Fractured Alliance Read online

  “It is unfortunate you could not advance the knowledge of your race,” Korifluxinina remarked. “Your situation resulted in the collective retardation of your race.”

  “K! Really!?” Max exclaimed. “Now you’re just trying to piss them off.”

  The Cresorians were incensed. “Are you calling us stupid?”

  “I am not familiar with the term stupid,” Korifluxinina replied. “But your knowledge would appear to be substandard to mine and my fellow protectorate here. Perhaps that is the reason for your anger.”

  “Arrogant slug!” a Cresorian yelled. They lunged for Korifluxinina as Max went for his stun gun and called for security. The bar patrons scattered for safety. None of them realized that Korifluxinina was never in danger. The Quix raised her arms and shot a concentrated burst of vibration waves at her attackers. They all flew back from the blast, causing the other patrons to dodge the flying bodies. Every Cresorian was rendered unconscious from her attack before they even hit the floor.

  Max looked around to make sure it was safe before coming around the bar. He stood next to the taller Quix as they looked at the Cresorians. “Nice trick. Now I know never to underestimate your kind in a fight.”

  “It appears I was not successful in defusing the situation,” Korifluxinina remarked. “I had thought my explanation of their place on the ship would have provided them clarity.”

  Max gave her a perplexed look. “You didn’t make any Cresorian friends today. I’d probably stay away from them for the foreseeable future.”

  Korifluxinina saw one of the Cresorians stirring. “I am unfamiliar with Cresorian physiology. I do not know how long they will remain inert.”

  “Then we better hope security gets here soon,” Max replied.

  Fortunately, security showed up moments later. They had all the Cresorians in handcuffs by the time they woke up. As they were being escorted out of The Lounge, each Cresorian looked at Korifluxinina with hatred. The Quix started waving at them, as she learned that was customary to do so in human culture when saying goodbye to someone. Max slapped her hand down and had to explain to her that action was actually insulting them. The Quix realized she needed to spend more time outside her quarters if she was going to become better familiar with how individuals interacted on this ship.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The morning hour had arrived, and PHOENIX was still in orbit of Volux. John wanted a night’s rest before deciding on the ship’s course into deep space. They were free to head out in any direction, but the captain was finding the process much more difficult than he expected. There was an entire galaxy waiting to be explored. Where to begin?

  John arrived at the board room early. He sat patiently as each of his senior officers arrived. As soon as everyone was assembled, he began the meeting.

  “First, I’d like to welcome Julie back from her honeymoon.”

  “Thank you,” Julie smiled. She looked at Rudov, the Onixin communication officer. “I took your advice and visited the Treltrigger Falls. It was beautiful. The way the water went from black to orange was amazing.”

  Rudov nodded in appreciation that she took his advice. “I am grateful you found the experience enjoyable.”

  “I took plenty of videos to share with the crew,” Julie revealed. “I’ll upload them to the public bulletin feed when I have a chance.” She figured the Onixins on board would appreciate a little something from home, given it could be a long time before they ever returned to Plein.

  “Okay, let’s get to business,” John started. “I know there’s a lot of internal ship issues we need to discuss, but let’s focus on the most important thing: where should we go?”

  “I have plotted a course to take us away from the region of our homeworlds,” Jufo explained. “However, the trajectory I set means we would not encounter a star system for mumbar-nax.”

  “Three years,” Dr. Roth muttered, who had become familiar with most of the alien time measurements. “That’s a long time to be in open space.”

  “I’ve used long range scanners to try and pick up any communications signal to indicate intelligent life,” Bret explained. “So far, nothing.”

  “We can adjust our course as we see fit,” John reminded them. “I’d like to get us as far out as possible, but the science groups would scream murder if we spent three years in open space not stopping anywhere.”

  The staff chuckled, but one person remained composed. “We could choose a completely different course,” Korifluxinina suggested. She brought up an image of the galaxy over the table and highlighted a course for the ship to take. “Based on our data, this route would have us pass near large clusters of star systems. No communications have been detected; however, that does not mean these systems are uninhabited.”

  John looked at the proposed course and quickly discounted it. “I appreciate your research, but we’ll be sticking with heading in the other general direction. If anyone has ideas on modifying our original route, I’m all for it.”

  “I will take your parameters and re-evaluate,” Korifluxinina replied. She didn’t feel it necessary to question why the captain did not want to consider her proposed course. He was the leader of this vessel. His guidance need not be questioned as he chose what was best for the protectorate.

  Julie wasn’t about to question John’s decision either, but she knew why he wasn’t accepting Korifluxinina’s proposal. The course the Quix suggested was the general area the Io had headed out to, based on long-range tracking of the ship. John didn’t hide his fear of the cybernetic race, and PHOENIX had proven ineffective against them in battle. The last thing John wanted was to risk encountering them again. Julie didn’t blame him. She had no interest in another confrontation with them.

  “Vish, distribute the flight path to the department heads and have them provide proposals to Shelly so she can come up with a priority list,” John requested.

