All That Glitters Ch. 28

"He may have a headache later, but he is alive," she told him, turning to smile at Ayesha. "You are skilled, little one," she said.

Ayesha picked up a bottle of water and upended it over Nam-Hur's head, who suddenly sputtered and woke with a groan.

"STAND!" Raymond snapped. Nam-Hur groggily did so, unaware that he was naked.

"You are a fool to ignore the fact that this one was declared Jurte Rai," Raymond snapped to Nam-Hur. "You are lucky to be alive. Had she wished it; Kim could have taken your head instead of your Ga-Den.

"Pick it up and present it to this Jurte Rai," Raymond snapped. "It is her's now by right of combat. You will remain naked for the rest of this trip and until you arrive on the Koh-Tan as a reminder that stupidity in combat has consequences."

Nam-Hur angrily reached down and picked up his Ga-Den, thrusting it toward Kim.

"PRESENT IT TO HER!" Raymond roared, startling the delegates who all took a step back.

Nam-Hur draped his Ga-Den over his hands and bowed to Kim, extending the Ga-Den to her. Kim bowed in return, her eyes never leaving Nam-Hur, she took the Ga-Den from his hands, stepped back, and turned to give it to Lt. Mbibo.

When Nam-Hur reached down too quickly to pick up his sword and baldric, Kim's sword left her Saya with frightening speed as it whipped around to come at Nam-Hur's throat from the side.

"KIM!" Raymond snapped. The blade stopped in its track, the edge of the blade against the neck of Nam-Hur who froze in place. "He was simply retrieving the sword, not intending to use it, is that not correct, Nam-Hur?" Raymond asked of the Ro.

"Yes," Nam-Hur replied softly, feeling the wickedly sharp edge of the sword along his throat. "I was just retrieving my sword. It is still mine and not yours. It was not requested of me to present my sword," Nam-Hur shuddered at the thought.

To present one's sword to another was to surrender one's self as Kirlen to the person to whom the sword was presented.

Kim's sword swung away from Nam-Hur's neck and she passed a special rice paper down the blade to clean it. She slid the Mune, the back of the sword, along her elbow and pulled the sword outward, away from her body but close to her left hand. She dropped the Tsuka, the hilt, through the gap of her thumb and forefinger as it passed beyond, sliding the Mune through the gap until the Kissaki, the point of the Katana, dropped into the Koiguchi, the mouth of the Saya.

Kim reversed the direction of the sword and swiftly slid most of its length into the Saya, slowing abruptly as she neared the Habaki, the blades collar. Her left thumb came up and caught the back of the Tsuba, the sword's guard, and drew the blade closed with a distinctive click that was heard loudly in the now silent room. Kim stepped back from Nam-Hur.

"It is best if you warriors make no sudden moves from this point forward, Kome-Nar," Raymond stated. "I would not like to explain to your Emperor why it was necessary to take the head of one of your people, because of their own stupidity."

"Nam-Hur Ro, along with me, is a senior member of the Warrior Class," Kome-Nar said, by way of identifying his team member. "However, humility is always something that a Warrior needs to remember. Having him continue naked will remind him of how close he came this day to death and how humility is something that warriors should travel with at all times," he growled at his subordinate.

Nam-Hur palled slightly at the thought but bowed his head. He felt something on his neck and reached up to touch the thin line of bluish-green blood there. The Dae who had looked at him earlier gave him a cloth to place on his neck, and a belt to help re-attach sword to the side of his naked hip. She gave him a thin sneer of a smile as she did so, and a bold look of approval to Kim as she turned away from Nam-Hur. Nam-Hur might have been a senior of the Warrior Class and a good looking Ro at that, his stupidity, however, dropped her view of him considerably.

"Raymond Clark and Liea Samson of the Terran Union," Kome-Nar began. "I would introduce my people. First, Nal-Hut Sin-Dae, Ministerial level member of the Medical Class on this team," he said as he presented the person who had just attended Nam-Hur Ro.

Nal-Hut bowed low to Raymond, giving him what he would interpret as a hungry grin but to these people was a bright smile.

The Pod-Drran had longer canine fangs than humans. An open mouth that showed the fangs was considered a challenge, so they smiled with their mouths closed.

"Shan-Ret Lin-Tae, a Ministerial level member of the Tech Class," Kome-Nar introduced the female in question.

