Chapter 17 - Negative Official Notice

The departure of Freya brought peace to Ishtar. Janice continued to lead rehearsals of the musical. We now had a complete show that lasted just over seventy minutes. It was almost ready, and we were becoming increasingly worried that the secret would be revealed. Janice insisted that conversations about our work be kept to the Concubine's Refuge to prevent accidentally revealing our plans.

The citizens seemed rather distracted though. James and Yvette seemed to spend hours in the command post briefing room. Many of the more technically minded citizens joined them, but concubines were being kept away. Kitty and Brittany complained about this, but James merely smiled when he came home before showering us with affection.

Tina has finished the tapestry, but quickly concealed it, refusing to allow anyone to see it. "I'll present it at opening night," she said. "That would be the best way to do it."

We finally decided that we'd tell the citizens to prepare for a special event in three days. We figured that would give us an opportunity to hold one final dress rehearsal before the show. Somehow I was elected to be part of the group to make the announcement, so with Janice, Heather, David and Claire, we headed to the command post.

Mike and his concubines, Michelle and Mickey were in the command post when we arrived. Michelle offered a wink as we made our way to the briefing room door. Janice was reaching out to knock on the door when Mickey stiffened. Her hand reached out to a dial. "James, we have a communication. The caller sounds a bit upset."

The briefing room door opened. "Who is it?"

"Chief Scientist Colonel Clint Johanes," Mickey responded. "He insists that you speak with him immediately."

I heard my master sigh. "Put him through."

There was a short pause and then James spoke. "Greetings. How can we help you?"

"Is this James Rabb?" a gravelly voice growled out.

"It is," James replied. "Who am I talking to?"

"Chief Scientist Colonel Clint Johanes," the voice snapped. "What is this I hear about you discovering some alien ruins?"

"We sent out some probes to examine other planets in this sector," James replied. "One of the probes found evidence of an artificial structure on an airless moon. We have sent two more probes to examine the structure and additional probes to other nearby stars looking for more ruins."

"The AI said you have relics!" the man said.

I heard a gasp from inside the room. "We have recovered a few pieces of space debris that don't look natural," James admitted. "Why does that matter?"

"Because you aren't qualified to investigate them!" the voice screamed. "You might have discovered something significant, but we can't find out until it's in the hands of our scientists."

"That's nice," James said. "How are we supposed to deliver them to you?"

"Huh?" the voice asked. "What do you mean by that?"

"We are inside Sa'arm space by a few dozen light years," James replied. "This is a little resupply post. With the exception of occasional visits by ships requiring repair or Stagecoach ships bringing supplies, we don't have access to any ships. We don't exactly have a way to ship the items to you."

"What about giving them to one of the ships that visit?" the voice growled.

"That might get them to Borneo," James replied. "But I expect you aren't calling from there."

"I'll get back to you," the voice growled out.

There was silence for a moment and then Mickey sighed. "The communication just ended."

"Log the call," Yvette called out. "And leave a note for the others. If this man calls again, alert James right away."

"What was that?' Janice asked.

"If you remember just before Freya appeared we were about to announce something. We were going to tell you then that we found some evidence of an alien civilization," James said. "I didn't know that the AI had communicated that find to Central Command."

Yvette groaned. "We shouldn't be surprised. This is a significant find. We've spent the last week trying to figure out what we've found."

I heard a gasp. Looking over, I saw that Claire had a hand over her mouth. "Was that the big secret? Has that been why you've been in meetings all the time?"

I heard one of the twins sigh. "Yes. We've been examining the data the probe brought back as well as the artifacts we have. We were hoping to find something we can use, but the Chief Scientist is right about one thing. No one on Ishtar has the knowledge and training to successfully study what we have found."

"What about Borneo?" I asked in a whisper.

"There is no scientific team on Borneo. This district is about fighting the Sa'arm, not research or training. We've already asked," James said.

"Admiral Himmel and General Montgomery know about the find," Yvette said.

What did they say?" Janice asked.

"Nothing," James replied. "They don't have any scientists in the district, so sending them the artifacts would be meaningless. That and we have the time to study our find while waiting for the next ship to arrive."

As James finished his sentence, Mickey started waving her hands. "Jump point opening. Based on the vector, it can't be coming from Borneo."

"Sa'arm then?" Mike asked.

"Not sure," Mickey said. "I'm waiting for the sensors to provide more data."

James and the others stood up. James came out and stood next to Mike as Mickey continued to press buttons and attempt to refine the scans. Conversation died until Mickey smiled.

"It's Confed," she said. "One of their fast freighters. Stagecoach class."

"Is it Mary Celeste's ship?" Yvette asked. "I know Gina wouldn't mind another afternoon with her,"

"One moment,' Michelle said. "We have an incoming signal."

She flipped a switch and a new voice called out over the speakers. 'Howdy, Y'all. Command tells me that you be needing a visit from me."

