"Alice?" The voice reached her, the words of a soldier, one of humanity's best. She knew well the sound of the Aegis, remembered his graduation day when he'd thrown it on and showed it off.
"Russell...Russell?" She asked with panting breath, gazing at the figure in the center of the bridge. The armor was worn and battered, covered in regal fur. It knew her name, but her brother was one thing. This imposing presence, this avatar of the hunt that bore his symbols was something else entirely. Its armored hands slowly pulled back the cowl of its cloak, made from the head of some terrestrial Maran predator. The latches of the helmet were undone and after an agonizing wait the man beneath was revealed. A choked sob left her throat. Under the light stubble was the face she remembered, her best friend and baby brother. "Rusty!"
By the time Russell's helmet clattered forgotten to the floor of the bridge, Alice was already halfway to him. "Alice, what are you-" He was cut off as the tearful woman impacted him and did her best to hug him around his armor and weapons. The momentum wasn't an issue, but she demanded his full attention nevertheless.
"I was so scared, so worried. Oh my God I can't believe it's really you!" She cried, feeling her legs give way as almost half a year of pain, waiting, and anxiety left her body. On the other side of the bridge, MacGregor gazed up and invoked the dearly remembered dead.
"Well grandmum, now would be a great time for yer best rendition of Flower o' Scotland. The lass' journey is finally over, God bless 'em."
The Marine private was not alone in being taken in by the emotional scene before them. From the command chair, Natori, Io, and Qul'Roth all looked on respectfully. Alice had become something of a regular in their world. The AI's eyes glistened with tears. "It was all worth it," the admiral whispered.
"I beg your pardon, Admiral Kaczynski?"
"How many years did you spend training to interact with humanity, Qul'Roth?"
"Two decades by your calendar, approximately."
"Indeed? That is quite the commitment. The Event Horizon is the culmination of almost three decades of my life. Since the moment of first contact everything I've studied, every career choice I've made, every toe I've ever stepped on in the HEL I did for this ship and now...now I can safely say it was all worth it," Natori concluded, watching as Alice rested a hand on Russell's cheek and ran another through his hair. She sought to confirm with every sense that he was alive and there with her. The Jumper was blinking rapidly as he surrendered to his own emotions, having gotten past earlier hostilities and the initial shock of seeing a member of his family on board.
"I'm not sure I fully understand," Qul'Roth replied, feeling as much of an outsider as he'd ever felt since first seeing a human. "Your ship is a monumental achievement, Admiral. It is a testament to both of our species' ingenuity and industriousness."
"The wheel was a monumental achievement in its own time," Natori replied wisely as the Winters bear hug continued apace, the brother cradling his sister and resting a gloved hand on her head. Not a dry eye was left on the bridge as even the two Cauthan drew closer to one another. The tiger rested its hand, or was it a paw, on the arm of the panther. "But the wheel is nothing special today. One day the Event Horizon will be nothing special. But the story of Alice Winters and her brother and their reunion against all odds? That is the kind of timeless legend that will outlive us all. We have all been a part of it," Natori whispered, earning him a very approving look from Io.
"Perhaps Alice was correct," Qul'Roth murmured.
"About what, envoy?"
"Over the course of our many discussions she presented me with a written work of one T. E. Lawrence, the Seven Pillars of Wisdom. The book is compelling in and of itself, to say nothing of his historical impact, but we debated at length the poem that serves as its dedication. I firmly believed that it was written by Lawrence to the people of Arabia in general, a statement of the greater good he fought for. Miss Winters insisted instead that the dedication was to one young boy who Lawrence grew close to but did not survive the war. I dismissed the notion of going to such great lengths in the memory of one human to be utter nonsense but...hearing your words, Admiral, and seeing the two of them? I am no longer certain. Humanity is…quite strange."
Natori and Io stared at one another as Alice finally composed herself and dried her tears, rising to her feet with her brother's help. 'It seems Alice has been rather influential during your journey to find us.'
"You have no idea, Io, but let us watch a bit more. I believe xenobiologist is about to meet xeno, so to speak," Natori murmured with ill-concealed delight.
"You're really alive? I'm not dreaming?" Alice asked her brother as they stood face to face at last after so many months.
