Paul Kater - Bactine

Daniel recalled the offloading of food at some of the islands the man referred to and nodded.

“These people work hard, choose to live in barren conditions compared to our luxury. Without our ships sailing in safety, they fear of hunger. A very real fear, sir,” Seigner Folkling ko Keran ended.

Daniel had not expected to hear things like this. And it wasn’t over yet.

Seigner Willin ko Noles raised his glass. “When Seigner Dogom ko Tzuy asked me to witness and second this occasion, sir, I was not certain what I should do. I chose to take up the matter with the young Seigner Warlem Dandra ko Galem, and he told me about your heroism. I have visited the sailors who have sailed with you, Mr. Zacharias. These men and women swore you are their friend for life, because you took care of them as an equal. That, sir, made my choice simple.”

Daniel was confused. Warlem? The man could not be serious. Warlem was a good person, but to decide something on the views of a poet… He did appreciate that the seigner had gone to see the sailors also. It made him feel somewhat more appreciative of the whole affair.

The gentlemen watched Daniel. To his embarrassment he understood that it now was his turn to say something. “Uhm, first of all I have to thank you for giving me this, uhm, medal.” Great start, Zacharias, you are still as smooth with this as with the first medal you got in active duty. “I only did my job, and I’m glad that it has so many good things to show now.” Way to go, preacher. That last thought made Daniel fall silent for a moment. “My heart goes out to the families who have lost dear ones, to the pirates, and during the fight on the new Pricosine. When Seigner Dogom ko Tzuy and I started all this, we had no idea that it would end in such bloodshed. I am proud and honoured to fight at the side of these men, who were brave, and willing to risk their life for this cause…”

Huajo raised his glass once again. “Well spoken.” The others joined in.

The official part of the honouring was over. The two witnesses took their leave, and Huajo led Daniel away from the office of the president after their goodbyes.

“Mr. Zacharias,” he said after they had found a nice place to sit. The seating arrangement was in a corner, the seats of white leather. Large windows let in abundant sunlight.

“This medal you received is something special. I know of only two other occasions that people were awarded this medal, and one was posthumously. Let’s drink to the fact that you are still with us to receive it, and to enjoy it.”

Daniel could not agree more. He had seen too many good men die and receive medals after being buried. He raised the large crystal glass and sipped the exquisite cognac.

“We are looking into several things, Mr. Zacharias.” Huajo sipped some more cognac. “Things we cannot say much about. But you can rest assured, dear friend, that we will continue to see that your funds will be transferred. And if there is something I can do for you, please tell me. You have saved my life, and that is something I will not easily forget.”

“Uhm, if I remember well I am the person who put you in danger, sir, as I came up with the basic idea,” Daniel wanted to correct him.

“None of that, Mr. Zacharias. You are a hero.” Huajo said it as if it was a fact.

Daniel laughed out loud, not caring if that was appropriate here, in this building. “I am being called all kinds of things here, Seigner Dogom ko Tzuy. A hero. A preacher.”

“These titles suit you.” The man emptied his glass. “I do apologise, I have business to attend to, Mr. Zacharias. Do not feel pressed to leave, you are most welcome here. Varning will see to that, you just have to call for him.” He hoisted himself to his feet with considerable effort and shook Daniel’s hand again. “It was a pleasure, sir. A real pleasure.”

Daniel quickly got up. “My pleasure also, Seigner Dogom ko Tzuy.”

The fat man nodded and walked off.

Daniel sat down again and started at the large glass on the table in front of him. A preacher. A hero. Alone.

Daniel had left the building of the Society. He had taken off the medal and slipped it in the small box it belonged in. There was a carriage seemingly waiting for him, so he was on his way — no, not home. At least it was the next best thing.

As he reached Sygra’s house, he quickly went inside and changed into something more comfortable. He had an idea, but before he got the chance to leave again, the hydger beeped. Curiously he looked at the display. An incoming message from star base.

Daniel sat down on the bed and looked at what was coming in. It turned out to be a message from Rhonda.

“Dear Daniel. I received a message today, from Tomlin Barker. He says he knows me from long ago and he heard you tell about me. I am sure you are familiar with him. In his message he wrote that you have done something amazing, by taking out the pirate that flung you off the ship? Daniel, are you okay? Please, write to me that you are okay. I don’t want to worry about you. Rhonda.”

Daniel read the message twice. He could not believe this. Tomlin had contacted Rhonda- It might be time to pay that man a visit. But he grinned at the same time. He started composing a message to Rhonda. Read what he had written. Changed some words. Unchanged them, as he remembered how stupid he had been last time. And then he sent the message off.

Still in disbelief of the message, he called a carriage, put on a jacket, slipped the hydger in a pocket and left the house. The carriage arrived quite soon, and Daniel programmed where he wanted to go.

As the backland came into view, the new hero of the Society grinned. He stepped out of the carriage and started up the trail to the place where crazy Aldrick the inventor lived and worked. As Tomlin had done, he went through the small gate instead of going around it, and walked up to the house.

“Aldrick? Are you in?” Daniel tried not to call out too loud.

“I am,” a voice yelled from the inside. “Give me a moment, I am coming outside.”

The sound of something falling reached Daniel. Then the sound of something breakable breaking.

The door opened, and Aldrick emerged. He wore what looked like a suit or armour, but then made of brass plating and canvas. “Ahhh, Daniel!” Aldrick waved at him, making his suit of armour clang and rattle. “How good to see you again!”

“I am glad to see you again too, Aldrick,” Daniel said. “What is that you’re wearing?”

Aldrick did his best to look at himself. “I am not exactly sure. But I am trying it on, to make sure that it is comfortable.”

“Oh. Really. It doesn’t look very comfortable to me.”

Aldrick looked pained. “It isn’t. Would you mind helping me to get it off?”

Daniel laughed as he helped the man out of his impossible costume.

Once Aldrick was freed of it, he sighed. “Well, it was a good try. To what do I thank this visit, Daniel?”

“I am curious to see what you are up to, Aldrick. And to be honest, I am bored out of my mind. They gave me a medal for taking Birkle the pirate out of commission, and that’s it. I have nothing to do.”

“Oh! In that case, I have a great thing for you! And for me of course! Come, come!” The man waved his arm as he trotted off.

Daniel followed him to the same part of land where the airship had been. And then he stopped walking.

“Well, what do you think?” Aldrick said.

There was another airship. An entirely different shape and idea as what they had flown to rescue the Pricosine crew. The ship itself was flat, and large. There were six floaters on the ground on each side of it. The rigging with which the floaters were being kept under control was clearly redesigned.