The voice rang out with a sweet accent. It was female and I could see Yvette shaking her head. James just nodded. "If you are bringing more spare parts for our repair station, we can definitely use your cargo."

"Spares, replacements, heck I think some technician threw in a kitchen sink while they were filling me up," the voice replied. "Now, why don't you turn on the porch light, so I can find you."

James nodded and I could see Mickey hit several switches.

"Ah, there you are," the voice replied again. "My ship's telling me that I'll be able to dock in just under an hour."

"We'll be waiting," James said. "Will you need any rest here?"

The voice laughed. "This ain't Earth with their rules on how long I can be driving before I have to sleep. In the Confederacy, I can keep Peterbilt running until the engines need to be overhauled. Besides, Jasmine is about to give birth to her second child and if I keep my turnaround quick I can get home in time to watch the baby be born."

Everyone in the command center laughed. "That I can completely understand," Yvette said. "Peterbilt? I haven't heard that ship name before. Where you hail from?"

"I'm based out of Circe, one of the resupply and training posts the navy has set up far behind the lines," the voice replied.

"And you are?" Yvette asked.

"Not like you've supplied your name," the voice replied with a chuckle. "I'm Ensign Dixie Himmel, captain and crew of Peterbilt."

"Himmel?" James said, looking up at the ceiling. "As in a relation to Admiral Horace Himmel?"

"You know Daddy?" the voice cried with an unaccented squeak. "Oh god, please don't tell him that I was unmilitary. He's so proud that all of his children qualified as citizens."

"He's in charge of the district we are part if," James replied. "We talk to him fairly regularly."

"Is he there?" Dixie asked quietly.

"No," James replied. "He's on Borneo. We can call him if you want."

"No!" Dixie snapped. "I mean, please, not right now. I know he's proud of me, but I have to disappoint him because I went auxiliary rather than joining a combat arm. I don't want to hear the disappointment."

"Funny," Yvette said. "He sounded proud of you the one time we talked about his children. Only his one son is a disappointment."

"That has to be William," Dixie replied. "He was a turd back in high school. Is he working for Daddy?"

"He was," James replied. "He was transferred out of the district a while back."

"May he find himself under a hardnosed commander who can finally make him straighten up," Dixie said with a huff. "Meanwhile, the computer says I'm almost in position. Transfers should begin. Do you have the manifests?"

Michelle giggled. "Yup, and we've already sent your AI the order we'd like the cargo packs removed. It's saying it will take less than forty minutes to complete the transfer."

"Good," Dixie said. "I hate to be anti-social, but unless there is an emergency I was going to just stay up here and play a bit of solitaire with the computer."

"We can accept that since you said you want to turn around quickly," James said. "I do have a question, when you think of rabbits, what color fur do you think is most attractive?"

"What?" Dixie screamed. There was a pregnant moment of silence. "Who has time to think of such silly questions? I have no clue. I just picture a rabbit as some little gray furred thing running around. Why?"

James put a hand on my shoulder and whispered in my ear. "We have thirty minutes to make a delivery. Do we have one of that color?"

I giggled when I realized what James was planning. I kissed his cheek and then dashed out of the command post, heading home to visit the rabbits.

James must have signaled the AI while I was hurrying through the corridors because Brittany met me at the entrance to the rabbit pod. "We have a visitor?"

"Yes," I said, panting to catch my breath. "One of the one-person fast freighters. She doesn't appear to know we have rabbits and wants to leave the instant her ship is unloaded, so we have about twenty-five minutes to get a rabbit to her. She told James she pictures rabbits as being gray."

"Gray?" Brittany said biting her lower lip. "That's not a color we've had a lot of success with. I think we might have one litter with an extra gray bunny."

Brittany turned and led me through the front room of the rabbit pod to one of the smaller side rooms. This one was devoted to rabbits with light colored fur. Most were white, but there was a small collection of gray and tan rabbits caged along one wall. Most ignored our entry as Brittany walked up to one cage that contained a nest box that had been turned on its side.

Brittany opened the cage. Immediately a number of young rabbits dashed out of the box and ran to the back corner of the cage. I could see four gray ones. Brittany reached in and picked up one of the larger gray rabbits.

She quickly turned it over and with expert care inspected the rabbit. "Male,' she said shortly turning to hand the rabbit to me.

She reached back in and brought out another for a quick inspection. "Female, this one stays," she said putting it back in the cage and reaching for one of the two remaining gray rabbits.

The one took a moment to check, but she smiled. "This one's another male, so the one in your arms can go. Let's collect a cage and head to the teleport."

Brittany closed the cage as I held the rabbit against my chest and started walking back to the main room. She quickly dashed ahead of me. By the time I reached the main room she was holding a small cage. I smiled and set the rabbit into the cage.

"I want to hear the happy cries when our little boy here reaches his new home," Brittany said.

We hurried back through the corridors, walking carefully to avoid panicking the rabbit we were carrying. I was going to lead us into the command post, but Brittany stopped. "The teleport room is the next one down," she reminded me.

