Looking for the Age of Aquarius
Chap 20 ("When Waiting Strive Forward")
Drake did come. Early. Really early. We were all still in our pajamas and hadn't even had breakfast yet when he knocked on our unit door. How he got in the building, I don't know; normally people have to be buzzed in. So it was quite a surprise to open the door and see him there.
He didn't have good news either. The Itrejivil Ikseyan wanted to meet me – Roman's Hwatab.
"I have a way to sneak you into the Sector," he said, but I shook my head.
"No, if I'm brought before your Ikseyan I'll be seen, and the SEU will find out. It's best if I have a legitimate way in," I said, but we couldn't think of one. "Emery has gotten into the Sector," I said. "How'd she do it?"
"Using her father's badge," Drake stated.
"Okay, that is not an option." Unless… I called Ryuta, but he was not answering. I tried Jeff Collier's number. "Jeff, it's Maureen. How are you?"
"Fine," he drawled out slowly and told someone to shut up the dog. "What's up? You never call unless it's something and usually something big."
"I know that this is an imposition, and I hate to ask, but I was wondering how one goes about get permission to enter the Sector for the day?" I asked him.
"Civilians don't, you know that," he stated. "Hang on." There was background noise; I could hear the TV, then silence. I checked my phone to make sure we were not disconnected. "Okay, now why do you want to get into the Sector? Things are pretty hot in there right now."
"The Hwatab wants to meet with me," I told him. I suddenly had an idea. "I think it might have to do with the crates we have amassed for them and how many, transportation and where to put them… It's a big project once it's approved. The new, well used crates will help with the overcrowding and should appease some of the unrest."
He asked more questions, which I answered as honestly as I could, and I admitted that I had spoken to a Ruthy in the director's office about the crates. "Roman sent Drake to come get me. This is the next step forward, right? Talking to the Hwatab?"
"And you are responsible for the donation of the crates?" he asked. I knew he meant me and my people.
"Yes," I admitted. "You can say I'm on the committee – or that I head it – or that it's my community awareness project. I can write one up in a jiffy."
"I bet you could." He was quiet as if he had his hand over his phone. "All right, bring your project proposal to the SEU offices. I'll check it. And I'll have to confirm that the Hwatab are requesting to meet you. If they are, I'll let you in. For a day – one day."
"Give me an hour," I stated.
"Give me two," he stated. "I'll call you if there's a problem."
I called Quinn. He didn't sound awake. Oh well, I needed him. "I need you to come over to my unit. I've one hour to write a community awareness project proposal, and I need your help," I told him. He groggily told me he was on his way, bless him.
I turned to Loraine. "Dig up all the information we have on the crates, the exact number, location, which companies we're naming, the number of trucks we can spare – everything. Call Patrik if you don't know." Then I turned to Drake. "Tell me what I need to know about the Sector and the areas with the most overcrowding."
Loraine and I started to draft the main points, Drake offering his knowledge of the Sector and the locations that needed the crates the most. When Quinn arrived, he added his input, and Krista and Amilee helped type it up, (yep, I called them over to help, too). We printed up about a dozen of them and stapled them together. "I wish we had binders instead of these school folders," Krista said disparagingly. "They'd look more professional."
"Scholastic is better – and besides, this is pretty good for an hour's work," I told her while collecting my things. I quickly scurried away to change clothes. Yes, I was still in my oversized T-shirt, Tinkerbell pajama bottoms with my hair in a ponytail all morning in front of Drake. (I had washed my face and brushed my teeth and hair a little before he knocked on the door though, thankfully, my normal morning routine. Thank you, Me-ma!)
I took the quickest shower I could, and dried my hair as quickly as I could as Quinn rattled off key points of the proposal over the sound of the hairdryer from the other side of the slightly open door.
The girls were choosing what I should wear when I entered my room wrapped in bath sheet. "Give me the blue sheath dress and sensible heels," I said while pulling on a pair of seamless boy shorts, a bra and nude nylon stockings. Yes, stockings – I hate pantyhose and avoid them if I can. Stockings are simpler, easier to put on and if you run one you replace that one. And you can carry spares in the side pocket of a purse.
