Forbidden sanctuary, p.22
Forbidden Sanctuary, page 22
part #2 of Star Lawyers Series
“Including your father, the Supreme Pontiff.” Hobak’s voice rolled like steel balls on hard surface. “Whom I understand you have killed.”
The Matron leaned forward. “Is that true, Kedak?”
Kedak bowed at the waist, like a half-closed pocket knife. “I serve the Sacred Protectorate, Honored Matron.”
“The rogue needed to fall,” Clerimon said. “But by the hand of a son? Have you no regrets?”
Kedak nodded. “My father’s death was never the goal. I only regret the real villain, Pontiff Jakok, has escaped.”
Gemma dipped her head fin and flicked it downward. “I knew Elach Raud in better days. Your father loved the Forty-Six, almost as much as he loved nibbling on his silly cakes. How strange to be here, cheering the brutal end of a confused little man.”
Tyler leaned over to J.B. and whispered, “Bear, he’s gotta be covering for the kid brother.”
J.B. nodded slowly. “Jazmir had nothing to trade for immunity. We may never know the whole truth.”
Gemma shook herself, gurgling audibly, like a human child flapping her fingers over her lips while talking. “However, it is not our place to question executive clemency. As much as it displeases me, Kedak, your patricide apparently was an act of service to the Suryadivan people. You may present your appeal, unless you wish to withdraw as chief Advocate.”
“No, Honored Matron.”
“Proceed in a virtuous manner.” Gemma added, “If you can.”
Kedak drew his head fin to full height. “Thank you, Honored Matron, Reverends Lords. The People appeal the previous judgment of reinstating easement to the Matthews-Solorio conglomerate. Let me remind the Court that Matthews Corp has anchored its Alpha Site at the outer edge of the gravity field of the Adoan system. The Alpha Gate enables a parallel, trans-dimensional passageway to and from Andromeda, terminating at Jump Gate Omega in that distant galaxy. The People wish to rid the Sacred Protectorate of the threat posed by facilitating access to our space.”
“What threat does a Jump Gate pose?” Hobak asked in his rolling steel tones. “People will simply travel to Great Andromeda. How does that differ, in principle, from all the spacefaring races buzzing around this galaxy? There are thousands of Gates.”
“Reverend Lord, we have received intelligence that a pirate syndicate intends to use the Adoan system as a base of operations for an invasion of Andromeda,” Kedak said.
Gemma looked squarely at Tyler. “Do you know anything of this, Mr. Matthews?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Is it true?” Clerimon said.
“I don’t know about setting up a base, but there is a fleet inbound with intent to seize our Alpha Gate.” Tyler’s gaze darted to Gemma. “They are the same hostiles who destroyed the valiant Suryadivan naval force, which the former Pontiffs sent to protect our Beta Site.”
“I cannot follow the politics,” Gemma said. “But I know many Suryadivan mothers and fathers weep for lost sons and daughters, brave warriors who sailed with the Task Force. Why did we give so many lives for your property?”
Tyler felt the knife edge in her question, even with his limited fluency in Suryadivan. Suzie’s pale blue eyes caught Tyler’s attention. She nodded slightly toward Gemma.
“May I call upon my colleague, Suzanne London, to speak on this matter?”
Gemma’s thick lips curved into a sad little smile. “Proceed, Star Lawyer.”
Tyler whispered in Suzie’s ear. “Win this case, or I won’t rip your clothes off later.”
She smirked. Tyler stepped aside, but not too far, in case she needed backup. When Suzie began speaking, his doubts evaporated.
“Honored Matron, Reverend Lords. As it has been reported, the brave Suryadivan forces attempted to intercept a pirate fleet, commanded by Kichirou Tsuchiya. But this lawless Armada prevailed and now threatens all civilizations at the Rim. Kichirou intends to seize the Alpha Site next.”
“So, their attack is not aimed at Suryadivan Prime, just your Jump Gate near Adao?” Hobak said. “We are safe?”
“On the contrary,” Suzie said. “After they seize control of the Alpha Site—inside your sovereign territory—they plan to launch violent incursions against the peaceful civilizations of Andromeda. They will secure access by subjugating all the spacefaring civilizations within easy reach of the Alpha Gate. That includes you.”