  A lump developed in the operations officer throat. Handling requests from all over the ship was going to be a time-consuming effort, even with Vish’s help. Shelly already could see various department heads arguing that their flight path proposal was the best.

  “Flight path has been sent to all department heads,” Vish replied.

  “What else do we need to talk about?” John asked his staff.

  Security Chief Davers wasted no time speaking up. “We need to discuss the Cresorians.”

  “Why? What’s going on with them?” Julie asked. She hadn’t had the chance to read all the status reports since coming back from her honeymoon.

  John had read the reports and was disheartened by the contents. It seemed the Cresorians on board were causing disturbances on a routine basis. He was glad Drix wasn’t alive to witness how they were acting. “There was an incident yesterday at The Lounge.”

  “What incident?” Julie asked.

  Korifluxinina was about to explain since she was involved, but she saw Captain Roberts was shaking his head at her and remained silent.

  “I’ll go over it with you later,” John promised. “We don’t need to go into details here. The bottom line is they’ve been an ongoing problem.”

  “It’s the fifteenth incident of public disturbance since we left Mars,” Davers added. “Despite repeated warnings about how to behave and time in the brig, they continue to be a problem.”

  John debated whether to reveal the next bit of information to the staff. He didn’t want to isolate the Cresorians as being nuisances, but it was probably a moot point with the reputation they were developing on the ship. He had overheard more than one conversation of crewmembers describing them as uncivilized. “I received a communication from the Cresorian homeworld. They’re requesting that all their people be sent back to help with rebuilding the planet and repopulating the race.” John lied about it being a request. It was more of a demand. Word had it that the government leadership had already changed hands twice. It seemed that out of all the alliance races, the Cresorians were struggling the most to get back on their feet.


  “Then why are we discussing leaving the area if they want their people back?” Julie asked. “Seems like we need to resolve this first.” Four years ago, John would have taken that comment as her trying to undermine him. But he knew she was doing her duty as an executive officer and bringing up questions no one else might be willing to ask.

  John explained his stance. “The Cresorians have spent generations living in isolation on ships. They finally get their homeworld back and a chance to rebuild their culture. They need to learn how to live in a community again.”

  “They definitely don’t know how to live with others,” Davers reiterated. “Every disturbance has involved another race on this ship. The level of escalation is getting worse. Eventually, someone’s going to get seriously hurt.”

  “They are simply trying to adapt to living with others who are not their own kind,” Korifluxinina said.

  Doctor Roth didn’t expect the Quix to come to the Cresorians’ defense. “I’m surprised you’d say that Unarnu, considering they tried to attack you.”

  “I was never concerned about my physical well-being,” Korifluxinina said as she looked back to John. “This ship is unique in the protectorate. It comprises a crew of many different races who respect and tolerate each other. To honor what PHOENIX represents to the alliance, we should assist the Cresorians in assimilating to life here.”

  “I agree,” Jufo concurred. “My world was decimated by the Screen, yet my people have been fortunate in our rebuilding efforts. These Cresorians should be allowed to thrive here if they choose to stay.”

  Julie couldn’t argue with either officer. They had all banded together to defeat the Screen. They couldn’t turn their backs on an alliance member because they were having trouble adapting to their newfound freedom. She turned to John. “If you allow them to stay, you may want to consult with the new legal liaison. We went through the Cresorian database from Drix’s ship and found they have no legal framework in their culture. We need to set some guidelines to try and mitigate further disturbances. They have to understand they need to abide by a code of conduct.”

  John checked his holographic DAT. He was scheduled to meet with the new legal representative later in the week. He moved the meeting to tomorrow and sent the update to the liaison. “I’ll make this a priority for myself.” He looked over to Davers. “If you need to increase security’s presence in areas you see fit, you have my permission.”

  “Thank you, captain. As most of the problems have originated in Central, I’ll beef up security there.”

  John nodded as he looked at the rest of the senior staff. “Anything else?”

  Shelly reclined in her seat. She felt she needed to voice her need for help in fulfilling her duties, but she didn’t want to do it in front of the entire senior staff. It would be too embarrassing. She hoped that Dr. Roth nor anyone else would say anything about her substandard performance.

  Julie scrolled through her holographic DAT. “There’s one more item we should talk about. It’s the agency that’s opening up in Central.”

  “The shop of procreation?” Jufo asked.

  “I was told it will be a place for aliens to explore their different sexual appetites,” Rudov added.

  Julie looked at John. “I knew we should have put out an announcement about it.”

  “I’m a little surprised TERRA approved such an establishment for the ship,” Davers admitted. “It’s not exactly critical.”

  “Central was designed to mimic a human city,” John explained. “As agencies are found in most cities back home, TERRA decided to offer one here.”

  “TERRA thinks an agency is necessary, but it says no to pets,” Bret remarked.

  “There was a whole set of logistical issues with letting crewmembers have pets,” John replied. “After reviewing the cultural norms of all the alliance races, they determined all races need an outlet to satisfy their sexual needs.”

  “Have you read up on Quix mating practices?” Bret asked. “No offense Unarnu.”