I put the dress on and turned for the mirror. The scoop neckline, cap sleeves, sheath silhouette accented by contouring seams and crisscrossing panels that defined the waist worked well in the boardrooms of our companies, but I had forgotten how well it fit. Oh well, it was a good color for me. I slipped on my dark brown, Zendaya 2 ½" heel dress shoes and asked Loraine if I could use her coach bag as I went to fix my makeup as Quinn continued to brief me.
Drake appeared in the bathroom door as I ran my brush through my hair one last time, wishing I had time to curl it a bit. My natural wave will have to do. "You're going to wear a dress, and heels – in the Sector?"
"Yeah, I'm going to meet your Hwatab – I want to look nice." I turned to face him. "Don't I look all right?"
His gaze raked down my body, making my breath hitch. "Yeah, you look great," he said with a one-sided quirk of his mouth, and I smiled. Compared to his casual grey T-shirt under his black hoodie that matched his grey denims and his boots I was very overdressed, but I wanted to make an impression. Besides, I loved the way his tanks and T-shirts always showed off his physique.
I put on my blue stone necklace, bracelet and the pin that Behkiie made me, choosing a pair of Black Hills gold earrings since they matched the leaves on the necklace and bracelet, sort of, and turned to thank my friends for putting the proposal together so quickly.
"Good luck," Loraine said.
"I typed up a power point, too," Amilee stated, handing me a Trader Joe's bag with all my folders in it. "Knock 'em dead!"
"Give this to Sophia," Quinn said, handing me a folded letter. I slipped it into my purse, well Loraine's purse, promising I would.
Drake stared at me most of the way to the Sector, even though I wanted him to review the proposal with me. "I don't think it's about the crates," he said.
"I just want to be prepared for their questions," I explained.
"It's never good news when the Hwatab summons you," he told me.
"I'll be fine," I tried to assure him. "Being summoned is nothing new to me, and it usually only means that one of the elders has a question – well, questions to discuss. I'll be fine – I'm used to this."
He still looked dubious; I had to wonder why.
At the gate to the Sector, I was escorted to the offices. I handed Collier one of the proposals as Roathy (they knew her as Ruthy) entered. "Maureen, good to see you, sweetie. How are your guardians doing?" she asked, holding a file.
"They're well, thank you," I replied.
"This is very thorough," Collier said, giving me a approving nod with a questioning stare.
"I've been working on this project for a while now, sir," I told him, and beside me, Drake put a fist to his nose and mouth to cover a soft cough.
"Well, the Hwatab apparently does wish to see you, so we'll grant you a day pass. You have until dusk," Collier stated.
"Oh, um, I was hoping to have dinner with my school friends, Drake, Roman and Sophia. Is that – can that be allowed?" I asked sweetly.
Collier looked as if he were considering it and then extended my curfew to nine o'clock. He held the proposal back to me. "Oh, you may keep that one for your files," I told him. Best to keep it all official. He handed it to Roathy.
Two SEU guards escorted me into the Sector, even though I was perfectly safe enough with Drake beside me. Someone must have sent a message to Roman because he came running out to meet me. "I'll be fine with my friends," I told the guards. "Thank you for your assistance."
They didn't say anything to my dismissal, but stayed back as I followed Roman and Drake down the main Sector street.
We stopped on the platform to a crate that opened on its side. "They're in here," Roman said and gave the men outside the door our names. I took a moment before entering to inhale deeply, squaring my shoulders, adjusting my physical carriage and mental bearing, preparing myself for the meeting of Roman's Hwatab, then exhaled without relaxing my posture. Iksen-mode as Loraine called it. I nodded to Roman. "Are you ready?" the man at the door asked me.
"Yes," I said assuredly. Drake watched me with a look of awe as I walked confidently into the room, a commanding presence of assured self-confidence. Without being obvious about it, I took stock of the room and who was present: no humans, everyone here was Atrian. Good. But there were only four adults, Roman, Drake and myself. "Do you know if there are listening or recording devices?" I asked Roman.
"No, the SEU don't generally bother with our meetings. My father… the Iksen in the wysedia position submits a report at the SUE offices afterwards," he told me.