"Shae-Mun Min-Cae, a Ministerial level bureaucrat of the Public Services Class who is also part of the Emperor's staff," here Kome-Nar introduced a female.

Raymond knew that Kome-Nar was attempting to impress him with the fact that these were all members of the Emperor's personal staff. Raymond knew that the Emperor likely had hundreds of people that were part of his staff, so wasn't impressed by this at all.

"Hat-Mun Lom-Mae, a Ministerial level member of the Merchants and Trades Class," Kome-Nar indicated a female in the red and greens of the Merchants/Trades Class.

"Tur-Ron Lin-Ton, a Ministerial level member of the Tech Class," Kome-Nar introduced a male who inclined his head to Raymond.

Raymond noted that Kome-Nar had introduced the females first. The Pod-Drran identified the succession through the matrilineal line, verses that of the male. Females were not only larger, stronger, and just plain meaner than the males, they were also significantly smarter. However, their biological imperative to protect the brood meant they would abandon all else for up to five years until the brood entered school.

The males of the bond pair stood in for their female counterparts during the tending of the brood. For this reason, bond pairs tended to be promoted in tandem, thus selection for intelligence was a primary facet of a females selection of a mate, as the male needed to be able to keep up with the female in order for the pair to advance. Thus, it was likely that all the pairs here were mated pairs.

"Sun-Hur Sin-Don," he introduced a Ministerial level male in the Ga-Den of the Medical Class.

"Sem-Hur Min-Con, a Ministerial level bureaucrat of the Public Services Class who is part of the Emperor's staff," Kome-Nar said, introducing a male.

"And finally, Tun-Mar Lom-Mon, a Ministerial level member of the Merchants and Trades Class, Kome-Nar indicated a male in the red and greens of the Merchants/Trades Class.

"I note that there is no Rai amongst your group, Kome-Nar," Raymond said. "Is there a reason for this?"

"All senior Rai that the Emperor would have pressed into this service are currently tending a brood, Raymond. Their priorities are on their own families for now. Except in times of war, they would tend to their families before those of the needs of the people or the Emperor. The emperor assigned two Ro to these talks instead," Kome-Nar admitted.

"I understand. Very well, the ship has been climbing out of the gravity well while we have been talking, Kome-Nar," Raymond explained. "We should be ready to jump to the present co-ordinates of the Fleet Shem shortly."

Not long after, a voice came through the captain's comp. "Captain, Pilot, we are at the jump out co-ordinates, sir."

"Very well, Pilot. Nav, confirm no changes?" the Rai known as Noor spoke.

"No changes ma'am, we are ready to jump," came the immediate reply from both.

"Match settings and jump," Noor ordered.

"Nav, set and ready, ma'am," came the immediate reply.

"Pilot, extending vanes, ma'am. Ready in five," the Pilot came back counting down from five.

"Vanes extended, power set and ready, set and ready to jump, ma'am," came the same voice moments later.

"Very well, comms, ship wide now," Noor ordered.

"Ship wide ready, ma'am," the reply came.

"All hands prepare for jump, now, now, now," Noor said.

Those standing in the bay suddenly felt a mild sensation in their stomachs and then nothing. Gravity wobbled for the briefest of moments then steadied.

"Captain, Nav, we are within 100m of our expected location, trailing the Fleet Shem by 150km," Nav said a few seconds later.

"Excellent, Nav. Good placement. Comms, open a link to the Koh-Tan and contact the Jurte Pair," Noor ordered.

"Comms open with vid link, ma'am," the Comms O came back a couple of minutes later.

"Koh-Tan this is Raymond Clark. I am aboard The Wanderer with your negotiation team," Raymond said as he turned to face the direction he knew he was being imaged from.

A 3D monitor hung from the wall there, its camera focused on him. The image of the Jurte Pair suddenly popped into view.

"Hello, Kur-Han Kai-Ro, Sha-Ret Sai-Rai," Raymond greeted the pair. "As agreed, we have transported the negotiation team to your location. We will shortly put them back aboard one of our VIP shuttles and send them over to the Koh-Tan. Do you wish to speak with them before that occurs?"

"Who is the senior delegate?" asked Sha-Ret.

"I am Kome-Nar Ro, ministerial level delegate and by the Hand of the Emperor Se-Lam Roe, head of this delegation," Kome-Nar replied. "Raymond assures us that we will be able to join the Koh-Tan shortly. He explained that the VIP shuttle would be able to match the fleet's speed."

