By the time the escorts, calling themselves the local security service, escorted them to the Council Hall for the announced meeting, Asan already suspected something was wrong.
In addition to what he had learned from Kaspar, he had considerable life experience cooperating with other ship commanders. And Larrin in particular.
Therefore, when he sat down in the offered chair, his first words in the upcoming dialogue were:
"I'm not even surprised that Larrin and Navik aren't here," he tried to hide his anger, but it didn't work well. "It seems that my man and I didn't sit locked up for all these hours for nothing."
They were seated on the left side of the semicircular, angular table. In the center of the "horseshoe" on the outside sat Mikhail, leaning back against the high back of a chair that was too simple for the city of the Ancestors.
To his right sat a girl named Chaya Sar, to his left – Trebal. It was curious that no one else was in this compartment except those responsible for security in the city – Kirik and Sai.
As if they had no other people to replace them.
"I don't recall you both advocating for the meeting to be held jointly," Mikhail stated, clearly pulled away from his thoughts. "We have a private deal."
"And what are its terms?" asked Kaspar Fry, sitting next to him, who had finally been released from house arrest.
"You were a merchant yourself," Chaya reminded him. "At least in one of your business areas. How many of your clients did you tell about the favorable terms for you of other agreements?"
Asan felt irritation.
"Favorable terms"... For them, but not for the Nomads.
"I don't know what Larrin offered you in exchange for your friendship and patronage," the commander noticed that both girls sitting to Mikhail's sides cast quick, sideways glances at him. It seemed they were not involved in the previous deal. Curious. Did the bitch get what she wanted again with her charms? Be strong, reactor cooler! But these are the Ancients! Creators of humanity?! How can they be so... down-to-earth in their desires?! They should look at people like Larrin as worms! With their level of development and achievements in all areas! "But it's nothing compared to what an alliance with our entire race can give Atlantis."
"And you speak on behalf of your race?" the second woman, Trebal, joined the conversation.
"Not at the moment, but if we exchange offers that can interest each other, then I can act as an intermediary between you and the Council until both sides express a desire to meet in person," Asan explained.
"How do we know you have the right to do that?" Mikhail asked. "Every ship commander is responsible for his decisions solely to himself and his crew. The Council only sets the general course of your policy. But absolute obedience does not exist."
"In other words, you want to know if we are trying to extract information from you in exchange for promises that will never come true," Fry said. "We understand this reasonable concern."
"Just as reasonable as the fact that the address of Atlantis was entered by your people in such a way that we wouldn't see or remember it," Asan continued. "Without knowing the address, we won't come here."
"Even if you wanted to, you wouldn't be able to pass through our gates," Mikhail assured him.
"But the address of the gates can be used to calculate the coordinates of the planet on which they are installed," Fry added. "Not that we are threatening, we are simply demonstrating our awareness and understanding of security measures."
"If we had known from the beginning who was helping the Athosians and in charge on Athos, we wouldn't have come to you as spies, but would have come as friends," Asan assured. "Our race has no desire to breed enemies for itself. Especially powerful ones, especially our progenitors. I apologize for the inconvenience. I hope you understand, in light of what you already know, that we are simply in a desperate situation. And after centuries of wandering in space... we have become hardened."
"But I am grateful that you showed me something new in the science of hand-to-hand combat," Kaspar looked at Trebal, then shifted his gaze to Mikhail, "as well as for the field interrogation masterclass."
"Not to mention that you healed him by bringing him here," Asan said. "Very few people we know would have spent even a couple of ampoules of medicine on an interrogated person. And here," he looked at his scout, "he's unrecognizable. He looks ten years younger. We wouldn't refuse such technology. It's worth a lot."
"Especially that I grew new teeth," Kaspar touched the part of his cheek with his hands where recently there was an empty space. "I didn't think such a thing was possible with molars."
"It's possible," Chaya confirmed. "However, medical technologies are not discussed for exchange."
"If you fear that we will spread them..."