"Best you are that person, I don't want my cover blown," I suggested, but he shrugged.
"It's usually the Zwahan Iksen," he stated.
Damn.
I stood by Roman's left as he introduced me to the leaders of the Itrejivil. I greeted each in turn formally, then sat in the offered chair, maintaining my perfect posture. Drake stood behind us, and I could feel his presence, like a solid rock, and that in of itself gave me sense of strength as well. Beside me, Roman sat in the offered seat with a casual ease. I was surprised that Roman did not assume the wysedia position at the table nor did he take up the moltek; it stood conspicuously in the center of the table. That was something I was going to have to change; Roman should have convened the meeting, but a man named Avun, a Zwahan elder who presumably had been filling in since Nox's death, and subsequently again after Castor's, was acting as Atriarch Iksen of the table, assuming the wysedia, and it was obvious he was used to the privilege. I'd remember seeing him at Dinaskyu at the Zwahan table.
"Verdiend Abour, Verdiend Amwur," I begun, using the honorific when addressing an Iksen, "If you have summoned me here, I am to assume that you know who I am?"
Ghianni and Aujheyn both nodded, Aujheyn with a knowing smile as Ghianni said graciously, "I recognized you at Dinaskyu." Avun, who had his elbows on the table with his hands clasped, pressed his thumbs to his lips, contemplatively, but Borjmei, the Swamad Iksen, looked surprised.
"I understand and respect the delicate position you are in, Verdiend Amwur." Aujheyn stated his recognition as well. "The Vwassak will defend you, your honor and the secret you must keep," and firmly declared a Vwasak warriors oath in Sondiv.
Ghianni so swore, "The Iwabas will protect you, your honor and the secret you keep," albeit more serenely yet as serious and dignified in her pledge.
Avun dropped his arm on the table as he leaned on the armrest of his seat and gazed at me appraisingly. "So it is true; the Tgorasad Iksen lives?"
"She does in me," I replied in Sondiv, then switched back to Emglish. "I must ask you, If I am to be frank with you, I must ask your honored oath as well," I said. "If the humans know of me, many of our people – and I don't mean just the Tgorasad – I mean yours as well, will be in grave danger. My identity must remain guarded. The humans must not know that Atrians survive outside the Sector."
Avun regarded me, assessing me, and I held his gaze with assured self-confidence. After a few seconds, he also swore to keep my secrets. Borjmei did as well, with solemnity.
The meeting was concerning the reason Roman and I had invented a holiday for sawinzenia. I was polite but concise in my answers, respectful, but gave every indication that I was the Iksen of my people, Atriarch of the Tgorasad, as well as for their people living on the outside. However even though they were more laxed, I used the formalities and proper etiquettes with well honed ease, never allowing my comportment to waver. I needed their respect and to acknowledge my authority.
They asked many questions regarding our homes and activities, and since there were no humans present, I felt comfortable being forthright, although I was not too specific. "I will change the meeting times of my Hwatab so that Roman may attend them. That way he is fully appraised and can relate to you our decisions and activities at your meetings and can voice your opinions and concerns to us as well," I suggested formally with a gentle firmness so as not to offend. This suggestion seemed to please two of the elders, Ghianni and Aujheyn, the Iwasbas and Vwasak Ikseyan, but Borjmei, the Swamad Iksen was quiet on the matter.
"And we will have a voice in your Hwatab?" Avun asked.
"As the Atriarch Iksen of your people here, yes, he will have a voice," I assured him. I could see that the elevation did not go unnoticed. They were not yet ready to acknowledge Roman as the Atriarch Iksen of the Itrejivil, even though the Zwahan Iksen had been the leader of the Itrejivil and the Zwahan the leading tribe for a millennium. That was another thing that would have to change. Roman would need to learn how to use posture, demeanor and the formalities to gain the respect of these leaders to ascend to his rightful position.
"Now, on another matter: it will hopefully please you that we have amassed quite a few crates to be added to the Sector to help ease overcrowding. Roman and I have been working on this project for some time now," I said, emphasizing Roman's name subtly as I handed out the proposals. "These are to bring you up to date." Roman looked at me, but thankfully did not do anything, expression-wise or in body language to indicate otherwise. Behind me, I could tell Drake was smiling, hopefully inwardly not outwardly, at my comment.
