Klaxton, Dr. Harper, and Dr. Jones and tell them to remain in the Triple C and wait for her.
Combat Control Center, SRS Stephen Hawking
0915 —February 18, 2372
“ We’re on our way,” Mary said as she entered the Triple C and sat at one of the unused console stations. “This morning at zero five hundred I received official notifications of the responses we received from our requests for the scientist we’ll be picking up. I was ordered to share these responses with you once we’re under way.” She turned to the console, brought up three message boxes, and displayed them on the main Triple C display. “Here’s the diplomatic response from Gliese,” she said as she enlarged one of the three message boxes and leaned back in her seat. The message appeared.
To: The United States of America, Planet Earth
From: The Communal Tribal Union, Planet Gliese
Subject: Expedition Request
(1) The Communal Tribal Union has considered your request and is willing to discuss the terms of the expedition with a small scientific envoy representing your mission.
(2) The meeting will be at the Communal Tribal Union seat capital, Canton Mie, on February 21, 2372, at 1400 (Earth date and time).
(3) No military personnel, other than the Captain or First Officer of the expedition ship, are allowed to accompany the scientific envoy to Canton Mie.
(4) Contact Gliese Space Command upon arrival in the solar system for a vector approach to Gliese.
(5) Any variance of your ship from the vector will be considered hostile, and your ship will be attacked.
Signed: Director of Science, Communal Tribal Union
Message Complete ........
“At least they’re willing to talk to us,” Dr. Jones said with a hint of hope.
“ I’m afraid that’s all they’ll want to do is talk, and I’ve been ordered not to waste time negotiating,” Mary said, paused, and then added, “We will, however, see what they have to say and use the time when we’re meeting with the Gliese officials to locate Doctor Kastriva.”
Mary leaned forward in her seat and used the console again. “We also have a picture of Doctor Kastriva.” A picture of the doctor appeared. He looked to be of Middle Eastern descent and in his early thirties with a short, trimmed beard.
“ Here’s our response from Corot,” Mary said as she brought up the next message.
To: The United States of America, Planet Earth
From: New Kalgoorlie, Planet Corot
Subject: Expedition Request
(1) Although New Kalgoorlie has no interest in your proposed expedition, Dr. Bailey was notified of the expedition and declines to participate.
(2) No further communications about the proposed expedition is necessary.
Signed: Minister of Research, New Kalgoorlie
Message Complete .......
“Short and sweet,” Captain Neubauer said.
“ There’s no way Doctor Bailey would refuse to join our expedition. I’m sure she wasn’t even told about it,” Dr. Harper said.
“It doesn’t matter if she was told or not. We have to locate her and have our marines persuade her to come with us,” Mary said with half a smile, “The State Department did, however, contact the Bungay Republic, the eastern neighbor of New Kalgoorlie, and we have permission to send a trade committee to discuss mining and military equipment. We’ll use the meeting as cover for our operation to locate and extract Doctor Bailey.”
“ Our final response,” Mary said as the message from Leonis was displayed.
To: The United States of America, Planet Earth
From: Council of Czars , Planet Leonis
Subject: Expedition Request
(1) Participation in the expedition was considered by the Council of Czars.
(2) Dr. Qasim will not be allowed to participate as she has in-depth knowledge of all classified Council of Czars military computer systems.
(3) Another representative will be appointed by the Council of Czars and allowed to accompany the expedition.
(4) Upon arrival in the Leonis
Combat Control Center, SRS Stephen Hawking
0915 —February 18, 2372
“ We’re on our way,” Mary said as she entered the Triple C and sat at one of the unused console stations. “This morning at zero five hundred I received official notifications of the responses we received from our requests for the scientist we’ll be picking up. I was ordered to share these responses with you once we’re under way.” She turned to the console, brought up three message boxes, and displayed them on the main Triple C display. “Here’s the diplomatic response from Gliese,” she said as she enlarged one of the three message boxes and leaned back in her seat. The message appeared.
To: The United States of America, Planet Earth
From: The Communal Tribal Union, Planet Gliese
Subject: Expedition Request
(1) The Communal Tribal Union has considered your request and is willing to discuss the terms of the expedition with a small scientific envoy representing your mission.
(2) The meeting will be at the Communal Tribal Union seat capital, Canton Mie, on February 21, 2372, at 1400 (Earth date and time).
(3) No military personnel, other than the Captain or First Officer of the expedition ship, are allowed to accompany the scientific envoy to Canton Mie.
(4) Contact Gliese Space Command upon arrival in the solar system for a vector approach to Gliese.
(5) Any variance of your ship from the vector will be considered hostile, and your ship will be attacked.
Signed: Director of Science, Communal Tribal Union
Message Complete ........
“At least they’re willing to talk to us,” Dr. Jones said with a hint of hope.
“ I’m afraid that’s all they’ll want to do is talk, and I’ve been ordered not to waste time negotiating,” Mary said, paused, and then added, “We will, however, see what they have to say and use the time when we’re meeting with the Gliese officials to locate Doctor Kastriva.”
Mary leaned forward in her seat and used the console again. “We also have a picture of Doctor Kastriva.” A picture of the doctor appeared. He looked to be of Middle Eastern descent and in his early thirties with a short, trimmed beard.
“ Here’s our response from Corot,” Mary said as she brought up the next message.
To: The United States of America, Planet Earth
From: New Kalgoorlie, Planet Corot
Subject: Expedition Request
(1) Although New Kalgoorlie has no interest in your proposed expedition, Dr. Bailey was notified of the expedition and declines to participate.
(2) No further communications about the proposed expedition is necessary.
Signed: Minister of Research, New Kalgoorlie
Message Complete .......
“Short and sweet,” Captain Neubauer said.
“ There’s no way Doctor Bailey would refuse to join our expedition. I’m sure she wasn’t even told about it,” Dr. Harper said.
“It doesn’t matter if she was told or not. We have to locate her and have our marines persuade her to come with us,” Mary said with half a smile, “The State Department did, however, contact the Bungay Republic, the eastern neighbor of New Kalgoorlie, and we have permission to send a trade committee to discuss mining and military equipment. We’ll use the meeting as cover for our operation to locate and extract Doctor Bailey.”
“ Our final response,” Mary said as the message from Leonis was displayed.
To: The United States of America, Planet Earth
From: Council of Czars , Planet Leonis
Subject: Expedition Request
(1) Participation in the expedition was considered by the Council of Czars.
(2) Dr. Qasim will not be allowed to participate as she has in-depth knowledge of all classified Council of Czars military computer systems.
(3) Another representative will be appointed by the Council of Czars and allowed to accompany the expedition.
(4) Upon arrival in the Leonis
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