“Matthews Corporation has brought this upon us!” Clerimon thundered. “Terrans! Your passion for exploration at any cost threatens our Sacred Protectorate.”
Tyler stepped forward to intervene, but Suzie held up a hand. She wheeled to the judicial table and lowered her tone slightly.
“You are absolutely right, Reverend Lord,” Suzie said. “Exploration of the Universe is written into the human DNA code. And without a Jump Gate Omega, the threat would not exist. But we are beyond that conversation.”
“In what way?” Judge Hobak said.
“Your former Pontiffs did not disapprove of inter-galactic Gates; they simply did not want one near Adao. Thanks to Lox Aspi, we know the true motivation of the Supreme Pontiffs—to protect their genocidal elixir trafficking.”
“What are you saying?” Judge Clerimon shook his head fin.
“I am arguing that the principle of a Jump Gate to Andromeda was historically accepted by your government, and the consequent attacks by outlaw forces have harmed both the Matthews Corporation and the Suryadivan people. When criminals attack innocent people, you cannot blame the victims.”
First Secretary Thyrd Pon Bergé rose from his seat. “Honored Matron, may I address the court in the name of the Suryadivan People’s Assembly?”
Gemma dipped her fin. “Of course, First Secretary.”
Bergé came forward and stood between Suzie and Kedak, nodding slightly to each. “I speak for the cabinet and the acting Pontiffs, who sit together at this session of your honorable and virtuous court as a new sign of solidarity.”
“You honor us with your attendance,” Judge Hobak said.
“Please, proceed,” Matron Gemma said.
“I place before you a brief statement. My assistants have posted the documents to your data net.” Thyrd Pon Bergé paused while the judges found the proper link and accessed the documents.
Gemma squinted at her pad. “Do refer to the new contract?”
“Yes, Honored Matron. The government and religious hierarchy of the Protectorate are ready to grant Matthews-Solorio a new lease. We intend to award M-double-I complete and perpetual easement rights to their Alpha Site. We owe these Terrans at least that much for exposing the corruption of our religious leaders.”
Gemma glanced at the People’s Advocate. “Well, Kedak, your appeal seems to have become moot. Do you concur?”
Kedak’s head fin bowed almost parallel with the floor. “If the Matthews Corporation drops all damage claims—yes, it is equitable.”
“Keep the money,” Tyler said. “My father’s already too rich.”
“So ordered. Court is adjourned.”
Gemma stood, prompting the small audience in the courtroom to rise. After the judicial party withdrew to chambers, the First Secretary approached Kedak.
“You might like to know, People’s Advocate, that Pontiff Jakok did not escape justice. A few hours ago, fishermen found his body floating in the sea. Apparently, someone threw him overboard from high altitude.”
“The Forty-Six have set the balance aright,” Kedak said.
Bergé spoke next to Tyler. “With our navy decimated, Mr. Matthews, the Suryadivan people have no defense against a pirate fleet.”
“We’ll stop them, Secretary Bergé,” Tyler said. “I promise you.”
J.B. rushed to Tyler’s side—eyes wide, mouth open. Tyler tossed him a light smile, and the Bear curbed his roar.
“I know a powerful task force from Matthews-Solorio Corporation is coming here,” Bergé said. “But my sources say it may be another week before relief arrives.”
“I wasn’t talking about the M-double-I fleet.”
“This is a dangerous game.” Bergé stepped closer, peering into Tyler’s dark eyes. “What gambit are you playing, Mr. Matthews?”
“With respect, I think you’d better not know.”
“The only way to drive the pirates from Suryadivan space,” Bergé said slowly, “is to give them no motive to linger.”
J.B. threw up both arms. “Oh, shit, Tyler—that’s what the nukes are for?”
Suzie put her palms on J.B.’s chest and shook her head in the direction of the nervous security police who had started moving to protect the Suryadivan head of the state. Bergé smiled and waved them off.
Tyler bowed slightly. “Excuse my elder brother, sir. He gets excited over Family matters.”
“Your brother’s exclamation about nukes compels me to ask again,” Bergé said. “What are you planning?”
