All That Glitters Ch. 37

The last was what was generally referred to as 'community service' but normally meant that she would be doing odd jobs around the school that were only applied to students for punishments, such as helping serve lunches.

She was fine with that, not so fine with losing her free periods for the next few days, and definitely upset at having to actually write lines!

The Denders Farm, Denders Resort, Terra

Fayad, Junelliya, Hanalei, and Sylvie had gone to the farm to check it out, not having been with the President's entourage the day before. They were being shown around by Harla Clarrin Aubrend.

"We have almost finished planting the first large plot," Clarrin explained. "We have found a source of local manure from one of the other resorts that has 'horse' riding available. This manure creates compost that is very good for this type of soil.

"We will be able to work the compost into the soil and layer that into the remaining three square kilometers over the next month to make the next square kilometers even better for seeding when it comes time," she said, as she showed them what they were doing with the sandy soil and compost.

The Harradi were conditioning the soil in a planned routine. They remaining three square kilometers would be seeding one plot a month. They also had another seven half kilometer plots in prepared but sandy soil, ideal for the types of plants that needed such soil.

Clarrin showed them the area that they had designed as the 'water hole' where sea water was desalinized by plants. The had placed a pipe out into the ocean, well away from the beach, leading up to small hill above the farm. The sea water splashed into the salt pond, and was gravity fed in large steps to a freshwater pond below that level, each step having a series of different types of special plants that absorbed the salt and other impurities from the water, turning it into freshwater that pooled in a pond near the bottom of the hill. Water would then be fed to the plants via drip irrigation methods using gravity as a modem.

The Harradi showed them the list of crops that they would grow, everything from beans to corn, from avocadoes to Zucchini, and explained how they would grow them.

"How soon before the freshwater pool can produce water?" Sylvie asked.

"Not before the newly seeded plants show themselves," Clarrin indicated. "The special plants for desalination will take a couple of weeks to grow to the numbers needed. In the meantime, we will keep the flow of 'fresh' water going back up to the saltwater pond, until the water reaches a certain level of purity in the lower pond. By then, the new plants in the first large plot will be sprouting and will need more water."

"And this schedule of growth and harvest will be sufficient?" Hanalei asked.

"Most of your plants can be coaxed to grow within three months," Clarrin informed them. "That will allow one of the plots to be left fallow for a month and allow us to put a mix of the new compost into the ground in the fallow plot to rejuvenate the soil."

"And ten Harradi will be able to keep this up?" Junelliya asked.

"Yes," Clarrin replied. "The difficult part was to prepare the plots, prepping the ground, mixing the right levels of compost with the soil, building the stepped water ponds, and fixing the drip irrigation system into place. Composting, seeding, harvesting, and placing the drip irrigation system for each of the plants are relatively simple after all that and can easily be accomplished by ten Harradi."

"Will one square kilometer be enough for our resort?" Sylvie asked.

"It will be enough for all of your resort needs," Clarrin answered. "It will also provide some produce for the other four resorts, though at peak periods you may wind up having to keep most of the fresh produce here at Denders. We built this farm based on your yearly requirements, especially in the peak months of business, with a little left over to sell to the other resorts. After a year or so, we will have a better perspective on the requirements of the resorts and can adjust the size of the farm accordingly."

"I am impressed, Senior Leader," Hanalei stated. "I had not expected you to be able to accomplish what you have in such a short period of time. The Harradi have shown they merit their status as the premier farmers of the Sentient Community."

Clarrin smiled and bowed at that comment.

"Do you have the list of the ten that will be staying?" Sylvie asked.

"You will have the list by Saturday, Ms. Triand," Clarrin told her. "They will include one Group Leader, who has been identified, Hern Grad Kidrass, and one medical person, Mc. Mirra Slotty, for our special needs. The remainder have not yet been identified, though they will be by Saturday."

"We will by putting you in one of the worker's blocks, as your people do not have special needs in comparison to other members of the Sentient Community," Sylvie explained. "The rooms are not as nice as the guest rooms, but they will have a private bathroom, a small sitting area, a bed, and a small kitchenette, though you can eat in the workers cafeteria.

