
“Now, to happier things, Jamie,” She was the only one who still called him by his childhood moniker, “Your bride, she’s stunning. It seems the Almighty has seen fit to have one of my prayers answered. Treat her well my boy, you deserve your happiness. Share it with her. And permit your aunt her tradition.” Her eyes sparkled as a mischievous smirk tugged at the corners of her features. “Tha mi an dùil gum milleadh oghaichean thu tuigse (I’m expecting grandchildren to spoil, you understand).” she let the suppressed smirk free before ending the recording.
Lyri looked over to catch a slight blush on Macs face as she felt her cheeks heat.“You have her eyes.” Tili was the first to speak.
“Aye… I mean, yes, the eyes run in the Mackenzie clan. They skipped my mother, Aunt Gwen’s sister, and I ended up with them.”
Tristen whistled, “She’s almost as terrifying as you can be.”
“She’s a full blooded Highland Scot, you have no idea.” chuckled Mac as he stood up “Thank you, for the food and the company. I think I needed it.” Mac stretched with a yawn as it was getting late.
“Let’s leave you two to get some rest, the future hold little in the way of relaxation.” Silu spoke as he stood up stretching. Everyone said their goodbyes.
Icario surprised Lyri by pulling her into an uncharacteristically human embrace, pulling her close, “The tests came back this morning. ‘Little one’ The DNA is compatible” he whispered in her ear before releasing her.
He smiled as her shock at his hug became an entirely different shocked expression. Mac quickly glanced over to her as her emotional roller coaster slammed into his mind. He finished up his goodbyes and tossed Icario the key to Vito, insisting that it was after dark and that he would swing by in the morning to get it. He closed the door to their home with a wave and turned to see a stunned frozen Lyri.
“Luv?”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clint and Gwen were standing in the observation room at LEAP control as the glass door in the observation window opened and a young man wearing a simple suit minus the jacket stepped through.
“Admiral, Commodore; if you wish to take a seat, the test is about to begin” He stated. “I am Doctor Matthew Bennington Jr, the Station Chief for this Operation. I just see to any last-minute questions.”
“Thank you doctor, we have read the report. It was quite thorough.” Admiral Gwen responded. Clint nodded as well and both took a seat as the station chief retreated back to his domain.
“What do you think? You were always the brains of you two.” Gwen asked quietly, leaning over to her adoptive nephiew.
“I think It’s a coin toss between whether James is remembered as Julius Oppenheimer, or Orville Wright.” Clint responded in equal measure. “The scary part is… our actions will end up being the deciding factor.”
The Admiral nodded, “Sadly... Your brother is right, however, we are expanding. We either do so blindly, or we do so smartly. Humanity cannot survive any other way.”
“We could just bring him home, slowly expand through the unknown space between us and the ‘Unity’.” Clint offered with a wince, “I have been hearing rumblings of that.”
“I know. We risk losing the one ally that may be able to help us prevent an invasion with that course.” Gwen offered.
“I know, I heard your remarks with the Council. Quite the show.” Clint Chuckled.
Gwen went to the hearing with all her notes. She and Clint had worked through the night to prepare her for all the questions. In the end, the scans of Mac’s injuries after his Jump, then after their bio bed and nanites did their job sold it. Mac would be permanently grounded, possibly a vegetable. That is the kind of Tech we can use to recover. So much of Humaity is suffering from one medical problem or the other from the damage we have done to both our planets… Right now, Healing Sells, or we will continue to dwindle as the Injured and sick die.
“We were always better at killing each other than healing each other.” Gwen agreed. Clint watched as the camera ship behind the Test Drone followed it into pandora. This time they had two beacons set up. Mac's test, in typical Human fashion, didn’t know how much power they needed for the exercise. So, all the power was used for the beacon and the slip drive. The numbers from Mac’s test had confirmed how much power they needed to get a slip-space jump. They were using it just that much. They also had both beacons weakened to the point where the one in orbit above Titan Industries was barely receivable from light house. Light house was then matched in broadcast energy.
The drone was on remote control, LEAP Control was ensuring that the Test drone, little more than a Capital ship to Capital ship Nuclear missile with a slip drive and a nav computer replacing the warhead, had signal lock on both beacons. Then it would jump at a minimum power setting. The two watched as the control room personnel worked. Their chatter of confirmation and counter confirmation of information falling to an almost indistinguishable din through the glass of the Observation Room.
“T minus 30” the microphone in the room keyed on, broadcasting the sounds of the room.
“All green, spooling the drive.” Another voice said
“AutoNav handshake Green, we are Autonomous.” a third said.
“10-9-8…” the first voice began, and Gwen reached and grasped the hand of her adoptive nephew. He patted the back of her hand.
“3-2-1..” The voice finished.
Clint let out a little gasp as the Drone vanished, leaving the barest wisp of plasma contrail. “What’s the Delay to Titan industries?” Gwen asked.
“With the new Coms. Less than a minute.” Clint responded. Looking at his watch as the moments ticked by.
“Receiving from Titan station. OH… MY… GOD…” came a stunned voice and the microphone shut off completely as the Control room descended into complete mayhem. Clint and Gwen looked at each other then stood and opened the door to the control room and stepped in.
“REPORT!” Admiral Gwen rose to her full height and the room silenced immediately.
The head of control walked up slowly, “The test was a success, Its... It’s the data that is the surprise... we need to analyze it before we…”
“Try me...” Clint’s voice had taken on a “you will not bull shit me” tone of command as well.
“Well... Um… Commodore, Admiral… the on-board clock in the drone goes out to 20 decimals... The travel time… it…” The man started to Stammer, saved by another who ran up.
“Sir, we did the quick Estimate….. Its Hyper-Luminal” The man’s Awe was apparent, but he continued, “It explains why Captain Mackenzie made it so far… and why his injuries were so severe…. With the power to weight ratio… it was like strapping a saturn5 onto a housefly… It almost certainly completely overwhelmed his Inertial dampening systems. He Is lucky to be alive”.
The man whipped out a calculator and started pounding away at it, “If we used this same power setting, which is the absolute minimum we can use and still have a stable slip space drive core…. We could sent send one of the Destroyer class Ships from Terra or Mars Orbit to Pluto and back in less than 10 minutes… and 5 of that would be turning it around and recalculating the route… Admiral. If we chose to… we could send ship the size of the Largest Ships presents at the Second Battle of CenterPoint to the Delmar Home world in less than a year at the most. At maximum theoretical velocity…” the man started tapping again. How he was making these calculations on a simple pocket calculator was far beyond Clint. “5 of our months...”
“Jesus Christ, how much power would that need, would we need to shut down systems?” Clint asked.
“Negative, our main problem is acceleration, it takes an exorbitant amount of power to get into slip space. However, our drives appear to ride their own wake, so to speak. Once in, Maintenance power is greatly reduced from initial acceleration. It’s the other reason the captain almost died; we didn’t know we needed to throttle back once we crossed the threshold.
Clint could only stare at the man
_____________________________________________________
Darclemus sat back in his chair. He had spent until the early hours of the morning personally sifting through Humanities’ first extra solar diplomatic overture. It did not include any Slip-Drive data, only what Sol was offering in both friendship and aid as a starting point. ‘If even half of this is true….’ He looked over the offer once more. Professor Quinn and his brother had received everything and were starting their analysis in the morning.
“I can feel you from down the hall, my dear.” His wife closed the door behind her walking over and perching herself in his lap as was her want since their earliest days as bonded. “Tell me”
He handed her the pad, “freedom,” he said just above a whisper, “Delmar freedom….”