"Really?" Kur-Han asked, surprise showing in his voice. "His ship is larger than our shuttles, however, we should be able to hold it in our docking bay."

"You do not understand, Kur-Han," Raymond said. "The VIP shuttle is smaller than the small ship that recently landed in your docking bay. It does not have jump capability but can match your speeds. We will send the negotiating team to you shortly."

Less than half a nanton later, the VIP shuttle landed in the docking bay and the negotiating team stepped out of it and into the Koh-Tan. The shuttle pilot waved and the little ship lifted off and slipped back into space, returning not long afterward to The Wanderer. It was only then that Kome-Nar realized that they had only seen one room on the ship while they were there. He would have to ask for a tour of the vessel, next time...

Campus of Malton University, Liramor-23, Piscium System

Junelliea left Mind-Hur in the office of Prof. Xavier Kuaté, explaining that she had duties to attend to. She advised Mind-Hur to consider this as she would an exam for advancement with her own people.

Prof. Kuaté was a small woman of African descent, in her mid-fifties, who had left Terra because of a divorce. Her ex-husband kept coming round to bother her, despite having a restraining order against him. So when the call went up for volunteers for the new Campus at Liramor-23, Xavier jumped at the chance. Her ex could not get to her here. While she regretted leaving Terra, this was far better for her peace of mind.

She looked at the person opposite her. The female was tall, her skin had a green-gold hue. Her hair was white and very fine by human standards. Her eyes were larger than human eyes and shone with the light of intelligence, the pupils vertical, bluish, slits similar to that of a reptile. Xavier was going to enjoy testing this one.

"I am Prof. Xavier Kuaté," she spoke to Mind-Hur in a cultured voice, translated through the device on Mind-Hur's wrist. "I will be your assessor for however long it takes to determine where you fit in our educational system. Before we begin, can you explain to me what your current rank means?"

"My name was Mind-Hur Lin-Tae," she began. "Mind (Mĭnd) is the name I was given at birth by my extended family, the family Hur. Lin is a title that I have recently achieved. It represents one of the higher ranks that my people can attain. The rank is one used by those who report to those one step down from the Emperor or his family.

"I would report directly to a Jurte Pair, as I did at the Fleet Shem. Or I would report to a Ministerial level person who speaks to the Emperor. That is what the level of Lin means.

"Tae is an expression of my Class, the Technological Class. Tae means that I am a female of the Tech Class, a Ton being a male of the Class," Mind-Hur explained.

"However, I have requested the Shar-Terg, protection from another family. So I would lose my family name Hur. I have yet to determine which family name I will be protected by in the Union. Am I to be protected by the President of the Union? By the military? By the President of Liramor Prime? Or the CEO of Liramor Holding? Or am I to be protected by Raymond Clark or Fiona Marsh? That will determine my future family name, once I discover this," she explained.

"My status as a Tae is also in jeopardy," Mind-Hur continues. "As I have fled from a possible death threat from the Emperor himself. So I could be nothing more than Mind Kirlen, one who is beholding to my conqueror, who holds my 'title', the person who has given me asylum but has yet to give me a name."

"I see. That makes it is more important than ever to find where your level of mastery in your field fits in our education system then," Xavier told her. "Once we have placed you, you will attain that level of distinction, which would only be lost if you do something so heinous that the University would revoke your status. Even then, your title would be retained. We recently had four scientists go to prison for twenty years for actions that endangered the people of this platform. Yet they would still be referred to a Doctor, a title they achieved through dedicated work, though their level of seniority would be reduced to that of a new doctor after their release.

"Raymond tells me that you have received a new wrist comp," Xavier told her. "This one actually works as a comp and not simply as a translator unit. I will show you how to use it and that will give you the basics of the device.

"I will tell you now, that the unit is blocked from answering technical questions on jump technology, FTL drives, or the Marlin/Aruna generators. This knowledge will never be given to your people so long as the Warrior Class retains control over your peoples government. That, unfortunately, includes you. Even though you are now technically part of the human family.

"So let's show you how to use your device, and then I will show you how to call up questionnaires on your comp that you will need to answer to help us place you in our system. With your position of Lin, we may advance you quite far within our system," Xavier told her and began to explain the functions on Mond-Hur's comp.