We discussed it thoroughly: how and how many, and that Roman had decided where they'd best be utilized and what further materials would be required for their placements. There was discussion about placements. I gently asserted myself in the discussion, carefully directing the conversation as I did at my table, and realized that I could very easily command this Hwatab; me an outsider whom they've just met. At the conclusion of the discussion, my packet was so full of notes it looked like an abused school book. Roman likewise spoke up, but since both Roman and Drake had been so clear to us about where the needs were greatest, Drake even providing a map of sorts for the packet, it was hard to dispute Roman's suggestions.
We broke for lunch, and the Ikseyan insisted on treating me to lunch in the only restaurant in the Sector. In the most demure way I could, I slyly included both Roman and Drake in the lunch as well, and carefully maneuvered myself so that Roman was close to my side at all times, and noticed that Drake, likewise, kept me at arm's length as well. It made for the appearance of a very united front to the other Ikseyan.
Afterwards I was given a tour of the Sector by the Ikseyan. I was surprised by the fact that no one wore color in the Sector, everyone in was primarily black and grey, mixed occasionally with tan or taupe, cream and white. I must have really stood out in my true blue toned dress. I wondered if it was an unconscious statement, or apathy, bitterness and disillusionment after becoming accustomed to camp existence.
In one section, mostly populated by Swamed, a little girl ran up to me and asked if I was from Eljida. "No, but I do live on the outside," I told her in Sondiv.
She asked me if I knew her aunt. I sat down on a crate. "Oh, I knew her." I looked up at the people gathering. "She worked in the food dispensary on the ship." A woman nodded, and I looked at the girl who was apprising me hopefully. "She made the best sweet biscuits." I told the girl I'd ask after her aunt.
Others started asking about loved ones, and I pulled out my phone to make a list. "I don't recognize her name, but I can ask," I told a man who pleaded with me to find his wife. "But you can always give names to Roman and Drake, and they can pass them on to me at school."
Borjmei and Ghianni both invited me to dine with them for dinner. "Oh, I'm sorry, but I'm eating with my friends, Roman, Drake and Sophia," I told them kindly but definitely.
Ghianni smiled as if understanding. "Of course, dear, it was good to meet with you," she said, glancing quickly at Drake before walking away.
"I'm sorry to have invited myself without checking with you," I whispered to Roman as we walked off.
"No, it's fine," he said but I wasn't sure.
"If it's an imposition or if your mother will be annoyed, I could take them up on the—"
Roman cut me off. "No, it's fine. But why don't you hang out with Drake a bit, and I'll go tell my mom," he said, jutting his head at Drake. "I'll see you later?"
"Yeah," Drake replied.
We went to the market, and I was thrilled to see Behkiie. She introduced me to a few more of the people. After a while I turned to Drake and asked to go someplace quieter.
He led me to his pod.
I remembered quite acutely the last time we were here.
Although then I'd been a little nervous, not uncomfortable so, but I'd simply stared at him, taking him in and waited for him to say something. He'd kissed me instead. I wondered what he'd do this time, not that I couldn't guess. He'd practically told me what he'd do.
Instead of watching Drake like last time, I took a moment to look about his pod.
It was a mix of retro and IKEA furnishings, but I liked it. A huge tiger wall hanging was the first thing you saw when you entered. A sturdy rattan sofa, two chairs and small secondhand end tables were placed around a red IKEA rug which made up the sitting area where the flat screen TV hung. I wondered what service the Atrians were allowed. On the opposite wall was the large round window I'd seen his mother leap through on Dinaskyu. The yellow kitchen had back-lit, open cupboards, with two long yellow florescent lights one on each of the two walls. He had a small fridge and a round table with mixed-matched chairs over which hung a retro amber glass iron lamp. A variegated cæsenu plant (an Atrian rhizome with large, alternate leaves and 'flowers' made up of red four-petal bracts surrounding a pink spadix) stood between the kitchen and Drake's room. Drapes divided the rooms rather than doors; Drake's was stripped woven rug and the others were made of raw green fibers. It was eclectic, but homey.