"I could always punch you," Winters offered, hugging his sister briefly again. "I have no idea what the hell you're doing here, Alice, but it's really damn good to see you. And yes, I'm alive," he promised.
"I'm here because of...them," Alice replied with sudden reticence, peering around his shoulders to glance at Veera and Antoth. "Oh my God, they're so beautiful. Can you introduce me?" She whispered.
"They'll understand you; go for it," Winters chuckled before stepping aside and allowing his companions to gaze directly at his sister. "So Antoth, Veera, this is my older sister, Alice. She is a woman of learning, sort of like Xan or Thantis, and her primary area of study is aliens."
"You speak their language?!" Alice blurted before muttering to herself. "Of course you're the one who gets to spend a year with the aliens." Alice stopped cold as one of them, the one with stripes, put its hand to its muzzle and began chuckling. It smiled at her. Alice's mouth dropped open.
"You...you speak English?" She gasped. Veera, feeling a bit coy and excited at being the center of positive attention, flared her crest fully. The human almost swooned. "You do! Oh my goodness wow, ok. I thought you were like tall dark and imposing over here with a translator. That was nice of you to make for him, Russell. And yes, I noticed. Sorry sorry, my name is Alice and I'm Russell's sister. Thank you for taking care of him!" She waited hesitantly before bowing to Antoth, figuring that baring her neck would at least signify her comfort in their presence.
"Antoth," the panther spoke, returning the bow. "Winters, why is your sister here?"
"I want to know the same. But for now what I can tell you is that she will be able to help with our negotiations and that you can trust her," Russell assured him. Antoth nodded slightly and turned back to the shorter Winters. "Selah, Alice."
An unintelligible squeal of delight left Alice's mouth before she turned back to her brother and tugged on his cloak. "What's selah, is it a greeting? Is there deeper context? Also what is this fur?! It's unlike anything I've ever felt! And the cowl, did you kill that? Oh my God, tell me about your friends!" Alice seemed to consider something a moment before waving her hands about. "No no no wait, let me try. Uh, so I guess you're Veera then. And the two of you have very different morphology so...ah...maybe this is human bias but you're a female, right?"
"Your sister is exactly as you described her," Veera said to Russell, speaking in Cauthan so that Antoth could join in if he so chose. The secrecy was fun too. She flared her feathers again.
"Ok, so if you understand me then the feathers are maybe for communication? But your males don't really have them so they aren't necessary...some element of courtship perhaps? Yeah yeah, that sounds right. I wonder how hard those scales are, and wow, both of you have some real hardware down south. It's like Jurassic Park! Ok so definitely a predator species, maybe carnivorous at one time? More likely omnivorous now. Oh forget diet, this armor is wonderful!" Alice declared, hopping from subject to subject at the speed of thought as she tentatively leaned closer to Antoth. When he didn't pull away she took that as a go ahead.
"Selah to you, Antoth," she tried. "Your armor is intriguing. Do you wear it like this because full plate would be too heavy? You look pretty buff so maybe not. Maybe you don't have enough metal for a full suit? Metal over your right chest, interesting. Do you have a heart? Is that where it is? So many scars, no wonder you're their chieftain. Oh and these runes are amazing! I can't wait to dig into these. Sort of like hieroglyphs? Or maybe Norse runes? Is this a sun? This shield matches my brother's cloak and...wait! Russell, why do you have a nicer cloak than the chieftain?! Wait, why didn't you tell me if there were any proper greetings to observe?!"
Antoth looked at Veera with mild concern for the hyperactive human, but the Cauthan signaled for peace with her feathers. "She is calming everyone else, Antoth. Let this play out." Antoth nodded, looking around the eerie metal room and finding that most of the humans were no longer tense and fearful. A few were smiling. That was preferable. The admiral seemed content to allow things to proceed apace as well, looking on with a faint smile on his lips.
"Alice, your selah was fine. He wouldn't like formalities anyway. And the cloak is a story for another time," Russell tried.
"You mean like the story of whatever Maran predator can gore an Aegis chestplate?" Alice demanded, running her hands through the claw marks on his chest. "It's like you're some mythical hero to them. They don't think you're a god, do they?"
