When we descended the main staircase to the level where the stargate was located, Chaya, once again, looked over her invariably simple, yet at the same time chic-looking dress. Finding no hints of problems on it, she looked at me.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
This was the fifth time in the last half hour that I had heard this question. And about another couple hundred times I had heard it in the two days since we left Athos.
"It seems you asked me the same question when I ordered the 'Hippaphoralkus' to be sent to the edge of the Athos system to await our guests," the reminder brought a awkward smile to her face.
That's how the girl hid her nervousness.
"In fact, it's a very bad idea to send a ship on such a flight when only one of its four reactors can reach full power, repairs are not finished, and the shields..."
"But it worked, didn't it?" I clarified. "It worked. So the plan was correct. At least this time."
"Didn't you consider what would have happened to the ship, Trebal, and the crew if they had opened fire?"
"I did," I confirmed. "Four disguised 'jumpers' would have shelled their ships and turned them into rubble before the Nomads could inflict any significant damage on the 'Hippaphoralkus.' And anyway," I smiled. "Since when do you care about Trebal's survival?"
"I think I put the mention of the battleship first in my question," Chaya changed the subject.
"Incoming wormhole," they reported from the control room balcony.
"Well, here we go," Chaya sighed, watching the blue illumination of the chevrons light up on the outer disk of the stargate. "You won't mind if I remind you that this was all your idea when something goes wrong, will you?"
"And aren't wives allowed to do that?" I asked at the moment the connection was established, and a vortex of kavush burst from the gate. Almost immediately after it was drawn into the gate's circle, a white-blue haze of an energy shield formed around the device.
"I don't know," Chaya playfully widened her eyes at me. "No one has ever asked me about anything like that before."
"My mother always told me: 'Look for an older girl – she will be smart, experienced, and loving of your young self.'"
"Commander Trebal's identification code received," the duty technician reported. After receiving my nod of agreement, he gave the command, and the energy barrier around the gate melted away.
"Very funny," Chaya continued to wring her fingers, showing her nervousness. "I'd like to see your mother when you introduced us and said, 'Beloved mother! Here are two women who wanted a child from me. One is ten thousand years old with a tail, the other is a little younger, but that's not certain. One has been lying in the refrigerator all this time, and the other was pure energy. By the way, one of them killed the population of an entire planet, and I forgave her. Mom? Mom?! Doctor, call a doctor!'"
My chuckle coincided with Trebal emerging from the gate.
Seeing us, the Dorandan frowned, but it didn't go any further.
Instead of making a scene, the girl stepped aside a little, turning her face to the people emerging from the gate.
Mostly men, dressed in Nomad uniforms: dark brown trousers, brown jackets. Stubble, carelessly trimmed hair, sunken eyes, hollow cheeks, dull hair color, as if they had been washed in a machine on the wrong setting.
A deficiency of vitamins on their faces due to the lack of sunlight. In general, life in confinement doesn't do anyone any good.
This, by the way, is a dig at myself. Most of us also don't see the light of day.
"Tell me you don't intend to implement the idea of polygamy," Chaya said, glancing quickly at the only girl in the Nomad delegation. Two men, who, to my surprise, were twins. One of whom was looking at the city with admiration, and the second was looking exclusively from a safety perspective.
However, one shouldn't focus only on him – all the Nomads were looking around. And only Larrin had the sense not to show any impression of what she saw in Atlantis.
"Note that I didn't remind you of this," I said, observing how Kirik, Saya, and Teila emerged from the side passage. Joining Trebal and Alvar, who were walking alongside our guests, they all approached simultaneously. "Welcome to Atlantis, Larrin, Nevik. My name is Mikhail, I am the leader of the Lantians.
I don't care about all these Nazi undertones of the Ancients. It's time to end all this genetic stratification. Are we living on Atlantis? Yes. Are we Ancients? Yes again. So we are Lantians. And whoever thinks otherwise, let them spin on their level of being and generate energy. I can even help build a generator, we won't have too much of it.
The girl glanced at the male twin standing to her right. However, I was addressing the one on the left...
"Does our negotiation include telling us how you know me and my chief scientist?" the Nomad girl asked in a slightly irritated voice.