"That's not the point," Mikhail interjected. "No one but us can use our technologies. I think you understood this from your experience with our ship."
"Besides," Chaya added, "medical technologies are configured to work with our physiology. For less developed bodies, they are deadly."
"I seem to feel fine," Kaspar looked around nervously. "Wings, horns, and a tail haven't grown. I don't want to eat people either."
"Only because we controlled the process," Trebal explained. "The equipment is complex to set up and in your case must be adjusted for each subject individually. This means that we would either have to transfer our specialist along with the equipment, which is a priori impossible, or train your medics to use our medical devices. In both cases, our answer is no."
"I suppose that answer extends to all your technologies," Asan smiled tensely.
He seemed to understand.
The Lantians got what they wanted from Larrin, and now the deal, whatever its terms, would go through her. The Ancestors simply decided to listen to him out of politeness.
"We do not seek to spread our technologies beyond our control," Mikhail said. "However, this does not mean that we cannot create suitable analogues for you. Considering the level of development of your technologies."
"How so?" Fry couldn't resist asking.
"Our technologies are more advanced and based on different principles than yours," Chaya explained. "Where you use wires and microchips, we use fiber and programmable crystals that perform the functions of boards, microchips, fuses, operating system storage, interaction algorithms, and several dozen other functions."
"Convenient," Asan appreciated. "However... Can you help us? I don't know how to put it in scientific terms, but... So, you want to 'degrade' your technologies for us?"
The trio exchanged glances, after which Mikhail placed his hand on the tabletop in front of him. The light under his hand changed slightly, and, as it turned out, under the Lantian's hand was a keyboard.
And in the center of the space, surrounded by the table, appeared a hologram of a ship well-known to Asan. His ship. Next to which hung an Ancient starship. The Lantian's fingers pressed a few keys, and the Nomad ship's hull, resembling two fused parts, seemed to become transparent, showing its interior space, as well as every energy or other channel.
"You scanned our ship," he understood.
"Correct," Mikhail replied. "And you realized that you are not just in a sad, but a catastrophic situation. Your starship and its parts have already exhausted their resource."
"Repairs in many places have been done poorly, a significant part of the equipment is not performing its functions," Chaya continued. One of the ship's systems flashed red after her words. "According to the technical specification, this should be a life support system for a thousand people on board the starship. Your ship currently has almost two and a half thousand people on board. Your mechanics attempted to improve the system and achieved some success. If you consider turning the life support system into an air recirculation system a success."
"And how should I understand this?" Asan asked. "These systems are hundreds of years old. And they do a great job of heating ships and filling them with fresh air."
"Only," Chaya continued, "before you had a full life support system, which broke down at some point, and you couldn't fix it. Instead, you installed an electrolysis system, obtaining oxygen and hydrogen from water reserves by passing electric current through it. The former goes to replenish onboard supplies, the latter – to power the reactor. Which, by the way, is thermonuclear. This means you spend a lot of energy in thermonuclear fusion reactions. And, as we've noticed, the imperfection of the process causes neutron loss, and with them – loss of energy output and structural damage to the reactor equipment. And this is not very good. I think you know this, which is why you shield your engine room. And from your appearance, it's clear that you're also suffering from the neutron radiation emitted by the reactor."
"Costs of technology," Asan smiled tensely. "But, as I understand it, you can eliminate these costs?"
"Just as you can heal your people from the consequences of being on your ships," Mikhail said.
"This is wonderful," Asan was genuinely happy to hear this. "The Nomads haven't had the opportunity to properly tune their ships for hundreds of years. With the help of Atlantis..."
He froze, realizing that his words had not elicited any reaction from the Lantians.
"You are not going to fix our ships," he understood.
"This is not a workshop of good deeds, Captain Asan," Mikhail shook his head. "This is our city. And we have our own tasks."
"And what are they, if it's not a secret?" Kaspar blurted out.
"And what tasks do the Nomads have, other than to prolong their existence by all available means?" Trebal inquired, folding her hands on the table.
