A Savage War Of Peace (Ark Royal Book 5) (28 page)

Penny nodded, impatiently.  The three days since the lockdown had been declared had been boring, apart from a second debriefing that was nearly as intense as the first and a chance to record interviews with the other Paras.  No one was allowed outside the walls, not even the military; she’d even heard rumours that the entire fort was going to be shut down.  By the time Doctor Pole had called her, Penny had been so bored that she’d been willing to go back to City Seven without an armed escort.

“It’s really quite fascinating to study how their bodies develop,” Jill continued.  “In some ways, they’re remarkably like us, even though their biology is completely different.   But in others, they are ... well ...”

“Alien?”  Penny asked.

“Of course,” Jill said.  “Do you realise, for example, that they have a
far
superior sense of smell to anything we possess?  There’s no point in trying to hide in the darkness from them, I think; they’d just be able to sniff you out.  This may actually be why they don’t seem to have any problems telling us apart, even though they all look alike to us.  Each of us
smells
differently to them.”

“That isn't exactly new,” Penny said, tartly.

“It’s important,” Jill said, unabashed.  “I think one of the reasons they are so brutally direct with one another is because they can't really
lie
to one another.  A deliberate lie sets off changes in their scent that are easily detectable, at least to their fellows.  They also can't hide their reactions, under certain situations.  If a male should happen to find a female attractive, he won’t be able to hide that fact - and vice versa.”

“Sounds like they have it made,” Penny said, who remembered her own adolescence with a kind of cringing horror.  It had been hard to tell which boys were interested in her as a person and which boys had seen her as nothing more than an attractively-shaped piece of meat; hell, Percy had even confessed he had the same problem.  How did one
tell
if a girl was interested or if she was just being polite?  “They can have sex out of season, after all.”

“Indeed,” Jill said.  She looked down at the table.  “I think that one scent reinforces the other, although it’s hard to be sure.  A Vesy scenting the arousal of another Vesy will become aroused too.  It doesn't seem to matter which party started it. All that matters is that you put a male and a female together and eventually sparks will fly.”

Penny held up a hand.  “None of this is particularly new,” she said.  “And I honestly have no interest in the details of alien sexual practices.”

Jill frowned.  “I’m getting to the point,” she said.  “When a female enters season, her scent changes and becomes overpowering.  A male who isn't too close to her, genetically speaking, will chase her and try to mate with her.  Put two or more males in close proximity and they will fight each other for the chance to sire her eggs.  I think that’s nature’s way of ensuring that the father is strong because it’s rare for a female not to get pregnant on the first attempt.”

She paused.  “Unfortunately, this means that females entering their season are confined to prevent them from mating with the wrong males,” she added.  “This restricts their lives in a manner that wouldn't be out of place in the Middle East.”

“I know,” Penny said, impatiently.  “So what?”

“So
this
,” Jill said.  She tapped her terminal, then swung it around to face Penny, showing her an image of a chemical formula.  “There are quite a few ways to block one’s scent in combat, as you may be aware.  This ... is a modified scrubber.  You put it in the alien and, when she enters her season, she won't actually emit the scent that draws males to her.  She can live a normal life.”

“By our standards,” Penny said.  “But what about by theirs?”

Jill stared at her.  “Do you have any idea just how much time women used to waste, having children and raising them?  Back in the bad old days, the woman would be completely dependent on the man to keep her fed and happy while she carried the children to term then raised them.  Think of all the potential that was lost in wasted lives.”

Penny frowned.  She couldn't help thinking of Kun.  “But if those lives had been spent ... unlocking the mysteries of science,” she said slowly, “there wouldn't be any children and the human race would die out.”

“We have exowombs now,” Jill said.  “I wouldn't have to take years off my life to raise children.”

“There was an asteroid settlement that practiced communal parenting,” Penny said, thoughtfully.  It had been quite a fad, back in the early days of expansion into space, to set up asteroids based on all sorts of ideas.  “I think the children had all sorts of problems as they grew up.”

“There was also an asteroid settlement that insisted that men and women had to be trained to the highest peak of perfection before they could have children,” Jill snapped.  “And what did
that
do to human development?  Nothing.  There were even stupider ideas that didn't even last a
year
.”

She tapped the terminal with one finger.  “This will change their society,” she insisted.  “And their females
need
change.”

Penny frowned.  “But what will it do to them?”

Jill glowered at her.  “Change their world?”

“There are implants that prevent women from getting pregnant,” Penny said.  “You get one inserted as soon as you have your first blood, unless you opt out.  Like other birth control methods, they changed our world.”

“Women no longer needed to be kept under control,” Jill said.

“Yes,” Penny agreed.  “But what would happen if it suddenly became impossible to remove the implants?  There would be no more children, not ever.”

She rose.  “And this will do a great deal of damage to the Vesy,” she added.  “You should destroy your notes and hope no one else stumbles over it.”

