Méridien (The Silver Ships Book 3) (13 page)

Two days before their return to Libre, Alex gave permission for the release of the twenty-three New Terrans who wanted off the
Rêveur
. The reaction among Alex’s people was mixed. His Méridiens were honored by their service but confused that they would abandon their House. His New Terrans’ reactions ran the gamut from disgust to sadness. The hardest hit were the fighter pilots witnessing two of their own give up just before the final engagement.

Alex had ordered Terese deactivate the crew members’ cell-gen nanites and remove their implants. It had been a difficult decision for Alex, but he was adhering to the letter of the Pact—Méridien technology was only to be distributed by the government.

Alex, Renée, and Andrea waited for the twenty-three to assemble in the
Rêveur
’s bay. The old Libran orbital shuttle had been scrapped, and the flotilla’s best shuttle was now at the Admiral’s disposal. Alex, standing in front of the group, took the high road despite his feeling of being deserted, and he thanked them for their service. He praised them for volunteering when so much had been unknown. Renée added her thanks for the service they had extended toward their “foreign cousins.” It brought small smiles to many of the somber faces. Andrea informed them that the President had restored crew salaries, and their accumulated pay had been transferred into their accounts.

When praise and announcements were complete, Andrea called the crew to attention, and they delivered their last salute to their Admiral then boarded the shuttle for the flight to Prima.

During the rest of the day, Alex worked to keep up a brave face, but his heart wasn’t in it. He had known that there was every possibility he would lose crew after returning to New Terra. But after the discovery of the Confederation’s utter devastation, he had considered that every man and woman would be galvanized to stay the course to protect the human race.
On the other hand,
I’m not the best judge of people
, Alex admitted ruefully to himself.
Maybe I should be grateful that only twenty-three left
.

Those closest to Alex saw the impact on him of the crew’s exit. His Méridiens and Julien were reminded that the tug pilot who had rescued them had been leading a solitary life. Julien shared his concerns with Cordelia, who took a moment to review her personal history with Alex. One event stood out to her … one event when Alex was momentarily free of his responsibilities. It was the evening he danced in her waterfall’s spray on the
Rêveur
’s bridge. This gave her an idea, which she shared with Julien.

An hour before evening meal, Alex had been called to his cabin and told by his Co-Leader that they would be late if he didn’t hurry and change into his dress uniform. Renée was in a gay mood, so Alex was happy to comply. Now he sat next to Renée aboard a shuttle en route to the
Freedom
.

“As the Admiral,” Alex said, “I should be made aware of the details of the occasion.”

“Yes, you should,” replied Renée, enjoying Alex’s pretense.

Alex and Renée exited the shuttle in the company of Étienne and Alain. Alex had noticed that the twins were also in their best uniforms and without their stun guns, a habit they had resumed upon the flotilla’s return to Oistos. When he had eyed Étienne’s waist, the twin had acknowledged Alex’s unasked question with a polite nod of his head.
Suddenly everyone is keeping secrets,
Alex had thought.

As they rode the
Freedom
’s lifts, Renée leading, Alex realized they were not headed to the ship’s conference rooms, but toward the central park.

Alex let out a resigned sigh. “You too, Julien?” he mumbled.

They exited the last lift into
Freedom
’s grand central park. The three-story expanse of greenery was lit by small evening footlights that highlighted the foliage, the walkways, and the pools. Refreshment tables lined the shop fronts. There was enough food and drink to serve thousands of people, which was a good thing since the park was completely filled with Librans and New Terrans, all dressed in their finest.

Indecision caused Alex to stutter to a halt.

Renée replied, confused by Alex’s continued pretense in the face of the event.

Tomas, Terese, and Lina bustled up to Alex. “Ah, our host arrives,” Tomas announced. He enthusiastically shook Alex’s hand and greeted Renée with a Leader’s bow. Lina took the opportunity to deliver a House de Guirnon greeting to Alex. As Lina kissed Alex’s cheeks, her scent irritated his nose and his subsequent swiping produced a frown on Lina’s face.