"Perhaps, someday," I promised, looking at my companion. "This is Chaya Sar, my chief scientist. Teila, a representative of the Athosians," Emmagan was barely of interest to the arrivals. "Officer Kirik and Saya are responsible for our safety. You are already acquainted with Commander Trebal and Officer Jensen."
"We are acquainted," the twin standing next to Larrin said. "I want to see my man, whom you are holding against his will."
"In that case," the insolent one must be put in his place immediately, "I would like to see our battleship, which you are holding without any right to do so."
The twin gave me a hateful look but remained silent in response to the retort.
"Captain Asan," oh, so that's his name, "is worried about his man who..." Larrin squinted at me, "is visiting you."
So, so, so... A diplomat and a warrior.
Mind and strength.
I suspect they didn't fly here together for no reason, although it was assumed that only one Nomad starship would return. I think someone on their Council finally figured it out, or at least suspected, that they were looking for copper on Athos, but there's a possibility that it was actually gold.
If Asan were at the negotiations, I wouldn't even bother with trifles – I would issue an ultimatum, actually plant a beacon on their hull (instead of telling a spy about it without getting anything in return), and wait for the situation to resolve. Or I would simply ask for the frequency of someone I could talk to like an adult.
And, despite the fact that, as I recall, Larrin is also just a ship commander, in reality, she has more weight here than Asan.
"Fair enough," I said. "I think we should go to the Council Chamber and proceed to discussion. Or perhaps you would like to rest and have a meal first?"
"We are not hungry," said the twin-Asan.
"As you wish," Larrin said, giving him a withering look. "I wouldn't refuse a walk through the Ancestors' city and a small personal acquaintance with you, Mikhail. Leader to leader."
Asan shot her a look that promised many unpleasantries in private. But he remained silent. His twin brother continued to look around as if he were a boy in a fairy tale.
Trebal coughed into her fist, drilling the back of the Nomad's head with her gaze. Chaya, on the other hand, silently ignored the subtle hint of thick circumstances. That's the difference in temperament – Trebal, despite all her bravado, is less confident than Chaya.
"In that case, I would be happy to provide our guests with chambers for rest. Everyone will be notified of the assembly time via the city's intercom," Chaya nodded meaningfully without further ado and, as a hospitable hostess, gestured politely towards the nearest transport cabin:
"Captain Asan, scientist Nevik, please follow Officer Kirik and Saya. They will show you to your rooms. If you need anything, you can always contact Saya – she will be on duty in the corridor for your safety."
And Chaya and Trebal themselves will be studying the data on the Nomad ships, which our disguised "jumpers" on Athos's orbit transmit to them every half hour.
"Perhaps I'll take a walk to the residential sector as well," Alvar said, sizing up Asan. It was clear that Nevik wouldn't be a problem. But his brother could definitely be a pain. However, I think when they meet the spy, who is in the apartments next to the ones we prepared for the guests, they will have time to communicate.
Teila silently joined the escort of our guests. Only I, Larrin, and Trebal remained at the main staircase.
The Nomad, casting a glance at the latter, asked me with a cheeky smile:
"Does a private meeting really bother you so much that you decided to keep a warship commander with you?"
Larrin, Nomad.
"The thing is..." I said, pondering the reason.
But Trebal beat me to it.
"I think I have something to do," she said, meeting Larrin's heavy gaze. The Dorandan exchanged glances with the Nomad for a few seconds, after which the latter pretended not to notice her at all.
"You have interesting officers, Mikhail," she smirked, making it clear that the situation had given her food for thought.
"Look her in the eyes," Trebal hissed in my ear through the headset. "There can only be one bitch in your circle. And that place is taken by me! She doesn't even have a gene! Only sys... Khm, my curls are better."
"I completely agree," Chaya's voice came through the same frequency. "I hope for your good judgment, as she will resort to the most primitive but effective female tricks in private. Don't be frank with someone who puts herself on display."
Considering that large curls or straight hair are in vogue here on Atlantis, Larrin's hairstyle looked much more exotic.
In fact, like her entire outfit, as if taken from a biker girl, and even being a size smaller in build.
But regarding the hair, I would argue. The Nomad clearly has more than both of them, but we are in negotiations. Although, it seems to me that after this meeting, my ladies will definitely move from words to actions. I wonder if the excuse about a sick head will work or not?