"The rooms are all air-conditioned, so your people will not suffer while they live here. We can also leave the airconditioned tent at the farm to assist you," Sylvie stated.

"That would be pleasant," Clarrin agreed. "While we can tolerate this heat, we prefer slightly cooler weather. If we can keep this tent here, it would help us immensely."

"So you will not be staying yourself, Clarrin?" Junelliya asked.

"I am a Harla, Mrs. Herlan," she replied. "It is my task to set farms like this up, not to manage them."

"When humans see what you have accomplished here, you might be in demand throughout Union space," Hanalei told her.

"I look forward to my next challenge," Clarrin smiled.

************

The Trine was walking along the beach when Junelliya spotted a familiar face on a lounger.

"Petronellaya!" she called out and rushed over. "So, I assume that your conference with the Toolend is finished?"

"Yes, it ended late yesterday. This is my first time for me on the beach during the day, unlike my significant other here," she said, pointing to the woman beside her, who was sporting a nice tan.

Petronellaya introduced Elliya, the woman she had been living with for more than three years.

"How did the conference go?" Junelliya asked.

"Very well, actually. The Toolend are fascinated with the concept of the Council of Empaths and how we apply our laws to our people. They need to make several changes to how we do things but they are certain that they can adapt our system to their use.

"One thing that has come out of this, is the adoption of a symbol that openly states, 'I am a telepath on duty' similar to our own Council of Empath's symbol," she told them.

"So now, your part is finished?" Junelliya asked.

"More or less. They will likely contact us from time to time to iron out issues that they have not foreseen and that we might have already dealt with. I told Mayute that erht could contact Vangeliya when needed, as she is a GME and has a lot of experience dealing with issues of violation of the laws by young empaths.

"Speaking of which, I hear that you did a few things that bordered on the edge of the law, Mrs. Herlan?" Petronellaya said a little sternly.

"Yes. Those incidents were not only close to the edge, they likely fell over the edge. I was ready to take whatever punishment I would have received as I felt I was acting in the best interest of all concerned. My purpose was simple, stop a war between two species before it started," Junelliya said, not backing down.

"Hhhmmmfff. On these incidents, you did indeed more than skirt the edge, Junelliya. Please refrain from doing this in future.

"Your saving grace was stopping a war that would have led to the genocide of the Pod-Drran. I cannot fault you for that. However, it is not always easy to see what is happening from within a given situation. If you cannot look at what is happening dispassionately, you will eventually wind up in a situation where you do break the law and will suffer what will likely be severe consequences. There are a lot of empaths jealous of your powers and capabilities, Junelliya. If you give them reason to, they will come down on you hard.

"For now, you have benefited both humans and Pod-Drran and brought us together in an open and trusting manner. Congratulations, Junelliya, you truly have earned your Presidential Gold Medal," Petronellaya said, shaking Junelliya's hand.

"One day, you will have to take your place as a Councillor for the Council of Empaths but that day is still in the future as you are still learning of your power and capabilities. Vangeliya turned out to be a good instructor for you, I am pleased it has worked out so far.

"Speaking of instructors, how are things going with the Toolend and your new capabilities?" Petronellaya asked.

"We barely got started when we had to come here to the resort. I have been doing some exercises they have given me but I am not sure if I am benefitting from them yet," Junelliya admitted. "Augraf said that it could take a while before I am able to selectively use my new gifts, if at all. He has told me that some Toolend never are able to attain these abilities."

"He said the same to me," Petronellaya informed Junelliya. "It is not surprising as some empaths never attain their full capabilities either. For now, work toward completing your empathic training. The other exercises the Toolend have given you will help with the fine control of your empathic powers, which is not a bad thing.

"I have asked Vangeliya to learn these new techniques to see if they can help our empaths gain better control over their powers. Discovering the Toolend telepaths and they us, could turn out to be a boon to both telepaths and empaths," Petronellaya stated.

Gold Conference Room, Denders Resort, Terra, The Sol System

"Good morning, all, and welcome to Friday, day five of our event," Fiona started the morning brief.