I could feel Drake in the room behind me, sense his contemplation as he watched me. I tried to keep from getting nervous by keeping my breathing even and ignoring the thumping palpitation from my hearts and tried to relax my stiff Iksen posture. I could feel his uncertainness, of what I wasn't sure.
I waited for him to move first or to say anything, but he didn't. Yet I knew through our connection, I knew that he was still regarding me curiously.
But he didn't move.
I turned slowly to face him where he stood, still leaning against his green door, arms crossed, one foot propped on the base of the door, appraising me. I took him in, the casual pose belying the warrior making his assessment before the – what? – attack? The retreat? It felt like both and neither at the same time.
His arms uncrossed as he stood up, and he moved forward, and I could feel my anticipation mount, almost like the kindling of a fire inside me, yet I felt more like the match of the predator approaching me rather than the prey. I turned my head as he walked up and stopped next to my side. I turned fully to face him, once again meeting his gaze.
"Do you want anything – a glass of water?" he asked.
I shook my head and replied, "No, thank you, I'm fine," ignoring the nervous flutters in my stomach. Relax. There 's no need to be so stiff around him, relax, damn it.
He stepped closer, and I angled my head upward as he did, still gazing into those incredible vivid blue eyes of his. I bit my lip as he stared at me, entranced by those eyes that could literally make my hearts skip a beat with just a glance.
"There are no warriors here to save you," he said softly.
I inhaled deeply and asked, "Do I need saving?" meeting his gaze boldly. What was I doing? Baiting him? But I could feel the change in him, like an unspoken challenge turning into desire, which in turn was increasing mine.
"I don't know, do you?" he asked.
I shook my head. I wanted this, I did. We'd only just gotten back together but it didn't matter. I waited to see what he'd do.
He placed his hands on my waist and made me back up a step against the support pillar behind me and stepped closer.
I smiled timidly as I looked up at him, and I bit my lower lip as I reached up and eased his hoodie off his shoulders, smiling at the sleeveless T which exposed his markings so nicely. I should have known, he usually wore tanks most of the time. Drake removed his hoodie, and I ran my fingertips over his shoulder marks and down his arms, loving the feel of his skin as well as the aroused look on his face.
He pulled off his shirt and tossed it carelessly aside. My gaze immediately swept down his body, and I raked my nails gently down his chest and across his markings, making him inhale sharply. I was thrilled by his response – his markings were sensitive, too.
His hands cupped my face as he leaned down and kissed me, and I slid my hands across his ribs to his sides to keep my balance. He looked at me, his gaze became smoldering, and I realized that my left hand was still on his birthmarks there. Bold pinnated stripped segmented markings like the ones on his left neck and shoulder – only more of them, denser – a hand-width band starting from under his right pectoral muscle and going all the way around to his spine on his back. Smiling, I raked my fingernails gently in little swirls on his skin as I drew my hand back to his front over his markings, biting my lip as I did, watching him inhale at the sensation I caused.
Instead of kissing me, he turned me around, swept my hair aside and unzipped my dress, kissing my shoulder as he did, right over my markings, and I moaned from the almost electric sensation that seemed to go straight through me and down to my groin. I turned my head to kiss him as he pushed my dress off, letting it fall at my ankles.
I pulled one foot out, then kicked my dress aside with my other and turned to face him. His eyes raked over me lustfully, making my skin tingle and my breath hitch at the intensity of his gaze as he smiled at my underwear clad body.
When our eyes met, Drake lifted me up so we were eyelevel. I cupped his head in my hands and kissed him, my passion fueled by his desire reflected back at me through my connection. He leaned into me, pinning my body to the pillar, his groin firmly pressed against me. Oh it was heady, kissing him like this, feeling the friction of his ardor down there, knowing he could lift me so easily as if I weighed but a ballast stone. But I began to sink slowly, and Drake's hands slowly slid up my sides as I slipped down to my feet, still ravaging each other's mouths hungrily.
The next moment, he swept me up in his arms and carried me to his bed.
It was almost two hours later before we left his pod to go see Roman and Sophia.