“Meaning no disrespect, but it’s better if the blame falls only on me. I don’t want anyone else to suffer the wrath of Tyler Noah Matthews III.”
Bergé rippled his head fin. The First Secretary put his hands behind Tyler’s temples, where the terminus of a Suryadivan head fin would be. “You are a brave man, Tyler Noah Matthews IV. May the Forty-Six fly with and return you safely.”
“Amen.” Tyler crossed himself reflexively. He bowed to Secretary Bergé, and the government party and its armed escorts exited the auditorium. Then he braced himself for the inevitable melee at the defense table.
Suzie nipped at his heels. “Talk to me!”
“Not now, babe.”
“Don’t give me not now!” She grabbed his arm. “What is going on?”
“Tell her,” his brother said.
Tyler evaded her eyes. “J.B., this isn’t helping.”
“He’s planning to blow the Jump Gate.” Rosalie sat on the corner of the defense table. “That’s why Paco is packing mining nukes in the Patrick Henry cargo bay, even as we speak.”
Suzie grabbed Tyler by the shirt. “What a load of codswallop! You don’t know a wit about nuclear demolitions.”
Tyler wanted to explain it logically without emotion, like reading experimental results. But he was betraying the Family and destroying any chance for a happy life with Suzie. He couldn’t bear to tell her. He didn’t want to think about it, much less justify it to the people he loved.
“I can’t let the killing races of the Milky Way get to Andromeda. All Gates between the galaxies must be destroyed.”
“Why did you argue in court for the Alpha Site?” J.B. demanded.
“Because I promised Dad we would win. Well, we won. Now, I’m going to blow it up.”
“Ty, even if you destroy the Gate,” Suzie said, “you can’t uninvent the technology.”
“Why not?” Tyler lifted his head high, feeling the power of conviction. “The engineering data, design schematics and all relevant algorithms to build intergalactic Gates can be purged from our databases. Deleted to the last file copy.”
J.B. frowned. “And how are you going to accomplish that?”
“I’ll get Dad to do it.”
Suzie sat beside Rosalie on the defense table. “Your brother is whacko.”
“Totally,” Rosalie agreed.
Tyler slipped the datacom into a side pocket. “I’m heading back to the Patrick Henry.”
“If you do this, you destroy the Matthews Legacy Project,” J.B. said. “Our great grandfather died for Jump Gate Omega.”
“Daddy will disown you,” Rosalie said. “It will break Mamá’s heart, but Daddy will do it anyway.”
“I know.”
He checked his wristband, noticing for the first time it was 31 March 3104. Holy Thursday, according to the abridged, twelve-day Lenten Season established two centuries earlier by the Universal Christian Churches’ Combined Liturgical Calendar. Tomorrow would be both Good Friday and April Fool’s Day.
It seemed oddly appropriate.
Twenty-Two
A holographic Captain Liu Tan Heng of the Star Cruiser Tianjin awaited the returning Star Lawyers at the access ramp to the Patrick Henry. Liu’s image was so vivid Tyler at first thought the Alpha Site commander had made the trip in person.
“What have you got for me, Captain?”
“Sir, Alpha Gate is now operational,” Liu reported. “I am receiving telemetry and voice traffic from the Matthews Corporation field commander at Jump Gate Omega in Andromeda.”
Tyler pulled out his datacom. “Outstanding! Can you patch it through?”
Liu spoke briefly with invisible subordinates, then came back to Tyler. “Within five minutes you should have a channel to Andromeda.”
“Hear that, J.B.?” Tyler called to his brother as the rest of the legal team climbed the shallow ramp into the ship’s lowest level.
“Did you tell him yet?” J.B. approached Tyler and the Alpha Site commander.
“Just getting to it.” Tyler turned to Liu. “Captain, a pirate armada is headed to your locale, hell-bent on acquiring that piece of hardware you have so meticulously hung in space.”
“They must fight the battleship Columbia and cruisers Tianjin and Wichita to get to my Gate, sir. We’ll hold them off until the Admiral arrives.”
Tyler nodded. “Suicide defense. We’ll call that Option S.”
“Sir, we have enough firepower to—”
“To die gloriously.” Tyler checked his datacom. No messages. “Walk with us. You need to know about the situation in Andromeda.”
