Deep Space

Chapter 7

The Federation Cruiser "Thallaxapod" hung broodingly alongside the Gnarriott freighter, its sleek lines contrasting with the grin bulk of Gnarff's craft. A reinforced docking tube snaked across the short gap between the two ships.

Garan Duufrig watched from his console as the Federation Envoy and his entourage came on board the freighter through the main airlock. Too much stamping, saluting, fawning and gesturing he thought as the Guard of Honour drew their various numbers of limbs to attention. Two hours they'd spent cleaning out the airlock to get rid of the smell from the last visitors. Two hours cleaning and all of twenty seconds for the Federation Treaty & Trade Ambassador and his party to pass through. Still, now they were off to the top deck and since the ship wouldn't be going anywhere for a bit, Garan reckoned he could spend some more time with romantic tales of Peabody, Shaw and their like.

In his Stateroom, His Excellency, Farrin Gnarff, Lord High Protector of the Planet Forgwin5a, lounged back on his couch and summoned the delegation towards him. They stopped short of the dais on which the Protector was relaxing with two of his "attendants".

"Your Excellency," said the first of the delegation, Ambassador Taylor, with an air of deference, "it is good of you to see us."

"We are always pleased to see representatives of the Federation." Gnarff gave as much of a smile as his leathern skin would allow. Like all of the lobster-like Gnarriot species his body was covered in a stiff, mahogany-coloured exo-skeleton. Facial expression was not their strong point. It was, the Ambassador thought, what made the Gnarriot so difficult to negotiate with. And of course it was hopeless playing poker against them.

Ambassador Taylor kept his thoughts to himself though and settled for an anodyne expression of interest in Gnarff's well-being. "I must say that I am surprised to see your Excellency travelling on such a vessel. Would not the Imperial Yacht be more appropriate?"

"Well my yacht is, of course both comfortable and fast, but my visit to this corner of the galaxy demands a rather larger craft. But do not concern yourself for my comfort. I have been able to equip it with many of the consolations that I find so agreeable as a compensation for the work and pressure." He gestured to the two girls sitting on the floor before him. "I'm sure you have your own compensations, Ambassador?"

"Oh yes, your Excellency," Taylor responded, "though not perhaps such exotic ones as you can command. I am surprised to see them here though. I thought that Forgwin5a, your planet, was moving towards ratifying the Federation's treaty on the suppression of slavery. Is that not the case?

"Well you must understand that we have signed the intergalactic agreements but there are, I think, some differences in definitions between our position and that of our partners in the Federation."

"And what definition do these "attendants" of yours fall into?"

"A splendid example, my dear Ambassador. These two young ladies would not be here but for our enlightened views on salvage. Isn't that so, girls?" Gnarff reached out with one spiny tendril brushing it beneath the chin of the red headed girl kneeling at his right side. She turned to face the delegation and nodded slowly. "They were part of the salvage of a crashed skimmer on an off-limits planet. If we hadn't recovered their craft and themselves we would have been party to a further deterioration in the planet's eco system. That would have been in direct contravention of our responsibilities under earlier Federation treaties, I am sure you realise.

The Ambassador looked across at the girl. He might argue with the logic of Gnarff;s case but he couldn't fault his choice of an attendant. Her red hair had been elaborately dressed in a series of lacquered curls that mimicked the head dresses of Gnarriot females. Her dress had been carefully constructed to make the most of her figure, Her waist was held in by the boning of a reddish-brown leather bodice but her breasts were held up, presented almost on a shelf. The skirt was short, barely covering her buttocks and fell open at the front, exposing her sex.

Gnarff expounded, "After all they can recover the cost of their salvage – we encourage them to earn their keep. They retain their identities – see we have even mark them to ensure there is no confusion." He gestured with the same tendril towards a tattoo reading 'Sol5gGirlKelli006' above the girl's right breast. "This one is achieving many credits by pleasuring me."

"And in practice how many achieve their freedom?"

"Ah, well, that is hardly our fault, is it? Their earnings have to be offset by the costs of their keep and accommodation on any craft such as this is inevitably expensive."