Renée sent privately to Lina,

It was at that moment that Alex turned his head and sneezed.

“This fête was a wonderful idea, Admiral,” Tomas exclaimed, putting aside his irritation with his daughter. “My people typically only have intimate celebrations for the birth of a child or a declaration of formal partnership.”

Maria Gonzalez and her husband appeared from behind Tomas. “Lovely idea, Admiral,” she said. “There is much to celebrate, and doing so on this magnificent ship is a wonderful idea. We thank you for the invitation.”

Alex never got to ask the question plaguing him. Guest after guest greeted him, extending their appreciation. Ministers Drake and Jaya, with their spouses, were present. Jaya was literally tipsy at the opportunity to explore the city-ship, but his wife told him that if he did so, she would leave him.

At one point, Tomas led Alex to the midpoint of the park’s central walkway, where a large holo-vid display was active. In the holo-vid’s center stood Eric Stroheim, Captain Reinhold, and several others, smiling in anticipation. “Greetings, Admiral, we are in the
Unsere Menschen
’s central rotunda. While it is not completed, we have done our best to decorate it as you have requested. I must admit, I was dubious at first, but your fête has done wonders for the morale of our people. The contractors were especially helpful with preparations. I believe this is the correct manner of honoring at a New Terran fête, Admiral,” Eric said as everyone in the holo-vid frame hoisted their glasses to toast him.

Alex and Renée stayed in front of the holo-vid for nearly half an hour as people streamed through the vid pickup to honor the Co-Leaders of House Alexander. Finally, Alex and Renée signaled their exit to Eric, who walked into the frame and rendered a respectful bow to both of them.

Alex turned around and came face-to-face with Amy Mallard. “Professor Mallard,” he said with surprise.

“Alex, so wonderful to see you again,” she said, embracing him in a hug. “I was delighted to get your invitation. Would you believe I’ve just experienced my first shuttle trip only to arrive at this gala affair aboard this breathtaking ship? Will wonders never cease? And to think, Alex, you’re the man in charge.”

Renée watched the familiar blush creep slowly up Alex’s neck, brought on by the professor’s overly familiar embrace, her compliments, and her brilliant smile. Renée suddenly was very interested in knowing this woman. In her mind, Tatia was one of the more striking New Terrans she had seen. The professor, with her dark, wavy, luxurious hair, and wide-set, striking brown eyes would be considered a beauty in any civilization.

“Um, Renée,” Alex said, “may I present my undergraduate advisor Professor Amy Mallard. Professor, may I present—”

“Renée de Guirnon,” Amy said courteously, extending her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet the woman who captured our Alex’s heart.”

Renée, recognizing an opportunity to discover more about Alex’s past, said, “Professor Mallard—”

“Please, Renée, call me ‘Amy.’”

“That would please me, Amy. I feel we have so much to discuss. Join me for a drink, won’t you?” Renée said, linking her arm in Amy’s and turning her back down the pathway.

“That looks dangerous,” Alex heard. He turned around to discover his sister, Christie, eyeing the two women as they walked away.

“Your old, unrequited love talking to your new love,” Christie said, shaking her head sympathetically. “It’s not a good time to be you, big brother.” Then she hugged Alex fiercely, whispering, “It’s okay, brother of mine. After they finish sharing their secrets about you, I’ll still love you,” Christie said, giggling in his ear.

Alex drew breath to retort but stopped when he heard his mother call his name. Katie and Duncan hugged him as well. Both of them were beaming at him as they surveyed the decorated park and the huge crowd of people. The Librans were taking the opportunity to celebrate and were dressed in their best, even if their best was often their least, visually speaking.

“The Méridiens appear to be very demonstrative,” Katie said, eyeing two young women strolling toward them in their nearly sheer, bright covers that hung off a single shoulder by the slenderest of threads. Their gay expressions turned serious as they passed Alex’s group, dipping their heads to the Admiral, with a hand over their hearts. Once past, they quickly resumed their conversation and laughter.