"Today will be for the Hwill'illiti'hallat, and Ambassador Hri," Fiona said, using the short form of the ambassador's name.

"Coward," Juanita said quietly, with a smile to show she was teasing. That brought laughter from the delegates (even Ambassador Hri'llill'aatu'eeyea), who freely used the short form themselves.

"As well, the Paacon Ambassador at Large, Ambassador Kilta, will be presenting credentials this afternoon. Yes, nailed it!" Fiona said with a fist pump, getting even more laughter from the group, as Kilta's name was one of the easier to pronounce.

Fiona turned the brief over to Juanita.

"Tomorrow will be the final event of this week's activities, then we will have the end of event party on Sunday. Hopefully, we can all make it to the shuttles on time on Monday morning," Juanita smiled.

"We must focus on the next two days. I know that we are probably all tired of the continuous events now, however, it is still an historically important event for the Hwill'illiti'hallat, the Paacon, the Toolend, and the Umick, so please try to look as if this is still something exciting while you are sitting at the Presidential Communications Center over the next two days," Juanita requested of the delegates.

"If you do not, I will send Hanalei to deal with you," Fiona told them. That brought laughter from the delegates, but they did acknowledge that Hanalei had done well over the week, especially with all that had happened. As well, she had mediated many disputes that could have become serious but were quickly resolved by Hanalei.

Juanita gave out the shuttle timings for the delegates, and Sylvie the timings for the vehicles to get them to the shuttle port, admonishing them to be on time. They were ready for the day.

Tatsuya Forge, Capital City, Terra

Kim and her entourage, including Guro<, were in the capital, at the forge of Tatsuya Hajime. Kim bowed to the icon in the forges anti-chamber, clapping her hands twice to give notice to the gods that she was making a plea on behalf of her employer, a silent prayer for good fortune and strong steel.

After she finished, Guro< asked what she had done.

"The icon on the wall before the door to the forge is a symbol of a Shinto Izanagi, or deity, who inhabits the forge. Traditionalists that have business in the forge, will always bow their heads in prayer before the icon, asking for good fortune in the forging of the steel," Kim informed him.

They went into the forge area, being guided by one of Hajime's apprentices.

"Ah, Kimoko-san, it is good to meet you in person," Hajime expressed as he bowed to Kim. "And who is this?" he asked on seeing the Asocan.

"Hajime-sama, this is Guro<, the eldest male of the War Dragon Minister Kloä>, and a soon to be apprentice to metal smithing on his home world," Kim responded.

Hajime looked over the young Asocan without commenting.

"You have arrived at a pivotal moment," he stated. "I am about to quench a sword that I have been working on for more than two weeks."

"Shutters!!" Hajime called out loudly. His staff instantly closed the shutters on the windows, plunging the forge into darkness save for the flame coming from the forges themselves.

Hajime was looking into one forge.

"I am looking for the optimum colour from the blade as it rests in the flames," he told his apprentices. "Look at the colour, it must be bright yellow, approaching white, but must never get completely white."

He watched intently as the colour of the blade shifted slowly, then pulled it out at the correct temperature, judged solely by the colour of the blade. He waved it in the air, allowing it to cool slightly, then swiftly plunged it into the cool, clean water of the quenching tub.

The blade hissed and bubble, the water screaming around the hot blade. Hajime watched the colour change in the blade and pulled it from the water at the correct moment. He placed it into a kiln that would heat it slowly, then would slowly cool the blade over the next 24 hours.

"Good, there were no cracks or distortions in the blade when it was quenched," he told his team. "Did you all note the colour shifts?"

His apprentices all assured them that they had. "Review the vid of this quenching. Note the colour shifts when it should be drawn from the forge, the change that occurs before it can be quenched, and the proper colour that tells us it must be removed from the quenching," he told her people.

Hajime had his people open the shutters, then moved to another forge. He pulled a prepared billet from the forge and placed it on an anvil. Four apprentices with large metal mallets were stationed around the anvil. Hajime tapped the billet in a specific spot and the four mallets descended in turn each one striking exactly on the spot that he had tapped, drawing out the billet and lengthening it.