"No doubt that is why you keep them in chains; to protect your investment?" Kelli wore both wrist and ankle chains and a long slim chain from a nose ring that ran to a link on Gnarff's belt.

"Indeed, indeed, and of course a ship such as this is a dangerous place. These two have already discovered the risks in space travel. They have to be protected from their own folly, don't you agree?"

"I quite see your point of view, Excellency," Taylor went on, "but it is the suppression of slavery treaty that I need to discuss with you. There are those that feel Forgwin5a has acted in violation of the spirit of this treaty, that some of your traders still pursue the slave trade, that your government does little to prevent their practices. Some say that you prey on the weak and the failing in our galaxy."

Gnarff lifted his head. If he was irritated by the ambassador's words he did nothing to reveal it. "Those are strong accusations, Ambassador. We are a simple tribe, we are anxious to support and promote conservation across the Galaxy. We seek only to protect some of those tribes and peoples on the fringes of the Federation that are threatened with extinction. We study and research those we take into our care so we can understand better how to help preserve their cultures."

"And does that include the women of Sol3a?"

"Come commander, you must know that they are one of the most threatened of all. We would hardly be facing up to our responsibilities if we did not do something to help preserve them. I am sure that the Federation's Intelligence Service has told you that we have some of our conservation project on board this very ship. We have nothing to hide in this matter, you know."

Taylor could see that Gnarff had been annoyed by the developments in the conversation. "Excellency, I only seek to avoid misunderstanding in the dealings between Forgwin and the Federation."

"Of course, Ambassador. You must excuse my reactions, so often it seems that our motives are misunderstood. Now gentlemen, if you are staying perhaps you can tour our facilities? Or perhaps you would like some recreation. This piece of salvage, for example," Gnarff gestured to the other girl at his side, "I am sure you would like to earn some more credits wouldn't you, my dear?"

The girl gave the same slow nod as her companion. Her head was completely shaved and she wore no clothing at all, just the same wrist cuffs, anklets and nose ring as her companion. The Ambassador saw from her tattoo that she was a planet sister of the other girl. Presumably they had been captured together. But the tattoo reading 'Sol5gGirlShana002' was not the only mark she bore. The Ambassador could see her thighs were criss-crossed with welts each set at short intervals with a ball shaped mark. The welts matched the form of Gnarff's tendrils. Evidently he was not above ensuring that they earned their credits in ways that met his needs.

"Can they not speak for themselves?" Ambassador Taylor asked.

"Ah, unfortunately, no. See." He used one of his tendrils to lift the girl's chin. A bright red scar crossed the top of her throat. "I fear that these girls were too talkative for me. It's their only drawback. They are also powerful telepath emitters too. The combination is intolerable and I am happy with just the telepath emissions. As a result we remove their tongues and their larynx. It does make it difficult for them to communicate one with another but we cope. I can interpret if your telepathic skills are not sufficient. Their sense of isolation, however, does give them an extreme willingness to please whoever they serve. I can make a curtained cubicle available if you would prefer some privacy."

Taylor choked back his thoughts on the barbarity of what had been done to the girls. "Ah, thank you your, Excellency, I don't think that would be the best use of my time, delightful though it might be. I do rather wish to discuss the issues arising from the problems with Sol3a."

"Of course, of course. Business before pleasure, I understand." Gnarff said. "I do think, though you should see something of the conservation project, however. I think that will help to illustrate the difficulties that we are trying to address. With your permission, Ambassador." Gnarff gave a sharp click with one of his claws.

A curtain drew back and a woman entered. Taylor was impressed. She was as tall as himself, almost two units high, and stunningly beautiful. Her long, white-blonde, hair hung loosely behind her almost to her waist. She wore a simple floor length gown in imperial purple with a matching cape that draped from her shoulders to the floor behind her.

"Ambassador, this is Doctor Mead. She is my chief anthropologist and responsible for our Sol3 conservation project. She manages the Sol3a collection which is at the heart of our study programme. She can explain to you what we are doing here. Perhaps we can reconvene our discussions in an hour or so? I know my two little friends here are particularly keen to see what they can do to amuse me. Aren't you girls?" Gnarff wound his tendrils around each girl's scarred throat, pulling them to their feet.