Stargazer: New Home - Ancient Foes by Ivan Ertlov

Author:Ivan Ertlov [Ertlov, Ivan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Homegrown Games Australia
Published: 2021-07-07T16:00:00+00:00

"Welcome to Earth, Mister Gazer."

"The only summit talks that really have any meaning are those of alpinists."

- Luis Trenker

7.

Separation of powers

"More precisely, to New Earth. Or Earth 2.0, or maybe Neoterra, because we still haven't quite agreed on that."

There was a hint of embarrassment in her voice, perhaps scratching a little at the aura of her dominance but at the same time making her relatable.

Human.

Dilara snapped Frank out of his languishing thoughts with an elbow jab to his side and a whispered "Teka-he Talash?" on her lips. Which, of course, she was absolutely right about, and Frank indicated a bow.

"You know my name, so you have an advantage. However, I would like to ask you to continue the conversation in Talash. My crew's English needs a lot of improvement."

The goddess smiled generously.

"As you wish, Mister Gazer, and yes, I owe you an introduction. Here you see Rear Admiral Cuck Freezemayer, the leader of our self-defence forces and head of the military-industrial complex. My colleague here is Benny Gonzales, our mayor. I am Mariella Tawambe, the First Professor."

The First Professor of what? Physics, political science, applied home economics?

That was a question Frank had to mentally put off until later - now, the diplomatic protocol needed to be upheld.

"Pleased to meet you. At my side is Dilara Kreethan, astrotelepath and co-pilot. Behind her, my weapons officer Stormcommander Troshk, and next to him Betshrachthora the Metaltaster, our mechanic. I am Frank Gazer, commander of the Yrsha and managing director of the Stargazer Prospectorate. Oh yes, and the morphically advantaged colleague at the very back is Florbsh, our accountant and lawyer."

The bodyguards, discreetly half a step in the background, flinched briefly, and a moment of horror flitted across the mayor's face as well, as the word lawyer echoed across the airfield.

That was good; some regularities seemed universal.

The Professor, however, was not so easily ruffled, and her polite smile turned into a mischievous one.

"Prospecting, that's what you claim. Interesting. So you are all civilian explorers and adventurers who accidentally jumped into our best-shielded system searching for valuable raw materials? Through a wormhole whose existence even we were unaware of?"

Freezemayer put it less diplomatically.

"You don't seriously expect us to believe that shit, do you?"

Frank shook his head.

"Since I have claimed nothing of the sort, you don`t have to believe anything, Rear Admiral. No, we are searching for more than a thousand missing miners who vanished during an illegal operation by the Mining Consortium in the Rim Worlds. Along with the mine itself. And if we're not mistaken, you know something more about it."

This was the first step towards interrogation, with just the right amount of politeness for the situation. Actually, his friends should now be at least a little impressed.

Actually.

"In other words, we believe that you or someone in this system has been operating big time in the robbery and kidnapping business for a quarter of a century, and we would like at least the abductees back; thank you very much."

Dilara's legendary tact unfolded its effect - but differently than expected.

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