He tapped again in a different place and the rotation was once more made. Soon, the billet had turned a soft orange-yellow and Hajime put the billet back into the forge to reheat it.

After the second round of hammering had brought the billet to the right length, he made a partial cut and bent it in half, placing it back into the forge to heat it again.

"The billet is folded over on itself sixteen to twenty times in a process called shita-kitae, to form layers upon layers of metal. After twenty folds, there is too much diffusion in the carbon leading to a degradation of the steel. So we rarely go beyond twenty folds," Hajime explained.

"The best way to know when to do things is to learn the colour shifts that take place when you forge metal together. It takes time to learn this, however, once you have those colour shifts memorized, you will be able to create almost anything," Hajime finished.

After a bit, he placed the metal back into the forge and came over to Kim.

"Your items are ready, I hope that they like them," he said, showing her the knives he had made.

Kim inspected all the blades, then nodded to Hajime, who turned to the Asocan.

"Do your people use blades?" he asked.

"We do," Guro< told him, calling up an image of different Asocan blades for Hajime.

"Pity that I don't have an example to work with. I would like to try to make something that your people would appreciate," Hajime murmured.

"I can probably have something sent to you, sir. My people appreciate well made blades, though our blades do tend to be heavier than some of yours," Guro< told him.

"Yes, I can see from your body type that you would need a heavier blade," Hajime nodded.

"So you will apprentice to the metal smiths?" he asked of Guro<.

"Yes, I have always been fascinated by metal processing, though I have never seen work like this before," the Asocan replied.

"When you have completed your apprenticeship, perhaps you can return and we can exchange techniques," Hajime said.

Guro< gave him a look of great appreciation. No one had ever paid such attention to him, not even his Patriarch, especially when he told his Patriarch that he was interested in metal smithing, working with his hands, as opposed to becoming a bureaucrat.

"I would like that very much, sir. I greatly appreciate the invitation," he said, with a bow.

Hajime took them into the store and showed them some of what he had created. Guro< moved from blade to blade, hefting each, feeling the balance, looking at the sheer beauty of each blade.

"You made all of these?" Guro< asked.

"No, some were made by my apprentices. That is why those are less expensive," Hajime explained. He took down several blades and showed them to Guro<. Each of the blades was long, heavy, finely balanced, and beautifully made.

"One of these is my creation," Hajime said, showing him the blade. "The others are made by my students."

Guro< could see the subtle differences between the blades, telling him which was the students work and which was the masters. He held up the blade he though was made by Hajime, getting a nod and a smile from the Master Smith.

"They are all superbly made, though this one, to my eye, seems to have been made a little better than the others," Guro< stated.

"Yes, it is mine," Hajime nodded. "I will give you this one," he said, giving Guro< one of the student's blades. "I will never be able to sell that one here and would appreciate that it is in the hand of someone who knows the distinction of a master's work and his student's."

Hajime handed the blade and sheath to a very surprised Guro< who bowed deeply to the Master Smith.

Denders Resort, Terra, The Sol System

Hanalei got the call from Jean Dumont at around 10:00 hours. She, Junelliya, Fayad, SA Celia Cordon, and Sylvia Triand, moved to a small conference room.

"I've just completed my investigation on the CFO's of the five resorts in your area, Mrs. Anar," Jean started. "The main culprit is Harold Elliot, at the Caldar Resort. This is one of the larger resorts in your area, just North of Denders.

"Mr. Elliot is conspiring with the company that provides canned goods to the five resorts, for a substantial kickback of course. As well, he is blackmailing the other CFO's into going along with him. Should something happen, I am sure that he has enough information hidden away on these other individuals to send an investigation after them rather than after him, giving him time to escape.

"However, he is not very good at hiding his greed. He needs to be able to count his money, so he needs to constantly monitor his personal, private numbered accounts. That is a mistake on his part as it is a traceable mistake.

"IPPF received judicial permission to tap his computers, so when he opened his private accounts, they saw them. It was easy to trace back who was doing what to whom once we had those accounts.