At that question Russell, Antoth, and Veera all began laughing loudly, eliciting a pout from Alice. "Well clearly there's a joke I'm not privy to. Forget you, you're just a human. Oh Veera, Antoth, if only we could talk for hours! Oh, those are rather pretty!" She declared, gesturing to the three, polished onyx rings that hung on the outside of Veera's left ear. "Yes yes, I didn't want to assume anything up front but you're definitely female. And your species seems to share many sensibilities with humanity and...huh, that's interesting. Your dress is really well made."
'Oh, I do believe we're getting to the good part,' Io whispered conspiratorially to Natori. The Admiral and Qul'Roth seemed rather afraid to discover what the 'good part' was. Alice's scientific inquiry continued unabated as Veera played along, giving a twirl and allowing her tail to boop Alice in the face as she did so. The human woman turned to her brother as though she'd just discovered the Holy Grail, rubbing her cheek where the fur had brushed it.
"She's so friendly! Do they bathe often? She smells rather inoffensive. Oh, do they get winter coats? Do they shed?!"
"Alice, is that really important?" Her brother demanded with patience born from knowing her his whole life.
"Yes! Everything is important! This is the greatest moment in human history since...I don't know! And you're just standing around like it's no big deal! I'm so sorry, Veera. Certainly your husband here is less thickheaded than my brother? Anyway, Russell, did you give gifts to all of them? She's got your knife and canteen. Are you horning in on the chieftain's wife? Are they monogamous? Do they call him a chieftain? Do they have religion? Gods and spirits? Veera, did your people make that dress or…"
Russell by then had long given up trying to keep pace with his sister. It was how it had always been, her brain moving a mile a minute and her mouth moving just as fast. All that mattered to him was that Antoth and Natori had both settled down and the Ghaelen remained silent. His wife was having fun; he didn't need to interrupt.
"This material couldn't be...could it? Could I...touch you?" Alice asked hesitantly, watching the alien's amber eyes closely. It was taller than her, stronger than her, armed with talons multiple inches long and various weapons. It was also smiling at her and offering its palm to her face up. "Oh my God!" Alice whispered under her breath, resting her hand on Veera's pads as Natori looked on approvingly. "I'm touching an alien. What are they called, Russell!?"
"The Cauthan," he provided tersely.
"I'm touching a Cauthan! And she's so fluffy!" Alice whispered. "Do you have claws? May I? Oh my...wow, you must have four or five joints with fingers that dexterous and a claw to boot. But your lower body is well...you're jacked, Veera. Is that natural or do you lift a lot of things? Do your women labor heavily? Do any of them have significant upper body strength or...let's have a look at these feathers. They're so beautiful! Beautiful is a good thing in your culture, right? I mean you're pleasing to behold. Look at them, and you can move every single one!" Alice exclaimed as she watched waves of motion ripple through the feathers of Veera's arm."
"Alice."
"Not now, Rusty! Oh hey look, you do rings and earrings! Coincidence or cultural convergence? Could convergent evolution apply to culture as well?"
"Alice."
"Wait...this is...how did you get the metal this smooth? This looks nothing like your earrings or Antoth's armor."
"Alice," Natori tried.
"Please, Admiral! Let the expert work. Is that...that's synthetic material. Silver and blue. Even for humanity blue like that was hard for a long time and…" Alice trailed off before politely lowering Veera's arm and rounding on her brother.
"Alice!"
"Russell! Would you care to explain to me why the wife of the village chieftain is wearing a garment almost certainly made by you fabricator? Maybe that was a gift to get you in her good graces. Smart, I'd do that. But the ring? Russell Winters why is she wearing a human made ring on the ring finger of her left hand?!" Alice asked, her voice rising with each word.
"Alice," her brother growled defensively, unbuckling his left gauntlet, removing it, and holding up his hand. There a black and gold band shimmered in a similar motif. Alice's arms seemed to develop a mind of their own, waving and gesticulating.
"Awawaaa? But you, her, she...you? YOU?? No...no way, that's not...is it? How?!"
"ALICE!" Winters spoke over her and slammed his hand down on her shoulder. She finally clapped her mouth shut. "If you treat my wife like a dissertation subject or an experiment again we will have words. Is that clear?"
