Chapter 15

With the use of the few human volunteer ships the frigate had spare, several dozen Balokarids were moved aboard the Gallipoli for surgery, since the alien ships were not compatible with the docking hardpoints. The Balokarid carriers launched squads of Sala’ci’s to create a protective screen, both alien and human ships ferrying equipment behind their protective cordon.

The number of aliens travelling back and forth between the fleets created a few pairs of traffic lanes that looked similar to the trade routes the Hub was known for establishing. There was something inspiring about watching them cruise along through one of the few viewing ports present on the frigate. Most thought the dream of working with aliens died when the Suvelians chose to keep to themselves, but now the Galaxy felt just a little less lonely with such a communal display.

“How fortunate we are that our ships met out there,” Mezul mused, standing beside Lambert in the compact observation room. Unlike civilian ships, glass was a weakness that was barely present on warships, something the alien found odd, since her ship was rife with viewing areas. “We would surely have perished without your timely arrival.”

“It must be a bit of a shock,” Lambert said. “the first humans your people meet were a bunch of warmongers, and now you’re teaming up with us.”

“Your race has been almost faceless up until recently,” she replied, her eye on this side of her face scrutinising him. “But now we see you for what you really are.”

“Yeah? And what’s that?”

“You are a small, but determined people. Featherless, without beaks, strange but not unpleasant.”

“That’s a little more literal than I thought you’d say,” he laughed. “but thanks for the compliment.”

“I am glad your Captain has accepted us into your clan, at least temporarily.” Mezul folded her arms over her chest. “Even with those ... misunderstandings he had with the Kith.”

“What was that all about anyway?” he asked.

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” Mezul replied, blinking her large eyes at him. “But your Captain saw what we could offer him in the end, and for this, my people shall remain safe for a while longer.”

“You guys place a lot of value on what you can make and do for others,” Lambert noted.

“Is this not the same for humans?” she asked. “A clan is worthless if it has no means to produce for its people.”

“People are more than just tools to be used,” he explained. “I didn’t hop on your carrier to assess you, and I didn’t bring your fleet to be judged by my Captain.”

“But, were you not pleased with our capabilities? You seemed impressed, as did the Captain.”

“Yeah I was, but that’s not the point. I didn’t bring you here to my Captain because I thought you’d be useful. Neither did Anders when he turned that Confederate’s offer down to turn you over.”

“But my clan can provide yours with exceptional manufacturing capabilities. Does the Hub-clan have no need of this?”

“We do, but ... It’s not really like that,” he said, struggling to find the right words.

“I do not understand. What reason do you have for turning down the UEC’s offer of handing us over, if not for our support?”

“The same reason I came in and helped you out when you were under attack,” he said. “You were in trouble, so we helped.”

“Then ... you value life over a clan’s performance, and output?” she asked, Lambert nodding as he seemed to be getting through to her. “That sounds so ... dissonant. On Balokar, if a clan does not make its economy or production its top priority, it is quickly consolidated or destroyed by stronger clans. What is the benefit of treating us this way?”

“Helping is its own benefit,” he said. “The Hub doesn’t leave people behind, that’s not what we’re about.”

“You are telling me, you would risk revealing your presence to the UEC, expose yourselves to an attack, turn down the chance for mercy, all for the sake of helping out a race of aliens you didn’t know existed, for no reason other than you just wished ... to help?”

“ ... You don’t sound very satisfied.”

“It makes no sense,” Mezul sighed, her headdress twitching in agitation. “I did not expect this from the same race that attacked my people, neither did the Kith. What about when you looked around my carrier, or my Sala’ci? You were assessing us, weren’t you?”

“No I was just ... checking things out, was all.” He shrugged.

“Checking things out?” Mezul echoed. She seemed flustered, scratching at the place her ear should be. “Here I am, reading the situation wrong again...” she muttered.

Seeing her in that state compelled Lambert to apologise, even though he wasn’t quite sure what he was sorry for. Yet Mezul cut him off. “Being part of a most caring people is nothing to apologise for, so don’t.”

“If that’s a crime in Balokarid society there’s going to be a lot of misunderstandings.”

She chuckled at that, a lilting laugh that sounded so strange and exotic to him. “We are so different from one another,” she said. “Our values, perceptions ... I hope this will not cause problems for our people in the future.”

“It hasn’t for us, right?” he noted. “We’re getting along so far.”

“That we are.” She smiled, cheering up a little. “If we are victorious against the UEC, I hope there are more humans who think like you.”

“Then we both have a reason to see this through,” he said. “Us two have a fairly good understanding of the other’s culture. We can set an example.”