“That won’t happen,” Jill said, tartly.  “
Any
fool could do it.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Percy shifted uncomfortably as the section came to a halt, a kilometre from City One - Ivan’s City.  It had been a short march, but the body armour Colonel Boone had insisted he wear had made him sweat even more than usual in the muggy air.  He’d hoped to wear full combat armour, when he’d heard about the alien request; the diplomats, still hoping for a peaceful solution, had flatly refused.  Apparently, the Vesy would find powered armour intimidating.

He cursed under his breath, then unhooked the canteen from his belt and took a long swig of cool water.  The restrictions on using armoured vehicles hadn't been lifted either, despite protests from NGOs who believed they were being used to hamper their activities on the planet.  Boone had told him that two platoons of Paras and five armed helicopters were ready to back up the Royal Marines, if they were necessary, but Percy couldn't help feeling more than a little isolated, despite the dozens of satellites watching them from high overhead.  It was easy to believe they were all alone on Vesy.

“Contact, sir,” Peerce said, quietly.

Percy nodded, peering down the road towards the city as a handful of Vesy came into view.  Nine of them wore nothing apart from loincloths, but they carried a small arsenal of human-designed weapons on their backs; the tenth wore golden robes edged with purple lining.  It took Percy a moment to realise that the aliens knew their armour would be useless against human weapons, no matter how much they wore; they’d chosen to go almost naked instead to make it easier to dodge.  He couldn't fault their logic, even though he disliked the idea of fighting nude.  A well-constructed uniform could sometimes make the difference between life and death.

“Stay here,” he ordered.  “Keep your weapons at the ready; cover me if the shit hits the fan.”

He took a breath, then marched forward.  Ivan - it was clearly him in the lead - had designated the small hamlet as a meeting place, rather than his city.  Percy wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not; a more public meeting would probably have given the aliens less manoeuvring room, if they wanted to be diplomatic.  But, at the same time, he shouldn't have been called at all.  The aliens
knew
he’d been replaced by someone who had actual power to negotiate.

Do they think they can pass a message to me
, he asked himself,
or did they ask for me as a test,  a test we may have failed
?

“I’m approaching the aliens now,” he subvocalised.  His superiors - Colonel Boone, Captain Naiser, Ambassador Richardson - were watching and listening through the sensors on his uniform, ready to offer advice and orders when necessary.  “They’re halting at the edge of the hamlet.”

Ivan waved to him, then walked forward, leaving his guards behind.  Percy watched him warily - he’d seen just how quickly the aliens moved - and waited for him to draw closer.  The alien didn't seem to be armed, as far as he could tell, but
anything
could be hidden under his robes.  Percy forced himself to relax as the alien closed, then stopped a bare meter from Percy’s position.  For beings that didn't seem to have a concept of personal space, at least amongst themselves, it was surprisingly polite.

They must find us sinister
, he thought, dully.  Humans had the same reaction when they looked at the Vesy, although most humans were already aware of the Tadpoles and hundreds of fictional aliens on their video screens. 
We just don’t smell right to them
.

“I greet you,” he said, carefully.  “I have come as you requested.”

There was a long pause.  Percy wondered, grimly, if he’d been right and the aliens had been testing humanity, a test they’d
definitely
failed.  Maybe the Vesy had expected Ambassador Richardson to insist on going in person, rather than sending such a low-ranking representative.  But the aliens had
asked
for that representative ...

They’re alien
, he reminded himself.  The Vesy might have made that request, secure in the belief it would be turned down. 
They do not think like humans
.

“One of your people told ours that the gods do not exist,” Ivan said, finally.  “It is a concept we find ...”

He said a word Percy didn't understand, but he guessed meant
blasphemous
or something along the same lines.  The Vesy didn't worship
all
of their gods, yet they definitely
believed
in them.  It wasn’t something Percy understood, but he did understand - even without Penny’s article, which she’d shared with him - why the Vesy had been so offended at the suggestion their gods didn't exist.  Humans wouldn't have reacted kindly.

“There is currently a disagreement about how to proceed,” Ivan continued.  “The” - another word, which might have meant City Seven - “has yet to determine its response to the chaos.”

“Tell him that we are prepared to pay compensation,” Ambassador Richardson ordered.

Percy hesitated, then did as he was told.

Ivan’s beady eyes looked angry.  “Can your people bring the dead back to life?”

“No,” Percy admitted.  He'd known soldiers to survive injuries that would have had them declared legally dead a mere fifty years ago, but there was no way anyone could apply such techniques to the Vesy.  The medics simply didn't understand the alien bodies well enough to try any revival techniques.  “That is beyond our power.”

“It has also caused problems in
my
city,” Ivan continued, dismissing the matter as if it were pointless.  He might well have been right.  “I cannot guarantee that we will remain friendly to your people if you question the gods.  We want the” - another untranslatable word - “handed over to us for punishment.”

There was a pause.  “Remind them that Kun is dead,” Ambassador Richardson said.  “And that his body has been destroyed.”