With J.B. following close behind, he led the holographic Captain Liu up the ramp and to the cabin Tyler and Suzie shared on level three of the Patrick Henry. Fortunately, Suzie was working internally, doing maintenance edits on the worker holograms Paco had acquired. Unfortunately, Tyler knew, by merging with the MLC she heard every conversation aboard the ship.
Tyler briefed Liu on the danger of opening a direct access to a galaxy full of pacifists. It only took the Captain a few minutes to assimilate the new information, which surprised Tyler, considering he was asking him to jettison years of hard labor at the feathered edge of their home galaxy. Liu quickly read the tea leaves.
“I understand.” He scowled, a dragon grimace only an Asian face could properly mimic. “But, sir, if I bombard the Gate, it will fight back.”
“That’s why we’ll go with plan B.” Tyler explained his draconian intentions. “I’m going to blow it up with nuclear charges.”
When he finished briefing Liu, Suzie appeared in the cabin wearing a yellow Company jumpsuit. Golden hair flew about her shoulders, and Tyler swore she looked like an angel. Except the blue eyes wielded cold steel.
“Abuela told me about her peaceful galaxy, but provided no evidence. Suppose you get yourself killed and she was lying?”
Tyler gently put his hands on her shoulders. “Babe, do you believe she was lying?”
She looked away. “Damn you, Tyler Matthews.”
He turned to Captain Liu. “If the bad guys show up, do not engage. Negotiate with them. Stall them. Buy them ice cream. Give them blowjobs. Anything to keep them off the Gate until I get there. And get me that patch to Andromeda.”
“Yes, sir.” Liu saluted and disappeared.
“Tyler, I can’t handle this…” Suzie’s voice trickled down to an inaudible whisper.
“J.B., could you give us a minute?” Tyler said. “Have Paco begin the launch sequence.”
“Sure, sure. I’ll standby for the Andromeda link.”
When they were alone, Tyler moved to embrace her, but she stepped back and put a hand on his chest. “You can’t kiss your way out of this.”
“Suzie, I need you with me.”
“Fine. Take me along.”
“That’s not what I meant. With me. On my side.”
“We’re a team!”
He smiled slightly and moved again to embrace her. “We’re good at coupling.”
She stepped back again. “Why is every-bloody-thing about fucking with you men?”
Tyler laughed. “I love that Neo-British cheek in your Terran.”
“Charm won’t work, pretty boy.”
He folded his arms and stepped back. “What do you want?”
She folded her arms. “To fly this mission with you.”
“Done,” he said.
She cocked an eyebrow. “Really?”
“We’re sailing to the Alpha Site to rig the Jump Gate with nuclear charges. I’m talking limited crew–J.B., Demarcus, Paco and his new worker-bee holograms. Everybody else will camp out at the Trade Embassy.” He patted her fanny. “I could use your shapely ass on the flight deck. Three good pilots are better than two.”
“You’re not trying to bounce me into fairyland, are you now?”
“Honey, didn’t you hear me order J.B. to warm up the Patrick Henry’s engines?”
“Wait a minute—you had Paco load the warheads into the Sioux City.”
“Because I intend to launch my scout boat as a raft to float the warheads into place. The PH gets us there faster.”
She leaped into his arms. “Tyler, I don’t want to lose you.”
“That goes both ways. If you’re coming along, I need to offer you a survival option.” Tyler took one of Father Yajik’s coins from the box in his dresser where he kept them. “I don’t know how this works, but if I activate it, you become a bioenergetic life form—half human, half computer program.”
Tyler explained the option in the best way he could, considering he had no idea how the alien science worked. That was happening a lot recently.
Suzie nodded slowly. “So, I become flesh-and-blood for fifty-one hours or less, then I must withdraw into a computer net, and the host computer must be advanced enough to service A.I.—is that what you’re telling me?”
“Exactly.” He tucked the coin in his flight suit pocket. “And it’s a good luck charm, too.”
“And the biological phase brings full humanity? I’ll have the body of a human woman?”
“Menstrual cycle and all.”
“Blimey—we could have real kids?”
Tyler laughed. “It was the first thought to occur to J.B. when he heard about the option. But he’s a staunch Catholic.”