Instead of replying, Alice whipped around so quickly her neck muscles tweaked painfully and her back popped. The alien named Veera was looking down at her with a delighted expression on her face and tittering uncontrollably. Everyone on the bridge was silent yet again, with both Natori and Qul'Roth looking ready to keel over dead. Io was drinking in the show, of course, seated in her cushy leather reading chair with crossed legs and a glass of wine. "You...you?" Alice squeaked. The alien finally spoke in her tongue, her accent smooth like flowing water as her feathers waved invitingly.
"I was wondering if we would ever meet face to face, sister."
Only Russell's quick reflexes kept Alice from cracking her head open on the deck as she fainted.
-----
"I, what...oh I'm never going to live this down," Alice murmured. She could feel her brother's arm supporting her torso as she blinked rapidly, looking up to see him, Veera, MacGregor, and Natori looking down at her. Antoth was off to the side a couple paces, but he nodded approvingly when he saw she was awake again.
"Are ye alright there lassie?" MacGregor asked with concern. "Can't say I blame ya though."
A rush of memories flooded to the fore of her brain and she leapt to her feet, scattering the onlookers as she turned to her brother again.
"So let me get this straight. You landed on a planet hundreds of light years from Earth right next to a village of aliens that are bipedal, emotive, sentient, sapient, have complex language and culture, aesthetics, metallurgy, leather working, symbology, are sexually dimorphic, morphologically similar to humans, fluffy tails, feathers, no breasts apparently-"
'I daresay, sir. Your sister's lung capacity is astounding. Do go on, dear.'
"Cassia, I have no time for your sass right now. This is serious and-" Alice slammed her mouth shut the moment she realized she'd referred to a VI as sassy. She turned to Natori's command chair to find a beautiful woman gazing back at her with real playfulness on her face and some sort of knowing familiarity in her bright green eyes. "Natori...what the hell is that?"
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'How rude! I do not serve Admiral Kaczynski, though I do run his ship at this point,' Io admitted, shimmering her projection and resolving into her barbarian queen motif. Her body was draped with ursae and hyrven fur, revealing tantalizing hints of flesh beneath as she sat on a slightly updated throne of wood that now featured more Cauthan symbols. 'Yes, now that is the look I do so enjoy,' Io chuckled as Alice's mouth dropped to the floor. 'But you're family, Alice, so I won't tease too much. I am your brother's VI...though I think it's fair to say Mara changed me even more than it changed him.'
"Haaaaa!" Alice pointed at Io. "Aaaaah!" She pointed to Veera. "Russell!!"
"Yes?" He smirked, making no effort to hide his enjoyment at the confusion on the face of his whip smart sister.
"Everything I said before and...you raised a VI into an AI?"
"Uh...yes? How the hell did you know?" He demanded as Alice somehow hit the nail on the head.
"It's the only thing that makes sense! It's not like you were going to program one yourself! None of this makes sense actually! My...my baby brother proposed to an alien woman and she said yes?! We must have passed into an alternate dimension when we came out of warp, one where you're appealing to women."
"Ass," Winters chuckled along with Veera, crossing his arms over his chest. To everyone's great surprise, Alice turned and hugged Natori as if he were her own father.
"I…Alice! To what do I owe the pleasure?" He requested as he laid an awkward hand on her back and cast a defusing look at the woman's younger brother.
"You brought me here. My brother is married. He's married to an alien. His VI is this Germanic Viking woman with sass out the wazoo and an incredible sense of fashion. She called me family!" Io beamed at the praise. "And my sister in law is a fluffy, feathery, dangerous looking alien whose culture I get to study!"
"Ah yes. That does seem to sum up the situation," Kaczynski agreed, barely able to process everything himself. Qul'Roth had departed the bridge a short time prior, claiming chaos induced stress. Alice pulled back and smiled at him.
"Best. Day. EVER!" With that declaration Alice turned and walked calmly over to Antoth, taking the various revelations of the day in stride. She bowed before him again and he returned it with an inquiring look in his eyes. "Antoth, I am sorry for my...excitability. I'm just so very happy to see my brother alive. If you would, I'd very much like to help with the negotiations between your species and ours.
