Conspiracy

Excerpt

Conspiracy
M.D. Neu © 2022
All Rights Reserved

Chapter One

The Security Training area appeared ordinary, especially since the space was in a secured part of the ship. Yes, the area had grass and a few shrubs outside the façade, but the endless sky feeling didn’t exist here; overall, this area had been built more for function and less for form. Still, Todd was glad he had access to the location, and the gym had everything they needed for a good workout. He had even managed to have the Nentraee bring up some human gym equipment for his use, as he didn’t want to risk his life on the Nentraee equipment. Sure, the human machines got a few odd looks from the Nentraee security when he and Dan used them, but Vi-Narm confided in him several of the security personnel had tried the pieces and used them when no humans were around.

He cracked his neck, thinking of his earlier conversation with Brad. Seeing his brother again would be a nice treat, and Brad had been correct: too much time had passed since Todd had seen Brad or the rest of his family down on Earth. The infrequent visits weren’t all his fault; so much had changed over the last year, and he had a lot of work to do, especially knowing Liberi Dei continued to lurk out there, waiting. A shudder ran down his spine. Martha’s words still haunted him.

Too bad you won’t live long enough to find out. What had she been organizing? Her death was a shame really, killed by her own people before he found out what she and Liberi Dei actually wanted. However, they were still out there planning. Which added to his frustration of late: Mi’ko and Mirtoff no longer included him in anything to do with the terrorist organization, saying keeping him detached from the matter kept him safe.

Todd had no reason to doubt them, but something tickled the back of his mind and he wasn’t sure if this was the only reason they kept him in the dark about Liberi Dei.

He missed the tick of his pocket watch.

So much has changed.

He dug through his bag, pulled out his pocket watch, and checked the time.

“Where is he?” Todd huffed and put the timepiece in his gym bag, his hand brushing along the cool surface of his datapad.

Dan should have been here twenty minutes ago; at this rate Todd would barely have enough time for their workout and for him to get changed and ready for the interview.

A chirp called his attention.

Todd reached into his bag and pulled out his datapad. Now what? He tapped the pad to activate the device.

“Dan!” Todd’s voice called out louder than he had hoped, but no one around him seemed to notice. “Where are you? You’re late.”

“I know.” Dan’s expression remained flat with no Danness to flavor his words. “Listen, I’m heading to Earth. I have to see my family and take care of some things.”

“What? Is everything okay?”

“Fine.” Dan’s tone faltered and his expression sank. “They’re fine, sorry; just a lot going on and my mom isn’t getting any younger.”

“I get it, my parents–”

“Look, I have to go. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“When you–”

The communications ended and the Nentraee seal appeared.

“What the hell?” Todd shook his head and dropped the pad into his bag.

Todd raked a hand through his hair. Well, now he would have plenty of time to get ready for the interview. He made his way over to the lockers to change into his work clothes and ceremonial robe. Once Todd cleaned up, he made his way out of the locker room.

“Special Envoy.” A deep familiar voice caught Todd’s attention as he left the facility.

He turned to see Vi-Narm standing there in the equivalent of workout wear: loose pants and a flowy top.

“Hi, Vi-Narm.”

“Shouldn’t you be getting ready to meet with GNN?”

Todd nodded. “I planned to get in some training with Dan today, but…”

“If you would like to train, I would be happy to workout with you, after your duties.” Vi-Narm tossed her long ponytail over her shoulder.

Todd picked at his deep-blue ceremonial cloak, the one given to him by Mi’ko and Mirtoff to represent his standing in Nentraee society. The cloak draped over his shoulders, and the wide embroidered collar with silver stitching sparkled as the threads caught the light. He checked the two large silver clasps with matching deep-blue stones attaching the cloak to his shoulders. The ends of the cloak fell to the floor, revealing the embroidery as the stitching continued down to each of the eight symbols representing the Nentraee clans and the one representing humans.

“Do I look okay?” Todd asked.

“You look respectable for your position and the purpose of your meeting,” Vi-Narm said.

“And with that not-so-shining endorsement, I’ll head off.” He winked at her. “Thanks for the offer to work out. I’ll have to take you up on the suggestion, especially if Dan keeps ditching me.”

On his way out, he gave one more glance over his shoulder to the facility and the surrounding area. Dan and he were supposed to work out twice a week, and yet over the last several months Dan had cancelled many of their get-togethers, not just the workouts. Each time they met, Dan appeared more preoccupied. More distant. Todd shook his head. At least he still had Brad’s visit to look forward to, even if he would be here for work and not play.

