* * *
Director Lanlow stood before the table of the board of directors, prepared for their arrival. He held his fear hidden, although it was flavored with nervous excitent. The call would co soon, and he would have to be prepared… I am prepared. This is ready… I
Lanlow's thoughts ended when the various telepresent holograms of the directors began forming in their chairs. The formation was silent, although all the directors were still speaking with one another over their last issue. Or maybe their Skurn-sling ga skills? But…
Lanlow's cynicism remained hidden, standing to attention with what he hoped was an appropriately polite posture. The directors were brought to attention, the chair calling the eting to order before informing the board of directors. Lanlow stood ready for several minutes as the board listened and asked questions for a ti before all settled themselves and turned to look at Lanlow. Lanlow imdiately offered his salute with a deep bow, waiting for acknowledgnt. It ca slow and reluctantly. Lanlow waited, patiently.
"Director Lanlow of the QQS Observant. Your work has been a failure. You must report the cause, solutions, and expected reparations. Begin your report."
"Chair. Board of Directors. Director Lanlow reports of the current exploration of the anomaly of gas giant G7 and its moon, G7M58, of gas giant G7; system Stuethlan. The anomaly is the permanent systemic failure of all advanced technological machinery. We have found societies and cities upon all the moons, but are unable to initiate contact. As you know, the gas giant seems similar to other gas giants with life and civilization readings, with anomalous moons, orbits, and extrely aggressive defenses. However, this is the only gas giant with life currently known to allow us within orbit and observational distance, if long range. We are even able to approach and land on the furthest moon without retaliation. However, at approximately double the orbital distance of that furthest moon, our technology imdiately fails. Readings outside the tech failure range reveal nothing nor are there any unusual energy fluctuations or power sources.
"Attempts at contact have failed. Our last attempt has succeeded in landing biologicals on the surface and optical recordings show several have survived and integrated with the indigenous peoples. It is difficult to verify due to the incredible distance, but long distance observation seems to show that the indigenous appear to conform to the currently known galactic humanoid standard, although there may be evidence of so variance. Finally, our latest attempt at long range biological communications equipnt failed. We receive no data and communications failed to initiate. The biologicals are still living, as of our last visual verification, however their biotech has made no attempt at contact."
The mbers of the board listened politely but appeared quite gloomy. The Chair continued, "This anomaly must be understood, director. What solutions do you offer the board?"
Lanslow saluted in a bow once again, continuing with confidence, "Refinents to the biological communications system have already been made and proven effective with minimal range. This will require minor modifications and changes to the communication protocols. We have also initiated changes with solutions for optic observations."
"Yet you offer no explanation for the failure."
Lanslow's face fell, sorrow dropping his shoulders and washing through his expression, "I… I placed the work with an up and coming director of so excellent repute. She was an excellent director and sought the work. Following the directive of our forefathers and the shining example of the board, I accepted her request, hoping to nurture the next generation of excellent directors for our great empire.
"She did well, preparing and excelling at placing the biological communication specins on the surface of the moon, but failed to account for communication failures or distance attenuation. Despite that, she did well and I ask you give her leniency."
The chair paused at that, staring at Lanslow with narrowed eyes, "She accepted?"
"Yes, Chairman of the board."
The mbers of the board stared at him carefully while awaiting the chair's decision. After a few monts of pregnant pause, the chair continued.
"Sit. Review for us the details of the project, its work, and this young director's efforts."
Lanslow saluted and bowed, "I am honored and grateful for the opportunity."
The next thirty or forty minutes was spent digging into the details of the project and the handoff that was requested by Director Stephliquen. Video evidence and docuntation was presented before the board and the board was soon satisfied.
"Please send for Director Stephliquen."
Lanslow bowed, "Imdiately, Chairman."
Lanslow turned to his personal display and sent the request to Stephliquen. She was prepared for, of course, and should arrive quickly, but motions must be enacted and image, even if carefully prepared, should be appropriately displayed. He sent the ssage and returned his attention to the board.
"Excellent. Now, let us discuss appropriate remunerations."
Director Lanlow of the QQS Observant offered a seated salute, bowing before raising his head and preparing for any questions the board might have for him. He hid his smile, but relaxed into his chair. It's good to see my father again.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
* * *
The ssage arrived, and the QQF Director of the ship Silverfish prepared herself carefully, her uniform immaculate while her sister fluttered around nervously checking buttons, lapels, zippers, patches, and glueds. Everything had to be perfect for the simple fact that it was already almost impossible that she would ever see her sister again. Any possibility that she could would require perfection in any case. Less than perfection guaranteed complete failure and losing her sister. The Silverfish director allowed her sister so small latitude but soon grew frustrated and waved her away.
"Enough, sister. It is done."
"But, you have to be…"
"I said enough, chanics."
The change was imdiate, and her sister snapped to attention, her hand rising in salute even as she bowed slightly, "Of course, director."
Stephliquen paused and relaxed, "I will… do as best as I can. And I have you preparing for ."
Her sister smiled softly, "Yes, but…"
Stephliquen shook her head, "I trust you."
The smile twisted, concern suddenly popping into her eyes before she quickly cald herself, going stone faced, "I will… do as best I can."