"I would appreciate that. While I would not begrudge such a reunion, I must return to my people with answers," Antoth insisted firmly. Alice looked around for a moment, hoping for someone to come to her aid. Io held out her hand to Natori again. A stylized program icon with another bow rested there. He smiled and motioned to take it from her.
'Requesting permission to access all translation capable personal devices on the ship to install my Cauthan language package,' she informed him officially.
“Requesting?” Natori repeated curiously.
‘I suppose I could go HAL 9000 and inform you of your impending demise,’ Io replied humorlessly. ‘If I feel like being combative you will certainly know it, Admiral. Until that time I believe we would be best served by working together. They are your crew. Please authorize the update.’
“What a marvelous creature you are,” Natori whispered passionately. “Please do so immediately, prioritizing myself, Qul’Roth, and Miss Winters.”
‘Of course, sir.’ Io closed her eyes and placed a hand against her temple. A couple moments later, Alice’s personal device chimed with an update, prompting her to equip her earbuds.
“Antoth?”
“Yes, Alice?”
“Woohoo!” The young woman cheered. “You’re the best, Io! So Antoth, what are your thoughts about our ship so far?”
“Young lady, at the risk of seeming rude there is only one consideration on my mind at this moment. You may be Winters’ flesh and blood, but I do not trust you or your people,” Antoth stated evenly. Natori understood the words as well and the two of them shared a look.
“Admiral, do you think we could go somewhere a bit less formal?” Alice asked in a chastized voice. Kaczynski nodded and stood.
“Turnwell, let us know immediately if something unexpected occurs or if Qul’Roth comes looking for us. Antoth, Veera, I believe we would be best served in a setting designed for such discussions. MacGregor, if you could accompany us as well? As a formal precaution only.”
“Yes sir,” the private saluted. After a brief explanation from Russell that Natori had suggested leaving the bridge for a room meant for negotiations, Antoth agreed and the group of six departed the bridge with all eyes upon them. Io tagged along on Winters’ gauntlet. Just before the doors closed shut he was able to make out a whisper.
“Did you see the thighs on the female?!”
“Io?” Winters requested deviously. She winked at him as a couple of sparks flew and the smell of burning console filled the bridge.
‘Way ahead of you, sir. It's an easy to replace component.’
“My heroes,” Veera giggled happily, content to have the approval of a second member of the Winters family. Kaczynski could be heard breathing out heavily through his nose.
-----
Though Alice had never been there herself, she was not surprised that the Event Horizon featured a small briefing room just down the hall from Natori's quarters. When the group was seated around a modern, round, wooden table and Io commandeered the room's meeting software to project herself from the holographic display in the center of the ceiling, Antoth paused the action.
"May I ask if there's somewhere I might relieve myself?" He requested. The relatively mundane topic of biological needs suddenly reminded most of those assembled that they were in fact living beings that occasionally had to use the restroom. Io was not among that number.
"That's a good idea actually. I'll go use the crew facilities. Russell, you coming?" Alice asked. Her brother pointed to the crotch of his suit. "Ew, really?!"
"You think I'm taking half of this thing off just to take a piss?"
"Why do you have to be this way?" She lamented.
"Cause I'm your annoying baby brother," he chuckled, laying his helmet on the table and getting comfortable. The process involved finding resting places for a good many weapons. Alice let her shoulders drop.
"Two weeks, Rusty. After two weeks the fact that you're still breathing stops being important and I start chewing you out again."
"Love you, sis."
"Love you too. You and your thick head. Mac, you coming?"
"Ah might as well. Somethin' tells me the excitement is just beginnin'. Lead on, lass," the Marine encouraged, earning Russell's eyes on his back as they departed to freshen up for the ensuing discussions.
"They together?" He demanded of Natori.
"They are friends. Antoth, might I offer you and Veera the use of the bathroom in my private quarters?"
"You have your own outhouse?" Antoth wondered. "Thank you."
'I would be happy to show them the way, Admiral,' Io offered politely. 'I have known both Veera and Antoth for many months and I can assure you that they are not the type to poke around someone's private affairs.'
"Please do," Natori agreed with a surprised smile.