He felt the tick of his pocket watch and marched on in time with each tick. Once he found a viewport, he glanced out, seeing one of the Speaker General’s ship’s parks. A group of xĩmé flew by, the deep blue of their feathers a contrast to the yellow leaves of the nabutimaba tree. He chuckled and shook his head. Recent events seemed insane to him, like something out of some sci-fi series.

“What a year.” He sighed as he continued on.

Todd rested with his hands clasped to keep from fidgeting as the cameraman and the lighting tech made their adjustments to the government’s meeting room. Finally, the warmth from the lights found his face. The cameraman gave the thumbs-up. The gentle tick of Todd’s pocket watch beat in time with his heart, and he took a deep lungful of air. The production assistant ran a soft powder brush across Todd’s forehead, causing his nose to itch. She smiled as she gave Todd’s face another glance and put the brush down.

“We’re about ready,” she declared.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this.” Todd tried to keep from moving.

The production assistant adjusted his lapel mic one last time and stepped aside to nod at the cameraman, picking up her notebook.

The reporter sat across from Todd, reviewing her notes. Her bright-blue form-fitting dress showed off enough cleavage to keep the attention of those who were attracted to that sort of thing, without offending those who weren’t. Around her neck hung a silver or white-gold necklace with lots of sparkly bits in the front, maybe diamonds.

It reminds me of something Kati would wear. Pretty.

“We’re ready when you are, Nancy.” The heavy voice of the cameraman caught Todd’s attention.

Nancy nodded and put on her bright white smile as the cameraman started his countdown, finally pointing at her.

“Good evening. I’m Nancy Smith with the Global News Network. Tonight, we’re here with Special Envoy to the Nentraee, Todd Landon. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I understand how busy you are.”

“It’s my pleasure.” Being in the spotlight still made Todd nervous, but since his showdown with Martha at the United Nations had been broadcast live for the world to see, he’d gotten used to life in front of the camera.

“Special Envoy Landon—”

“Todd, please,” he interrupted, relaxing his hands and taking a steady breath.

Todd had secured one of the government meeting rooms for the taping. This location had the best unobstructed view of Earth and provided enough space for the media to set up their equipment.

He glanced out the window at Earth as several Nentraee vehicles made their way to and from the docking bay.

“All right, Todd.” Nancy crossed her legs and leaned forward in her chair. “It’s been a rather hectic year for you. The three attacks and your appointment as special envoy to vice speaker Mi’ko Soemu for Terran Affairs.” She paused for dramatic effect as all reporters seem to do. “All caused, directly or indirectly, by Liberi Dei. Are you relieved their leader, former secretary of state Martha Webster, was killed the day of the UN attack?”

“No.”

“Really?” Nancy’s eyes opened wider.

“Martha was a monster.” Todd forced himself to relax with the mention of her name. “Now she’s a martyr for those who want to carry on her work.”

“Monster?” Nancy allowed a tight scowl on her face.

Todd bit back a frown. “I don’t know another word that can be broadcast on the news. Martha and her group are responsible for the combined deaths of over five thousand people, fifteen hundred in San Jose, and over thirty-five hundred in London. Plus the on-air execution of Archbishop Denis Koester at the United Nations.” His fingernails dug into his legs before he relaxed his hands.

At some point, the mention of her and this hate group won’t cut so deep.

Nancy exhaled as she nodded. “Fair enough. Has there been any progress in tracking down the other terrorists involved in Liberi Dei?”

Don’t I wish.

“As you know, both the Nentraee and the members of the UN Security Council are working on finding all the responsible parties. It’s an ongoing investigation. Like all terrorists, they blend into society, waiting to strike. Waiting for us to forget or become complacent.”

“None of us will forget what they did.” Nancy peeked down at a tablet on her lap.

Todd nodded his head. “I hope not.”

Nancy smiled. She seemed pleased with the response. “President Zachary has pledged support in finding these people.” She pushed a strand of brown hair over her shoulder. “How do the Nentraee feel about this, given his top diplomat was the leader of the organization?”

“The Nentraee are grateful for President Zachary’s continued support. And the support of his new Secretary of State, Greg McNeil, who has been instrumental in the investigation.” Todd forced his face to fill with a bright grin.

At least from what I’ve been told by Vi-Narm.

“I’m sure having Secretary of State Mister McNeil involved probably helps.” Nancy grinned, eyebrows raised. “Especially since he was instrumental in stopping the attack at the UN.”

“As was Vi-Narm Kapeila. Both of them saved the day.”

“You as well.” Nancy’s gaze met Todd’s.

“We worked as a team.” Todd cleared his throat, feeling his cheeks warm.

