Storm Chaser: Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Elena awoke to find two messages awaiting her. The first was from the council saying that Riko had agreed to verify her proposal and that two of the librarians would be going along to verify coordinates. The second was from Riko essentially ordering her to prepare the Storm Chaser for immediate departure. It was worded as a polite request of course but Elena understood the message.

She checked the time and notified all involved that the Storm Chaser would be ready for departure within the hour. Glad that she had not bothered to unpack, Elena had time to wash her face and grab a quick bite at one of the concession stands before needing to be at the ship. She was somehow unsurprised to see Riko and her body guard already waiting. To her credit, Riko did not look all that impatient.

‘More excited than anything,’ Elena thought. Benjamin was also waiting and Elena said good morning to all. By the time her initial greetings were complete Evan Greggs and a brown haired man with fair skin had joined them. Elena guessed his age to be early twenties. Riko introduced Evan to the group as Senior Librarian Greggs. Evan introduced the younger man as his apprentice Shawn. Elena managed to convey how honored she felt by the presence of both a Senior Librarian and a councilor. Luckily all were eager to get underway so formalities were kept to a minimum. They boarded and were soon under way.

“This will be an interesting ride,” She thought as she followed her passengers. Spin took one look at their guests and retreated to the pilot house. Elena had the feeling she would be spending most of her time in the pilot house as well. She really hoped her passengers could entertain themselves for most of the trip.

As luck would have it, once they were underway, Riko was more interested in cultivating a friendship with the senior librarian than in dealing with Elena. Evan on his part was doing his best to be aloof and pretend he didn’t know Elena from Adam. Thus, for most of the journey she was left blessedly alone. It was only as they slowed in their approach to the channel that Riko’s attention diverted to Elena.

“Channel entry in five,” Elena called the customary warning. All but Riko reacted according to protocol. Riko, quickly moved to join Elena in the pilot house.

“Where,” She demanded, her black eyes searching.

“Dead ahead,” Elena responded. Riko’s eyes narrowed to slits.

“I do not see it.” Elena blinked, realizing Riko was as blind as a non-pilot. Both Maria and Jasmine could sense the channel even when it was closed. That fact was not likely to sit well with the councilor.

“It is not opened yet,” Elena told her in even tones. They waited in silence as they approached the correct location. “Opening now,” She said. Elena stretched her energy forth and the black parted with ease. Beside her Riko gasped, able to see the newly opened channel. Elena piloted the Storm Chaser through and entered the planet’s waters. When they were safely through, Elena closed the channel. Riko, who had been studying it, raised an eyebrow and turned to Elena. Elena realized once closed, Riko again lost the sense of the channel’s existence.

‘Definitely something to remember,’ She thought as Riko turned and left the pilot house without a word. The two days to shore were uneventful as Riko returned to getting to know the librarians. Elena had the feeling Riko was taking in everything for future use. It was still with relief that Elena saw the shore’s outline with the Crazy Chicken safely in port.

“I thought this planet was uninhabited,” Riko said sharply, turning to Elena.

“It is,” Elena replied. “That is a pilot of my house. They are here gathering samples and studying the planet.”

“I see. You have a proper laboratory?”

“Yes,” Elena said. She didn’t add that the laboratory was in its infancy or that she would be spending most of the off season vetting folks to staff it. In her opinion that was none of the councilor’s business.

“Have they found much yet?”

“Several things,” Elena told her. “One that may be of use to you.”

“Oh?”

“There are several stands of old growth wood, dense enough to be used in the building of channel riders.”

“I see,” Riko said. Her eyes studied the shore and Elena knew she was contemplating the possibilities. As Riko’s family was known for their ship building enterprises, Elena hoped contemplation would keep her busy for a while. They weighed anchor and Riko refused to walk the length of the dock, claiming such a hike was undignified. Elena thought it was due more to older knees than dignity and escorted them to the dinghy without comment. She lowered it over the side and with both Benjamin and Riko’s bodyguard rowing, it was not long before they reached the shore. Following the group’s progress through her telescope, Elena saw Mateo step from the trees to greet the party.