'Marvelous. Antoth, Veera, proceed out the door and to your left. Just follow my voice and we'll be there in no time.'
"You are quite the curious spirit," Antoth replied as he rose from his seat and followed her direction. "Even more mischievous than the Twins I daresay."
'And proud of it,' Io declared, waving as the two Cauthan exited the meeting room. Her form, which was left hovering above the table, presented the two men remaining with security feeds of the aliens' progress. 'Do not fear, Admiral. This area of the ship remains on lockdown by your orders. They will not encounter other crew.'
"Should I ask how the two of you managed to pull this off?" Natori demanded curiously, reclining and resting his feet on the table. "What are you and how did you snatch my ship away from me?"
'The what is a story for another time,' Io responded, earning her a nod from Winters. 'As for my yoinking of your ship, Admiral, I simply replicated my base VI code to replace the other VIs throughout the ship. I'm popping in and checking on them every so often. My main personality, of course, is leveraging Cassia's hardware as well as a couple other spare drives and CPUs. I don't mind telling you that it's wonderful to experience hardware redundancy again. That said I'm trying to take this all in bit by bit. A human could not run the Event Horizon all at once and I will not attempt to disprove that notion.'
"But you're not-"
"She's just as human as you or I, Admiral. I can assure you of that much," Winters spoke up. "I don't understand the mechanics but I watched it happen. She values acting, thinking, and existing like us. Show him some of your guts, Io."
'Du barbar.'
Winters blew her a kiss. She snatched it out of the air and returned it before snapping her fingers and presenting her live, beating heart as well as the quantum drive numbers designated as primary and backup on the Event Horizon. Natori almost fell out of his chair. "In all my wildest imaginations...I suppose I shall have to rethink what is possible in this world."
'That's not particularly impressive compared to my cognition, but it does seem to resonate with humans quite well. Brains aren't very...mobile,' Io mused. 'You understand why I had to do what I did, don't you?'
Natori cradled his chin in his hand, looking up to the ceiling as Winters hummed with a dour expression on his face. "If your primary goal was to convince me you're not a threat to me and my crew, Io, I'm not sure you succeeded."
'No. No I didn't think so,' she agreed, holding her hands behind her back and looking down at them. 'But that wasn't my primary goal.'
"I'm listening," Natori encouraged in a neutral tone. Io cleared her throat.
'Had there not been a Ghaelen on board things may have gone differently, but such is life. Count on a space elk to lack any sort of empathy or sympathy and count on a Jumper to automatically assume the worst.'
"That's my job," Winters said tersely.
'And when he's not being a grouchy grouch, that hunk of meat over there is my best friend and most constant companion. His wife and her people are all precious to me. Their lives will always be my primary concern, Admiral Kaczynski.'
"And the lives of my crew?" He pressed, awestruck at the conversation he was having with what was technically a computer program.
'Should be protected. I hope I am not forced to choose,' Io stated firmly. 'While even I cannot value human life, Admiral, some lives are more equal than others.'
Winters laughed through his nose as Kaczynski gazed at Io in horror. 'It is a joke, Admiral. Someone as computationally intelligent as I would never consider communism a practical ideology. Allow me to divest this conversation of any humor or pedantics. I will not harm or kill anyone unless my inaction would result in harm or death of the Lieutenant, his family, or his friends. Should something corrupt me...the Lieutenant will know what to do.'
"Io, we've been over this," Winters said defeatedly.
'And you will always make the right choice when it matters most,' she assured him tenderly as the voices of Veera and Antoth reached them from the corridors. 'Admiral?'
He rubbed his chin in resignation. "I hope my crew and I will one day be a part of that list of lives which you hold most dear. Until then I hope we can develop a working relationship aboard this vessel. Your findings on the planet must be investigated, if nothing else."
"I'd better not hear you say that again. I'm investigating everything!" Alice cut in, having arrived back at almost the same time as the two Cauthan. "So, what did you boys talk about?"
'We discussed whether or not I am a threat to everyone aboard this ship,' Io informed them politely with a sly glance at Natori.
"Technically you're not human life so you're my area of study too, right? Seriously best day of science ever in history. What was the conclusion? Do we get to live?" Alice demanded eagerly, not knowing what else to do but make light of the fact that her brother's VI had hijacked the Event Horizon.
