CHAPTER 52: Coalition
The time was approaching 2615 Hours; evening had fallen hours before and the first of the moons had almost completed its transit across the clear indigo sky. Most of the business discussion had been completed early that afternoon in Briin's office: the status and progress on Uunokeener’s off-line generator, the preliminary positioning of the array, the most recent transition phenomena report, and the projected capture time-line. As the gentle radiance of the second moon began to glimmer over the horizon, the conversation— despite their mutual intentions— drifted into one of their least favorite topics: the conduct of the Mutual Advisory Committee.
“What else would you expect of that crazy collection of cowardly councilmen? They’ve reached a new peak of panicky paranoia over potential repercussions of this impending capture. They almost passed a quorum resolution ‘forbidding’ any more alien systems to appear within our cluster…as if erstwhile edicts enacted by egotistical eminences could enjoin the exercise of nature's laws!”
Briin couldn’t contain his snicker of agreement at this specific show of ineptitude by the committee, yet felt compelled to offer some defense of the advisory body he headed. “Although I didn’t bother with all the bizarre details, I was aware of their attempt. But, Eebri, at least half the Lords did ultimately come to realize the resolution was both specious and futile. So your blanket condemnation seems a bit excessive; they’re not all inadequate idiots.”
“Of course not. But as a group they lack both the resolve and the courage to even peek over the backyard fence to say ‘Hi’ to their new neighbors! Will they ever realize that their isolationist stance only exacerbates the issue and increases the suspicion the captured inhabitants undoubtedly will have when we finally make contact? Are the MAC members capable of any coordinated thought or concerted action?”
“Of course they are. You've seen it yourself." He paused dramatically, enjoying her growing disbelief. "They can band together like a pack of desogaks when they sense the opportunity for a kill." Eebri's laugh quickly died as he continued, "And if this next capture were to go seriously wrong— severe damage to one of our population centers, a manned ship destroyed in transit, or heavily traveled nav-lanes being blocked by a dense debris belt— they would instantly band together. They would shred me and then continue fighting among themselves over any bloody piece of me left intact. That’s why— as much as I appreciated your displays of both artistry and support— I remain so concerned about the effects of your Verbal Duel with Cjorll and Vstoch. They’ll gladly use any despicable means available to revenge the humiliation you heaped on them. And since those hostilities actually erupted over the perception of impropriety…”
“Oh, posh and twaddle! Please stop worrying about them. Everyone knows about the propensity for perversity and prevarication of the Lords Cjorll and Vstoch. Besides, I am a ranking member of your staff! We have a perfect right to conduct our business over dinner, wherever that might be!
“Which reminds me, Briin…” Her posture softened and the intensity of the emerald fire in her eyes burned lower. “Our dinner at the Pub might have seemed a bit shady because of the place’s reputation, but this— the Towers-Crest— is a significant upgrade! Of course, despite its high visibility as the elite meeting place in Xuudeloee for the powers-that-be, we both know that the food is no better than the Pub’s scrumptious aaxlotl steak. But the setting? Presentation? Atmosphere? This is truly elegant! I’m glad you asked me to join you.”
He gave a self-deprecating wave of dismissal for the implied thanks, but before he could reply, she continued, now with a harsh edge to her tone. “However, I have noticed that it is still a private balcony, inaccessible by sight or sound to any of the other V.I.P. patrons present. I’m almost convinced that you are afraid to be seen with me in a truly public setting!”
Her tone had not become acid, but it did carry a caustic edge. “Briin, are you afraid that some prying Lord will get the idea that our relationship is personal rather than professional, or that some imperious official might imagine that it could compromise our working relationship?”
Before he could counter or respond, soft music began and an announcement sounded: “Attention! Your attention please! Conditions are ideal and relative placement will be reached in less than twenty seconds. In keeping with the traditions of Zelaanz, please maintain silence until the experience is complete.”
Light from two distant sources, one moon far in the west, the other still rising on the eastern horizon, shone across the skyline in the initial stages of a rare interplay of intensity, contrast and— most significantly— color.
The eastern faces of the city’s remarkable collection of government buildings, sylvan parks and ornate shrines luxuriated in the rich golden-hue from Zeloti’s huge rising bulk. Simultaneously, their western facades were bathed in the eerie glow cast by the pale ice-blue globe of Aanzelota. Where the light from the two moons met and slowly blended, the city was bathed in a cool aqua sheen, painting the planet with a unique pastel tint created from nature’s unlimited palette.
The natives of Caaljeron called the blended color “Zelaanz.” That specific color had come to be especially cherished by Caaljeron’s inhabitants, in appreciation for the rarity of its natural occurrence. It had first been seen in those rare few minutes, on only one or two clear and crisp autumn nights each year, when the radiance of the full and rising Zeloti merged with the illumination from the full and setting Aanzelota. Its only other natural occurrence was in one of the planet’s rarest and most precious stones, which had also come to be called “Zelaanz.”