“It’s a good thing these people don’t know you like we know you,” Christie said absently as she watched people pass by their group, each one paying their respects to her brother.

“Tell me about it,” Alex growled under his breath.

“From what I’ve heard, Alex,” Duncan said, “you’ve pulled off some extraordinary feats.”

“Fortune,” Alex responded.

“Oh, so my son no longer tells the truth,” Katie said, squaring around to face Alex.

“Oops,” Christie murmured.

“Fortune and a great deal of help from our SADEs and my people,” Alex admitted.

He could see his mother was not about to accept that response, either. Thankfully he spied Tomas and Terese approaching and introduced his family to them. Alex left them chatting, his family communicating through the small audio units the Méridiens employed when planetside on New Terra. It appeared that all of the New Terran guests had been issued the units.

Alex meandered around the park’s pathways, lost in thought, occasionally spotting others he knew. Andrea was in conversation with Captain Cordova, the two of them resplendent in House dress uniforms. Tatia and Alain strolled arm in arm, their heads close together. The pair made him smile, reminding him of how he and Renée appeared to others. As Alex continued to stroll, his mind wandered, and people, noticing his lack of attention to the occasion, greeted him silently. Alex’s thoughts were on his recent pronouncement. His intention to investigate the need to free the inhabitants of the silver ships had disturbed a great many people. It was hard for the Librans to accept. They had lost thousands of elders. It was even harder for the Méridiens, whose colonies had been destroyed, and his New Terrans weren’t excluded. They had lost two pilots. The only sympathetic voice he had found so far was Julien.

asked Alex, turning around. Although still a child, she was dressed as a young woman, and despite her youth, her eyes belayed a great deal more experience than any child should possess. Alex smiled at her and sent,

Alex felt Amelia’s slender arms reach around his waist, imitating Eloise’s formal greeting to him. Having found each other, the two girls had become inseparable. Amelia held him for a moment then slowly released him. Alex sent carefully.

Amelia replied, her thoughts wavering as she attempted to focus.

Alex’s heart broke for Amelia. Her childhood had ended when her play had cost the life of Bobbie Singh, the New Terran tech who had protected her from a collision with a fully loaded grav-pallet.

Alex responded.

Alex smiled at the thought of Aunt Terese. He had always sensed an underlying sadness in Terese despite her jocularity and ready wit. It seemed that Amelia’s time with Tomas and Amelia had done much to lessen her sadness. He was happy for her.

After Amelia left him, Alex continued to wander the park, stopping by one of the lit pools, the colorful fish gliding around searching for food. Renée came up beside him, taking his arm and leaning against his shoulder.

Renée sent.

Alex replied, linking Julien, Cordelia, Z, and Mutter into a private conversation.

Z responded,

Alex looked at Renée, who smiled at him. So many people were strolling around the park, happy, content … and free. Alex asked.

said Mutter,

Alex smiled to himself. Mutter, as one of the oldest SADEs in existence, would not comprehend his tongue-in-cheek style.

While the SADEs exchanged lightning-fast communications of concern and congratulations with one another, Alex pondered the ramifications of the SADEs acting on their own authorization. Tomorrow would bring an interesting conversation with Julien.

After several hours of Mutter’s music, the vendors’ food and drink, and the peoples’ opportunity to celebrate life and freedom, the atmosphere slowly changed. The elders began retiring, as did the parents with young children. Over the park’s audio system, the music shifted to a complex modern piece with rhythm instruments weaving through the melody. As the music grew louder, the young at heart left their benches and grass seats to seek the firm walkways and decks. Alex watched as the youthful Librans began to dance, not with partners nor with a style he recognized. They moved sinuously, twisting limbs and body to the pulsing beat, complementing one another’s movement in their small groups. It dawned on Alex that they were communing through their implants, feeding off one another. He watched one group for a while, mesmerized by the motion of their bodies.