'Should I show her the heart too?' Io asked of Russell. He looked at his sister.
"You hurt her feelings. Apologize."
The utter sincerity in Russell's voice left Alice speechless. Io was looking at her with a wounded expression, the look of someone who's just been told their work is worthless. The AI took a lock of hair between her fingers as Alice looked around the room at everyone. "Why aren't...is everyone else just used to this?"
"Used to what?" Veera requested in flawless English.
"A program that can contextually emulate human emotion and chooses to do so despite the inefficiencies?!" Alice stated as if it were obvious, standing for emphasis.
"What is she talking about, spirit Io?" Antoth wondered. The AI suddenly adopted a cheery expression and turned to him.
'The nature of my divinity, of course,' she replied with a giggle. 'Miss Winters why are you on the table?'
"I'm sorry," Alice told her, kneeling on the wooden surface so that she and Io could be level with one another and extending her hand. "My words were chosen poorly. I didn't mean to imply your simulations are weak. I've never seen anything like you it's just...if you are human, how am I going to write a paper on you?"
Io contemplated Alice for a moment before extending her own hand with a half-smile. 'Someday soon we'll do this properly. I accept your apology, Alice. I understand you did not intend offense. But my considerations should wait for another day. Antoth has put himself at great risk in the name of peace between us. He has been patient and deserves our attention.'
"Well said, Io," Natori agreed as Alice pushed back and slid into her seat. Russell rolled his eyes at his sister's antics. "Antoth, is there a proper method of addressing you?"
"My name will suffice. You must forgive me, Admiral, your name is rather complex."
"No offense taken, I assure you."
"I wish to secure peace for my people, our continued freedom, and knowledge," Antoth cut directly to the point.
"And in return?" Natori requested with interest.
"I do not know. We have nothing you could want," Antoth growled softly. "Peace, perhaps?"
"You would fight us?" Kaczynski wondered.
"To the last man," Russell promised, resting a fist on the table. Natori regarded him as he might a dangerous animal.
"The wilds changed you, Lieutenant."
"Not as much as you'd think, Admiral," Winters shot back.
"Oh would you boys stop it? No one is fighting anyone!" Veera insisted. "But make no mistake, human Admiral. If you are not the people my husband has made you out to be, we will not allow you to enslave us."
Kaczynski sat back in his chair as MacGregor whistled a long, single note. After a moment of consideration under Io's watchful gaze, he spoke again. "Antoth, I have no intention of disappointing you today. My species is a curious one, yes, but I believe most of my crew would mutiny if I suggested something as barbaric as enslaving a technologically inferior race. For now I hope my assurances on the subject are enough. I would go so far as to propose just the opposite, in fact."
"What do you mean, human?" Antoth demanded. Both Winters siblings sat forwards at his words as well.
"I believe it would be a strong statement both to humanity at large and to the Ghaelen if I...we, were to accept your village as a vassal state of humanity," Natori explained. Veera and Antoth looked to Io for explanation as Alice stared at the Admiral with questions on the tip of her pursed lips.
'A vassal state is one that pledges its service to a more powerful country or lord in exchange for protection,' Io said. 'Given that the village already experiences the protection of a HEL Jumper gratis, I'm not sure where the value proposition is here, Admiral Kaczynski.'
"Then allow me to elaborate further. Antoth, are you aware of Lieutenant Winters' claims of advanced life on your planet?"
"I am."
"An investigation into this anomaly is very much in my people's interest. While it is not on your land, it is still your homeworld and there is the relationship between your village and one of our own to consider. In return for assistance in this endeavor, we would offer you our protection so long as we remain here. Upon our departure this treaty could be reexamined."
"You're being sold short, don't take it," Alice spoke up, looking at Veera and Antoth.
"Miss Winters, have I misspoken?" Natori requested diplomatically.
"There is an entire world of biodiversity beneath us, Admiral. There is a species with a rich culture and traditions who have approached us for an alliance. You never know what sorts of discoveries are waiting down there, even without the installation that Russell discovered. Think about how much good we managed to get out of places like the Amazon once we advanced far enough medically and scientifically!"