“You’re being modest.” She smiled, the white of her teeth catching the lights.

How much did her smile cost her?

Todd remained quiet. He caught sight of the cameraman making a few adjustments to the camera. He was sure the man zoomed in on his face.

“Given all you’ve been through, how have you been doing since not only the events at the UN but with the loss of your husband?” Her voice softened. “He perished in the attack in San Jose, correct?”

Thank you for the reminder.

Todd cleared his throat. “It’s challenging. Jerry and I were together for eight years, and he was a big part of my life. The way he was killed…” Todd took a shaky breath.

“Let’s change the subject.” Nancy straightened up in her chair. “There are rumors flying around you and the vice speaker’s son are a couple. What is that like? He’s an alien, after all.”

I’m starting to hate that word.

Todd inhaled and exhaled, struggling to keep from losing his composure. “Yes, he’s a Nentraee from the Ultween Clan, and we are spending time together.”

“That’s it? You’re not going to share?” Nancy’s eyebrows raised and her grin grew.

“We’re enjoying the time we get to spend together, and a gentleman never kisses and tells,” Todd added as the warmth returned to his cheeks.

“Does it worry you that the two of you are from different species? What this means for both the Nentraee and the humans? You’re the first interspecies couple and you’re both high-profile figures. Having your relationship on show must be a challenge. The two of you will be the example for what a cross-species relationship is. The pressure can’t be easy.”

Ya think?

“I get people are curious about Mi’cin and me.” Todd’s voice remained even. “However, I think there are more important things for both our species to worry about than whether or not we’re a couple.”

Nancy sat quiet for several moments. Her legs crossed at the knee, the tip of her heeled shoe slightly moving back and forth, patiently waiting.

Todd would not give her any more information. The world knew too much about him. Trying to gain some privacy back would be nice.

“Moving on.” Nancy’s voice held slight disappointment. “Speaking of enjoying time, can you tell me about the Nentraee Travel Initiatives? Will their travel excursions continue when the construction on Mars—sorry—New Benzee is completed?”

“After the attack in London, the Nentraee wanted to encourage more interaction between both species. Speaker Rosta, with the assistance of my friend and colleague Dan Rios, have started guided tours of China, Brazil, Japan, England, France, Australia, Germany, Russia, and the United States.” Todd relaxed, his shoulders loosening. “They’re popular among the Nentraee. We’ve also arranged multiday stays here on the Speaker General’s ship, with tours of the individual clan’s cultural ships and the general Nentraee cultural ships. Everyone seems to enjoy these visits, and they have been a boom to the Nentraee economy, even at the affordable rates.”

“I see.” Nancy nodded. “I’m hoping to spend a few days here myself to explore and learn.” Her blinding white smile returned.

“It’s quite exciting,” Todd agreed. He beamed with pride at all the work Dan had put into these travel endeavors for the Nentraee. There was no limit on what Dan may accomplish. “Mister Rios has been instrumental in assisting the leisure economy of the Nentraee. In fact, in a couple of weeks, Speaker Syde and Dan”—Todd coughed—“Mr. Rios will be opening the first five-star resort hotel here on the ship. The Ber-Bera Hotel.”

“Speaking of Mr. Rios and the various Nentraee travel plans, there are rumors the Nentraee want to bring in a professional organization who can handle global travel.” Nancy’s gaze narrowed on Todd.

What? Todd tried not to react, but his heart dropped.

Todd didn’t respond, and Nancy took this as an opening to follow up. “Sources have said Speaker Syde believes Mr. Rios may not be able to continue to provide the level of service and expertise they need. Has the vice speaker mentioned anything to you about this shift? What about Mr. Rios? After all, this is all his work. I’m sure he must be disappointed.”

Um… No. What the hell is this?

Todd steadied himself. “Unfortunately, I can’t really comment on rumors or speculation.” He did everything to not freak out, including forcing a larger grin on his face.

“So, the vice speaker hasn’t said anything to you?” Nancy questioned.

For the second time, Todd remained quiet and focused on his breathing—slow and steady. Saying nothing was better than talking about something he had no information on. His stomach twisted into a knot. If this was true, the news would kill Dan. He wondered if this was why Dan had left on this sudden trip home. Maybe that’s why Dan hadn’t been himself in the call. Was he mad at Todd? Did he think these potential changes were somehow his fault?

The production assistant behind the cameraman made a few notes on her clipboard. Crap. He needed to say something. “As I mentioned, Mr. Rios and Speaker Syde’s current goal is to have a similar resort on New Benzee.”

“So, the Nentraee plan to open up New Benzee as well?” Nancy eased into the question.