Blushing, I stopped my turn and continued down to the teleport room. We arrived inside to find Brad leaning against the controls.

"What? Where are your loyal cheerleaders?" Brittany said.

Brad smiled. "They wanted to bond a bit over their babies and are at the school."

I nodded at that, thinking of days where I had spent the afternoon with one of my sisters as we watched our children. Brittany just sighed. "I wish I had my baby already," she muttered. The thought must have been fleeting because she then perked up. "Meanwhile, we have a surprise for our visitor."

Brad laughed. 'I can deal with that. One moment."

Brad turned to the control station and pressed a few buttons. "Peterbilt, this is Ishtar Teleport Control, please respond."

Dixie was obviously much more relaxed because her soft drawl had returned. "Well suga' how can little ole me help a hunky sounding man like you?"

Brad shook his head. "I have a special package to teleport directly to you. Is your teleporter clear?"

There was a giggle. 'Honey, the only time my teleporter gets used is when I stop by my home pod for a little lovin'. Now what is this package?"

Brad smiled and winked at Brittany and me. He waved us to put the cage on the teleport pad. "Something that I'm sure you'll like," he replied to Dixie. "I'm sending now."

"Just that?" Dixie said. "You could at least let me know what..." There was a long pause. Then there was a shrill squeal of delight. "Oh my God! A bunny! A real living bunny! Where did you get it? Can I keep it? How? Is this for me?"

Brittany and I covered our mouths trying to stifle our giggles. Brad had a huge smile on his face. "That bunny is for you, just a little gift we give to visiting ships."

"Wow!" Dixie cried. "Is it a boy or a girl? And where did you get a gray one?"

"We gave you a boy," Brittany called out. "As for why he is gray, his mother is gray, his father is white. We got mostly gray babies from that pairing."

"You have more?" Dixie asked.

"A few," Brittany said as I tried to stifle more giggles.

"Well thanks," Dixie said. "I didn't realize how lonely it can get up here until I saw that little bunny. How old is he?"

"Nine weeks," Brittany said. "He's a baby."

"Thank you again," Dixie replied. 'I...Wait...Oh, the AI is telling me that the last pod has detached. Ishtar Control, if you don't need me I'm going to pull out and boost for home."

"Turn initially to two seven five before your first burn if you can," Michelle's voice called out. We've kept that corridor clear for you. Thanks for the delivery."

"It's an interesting way to see the universe," Dixie replied. "I'll probably see you again."

There was a moment of silence and then Mickey gasped. "Damn, she must have the engines at redline. I've never seen a ship accelerate like that."

"She did appear to be interested in moving quickly," Mike said.

"Fleet Auxiliary Dixie Himmel and her ship Peterbilt have made more deliveries than any two other Stagecoach class ships, combined," the AI intoned.

His two concubines giggled. After that it was silent. Brittany looked at me and smiled. "What did James say?" she asked.

"Not much," I said. "The arrival of Peterbilt interrupted our discussion. Shall we go back and see what's being said?"

Brittany laughed and grabbed my arm. We waved to Brad and then dashed out of the teleport room, heading back to the command post.

The command post was quiet when we entered. Mike and his two concubines were concentrating on the displays. I looked over to see that the briefing room door was open and led Brittany inside.

"So that's where we stand," James was finishing saying as we entered. Janice was nodding and smiled at me.

She walked over to me and was about to say more when Michelle gave a screech of surprise. "James! It's that chief scientist guy again."

I watched my master put a hand to his temples. He rubbed his forehead for a moment before looking at the ceiling. "Put him through."

"Don't bother with an announcement," the voice growled. "I just want to pass on orders from Central Command. You are to take all artifacts you have discovered and send them back in the next transport to visit. I understand you are due to receive a visit from a Stagecoach class freighter in two days."

"Is that ship the Peterbilt?" James asked.

"What?"

"It wasn't a complex question. Are you counting on us putting these artifacts on the Peterbilt?" James asked again,

"One moment," the voice said. There was a bit of coughing and then the voice came back. "Yes, the Peterbilt is the name of the ship. Why?"

James sighed. "Because, we saw the Peterbilt already. So I have to ask what we do then? I don't think that class can communicate when they are between systems."

"It can't," the scientist growled. "I can see this isn't going to be easy. In that case, can you support more people?"

Yvette put a hand on James' shoulder as he slumped. "The colony originally had one hundred citizens. Due to some environmental problems we are down to twenty-two. We were already fixing many of the old pods for use in shore leaves for visiting ships being repaired," James admitted.

"James!" I could hear Yvette hiss. "Why did you tell him that?"

"Good," the scientist said. "In that case, I'll just bring my team to your planet. It might take a few days to arrange transport. I'll inform you as soon as I have a ship."

There was a pause as everyone in the command post looked up at the ceiling. Then Michelle spoke. "The signal just died. James what do we do now?"