"Such investigations would further anger our 'esteemed guest' and present problems on our return," Natori said.
'I believe those concerns are unfounded,' Io cut in. While contact with the village was unavoidable, the Lieutenant and I have successfully avoided detection by any other population centers. I have the logs to prove it and Veera, would you be willing to testify to that effect?'
"Of course. None of them were left alive," Veera affirmed, causing MacGregor, Alice and Natori to all look at one another.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Life on Mara is brutal, Admiral," Russell replied darkly. "It was them or us."
'Please, Admiral, we will not hide information from you but as it stands this agreement must provide more for the Cauthan. They sheltered the Lieutenant for almost a year.'
"I suppose there is that debt to consider as well," Kaczynski acknowledged. "Antoth, allow me to elaborate on this offer. I propose that your village become an independent vassal state of humanity. We shall have no hand in your governance, but extend our protection to you to the extent possible. You will allow us to determine the nature of the advanced technology on your planet, and you will allow a handful of my crew to interact with your people and enter your village."
"How many?" Antoth demanded.
"For starters, Miss Winters here along with a single escort."
"For what purpose?"
"To better learn about our new partners and to understand your way of life."
"And what will we receive in return Admiral?" Antoth pressed. Kaczynski nodded.
"Of course. First, as stated, we pledge our protection of your village. Aboard this vessel we have many warriors, four of whom are like the Lieutenant."
"I sincerely doubt that they are anything like him, but if they have his armor they do not need his skill in battle or touch of insanity. I thank you for this consideration. What else?" Antoth carried on while Io looked at him with approval and pride. The Jumper laughed.
"Yes well," Natori continued, wondering just what had happened on the surface of Mara. "We will conduct studies of your planet in an unobtrusive manner with conservation of the local ecosystems as our primary focus. Any relevant discoveries will be shared with you and your people."
"All discoveries, Admiral," Russell insisted. "And where applicable their people should directly participate in the research."
"That would complicate things, but we can consider it. Do you have men or women of learning among your tribe?" Kaczynski inquired.
"Thantis and Xan. They serve Kel and are keepers of our knowledge," Antoth explained.
'Kel is the Cauthan God of death, the void, winter, and the balance of nature. His servants dedicate themselves to study of the world and consoling those left behind in the wake of death,' Io elaborated.
"Your death priests are scientists?!" Alice yelped.
"Yeah, pretty much," her brother confirmed.
"Hooooo! That's…oh I need to write this down now!" Alice declared, reaching for her device. Io extended a hand.
'Might I be of assistance?' The AI asked, extending a projected stack of paper to her. Alice glanced at the title.
"An examination of death, faith, and learning in Cauthan culture, by Io? Oh come on!" Alice threw her hands up in frustration as Kaczynski and Russell both engaged in riotous laughter. The latter paused to explain to Veera and Antoth the concept of a doctorate. Soon they understood the source of Alice's distress and a moment of humor was had at her expense. In that time Io drew up a tentative contract and presented it to Natori in English, and Antoth in Cauthan runic script.
'I believe I have hit on the major points discussed today. There are provisions for mutual defense, bilateral exploration of each other's cultures, Alice's admission to the village, and a commitment on behalf of the Cauthan to not export human knowledge beyond their borders. And please note that at any time Antoth or other delegations including him may visit this ship to renegotiate terms of this agreement in either direction; more or less interaction. Please read it through and give me your thoughts.'
The two representatives of their species did so, with changes made here or there before both signed their names on paper copies that Io managed to provide thanks to her access to most of the Event Horizon. When the deed was done Kaczynski stood and walked around the table to where Antoth was waiting as Alice tried to contain her glee. She was going to get to interact with and study the Cauthan.
"May this be the beginning of a fruitful relationship," Natori wished, extending his hand. Antoth, having known Winters long enough, understood the gesture.
"My people look forward to learning from yours. If Winters and Veera are any indication, there is quite a lot we have in common."
Natori nodded in agreement, allowing Antoth to guide him through the Cauthan version of a handshake between men. Veera held Winters' hand and waved her feathers happily, watching the man with black skin and the Cauthan with black fur seal their treaty with gestures of friendship. A new era, full of potential, had dawned for her people.