"Not just me, Larrin," I said with a polite smile, making an inviting gesture towards the passage to other parts of the spire. "I think there are a couple of places in Atlantis, on the way to which we can talk."
"I rely on you completely, Mikhail," Larrin cooed in a syrupy voice, unbuttoning a couple of buttons on her leather jacket and, with a light movement, remaining in a leather crop top with wide straps spread over her tanned shoulders. And the neckline... "So, show me. I'm interested in everything in this city, but there's nothing to show..."
You don't say... And I think Chaya was right.
However, unlike both of them, I knew in advance that all these tricks with the neckline were just a way for Larrin to embarrass and loosen her tongue. And therefore...
"Allow me to offer you a place with a magnificent view of Atlantis," I said, maintaining a polite smile, changing the direction of my inviting gesture. "I'm sure you know how to find profit in beautiful views."
Despite the anger that appeared in her eyes, Larrin answered me with the same false smile.
***
When the whirlwind in uniform burst into her laboratory, Chaya was already mentally prepared for a verbal spat.
"And don't tell me he didn't know about her," Trebal picked up a mug of her vitamin drink and took a sip. "Disgusting. Better Athosian herbal tea than this."
"There are different tastes for different people," Chaya said philosophically. Catching Trebal's gaze, she explained:
"A saying of the Wraiths. I read it in a researcher's journal from the planet of the Taken."
"Hmm," Trebal squinted, lowering herself into a chair opposite her desk. "And Koschei hasn't eaten in a long time..."
"Trebal," Chaya's eyes widened. "Don't even think about it. We're negotiating. A chance not only to secure at least a mutually beneficial agreement with a race that has ships, but also to get a fully combat-ready, latest-generation battleship. The best chance, rather than searching for it across the galaxy."
"As if the Nomads would refuse a ultimatum deal if one bitchy lady got lost in our corridors," the Dorandan snorted, returning the glass to the table. "I'm sure that 'Captain Asan' would definitely not be against eliminating a competitor whose leadership he disapproves of."
"This captain is clearly not all the Nomads," Sar countered. "And, despite the fact that we can blow up their ships with just a couple of shells, it doesn't mean it's a good idea to spend them on something like this. We already have the Jenai among potential enemies, and the Wraiths among irreconcilables. Maybe, for a change, we should look for allies who can make something other than moonshine disguised as wine?"
"Variety," Trebal's eyes lit up. "Did you see how she flaunts her..."
A delicate knock sounded from the entrance door. Both Ancients turned their heads, which embarrassed Teila standing at the threshold.
"Come in," Chaya invited her. "Have our guests settled in?"
"Yes, but only one of them liked everything," the Athosian modestly sat down on one of the chairs. "Captain Asan didn't even look into his chambers, but immediately went to that spy."
"We knew that would happen," Chaya nodded. "Everything they say, we record and will study later."
"It's the first time I've monitored my negotiation partners," Emmagan said shyly. "Athosians prefer to deal with honest people. And the Nomads don't seem like people who would stab you in the back."
"They have energy weapons," Trebal said irritably. "Knives are for primitives..."
Running into Chaya's warning glance, the commander of the 'Hippaphoralkus' fell silent.
"It was a figurative expression," Teila explained, also smiling cautiously, as if afraid of offending someone present.
"Everything is fine," Sar assured her, accompanying her words with an approving smile. "It's just that Trebal... is a little on edge."
"You'd better share those sedatives you're drinking," the Dorandan said. "I won't believe you can be so calm when that one," she glanced in the direction where she thought Mikhail and Larrin were, "is prowling around our city."
"I see the Nomad lady made an impression on you," Teila's smile widened slightly. It seemed she realized that such conversations are not conducted in front of strangers. And the fact that she was hearing this made her a full participant in the discussions. "Larrin... is ambitious."
"Who wears a tight military uniform anyway?" Trebal grimaced. "Primitive vulgarity to create cheap hype for her worthless persona."
Chaya and Teila exchanged glances, but both remained silent, not advising the Dorandan to look in the mirror.
