Free Merkiaari Wars: 03 - Operation Oracle by Mark E. Cooper Page B

of honour is it not?”
    Gina nodded. “You’ve thought of something. What?”
    “Gina,” Burgton called before Varya could explain and she went to join him. “I’d like you to meet Elder Jutka, Tei’Varyk, and Kazim. I think you probably know who Kazim is—”
    The Shan all laughed, their jaws dropping and tongues lolling. Gina couldn’t help but laugh along with them. Kazim was as famous as Tei’Varyk in his way. She wondered where his camera was. He was never far from it.
    “Honoured to meet you all,” Gina said with a very respectful bow to the elder. “May each of you live long and in harmony.”
    “Well spoken, young Human,” Jutka said not attempting to use her few English words. “It still amazes me how the viper clan can speak Shan so well. I understand you have translators within your bodies, but the words come from your mouths in your own voices. I find that very hard to understand.”
    “I’m not an engineer, elder, but I can try to explain.” Gina said looking to Burgton for permission. He nodded. “As I understand it, our processors hear your words and translate them very fast. Then, those words are placed into our memories so quickly that we don’t notice any delay. To us, it’s as if we have always known how to speak Shan, so when I talk to you it’s not a mechanical translator speaking, it really is me, Gina, using the language of your people in my memory.”
    “Extraordinary,” Jutka said. “I could wish my people had such advantages.” She glanced slyly at Tei’Varyk who stiffened as if jabbed. “Come, we have much to do and our escort will wonder what is keeping us.”
    Gina had a feeling she had just been used to score points off Tei’Varyk. A quick glance at Burgton confirmed her thought. He was looking very thoughtful. As Varya said earlier, it was a political game Jutka was playing, but to what end?
    Gina followed as they trooped through the empty building. It would be a while before the spaceport recovered and became busy again. There were no Shan spacecraft left, and orbital infrastructure requiring the facilities here no longer existed. Perhaps that was why the damage was still evident. Replacing blown windows and painting over burn scars was a low priority when most of the cities were in ruins. Those that still stood had patchy services. Power stations, water pumping stations, and transportation of food and other supplies had to take priority over an unneeded spaceport. Most of the population still dwelled in the keeps where power and food was secure, but an increasing number were emerging to rebuild their worlds. It would take years, but with Fifth Fleet’s help, it would only be years and not decades.
    Gina and the others braved the rain again but only briefly. The ground cars were parked close to the entrance. There were five. Tei’Varyk ushered Burgton into a car with him and Elder Jutka. Gina joined James, Varya, and Kazim in the car behind. The other cars were their escort. She assumed they contained warriors for the elder’s security, but no one emerged from them and they remained buttoned up.
    “Any idea where we’re heading?” she asked.
    Kazim’s elusive camera magically appeared and he started recording. “Elder Jutka is hosting the meeting at her home.”
    “So we’re not visiting with Shima immediately.”
    James leaned back in his seat as the car pulled away. “Sorry, I should have mentioned it. Tei’Varyk isn’t here for Shima’s benefit, not directly anyway. Kajetan sent him here along with other Tei to discuss Child of Harmony’s reconstruction, but he’s been side-tracked with Shima’s situation. My fault, in part; I asked him to help me with her.”
    Gina nodded. “I’m glad you did. So what’s this about the reconstruction?”
    James glanced at Kazim’s camera and frowned. “I don’t think it’s a secret. Kazim?”
    “Not a secret. My supervisor was asked by the elders to cover the talks. She sent me. It will be released as