The two stared at each other before they nodded and sighed almost uniformly, wrapping each other in a quick hug before they broke apart in embarrassnt. Her sister then grabbed her hand and pulled it in close, clasping it between her hands.
"Please. Be careful," she spoke a small whisper.
Stephliquen struggled to hide her chagrin as there was nothing to be careful of. Everything was… already decided. There was little she could do. Her sister noticed and pulled in close to her again, resting her head on her shoulder then buried her face there, shuddering slightly as she cried. But beneath her tears, a soft whisper called out.
"Here."
Sothing pressed into the palm of her hand and Stephliquen surreptitiously took the object without any obvious indication of what was happening. The two stepped back, nodded, and Stephliquen marched out the door, precise and perfect.
It didn't matter right now. It wouldn't matter at all until she reached the loading bay of the QQF Silverfish and passed into the QQF Observant, but she had learned long ago from her father that one is as one should be and if one is at all tis, then what should be, is. A simple concept many of her classmates and colleagues failed to understand.
Without change or aningful difference, Stephliquen marched onto the QQF Silverfish confidently and paused at the QQF Observant's director's office. A single knock announced her presence, and a simple command to enter began her downfall. She did not wait, nor did she allow the fluttering in her heart to be a mont of weakness, imdiately responding and entering the office with aplomb.
The director of Station Observant had opened the room up to allow for the telepresence of the board of directors, their holographic images sitting in their appropriate seats even as the director of Station Observant sat at his place at the foot of the table and the director of Starship Silverfish stood at attention to the side, awaiting her judgnt.
The Chairman proved swift in his attack, "You accepted this assignnt?"
Stephliquen kept her face cold, "Yes, Chairman."
"Yet failed."
Stephliquen cursed quietly, deep in her heart hidden far from the ears of any. A statent, not a question. Her options were gone. There was only mitigation, if she was decisive enough.
"Yes."
The Chairman seed shocked, blinking in surprise as he looked on, "You accept so easily."
"The paraters of the project were well defined. They were not t."
That drew the Chairman aback and he sat back in his chair, thoughtful, "And reparations?"
Stephliquen saluted imdiately, "We still need communications with the surface."
That brought a quirk to the Chairman's eyebrow, "And?"
"Communications will be more stable in the hands of one well trained."
"I see," the Chairman replied with narrowed eyes, leaning forward with expectation, "Continue."
"I am well acquainted with the biological equipnt QQS Observant has been developing."
"And you believe you can get it to the surface… still functional."
"Functional and useful under my guidance."
The Chairman sat back with calculating eyes, "That would be… exceptional."
Stephliquen remained silent, waiting on the Chairman as he was lost in thought. It was not long.
"And you volunteer, Stephliquen? For the record."
Of course I don't volunteer.
"Of course, I volunteer, Chairman. For the record."
The man stared at her, his eyes searching deep into her, but found nothing wanting as he sat back and nodded with firm and decisive intent, "Excellent. Your family will be safe and well rewarded. You will be nad as hero of the Empire and rembered for your service with your accolades and service salary forwarded to your family. Your sister… she is the chanic aboard your ship?"
Stephliquen imdiately nodded, "Yes, sir."
The Chairman returned his eyes to his screen, "Excellent. Excellent."
The Chairman made so notes, typing into his display for a few monts before returning his gaze back to Stephliquen, leaning forward and imposing a certain gravitas to his next words, "Then… I will give her provisional directorship of the QQF Silverfish."
Stephliquen imdiately understood the insinuation, "Of course, Chairman. I thank you for offering my sister this opportunity! It will be excellent for her!"
The Chairman stared on for a few more minutes before sitting back and nodding, "Excellent. Then you are dismissed. Return to your post and enact your plan. It has been approved by the board."
"Yes, sir," Stephliquen imdiately saluted, bowed deeply, and left the room, her turn and march chanically perfect.
She left the room, marched to the Observant's bay and entered the Silverfish. Her march was made without thought, on autopilot. She was able to make it to her room before she broke down, equal parts rage and despair. The despair ca quickly, well felt and poorly dealt with but it was washed away rather quickly by the rage that ca soon after.
My family! He would threaten my family and my sister! Who…
Her sister ca in rather quickly after her return. The news of her promotion was not t with happiness, her despair much deeper and her rage quite muted. They took a long ti to calm themselves before imdiately and fervently returning to ensure Stephliquen's safety to their utmost. There was much work to do and in her hand was a gift from her sister, one she'd been very reluctant to use when she'd first felt it and guessed what it was. She'd almost thrown it in a recycler on the way to the eting. Now, rage kindled her heart and she would use it without any fear.
* * *
The Saga abbot of Coushar woke the next morning with his daily prayers and ritual cleansing, satisfying the demands of his goddess. As only appropriate, his word from his goddess lay patiently glowing to his side awaiting his attention. His effort to remain faithful to his goddess first did not please him. No one had found the new chaplain, and he was concerned.
* * *
A young inconsequential spearman sat on his stool, deep within the clan at a small well regarded bar, sipping his beer. Around him, his fellow soldiers laughed and enjoyed one another. He struggled to keep his fear and greed in check. He… can divine the system!
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