Distant Hope

CHAPTER 13 - LAQUAIN

The Nosan orbited the water world of Laquain the aliens who inhabited where green skinned with flippers instead of feet and walked on land through environmental suits.

The President was in the planets capital but Captain Smith remained in orbit waiting for him to return yet he was a world away immersed in the discoveries made about the Iquan.

The Iquan were a military driven culture and the civilian population was controlled by senior military governors who ruled harshly not tolerating descent.

He learned that the Iquan had remerged with a desire to conquer and dominate. However he read some of the poetry and artistry from prominent artists from names which he could not translate and realised that they were not all cold and savage. He also learned that a lot of their ships were automated and piloted by advanced computers.

The Captain knew this was a weakness. He thought that if he could plant a virus that you could possibly disrupt a ship. Eager to share this he walked to his engineer Jogan an insectoid Pyreen that looked liked a red lady bug having six limbs walking on two the other four John wasn't sure but he knew Jogan was a marvel.

Jogan jiggled his arms and he wore a suit that contained a translator that converted his insectoid gurglings into speech. Jogan was intrigued and gurgled "It is an interesting discovery. I have looked into their code it is highly complex with many layers of security. Your theory is right I'll continue to dig into it."

The meeting broke up and the President reemerged and the Nosan reentered hyperspace. Both John and Kotan sat together in Johns quarters talking casually.

Kotan was the first to speak "I've heard rumours about the Presidents visit."

John looked to her as they both sat and ate steak and steamed veg with a bottle of French Chardonnay 2570 a good vintage he thought putting down his drink "What rumours?"

Kotan continued smiling both had grown easier with each other during their tour to Laquain "Rumour has it that the President was holding talks with the Laquain to secure an alliance against the Iquan."

John nodded "Maybe that is to be expected we've lost a third of our ships. Just this morning I heard of more losses."

Kotan looked to him and had grown fond of him. The two finished their meal and settled on nearby low chairs softly padded and sat across from each other.

Kotan looked to her "I've served for many years with this crew. They're scared. I mean real scared that we're not going to win this."

John looked to her "I see the same eyes of fear and concern. I am not sure we can win. We are losing ships faster than we can replace them. The virus I am hoping to build maybe too late."

Kotan sat closer to John on a nearby sofa her green eyes twinkled in softened light "So am I."

She placed her hand on his cheek but John pulled away and held her hand "I can't sorry."

The commander replied "I'm sorry."

Feeling embarrassed she left.

John sighed and he sat back down shaking his head in disbelief he knew that it was not wise to sleep with the ships commander.