"Obtaining food, technology," Fry frowned. He didn't continue further, realizing that he was saying what was already mentioned – all their efforts in recent centuries had been focused solely on surviving another day.
"We are fighting the Wraiths," Asan stated confidently. "Like all people in this galaxy."
"Do you include those who worship them among the fighters against the Wraiths?" Mikhail clarified. "Or perhaps you consciously disregard them. Perhaps you simply don't know about their existence?"
"We know," Asan said. "On one of our ships, there is a person who was a worshipper of the Wraiths in the past. He became a drug addict dependent on their enzyme, which the Wraiths release into a person's body when feeding. It took a lot of effort and resources to bring him back to normal."
"And how many Wraith ships have the Nomads destroyed recently, having a fleet of dozens of ships?" Mikhail inquired.
"Our ships need repair, so we have been avoiding direct confrontations lately," Asan replied evasively.
"Lately..." Trebal pronounced these words as if they were liqueur on her tongue. "How long is that? A hundred years? Two hundred?"
"Approximately so," Asan admitted reluctantly.
"I don't think you have any more successes than that," Kaspar grumbled, also offended by the remark. "We haven't heard of Atlantis defeating the Wraiths either."
"Three cruisers and a hive queen," Mikhail said calmly. "I personally crushed the latter's head with these hands."
After his words, Trebal's expression changed, showing that these battles were not as simple for her as the Lantian leader described them.
He slightly raised his hands above the table, as if demonstrating the latest weapon.
"Considering that you likely didn't act before the rumors appeared, that's quite... progressive," Asan admitted. "It's rare for someone to destroy even two Wraith ships during hibernation. And even less so when they awaken and go hunting."
"We came here to discuss cooperation," Kaspar reminded him. "I think none of us had any intention of showing disrespect or doubt in your actions against the Wraiths."
"We had no similar intentions either," Chaya Sar assured. "It's good that we remember the purpose of this meeting."
Asan irritably thought that Mikhail was deliberately diverting their conversation. While Sar seemed benevolent.
Perhaps because Mikhail took a liking to Larrin and decided to lobby exclusively for her interests?
"When we learned that someone could protect the planet's gates from direct unwanted recruitment, we decided to find out more about this technology," Kaspar informed. "I assumed it might be on Athos... That's why I ended up there."
"We know," Mikhail said. "I think we'll spare those present the conversation about how the Nomads dislike planets and don't want to become victims of the Wraiths, right, Captain Asan?"
"Many of us don't know another way to survive," he confirmed. "But among the crews, there are those who would like to take a risk. Hopes that our ships will last at least a century without major repairs are rapidly fading. After all, the most insightful of us know that we will find ourselves on a planet overnight. Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, in five or a hundred years – it doesn't even matter anymore. What matters is that by then we can defend ourselves."
"That's why you need our protection for the gates," Mikhail stated the obvious. "I've already had this conversation with Larrin."
"Well, of course."
"And she made it clear that her plan was built around the military might of a Lantian battleship as the defender of the colony," Mikhail continued. "I explained to her, and I'll repeat for you: without us, without our technologies, armament, and supplies, this ship will soon become unusable with active use. You will exhaust its ammunition reserves in the first battle, maybe the second. And then it will only serve as a poorly useful target. And also inefficient without proper technical maintenance."
"And only you can provide it," Asan concluded. "I understand your point of view. And I know that Larrin won't give up the ship just like that. You must have offered her something valuable in return for her to agree."
"I owe no one anything in this galaxy except my people, Captain," Mikhail stated in an icy tone. "I ask you to remember that."
"I apologize. And I meant that the ship is too valuable for us, even potentially. Knowing Larrin's tenacity, she would have asked for a lot for it."
"She will receive what was promised as soon as she fulfills her part of the deal," Mikhail assured. "The question is different."
He didn't intend to elaborate, clearly testing the quick wit of his interlocutors.