“Give them a good tour,” She muttered. “And keep them from getting hurt.” She didn’t even want to comprehend the trouble that would arise from either a councilor or a librarian being hurt on her watch. “Senior Librarian,” she corrected with a shake of her head. “I wonder why he forgot to mention that.” Spin meowed. “It is called sarcasm my dear,” Elena clarified. She rubbed Spin’s ears until she purred and wondered what she should do until the party returned.

It turned out she didn’t have long to be alone on the ship. Once Mateo lead the party into the woods Maria and Jasmine took one of their small boats over from the Crazy Chicken.

“Just wanted to give a quick report,” Maria told her. “We’ll keep an eye out and be gone before Riko returns.” As far as reports went it was fairly basic and Elena got the impression they just wanted to see a new face. The trip had gone smoothly, information was being recorded, samples gathered and no one had been injured. The two pilots had been taking turns staying aboard the ship so someone was always available should trouble arise. They were planning to send a small boat around the cape to get a closer look at the older channel.

“That’s the one above land right?” Elena asked. They both nodded. “Should be interesting.” She told them “Just don’t go alone. We still don’t know what is in the deeper woods.” Elena made tea and the three of them chatted about the possibilities of the planet and if the other yet to be opened channels would prove as rich a trove as this one. Elena realized that with eighteen pilots she could be looking at eighteen new channels and exclusive trading rights to each.

“We should probably go slowly so we don’t over extend our resources.” She thought for a minute. “Or scare the council.” Looking too powerful was something to be avoided nearly as much as looking too weak. That was one of the reasons for the partnership with Riko in the first place. It sent a message that while she did have this ability she still needed the help of the council.

Realizing that time was passing quickly, Maria and Jasmine left before Mateo lead the party back to shore. A little while later she lowered the hooks and brought the dinghy back to its cradle.

She watched her arriving passengers for the same signs of excitement she had seen on her crew. It was harder to find. Shawn certainly had it if the grin he was fighting was any indication. Evan maintained his stoic exterior but Elena could see his eyes sparkling. Riko’s face was the same polite mask as always but Elena thought she looked like she was doing mental calculations. Her body guard looked bored and Benjamin looked relieved. Apparently he didn’t want to find out the consequences of allowing a councilor and a librarian to be injured either. Once they were safely aboard Riko turned to Elena.

“I hope everything met your satisfaction,” Elena said pleasantly.

“It did,” Riko announced. “I will provide verification to the council that your proposal is genuine and should they approve your rights I will gladly enter into a partnership with your house. If the Senior Librarian has no objections I believe we should get underway as soon as possible. The season will not last forever.” Riko turned to Evan. “Do you agree with my assessment sir?” This last was stated more differentially than her comments to Elena had been.

“It is a universal truth my dear councilor that no season lasts forever.” Evan told her with a beatific smile. Elena tried hard not to laugh, glad that Riko was looking away from her.

“Of course,” Riko responded. “I merely wished to know if you have gathered all of the information you require r if you require a longer time here.”

“Of course,” Evan replied. “My business is complete. Whenever the captain feels the need to return to the Docking Facility I will be pleased to go.”

“I will tell the others of our departure,” Elena said, figuring they still had a good four hours of daylight left and there would be no benefit to fighting Riko on this point. Elena returned to the pilot house while Benjamin went to the galley to begin preparing dinner. She radioed Maria their intent, pulled up anchor and began the trip back.

If Elena had thought the trip out had been quiet, it was nothing to the return. Each of her passengers kept to their own affairs. Even Riko’s attempts at engaging Evan in conversation lapsed. By the time they docked Elena was more than ready for the silence to end. She greeted the noise of the docks with a sigh of relief. Beside her she felt Benjamin relax as well.

“The council will notify you of your hearing shortly,” Riko informed her as she left. Evan simply nodded, took his apprentice and left.