“That’s my understanding.” Todd’s stomach relaxed; his answer seemed to pacify her. “They can’t build their economy, and by extension their new home, without our help.” He reached for his datapad at his side and opened the travel files he and Dan had worked on weeks ago. Todd pulled up the interactive holographic files.

A three-dimensional holographic image lifted from the device and showed both Earth and New Benzee, with dotted lines representing the proposed travel routes and time frames.

Over the next several minutes, Todd explained what the Nentraee had planned, not only for travel to their new world, but what people might expect when they arrived. Phobos, yet to be renamed, would be used as an entry station to their world for visitors with transport shuttles leaving for different locations on the planet. While Deimos, again not renamed, was being used as a temporary mining facility, pulling out carbon, nickel, platinum, and other minerals and elements, most to be used in the construction of the Nentraee’s world with some being used for trade with Earth.

On New Benzee, there would be a mix of domed and subterranean cities for the Nentraee population, as well as several other locations for agriculture and wilderness preserves. The capital city of Oraibi Raee was the farthest along, and the most visually interesting for the presentation. So, Todd spent several minutes on that city, showing the stark-white buildings and large promenades with alien plant life sprinkled about. The city as planned would be a replica of their former capital. There would be a waterfront and green space for parks and wilderness surrounding the city. The location itself was designed to hold the various government buildings, including the Speaker’s House chamber hall, the lower House of the People, and the building for the Board of Law. The rest of the city would look similar to any major modern city.

All the cities, farms, and wilderness areas were planned to be linked via an underground transport system. The Nentraee would also be using atmospheric air ships to sail the skies of New Benzee.

As he came to the end of his presentation, Nancy’s eyes were still fixated on the holo images he left up. “What an undertaking. So, no one lives on Mars—sorry—New Benzee yet?”

“Oh no.” He shook his head. “New Benzee already has people. They’ve constructed temporary facilities underground and at all the sites for their workers and engineers. About twenty to thirty thousand right now.”

“Even so, we understand they are under a quick timeline.” She sighed out her disbelief.

“When you’ve been traveling in space for over twenty years after your home world’s been destroyed, I think you’d be ready to dive in and build a new world for your people as quickly as you can.” Todd enlarged the image of Oraibi Raee. “Still, construction is going to take at least a year more for the Nentraee spaceport on Phobos to be completed to a point where the location is habitable for both humans and Nentraee. Oraibi Raee won’t be ready for residence for sixteen months, and even at that point, the city isn’t slated to be completed for twenty-four months after initial establishment.”

She exhaled. “It’s certainly a huge undertaking.”

“Yes, but all this work and development is exciting.”

Nancy still focused on the holo images. “With the Nentraee on their own world, do you think the Liberi Dei will go away?”

Wow! What a naïve question. But I understand. We can all wish.

Nancy concentrated on Todd. “What I mean is, the Nentraee won’t be on Earth, so this seems to have taken the wind out of the terrorist sails. What else is there to fight for?”

Todd shifted in his seat. “After seeing the amount of hate people like Martha have, I don’t think anything would make them vanish.”

And there is something more with them. I know it.

“But you know…” Todd brought back the smile to his face. “Given how hard everyone is working to make this new world a reality, I think anything the Liberi Dei do won’t matter, as long as we’re all united.”

Todd closed the holoimage and the visuals faded away.

“Let’s hope so.” Nancy pointed to the disappearing images. “I hope to get a tour. I think seeing the development would be incredible.”

“I’m sure we can make arrangements.”

“Speaking of all this construction, how are things moving on Earth’s port of entry on the moon, Armstrong City?”

“From what I understand, the building has been slow going, but unfortunately, I don’t have more for you. You’d have to speak to someone at NASA or the United Nations for information.”

“Doesn’t your brother, Brad, work for NASA?”

“Yes, but we don’t talk shop when we get together.” The words flowed from him with ease.

“I see.” Nancy put her tablet next to her. “Well, I think that’s about all I have for you.” She faced the camera. “We’ve been visiting tonight with Todd Landon, Special Envoy to the Nentraee.” She turned to Todd. “Thank you again for taking the time to meet with me.”

“My pleasure.” Todd smiled.

“This has been Nancy Smith with the Global News Network, and for more information about New Benzee or how you can arrange for a stay here in the Speaker General’s ship, go to our website where we’ll have the information linked to the Nentraee government website. Have a great evening. Good night.”

Another interview done and over. Now I have to find out what the hell is going on with Dan and Speaker Rosta and Speaker Syde. What is this rumor all about?

Todd stood up and unclipped his mic. With the mic off, his whole body relaxed.