Personal Quarters, Hotel Deck, Liramor-23, Piscium System

Junelliea and Mind-Hur got off two separate lifts simultaneously at the inner ring of Hotel Deck. They had cabins in different hallways, Junelliea in the family quarters, Mind-Hur a single cabin.

"Junelliea, look!" an excited Mind-Hur exclaimed. "I have a functioning comp!" she squealed in delight to the only person on the platform that she had taken to.

Junelliea smiled at Mind-Hur. Still tuned in to other people's emotions because of her work that afternoon with the Insectoid, she could feel the excitement in the female.

Junelliea linked her arm through Mind-Hur's and took her up to her own cabin. The door recognized Junelliea and opened automatically.

Hanalei looked up in surprise from her desk, where she was studying, as Junelliea entered with Mind-Hur. Junelliea took off her deck shoes and slipped on comfortable slippers as she moved to give Hanalei a hug.

"Mind-Hur just got her new working comp," Junelliea told Hanalei by way of explanation. "I thought it would be good for us ladies to get together and congratulate her."

Hanalei smiled. Junelliea made friends in the oddest of places and with an ease that was no longer remarkable to Hanalei, now that she understood the underlying principles of Junelliea's abilities.

The ladies moved into the kitchenette and started to make a traditional Anuuran meat stew dish with spices from their home world.

As the diner progressed, Mind-Hur was intrigued by the new spices that she could smell. She passed her scanner over the simmering meal and got an OK from it. She looked at Junelliea with excitement and expectation.

Hanalei soon discovered that Mind-Hur had only been shown the basics of her comp unit. She was going over some of the more detailed functions on her comp, when the door chimed.

"Yes?" Hanalei called out.

"It's Heyya and Anaya," came the reply. Hanalei smiled and gave them permission to enter, going to the door to welcome them.

"Oh, those spices smell delicious!" Anaya commented as she came into the kitchenette.

"Hanalei, take our guests into the living area, please. I have less and less space to work here!" Junelliea grumbled to the laughter of her guests.

They all bundled over to the more spacious room and sat down to discuss the day's news.

Junelliea brought some fruit drinks that Mind-Hur quickly scanned for compatibility before taking a sip.

"Did you know that your comp can do that for you?" Heyya asked her.

"Do what?" a confused Mind-Hur asked.

"Do the scanning for you. Has nobody showed you how to link other devices to the comp?" Heyya asked.

"I only just got it today, and Prof. Xavier was showing me how to call up the surveys I needed to answer for my placement," Mind-Hur replied.

"OK, take your scanner, open it and have it scan things in the room," Heyya explained. "Now, activate your comp and select 'Settings' and 'Device Links', then activate the comp's scan. If the comp can link to your scanner, then it will."

Mind-Hur did as she was instructed and they found that the comp could link to her device. As soon as it did, it asked if it should 'Scan Device'. Mind-Hur selected 'Yes', and the comp scanned the setting on her device, giving an audible signal and a rumble on her wrist to indicate it had finished.

Heyya told her to select a name for the new app on her wrist comp and that she could find a logo to her liking for the app. Mind-Hur chose Med-Scanner and the matching red cross on a white background she knew was the symbol for the medical trades among the humans and it appeared on the main page of her comp, which was displaying all her choices in her own language.

Heyya had her open the new option and make the same scan over her drink that she had just completed. Mind-Hur was very surprised when the scanner came up with near identical results to her original scanner.

"Now, you can put your original scanner away," Heyya told her. "Your comp will conduct the same scans when you select this function."

"How is this possible?" Mind-Hur asked. "Our computers do not work the same way."

"We have sixty-one worlds inhabited by humans," Anaya told her. "They often use different computer standards. So the wrist comps are set up to learn and integrate between different computer systems and devices with different abilities and capabilities and adapt them to their own programming.

"It is much more convenient to use one device for all our functions instead of using multiple devices," Hanalei explained. "The scanned devices may be from different manufacturers and use different formatting and protocols but the comps all must conform to certain capabilities in order to link to the overall system standards. The comps are designed to bridge the gaps between the standard formats and the devices they scan.

"Wrist comps work as personal computers, personal comms units, e-mail devices, memory devices, allow us to link to planetary and interplanetary webs, allow us to do our banking, act as payment devices when we buy or sell things, allow us to do our personal work, and even our professional work.

"The devices that Heyya, Anaya, and Fayad have, are more secure because of the work they do. Junelliea is about to get an upgrade because of her new work. Her comp is going to be more secure as well.