"A private deal might not suit the Council and other captains," it took Asan a couple of minutes to understand what was what. "And they might rein her in. And her supporters as well."
"But, if we intervene," Kaspar blurted out. Though he fell silent, seeing a warning gesture from his commander.
"Your scout is right," Mikhail said. "Larrin alone may not defend her point of view. But at the same time, you are an equally authoritative captain, respected in your circle and with a certain degree of trust from your Council. By siding with us, you can at least push through the initiative to transfer the ship to us. To return it to the hands where it belongs."
"Perhaps," Asan replied evasively. "But what's in it for me? In fact, you're talking about the possible start of a civil war within our society."
"Or, your united factions can convince the Council that it's better to listen to our opinion and cooperate," Mikhail argued. "Or, we will come for the ship ourselves, but your opponents will not like the consequences."
"Then you will start a war," Asan warned. "Is one ship worth making such enemies?"
"That's the same question we have," Trebal said. "One of my dreadnoughts will be enough to destroy the entire fleet you put against us. After that, I'll land an boarding party on the dreadnought, they'll drive out your people, repair it, and we'll return to our base. In the first case, you gain enemies. In the second, friends."
"Who can always help you remove excess equipment from your starships, melt new hull parts for you to replace old ones, help defend your planet if, for some misunderstanding, wraiths appear there, and also start treating your people," Chaya added. "And this is just a small part of what we can achieve together."
In reality, her answer sounded like this: we'll find you a planet that we'll know about and can appear there at any time, we'll know how your defenses work, you'll depend on our supplies of materials and equipment — and in exchange, we'll take your ship, which you won't be able to use for now (and perhaps never).
Moreover, the possible deal would put the Nomads in a state of schism — the faction that believes in continuing the true way of life is quite strong. The "Colonizers" are also not weak, but most of society is undecided. It is likely that they will join those who achieve greater success on their own soil. It's just that most of the Council are conservatives, stuck with their heads in a tin can.
Those who leave, and the schism will inevitably lead to this, will most likely become outcasts for those who remain in space.
To top it all off, there are two more points.
The first is that all of the above concerns only the deal to acquire the Ancient Atlantean ship. Further interaction of the "colonizers" will clearly be based on new agreements.
And here comes the second point.
"Let's assume I agree," Asan said. "Let's assume, I'll emphasize that. We'll return your ship, you'll keep your promise. We'll have to settle a new world, you'll supply spare parts for ships. But starships were not only a means of transportation for us, but also a home. If we settle on a planet, what's the point for us to keep the starships in working order? We'll have to spend time clearing fields, planting crops, building cities, after all. You promised protection, didn't you?"
"We talked about help, not about stationing a squadron of ships and a garrison of soldiers on your planet," a smile played on Mikhail's lips. "We are not going to be a shield between you and possible troubles. Especially since with our help, your ships will become better, faster, and stronger."
"Did I imagine it, or was it previously so actively talked about that fighting wraiths is a sacred duty of humans?" Trebal reminded. "Or, as soon as your needs are met, will you focus only on the concerns of one category of people in this galaxy?"
There was nothing to counter that with.
"To understand the long-term nature of the cooperation offered to you, I would like something to be clarified," Mikhail said. "We can't stick our noses into every corner of the galaxy. But at the same time, the wraiths have already gotten used to the Nomads' ships."
"Do you want us to become your errand boys?" Asan asked without any desire to hear the answer.
"I want mutually beneficial cooperation," Mikhail corrected him. "And, if the Council doesn't want to deal with us on our terms, the only ones we can rely on are you and Larrin. And your people too."
"Sounds reasonable," Asan agreed. "But this is just a preliminary agreement. I'll do what I can to reach an agreement. If not... I'll say it right away — I won't fight against my own people."
"And that won't be necessary," Mikhail assured those gathered. "So, Larrin has a small advantage. Let's give her a little more time and talk about what might be useful to the city of the Ancients and how the Nomads can help us in obtaining it."