Carinae Sector: 02 - Admiral's Fury - Part 2 - Hidden Menace by David Buck

as the ship came to rest and Narindestat noted that two Cephrit were slowly walking towards him. He could see that the fleet master must now have a mate of record, for he was being guarded by a female marine, impressive both for her size and her military decorations. Garendestat followed him down the ramp in his best green lieutenant’s uniform, and they both waited a moment for the two Cephrit. As the fleet master stopped and regarded him from a few metres away, both Traders gave full formal bows, and Narindestat then intoned a formal greeting to the Cephrit.
    ‘Greetings to you fleet master of the great un-named race, the Cephrit, and my congratulations on the recent defeat of the Tilmud. I bring my first officer and my son Garendestat to present to you. We have requested a formal meeting to reassure the vassal races that the Traders remain both distant and harmless. By ancient agreement, we confirm that the loss of our home world long ago was due to ignoring the wise guidance of the Cephrit.’
    The fleet master decided that the formality being extended to him by Narindestat was sincere and followed the agreed ceremony between both races. He calmly gave a distinctive full bow, as if to an equal, then replied by first introducing his mate.
    ‘This is the assault leader of our fourth special brigade, and she is my mate of record.
    Our race still remembers sadly the loss of Dracile, your former home world, even if it was many thousands of years ago. I am honoured to meet with you again Captain Narindestat, and I am delighted to meet your son in person now that he has come of age. The galaxy has changed a great deal and we have much to discuss here today.’
    Narindestat took in the powerful form of the assault leader and offered a deep bow of respect as he spoke now to the crouching form of the female Cephrit.
    ‘Assault leader, it is a pleasure and an honour to meet you.’
    The Trader captain noted that the female Cephrit was the only one armed, even if she only now possessed her two duelling blades. Narindestat could see that her blades were covered in ornate gold and silver filigrees, and he knew that the female Cephrit were literally a walking weapon. By convention both Traders were unarmed, for it was considered a serious breach of discipline amongst the Traders to walk amongst the un-named with a weapon.
    The assault leader only offered a brief chirr in her reply to him, and Narindestat knew that by habit she was ever watchful. The fleet master approached both the Traders, and examined them closely, and Narindestat was worried how they would be evaluated by the keen senses of the Cephrit. Narindestat had long known that the only way forward was the truth, as the fleet master would provide the guidance and understanding that the Traders were seeking.
    ‘Fleet master we lost our glimmer tattoos on Earth one hundred and fifty years ago, due to the pathogens on that world. Several of our crew became seriously ill even as we arranged for the Maveen to aid the humans. We have recovered and no longer need our tattoos to survive, though our reproductive rate still remains low. However we seek your advice as there are other issues that you need to be aware about concerning the Traders and our part of the galaxy.’
    The fleet master came forward, and nestled the head of Narindestat in his antennae for several moments, before he replied at length in a soft chirring voice.
    ‘Narindestat, my protégé and friend, there can be no secrets between our races due to our glorious past together. I could earlier smell that the glimmer was no longer amongst your race and my taste buds on my antennae just confirmed the discovery. I am prepared to accept your word that your species reproductive rate is still restrained. Now we also seek a new path in the galaxy as the Zronte have replaced respectful détente with nasty plots against us, such as the recent war with the Tilmud. We distrust their words and are fearful of their next