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eBook Category: Science Fiction
eBook Description: On the planet Splendor, Earth Ambassador Chanda Kasmira faces both a diplomatic and physical challenge. Should she rescue her enemies the Sobrenians from the starship they've crashed onto the bottom of Splendor's largest ocean? And if so, how can she and her colleagues do that with equipment designed for space travel, not underwater missions?

eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Analog, 2002
Fictionwise Release Date: February 2003

11 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [187 KB], eReader (PDB) [65 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [55 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [49 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [88 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [117 KB], hiebook (KML) [152 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [80 KB], iSilo (PDB) [45 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [56 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [84 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [76 KB]
Words: 15766
Reading time: 45-63 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

"Splendor's Truth" by Dave Creek was an interesting read for me. I was very impressed with the description of the alien hospital ship, but much of the rest of the story take-off felt stock to me at first. As I read it, it grew on me. Creek avoided the obvious in his characterizations and actions, and by the end of the story I was rooting for the good guys and the bad. Color me impressed--as much as I enjoy classic adventure-story SF, it doesn't usually grab me as well as this story did. This story is part of a story arc that has previously appeared in Analog, but Creek gives the reader plenty of backstory and key information to keep things moving."--Jay Lake, Tangent Online (Learn more about Tangent Online, the Internet's leading SF&F short fiction review website)

This could be my biggest mistake ever, Earth Unity Ambassador Chanda Kasmira thought as the starcraft Nivara II boosted from the planet Splendor. She sat to the right of the ship's captain, Trenton Bram. "Any more information about that craft?"

Bram said, "No word on whether it's Sobrenian." The unknown vessel was still only a starlike image on the passive sensor viewscreen. Bram addressed his pilot, Ensign Liana Santos. "Got that stardrive microjump ready?"

"Yes, sir. It'll bring us within 100 K, parallel to the craft's path."

"Transmit the settings to the Nigel Harding and the Falcon." Those were the two Unity craft that accompanied the Nivara II. Bram had ordered the fourth, the Angra, to remain in planetary orbit to sound the alarm if needed.

"They have them," Santos said.

"Initiate."

On the forward viewscreen: a kaleidoscopic swirl of color as old-space (already existing, "natural" space) before them was annihilated and new-space formed behind them. This local distortion propelled them within minutes toward an area just over eight million K out from Splendor.

As natural space snapped back onto the viewscreen, Chanda looked past the images of the Harding and Falcon and got her first look at the unknown starcraft. She drew in a slow breath. "That's ... an incredible ship." The holo before her was just beginning to read out the starcraft's vital stats: 3 K long, .7 across at its widest point, but "only" 1.5 K in height. Shields firmly in place, weaponry unknown, some shroud capability up and preventing Nivara II's sensors from registering more detail, and on and on, and none of it as compelling as the simple fact of the starcraft itself.

Its main fuselage was a long cylinder with what looked like giant engine nacelles slung beneath. Running closely along the top of the craft was a fin-like projection, thick at the stern and narrowing to a point by the time it reached the bow. Its tip pointed forward, as an outstretched finger or a probing claw might. Bold strokes of yellow, maroon, and gold decorated the craft's hull.

Santos said, "We've matched trajectories. We're just over 99 K removed from the craft. It's about 27 light-minutes out from Splendor, coming in at just over 8000 K per second."

Chanda squinted to do the math. "If they don't change velocity, they'll reach the planet in about eighteen hours."

Bram told Chanda, "Let's see if they'll talk to you."

Chanda nodded, opened a link, and said, "This is Earth Unity Ambassador Chanda Kasmira, calling the unknown starcraft which has entered the Splendor system. Please identify yourselves and the nature of your mission."

In return came audio clearly in the Sobrenian language, which Chanda's datalink dutifully translated for her: "...appears that I am always making the exception to not-in-person for you, Ambassador."

Chanda leaned forward. She realized who was speaking to her. Domerlan was a Sobrenian commander who usually insisted that all communications with him must be in person, and on his starcraft, the Melareon. By the time Domerlan's people had backed down from their plans to use Splendor as a weapons-testing site, Chanda had caused Domerlan to make exceptions to his policy.

But what was happening now? This craft was clearly not the Melareon. It may not even be Sobrenian. "Captain Domerlan? May I ask what your intentions might be?"

"My intentions, Ambassador, are to heal from severe injuries, and to assist this hospital craft in finding a safe harbor." As the Sobrenian spoke, Chanda recalled the time Domerlan had stood proudly before her aboard his ship. His torso was three times the thickness of a Human's and his skin was rough but unscaled. The Sobrenian's eyes swung independently in their sockets and his blunt snout's lips formed his words precisely.

Domerlan continued: "This craft's propulsion and life support systems have suffered extreme damage. We cannot remain in space. Fortunately I was aware of Splendor's suitability for an attempted landing."

Chanda watched as Bram shook his head as if to say, Don't trust him. "Captain Domerlan," Chanda asked, "What happened to the Melareon? How severe are your injuries, and is anyone else hurt? Was this the result of a natural disaster or an armed conflict? And is this craft of Sobrenian origin?"

Domerlan said, "You have ... many questions. The Melareon is destroyed. My injuries threaten my continued existence. While I remain alive, and conscious, however, I command this hospital starcraft. We intend to land upon Splendor's surface."

Chanda said, "I must ask you to pick an unpopulated area, Commander."

"Cannot you anticipate my response, Ambassador? It will be the same as it was during my disruptor testing."

"I'll get back with you," she said, and cut the link. She looked at Captain Bram. "We've got less than eighteen hours."