Briin sat at their table, staring, mesmerized. Yet he was oblivious to the featured sight, spread out six hundred meters below his private balcony, of the city being transformed into a mystical masterpiece by the greatest of artists. But though he ignored that spectacular sight below, his attention was riveted— on the breathtaking image of a motionless Eebri. who
Eebri was both transfixed and transformed by the subtle interplay of light and color. Her usually ruby hair was burnished by the Zelaanzian light to a deep copper hue, her rare milk-white skin appeared to have acquired a patina of verdigris. The shimmering silver gown she had specially selected for this exceptional occurrence glistened as if made of myriad Zelaanz gems, accented by glittering gold and ice-blue highlights.
She is the perfect image of the bronze statue of the goddess, Dhaalmla! It's as if the All Planets Museum had loaned out that beautiful and priceless work of art to the Tower-Crest, to place on my private balcony, completing the perfection of this evening. I knew she was beautiful, but now…
The illusion was only partly broken as she turned; Briin viscerally reacted with the feeling that the animated, living reality of Eebri was even more magnificent and vibrantly exciting than the mythical Dhaalmla’s inert image could ever be.
Eebri motioned gracefully, with subtle feminine gestures, yet somehow encompassing the entire sweep and aura of the event. “Oh, Briinie," she whispered, "isn’t it just…” The tilt of her head indicated that she was searching some inner realm in her attempt to discover sufficiently descriptive words for the otherworldly beauty of the transcendental scene. The pause continued for long seconds.
He recovered his breath and a slow grin lit his face. “Why, Eebri, I believe you are at a loss for words. I never believed it could happen to you!”
Her responding pout was erased as he continued. “The only way to do justice to the exquisite beauty of this ethereal event, my dear, is to say that it is almost as lovely as you.”
Eebri remained speechless. However her incipient frown had been transformed into an elated smile, and a tear of joy coursed down her blushing cheek. For only a moment, the tear flashed in a spectrum of gem-like colors; then the Zelaanzian atmosphere faded as Aanzelota dipped below the horizon.
She stirred slowly as if awakening from an exquisite
dream. She wiped away the tear, smiled shyly, and said with a twinkle, “Well, Briinie, I guess that means the forecasters’ jobs will remain safe a little longer.”
Somewhat embarrassed, he chuckled, “If I had known how truly remarkable the experience would be, I’d have threatened their lives instead of just their positions. I have observed the Zelaanzian light phenomenon twice before, but never has the experience been so incredible as with you tonight.”
The silence stretched for several minutes as they watched the remaining moon rise, each lost in their separate memories of the wonder of the experience. Finally, Briin mustered the courage to voice— at least in part— what had long been gestating his mind. He took her hand and said, “Eebri, I would be happy to be seen with you anywhere, anytime. In fact, more and more often I’m finding myself considering some future function and having difficulty imagining you not being with me…whether it’s in public or in private, for official business or purely personal reasons. So…uh…I was hoping… Could I ask you something?”
Eebri nodded cautiously, expectantly, holding her breath as she anxiously wound a strand of hair about her ring finger.
“I would be honored if you would agree to join with me at the official viewing of the upcoming system capture…” Seeing disappointment in Eebri’s eyes and the sense of deflation as she exhaled her long-held breath, Briin hurried on, “as my personal guest aboard my private cruiser. If you would like, we might make it a combined business and pleasure trip. After the capture is completed, perhaps you’d like to slip away together to a secluded location for a few days.”
Eebri quickly removed her hand from his grasp, and a tear glistened in her eye. Briin could not imagine why his words would elicit such a reaction. He paused, unsure of what else he could or should say. Finally he finished rather lamely, “I really wish you would at least consider my offer.”
After taking several deep breaths to regain her composure, Eebri began to speak slowly and precisely, as if officially advising the Chief of State on a high-level policy matter. “I realize how much…thought…you have put into asking me to…take this step.
“Anyone who matters would know that my observing the transfer is perfectly in keeping with my position and my need to keep current on the state of the captured systems. But if I am seen by a member of the opposition traveling to the event with you on your private vessel, or observed by them disembarking with you in the vicinity of the capture site, it will only serve to fuel the fires that busybodies like Cjorll and Vstoch hope to spread.
She looked away, wiped her eye and finished, “So, Briin, while the possibility of attending the capture with you might be one which I would otherwise welcome, I am afraid I must respectfully decline your offer. And as for the private getaway…”
Briin worriedly interrupted. “Brie, I would hope that by now you know that I do want both an official and a personal relationship with you. For myself, I couldn’t care what those feckless fools on the council think. Or— for that matter— what the entire population of the Realm thinks! I wouldn’t care if they knew it was purely personal— this is between us. But I don’t want you to feel forced into anything that would be uncomfortable, or that would harm you personally or professionally, or that would sully your reputation. So, Eebri, forget for now that I asked about a private getaway after the transfer. We can discuss that later, if you would like. And, as for the gossip mongers, I’m sure I can make appropriate travel arrangements that will appease even the worst of them.
“The plain truth is that I’ll be much happier if you are there with me, Brie. And though I know from previous experience that the transfer of an entire solar system can be an awe inspiring sight, it’s no more awe inspiring than you are tonight, no more so than you are each and every time I see you. I want to be with you, Brie! And I want you to be with me. Won’t you please reconsider?”
The twinkle had returned to her eye. “Yes, Briinie, I will…since you asked me so nicely.”