Percy had his doubts.  The head sheds would probably have asked more questions if someone had actually
died
on the mission, particularly the idiot who’d started the riot in the first place.  It wasn't impossible that one of the soldiers would have shot him in the back, if everything seemed hopeless ...

“Kun is dead,” he said, flatly.  “His body was destroyed ...”

Ivan stared at him for a long moment.  “Then we must have those aligned with him,” he said, equally flatly.  “Their crimes cannot be permitted to go unpunished.”

And if it were up to me, you’d have them
, Percy thought, as his superiors nattered in the background. 
Those fucking idiots put Penny in danger
!

“There were no other members of his religion on the mission,” Percy said, relaying Ambassador Richardson’s words.  It wasn't true, but he
had
heard that they’d been ordered back to orbit and dispatched through the nearest tramline.  “All we can do is offer compensation for the deaths.”

“Eggs that will never hatch,” Ivan said.  “They are gathered within the birthing chamber to hatch safely, free of all harm.  And now they are dead.”

Percy winced.  He’d seen enough of the local wildlife to be sure that
some
of them, at least, would try to dig up Vesy eggs and eat them.  There was nothing comparable on Earth, but human women carried their babies to term in the womb.  Having a dedicated birthing chamber made a great deal of sense, particularly once the Vesy had learned to work stone and build their cities.  They’d probably been designing forts against Mother Nature as well as their enemies since the day they’d put two and two together and got four.

“We will compensate the parents,” Ambassador Richardson said, desperately.

“We don't know how they will react to that,” Captain Naiser said.  “Lieutenant ... wait.”

“It is not easy to remain aligned with you when our gods are called into question,” Ivan said.  “Nor is it easy to deal with fools who do not seem to understand our problems.”

Percy said nothing.  He merely waited.  Ivan was trying to tell him something and, unfortunately, he thought he knew what it was.  The alien’s power base was largely focused around his ties to humanity - to Britain, specifically - rather than anything more solid.  It wasn't really a surprise.  His old city had been smashed by the God-King and the new city hadn't had time to really put down roots.  But if his people were turning against the British, Ivan would lose influence and eventually his power.  He would be replaced by someone who was less interested in working with Britain. 

We could give them gifts
, he thought. 
But those gifts might not change the situation
.

It was a worrying thought.  Right now, there were quite a few technological innovations humanity would give its collective soul to have.  Force shields, teleportation, a way to avoid the tyranny of the tramlines ... humanity wanted them.  But would humanity accept them from advanced aliens should the aliens refuse to tell the human race how they worked ... or would humanity convert to an alien religion if the aliens stated it as their price? 

The Vesy must feel the same way
, he told himself. 
But they have the added disadvantage of knowing that they can't put forward a united front.  One city-state that takes our weapons will have a decisive advantage over everyone else
.

“We must request no further discussions about religion,” Ivan said.

It sounded a good idea, to Percy.  The Vesy didn't need to have human religion shoved in their face, let alone be told that human gods were jealous gods.  They could learn about human religion later, if they wished; they’d certainly meet humans on more even terms. 

“We don’t control all of the religious parties,” Ambassador Richardson said.  “But they could easily declare individuals or groups to be
persona non grata
.”

Percy nodded, then tried to explain the concept to the alien.  Ivan didn't seem to understand, at least at first; the idea of missionaries was somewhat alien to him.  Percy puzzled over that, then recalled that the aliens believed that certain gods resided in specific locations.  They wouldn't
need
missionaries, not really.  Those who happened to change cities would change the gods they worshipped too.

“We may not have the chance to tell them to leave,” Ivan said.  “Will they talk with the leaders first?”

“That will be a headache,” Colonel Boone noted.

Percy groaned, inwardly, as his superiors started arguing again.  Kun hadn't told
anyone
what he intended to say to the aliens; it was quite possible that missionaries would lie to the alien leaders, just to make sure they had a chance to preach to the alien population.  And then there would be more riots and, worse, the aliens would see humans as inherently untrustworthy. 

How do you know a human is lying
?  It would probably become an alien joke in a few years, if it wasn't already. 
Their lips move
.

“Yes, they will,” Ambassador Richardson said.  “Indeed, if the alien leaders wish to have guards in place to arrest any speakers who go too far, that would be acceptable.”

Percy relayed the message.  There was another long pause.

“That will be suitable,” Ivan said.  “We must also request more weapons and training.  The” - another set of words Percy didn’t understand - “are growing more powerful.  It isn't good for us.”

“The Indian-backed cities, I suspect,” Captain Naiser said.  “They have been training more and more aliens to use human weapons.”

“They also have been manufacturing cartridges on site,” Colonel Boone said.  “There are limits to how much ammunition we can pass to the aliens.”

Percy winced.  The Indians had definitely stolen a march on
everyone
.  Guns were useless without ammunition and the Indians had a factory, producing thousands of cartridges a day.  Colonel Boone wouldn't be able to risk handing his reserve stocks over to Ivan without courting disaster ...