“I never knew silence could be so heavy,” Benjamin commented.

“That is probably because this silence was full of plots and schemes,” Elena replied. She rubbed the back of her neck, feeling the tension as a knot.

“Got time for lunch? Catherine asked walking up to her niece. Benjamin said his good byes and Elena smiled.

“I certainly do,” She answered. “Are you in port long?”

“Just a few days while they are doing repairs.”

“Really?” Elena asked concerned. Catherine waived off the concern.

“A little trouble with the Matrovean. I think they are expanding their territory.”

“Peachy,” Elena replied with a frown. Catherine laughed.

“It is the way of the world,” she responded leading Elena to the market place. “I wouldn’t mind so much if they would just try trading instead of raiding.”

“Given their history who would let them approach with an offer?” Elena asked. They both picked up meals from one of the venders. Catherine eyed her plate with suspicion.

“Would you care to hazard a guess as to the amount of cholesterol in this?” She asked.

“Not for the rights to the entire Lethian trade routes.” Elena replied. Catherine shrugged and took a seat at an available table. Elena joined her.

“My doctor told me I should be worried,” She added. She took a bite, chewed and swallowed. “They would have to meet at a neutral location and even then there would be a great deal of suspicion.”

“Do you ever wonder about their home planet?” Elena asked. “After all what type of place develops only raiders and no traders?”

“Maybe the raiders killed the traders?”

“Could be,” Elena agreed. She began eating her own meal but only managed a couple of bites before the same non-descript man Riko had summoned to deliver the proposals strode up to the side of their table.

“Captain Calabrese,” he said.

“Yes?” Elena replied putting her fork down.

“It is my duty to inform you that the council requests your presence in their chambers at exactly 2 DFT.”

“Thank you?” Elena replied. He nodded stiffly, turned and retreated. Elena pushed her plate away.

“Looks like I will have to pass on the rest of lunch,” She said glancing up at the large market clock. “I need to get showered and dressed for my appearance.”

“Good luck,” Catherine said. “I’d go for moral support but I am told it is to be a closed session.”

“Told?”

“Alexandro made the rounds. Apparently there is a family dinner tonight at Grazos.”

“Well he is thinking positive,” Elena said.

“Do you mind?” Catherine asked, indicating Elena’s plate. “I think yours has less cholesterol.”

“Go ahead,” Elena said as she stood. “At this point if I ate anything I would just throw it up at my hearing.” She left Catherine to swap plates and headed off towards her quarters. She was nearly there when Therese stepped into the corridor and decided to keep pace with Elena as she moved.

“What have you done this time?” Therese asked with a hiss.

“Nothing,” Elena replied. “Why should I have done something?”

“A closed session is never good.” Therese said.

“Then obviously I have done something bad,” Elena replied. “Either way I have only a little time to get ready to meet the council and little time to deal with you.”

“Do not shame the family. Some of us plan on being more than just simple transporters.” With that comment Therese wheeled off and started walking in the opposite direction. Elena thought of all the comments she could have made but shrugged it off. There simply wasn’t time. She entered her quarters at a near run. She shed clothes as soon as the door shut behind her, leaving a trail on her way to the shower. A short while later she was cleaned and dressed in a burgundy suit with a white dress shirt and heading back down the same corridor, veering left at the fork to head towards the council chanmbers rather than the market.

“The council never moves this fast,” she told herself as she tugged her cuffs straight. “Riko must be quite persuasive.” Elena entered the council chambers with ten minutes to spare and took her seat on the bench with the other supplicants, waiting to be called. A trade hearing was in progress. It was one she was close to and she listened with only half her attention. The two people seated before she arrived each had minor issues and were quickly cleared up. A clearing of the council chambers was called and everyone who qualified as the general public filed out of the room, leaving only Elena, the court recorder and the council.

“Captain Calabrese, we are ready for you now.” Elena took a deep breath, stood and took her place in the center of the room.