Ivan Kal - Out of the Ashes

“They did. But since the humans left, “experts” of house Nor Ral came with new information, saying that there is little we can gain from even a trade agreement with the humans. Idiots! And everyone on the council believed him, even when I and my experts clearly stated otherwise. But what do I know, I just ran a successful trading fleet between dozens of worlds for thirty cycles!” Jusan threw his hands in the air. He stomped to his comfortable chair and sat down, careful to place his tail in the opening at the back of the chair. Jusan grew quiet, staring at the painting of his great ancestor that was placed on the side wall.

Finally he turned to Nisse, “Are there any news from our little venture?” Jusan asked.

Cevar Nisse brought his hand upwards in a gesture of defeat, “No Sestar. The people affiliated with house Dai Ven are more acceptable to the proposition. But then most have been in the employ of your house for a long time, generations even. The others are much less inclined.”

“You asked them?” Jusan asked, alarmed.

Nisse immediately gestured his hands in signs of reassurance, “Of course not Sestar. We did not reveal who or what it is we want. A few cleverly worded questions were asked to see their responses.”

Jusan relaxed, “And there was no one?” He asked, he thought that at least some would have been open to the idea.

“No Sestar. Those of the great families are too set in their ways, even the branch families. Their wealth and influence comes from the current state of things. And the lower class is too afraid to act.” Nisse paused, he looked uncomfortable. Hesitantly he continued, “Sestar… What you are asking, it goes against everything we have been taught since childhood. One Nel does not turn on the other, we do not use force to change things. It is too close to the stories of the—” Nisse stopped abruptly.

Jusan looked at him, “You can say it.”

Nisse swallowed hard, and whispered, “Too close to the stories about the Order.”

Jusan closed his eyes, “If only you knew the truth.” He whispered.

“Sestar?” Nisse asked.

“Nothing Nisse.” Jusan responded, “If we can’t do this, then we are doomed.” He paused, glancing back at the portrait of his ancestor, “Every head of this house has always protected the people that were the part of the Dai Ven household. And I will not be the one house head that fails at that charge.” He turned his sight back to Nisse. “If people of Nelus don’t want to be saved, then they are on their own. I will look after my own people.”

“Sestar?”

“Arrange a household meeting, I want everyone here at the main house.” Jusan said in a dismissive tone. For a moment Nisse didn’t move, and then he bowed, “Of course Sestar.” Nisse turned and exited the room.

Jusan reached into his pocket, feeling the surface of the sphere. He had been carrying it with him since he meet with the humans on their ship. He still regretted not showing it to them, but after their talk he was sure that the humans didn’t know about their shared origins. And the hologram of Axull Darr, the one who created their people said that they could have only found the sphere if they had heard its beacon. Jusan’s people found it by accident, and they were not ready for the knowledge within it. He assumed that Axull Darr placed a sphere on the worlds of the two other races he created, and if humans didn’t know anything about their origin, then they were not yet at the level where they could find the sphere. And Jusan hesitated in showing it to them. A part of it was fear of what it could do to them, he knew very little of their culture and beliefs. And a part was habit, he has kept the sphere a secret for so long, as his ancestors did before him. He was afraid of showing it to anyone.

Perhaps that was a mistake? Jusan thought. I should have shown it to them. But what would have that accomplished? It wouldn’t have changed the council’s position on the humans offer. Jusan closed his eyes feeling a great burden threatening to crush him. Now he had to put everything on the line to try and save his household, even if that meant weakening Nelus. The only choice he had was to escape Nelus, with all those that trusted him. His household wasn’t as large as some other families. Most were serving in his merchant fleet. They were his family and their safety was his most important responsibility. He needed to work against the council, trick them into letting them go. Jusan opened his eyes and accessed his terminal, looking for the manifest of all the cargo his family had, a plan slowly forming in his mind.

“House Dai Ven has the floor.” Sestar Tavaar of house Nor Ral announced.

“My fellow councilmembers.” Jusan began, “I wish to speak to you about the recent calls for action against the humans in Nuva system.” He saw Tavaar stiffen, he was a great advocate for forcible actions, but he could not interfere with Jusan’s speech until he finished, lest he insult him. And even though house Dai Ven did not wield as much influence as house Nor Ral did, he still had enough to make Tavaar’s life difficult. “There has been talk about forcibly removing the humans from our colony world of Nuva, which I don’t disagree with.” Jusan said, and saw Tavaar relax, “We have agreed to wait for the human response. Going back on our word would be… dishonorable. But, if the council feels that we shouldn’t wait, and need to take action immediately, I might offer an alternative.” He saw that he had the attention of the entire room so he continued, “I propose that instead of sending our military ships, and in doing so weaken Nelus. We instead send a merchant fleet and try to resolve this matter, in a more diplomatic way.”

Tavaar, waiting for a few beats to be sure that Jusan has finished talking, spoke, “I do not see how a merchant fleet would persuade the humans to leave our system.”

“What I propose is simple, we send a merchant fleet filled with materials and technology that we have little use for, and that will surely dazzle the humans. We show them a taste of what they can have if they accept a trade agreement. Of course a merchant fleet of that size shouldn’t be moving without an escort.” Jusan said, showing his teeth, “As this is my proposition, I will of course take responsibility for the mission, leading my merchant fleet to the Nuva, and conducting any negotiation. And the twenty retrofitted merchant vessels and five light cruisers that are in my families employ would make a suitable escort. These ships could of course make it clear to the humans that we will not be moved from our position, of regaining control of Nuva.” Jusan finished.

The room was quiet, each council member thinking how not allowing or allowing Jusan’s proposal would affect their house. But Jusan studied Tavaar, his vote would be the most important one.

“Your merchant fleet controls most of the trade in the system. You leaving might make things difficult.” Sestar Niraas of house Sav Ral said. Jusan turned to him locking his eyes with his. He knew that Niraas has been suspicious of Jusan since they returned from the human ship.

“The other families have been trying to take a bigger role in the in-system trade for cycles. I am sure that they can assume the place of my fleet. And if my fleet is successful, we will have another market open for trade. And my fleet is the only one with both experience and capabilities of conducting such a trade.” Jusan said.

“Perhaps that might be true, but taking the retrofitted ships and your light cruisers would leave Nelus weakened.” Niraas continued.

“My ships are just a tiny part of the Nelus Fleet. And by your own words, there is no threat to Nelus. The Sowir have no resources to attack us, and humans couldn’t possibly threaten us. And taking them to Nuva will without any doubt show humans that we are serious. And in fact any action that we could take to forcibly remove the humans from Nuva, would require more fleet ships.” Jusan responded. He saw Niraas bristle, but remain silent. Jusan turned his gaze back to Tavaar and saw him thinking about every outcome. Then Tavaar smiled, and Jusan knew that he had him. Going to Nuva would remove Jusan from the council for at least a cycle, and Tavaar couldn’t pass up on that. In that time he could increase his power, and gain even more influence with the families that would take up the trade in the system.