"And her cleavage?!" the commander of the battleship continued to rage. "She's wearing a bra with a neckline almost to the middle of her torso! I almost killed her when I saw what she was wearing to the negotiations! And this jacket is clearly to ensure the 'surprise' isn't noticed from the beginning! It creates intrigue!"
Teila looked shyly at her outerwear. Some kind of Athosian top that she wore with her uniform trousers. The girl, under Chaya's slightly amused gaze, silently put on the jacket she had brought with her and fastened it up to the collar.
Teila Emmagan.
All these actions by the other two girls evoked nothing but a smile from Chaya. Not that she was "for" various kinds of... diplomatic relations... But, on the other hand, what could she do to prevent it?
Be a guard for them?
Rewrite security codes to monitor Mikhail and his guest?
Pump the air out of the room where they are and use hypoxia to throw Larrin from the highest point of the central spire along with Trebal?
No, of course, she could try all this, but...
She had done something similar before.
And, if for Trebal life ten thousand years ago remained a conditional "yesterday," then for her... No, she didn't remember anything that happened or what she knew when she was Ascended. This knowledge is either blocked in her subconscious, or erased and lost.
But, as she suspected, if the first option is true, then her attempts to regain this knowledge would be catastrophic. Not only for her mind, which would have to deal with a colossal amount of information, but also for the lives of all those around her.
However, all these ten thousand years somehow, albeit beyond her consciousness, affected her. Not that it determined her worldview to look down on others, from the height of her life wisdom and maturity, as a parent looks at children.
But sometimes it seemed to her that, despite the biology of her body, she still imperceptibly felt a particle of universal wisdom inaccessible to her. And she approached most issues from a philosophical point of view.
Sometimes the best way to understand something is simply not to interfere.
After all, she is a scientist, and one of the ways of scientific познание of the essence of things and processes is the method of observation.
"Ah, let's," Trebal's eyes flared with conspiratorial fire, and her voice dropped to a whisper, "we'll get her drunk on that Athosian alcohol and invite her for a walk to the observation deck?"
Chaya felt awkward. At least in the part where the observation decks in the city, either due to the builders' oversight or due to unfinished construction in Atlantis, were small platforms with a single exit, a couple of side walls, and... no railing on the way to the edge of the tower, pier, or any other part of Atlantis.
Falling from there into the water or crashing against the city's construction structures was so easy that...
"I'm getting scared," Teila admitted. "Tell me you're not serious. You're not serious, are you?"
"Trebal is just joking," Chaya assured her.
"You're joking here," Fren appeared at the door, "and our only Lantians took his new girlfriend to the control room's observation balcony! And this, by the way..."
"One of the most romantic places in the city," Trebal's voice sounded as if it could freeze a star.
Chaya frowned, looking at the fact that her vitaminized drink had stopped steaming. It shouldn't have cooled down to a comfortable city temperature so quickly... It's just a coincidence, isn't it?
"I hope he intends to throw her off the balcony himself," Trebal pretended to be interested in the lacing of her own boots. "And anyway, ladies! I suggest not to worry in vain. She's essentially nobody, just a pretty cover! Unlike us, who have been with him almost from the very beginning! You don't trade comrades for ladies of a certain age whose beauty will soon fade!"
Pleased with herself, the battleship commander looked triumphantly at the other three girls in Chaya's laboratory.
"Actually," Chaya said quietly, "you're the only one who was worried about it. Even Teila is calm."
"I don't think what's happening concerns me in any way," she replied modestly. "Or that I can influence Mikhail's decision..."
"A surprisingly correct thought from a girl from a prim..." Fren fell silent and smiled guiltily at the Athosian, "...from such a young race. We should learn patience from her."
"I agree," Chaya said.
Trebal muttered something between agreement and a plan to plant a tactical nuclear warhead directly in Larrin's cleavage. It was difficult to make out, and it sounded about the same.
"I've equipped a meditation hall in one of the empty rooms next to the training hall," Tayla shared. "I go there to calm my mind and learn to control my inner aggression. If you want, I can show you some Athosian meditations…"
"To hell with meditations," Trebal said resolutely. "More Athosian wine!"
"Is she even aware of what alcoholism is?" Fren asked, looking at Chaya.
The scientist girl knew a lot about her rival friend.
But she didn't have an answer to this specific question.