  “I am not offended,” Korifluxinina replied. “I find the human ritual of mating, although fascinating, completely disgusting. Putting one’s organ into another…”

  John quickly interrupted his science officer before she could finish her sentence. “We’re getting way off topic here. What’s your concern about the place, Julie?”

  “If it were just a human brothel, there’d be no issue. From what I hear the owner is planning on hiring members representing all the alliance races. There may be some unforeseen problems if individuals from different races try to…indulge one another.”

  “The owner solicited some of my security officers to work off-duty at the place,” Davers revealed. “That would help to head off any such problems.”

  “I don’t have an issue with security working there, as long as they’re not participating in the activities,” John said. “They can do that on their own time, but not while on duty there.”

  “Maybe you should have Max pay her a visit and explain your concerns,” Bret offered.

  “Why Max?” Julie asked.

  “He used to work at an agency on Earth, and not as a client.”

  John wasn’t aware of Max’s past. He just assumed he was always a bartender. “If he has experience in that industry, then I’d like him to be our representative. Make sure he knows we expect the place to adhere to all rules and regulations found back home.”

  “I’ll let him know,” Bret promised.

  “If that’s all, we’ll convene again before leaving the system,” John concluded. “Dismissed.”

  The staff filed out of the board room. John and Julie remained behind so they could talk. John couldn’t help but chuckle as he read the file on the agency. “Selection…nice name.”

  “Are you planning to pay a visit?” Julie smiled.

  “To what? Put my stamp of approval on it? I don’t think so,” John said as he rolled his eyes.

  “Well, you are single, along with most of the people on the ship,” Julie reminded. “There’s something to be said for being the only TERRA captain that has an agency on his ship.”

  John couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sure I’m the envy of every other captain. No, I don’t think I’ll be taking advantage of that place anytime soon.”

  “Well, if you do, don’t do anything with a Quix,” Julie joked.

  John shuddered at the thought. “I’ve read what they do. Vomiting? Ugh! No thanks.”

  ********

  It was a busy day for Mu. Since his new restaurant, Homeworld Decadence opened there was a steady stream of patrons coming in to try Central’s newest dining establishment. It remained busy throughout the day with nearly every table occupied, despite other new restaurants opening in the city. Business was so successful that Mu was considering keeping it opened twenty-four human hours a day, the time standard the ship based its operations around.

  The Rifva made it a habit to greet each new patron visiting the restaurant for the first time. He found it difficult to maintain that process as he was constantly moving between the kitchen, tables, and the front of the restaurant. Even with the additional staff he hired, he was still running around trying to get things done. He wished his human mentor were still alive to see the fruits of the alien’s labor.

  After delivering some dishes to a table, Mu spotted a new patron waiting at the hostess desk. It was a Gercol. It was the only one of its kind living on PHOENIX. Mu was familiar with the race, having done business with several of them at a trading outpost. Gercols were green, translucent gelatinous life-forms, with no skeletal structures. They only needed sustenance every few juroki (months), and their diet was liquid based. There would be no reason for a Gercol to dine at any of the restaurants in Central.

  Mu made his way over to the new guest. “Orvi-Denew. Is there something I can help you with, Vun?”

  The alien’s upper body twisted and turned as it looked around. “You know my name?”

  “You are the only G
ercol on the ship. Everyone knows your name.”

  “I am here to partake in this ritual of fine dining. Did I pronounce that correctly?”

  Mu was taken aback by its statement. His three eyes grew wide with surprise. “My apologies if I do not understand. I thought Gercols did not need to eat.”

  “Scarce resources on homeworld necessitate the need for my kind to consume sustenance only when necessary. It is frown upon to ingest solid matter; however, there are those of us who enjoy the absorption of matter and can do so freely away from homeworld. I have watched the humans, and other races repeatedly engage in this ritual. It appears to be an integral part of their daily routines. I would like to partake in it as I have elected to remain on this vessel.”

  Mu blinked his three eyes in rapid succession. “I am honored you would choose my establishment.” He grabbed a menu and motioned for Vun to follow him. The Rifva took him to the largest table in the back of the restaurant. It was quieter back here and would allow Mu to take a little more time to coach his guest on the art of dining.

  “Right here,” Mu motioned to Vun. The green blob rested its body on the chair. Its sides oozed over it and onto the floor.

  “If you prefer I remove the chair…” Mu offered.

  “No,” Vun replied. “I am accustomed to being in a variety of different forms. Although this sitting device is not required, I would like to fully immerse myself in this process.”

  Mu smiled and handed the Gercol a menu. Vun seemed confused by its contents as if his micron wasn’t translating the words to his own language. “I do not know where to begin. What do you think?”

  “My preference may be different from yours, as we are different species,” Mu explained. “I do not have a point of reference by which to determine what you may like.”

  Vun looked at the menu once more before speaking. “Bring me one of everything.”

  Mu’s three eyes grew wide again. “That is a significant amount of food.”

  “I can consume ietrita my own body weight,” Vun revealed. “If I am to learn what I like, I must try everything.”