~~~~~o~~~~~
On my locker Monday was a sprig of vellar, an aromatic white flower popular at Dinaskyu for haycews because of the multiple blooms in pairs and threes that opened along the branch stocks each summer to late fall. Definitely an Itrejivil flower, but one that was out of season. Not that accomplished cultivators couldn't get the plant to bloom year round to supply for unions (our version of a wedding) and for flora vellar oil to be given to the family at an aughmau. Kinda like our version of the human's roses. There was no doubt in my mind who put it there.
It was kinda nice having Drake as a boyfriend. Drake behaved as he always had, except he pulled me aside during break to kiss me in quiet corners, and he sat next to me at lunch.
Sophia, Drake and Roman came to the houses with me after school, and I convened the Hwatab, needlessly introducing our honored guests, as was the formal custom. There wasn't much to report from the science sectors: we were still trying to get info on the ten planets we were interested in while not seemingly uninterested in the new solar systems being discovered.
"Boruck and Kerhone introduced a modification to the Kepler II that is a four part system," I explained to my guests. "The two observatories, jokingly called Messapus and Halesus after Neptune's sons, are in orbit around Neptune, with the drive module now acting as a relay satellite, for the satellites stationed in our orbit. Since Neptune takes 165 of Earth's years to go around the sun, it's slower progress allows scientist longer observation periods of certain projections and the telescopes on the two observatories can be rotated remotely through the relays."
"Also, Neptune has its own heat source; it emits a quantity of energy two times greater than it receives, and we were able to harness that energy to keep the power cells sufficiently charged. So the system can be active in Neptune's orbit for as long as the materials the device was made of can withstand the solar and Neptune's radiation," Ihmen stated.
"What about the others?" Drake asked. "You've mentioned several."
"The other Kepler II's were projected into space much like the Voager systems were in the in the 1970's toward specific areas of this Milky Way galaktykes with their drive module intact," Ihmen stated. "The Kepler III's we talk about are an advanced version of the Keper II's with actual remote control directional drive capabilities, rather than simply rotational alternation."
"Like our interstellar probes were," Roman stated.
"Both the Kepler II and the Keper III are our interstellar technology," Patrik stated. "But humans were reluctant to accept the Kepler III designs until recently – well, the Russians are interested. That's why we contacted them with the schematics – to intrigue them with the possibilities."
Kurke, Deyne and Kreger were going forward with the necessary documents needed to start a foundry in Saint Petersburg: the application for state registration of a legal entity upon its foundation; the Decision to found a company formalized by sole founder decision or protocol of the general meeting of founders; and the Articles of Incorporation of a Legal Entity1, as well as find suitable location for the foundry.
"And we have a message form Kenton," Ihmen stated. Her tone made me take notice. Something was amiss. "Roman, Kenton works for SETI Institute in coordination with the SRI International on RAL, the Allen Telescope Array, a radio interferometer," she clarified for him his position with the SETI Institute and SRI International. "There have been anomalies, an unknown transient phenomena picked up by the arrays – electromagnetic waves."
"Where? What coordinates are they coming from?" I asked hopefully. She gave me the coordinates, which were verified by Patrik, and I involuntarily inhaled in surprise. It wasn't from the direction where the Suvek beam had been projected, but from outside the Milky Way galaktyke. "It it a signal response?"
"We don't know – the people working on the Array are undecided and call it inconclusive at this time. However, SETI Institute and SRI International have approved the addition of the telemetry decoder technology," Ihmen stated. She turned to Roman. "It too is Atrian technology and programming."
"Wait, you mean that someone was there and possibly received the Suvek's signal?" Roman asked.
"It's intermittent, electromagnetic waves in the the radio/microwave spectrum but still too early to tell as we've – Kenton says they've yet to get a clean lock on the phenomena's origins and it's possible that if it's a signal, the low frequencies we used might not have enough kinetic energy to be deciphered easily by the human's equipment, but these oscillations in electric and magnetic fields are easy to detect with their antennas."
"But if we had access to the ARDhet…" Ardon, a Cæveh adult who sat as a Second elder on the council, started to say.
"We had the capability to pick up transmissions from that apparent distance," Ihmen stated. "Kenton told me he'd keep me appraised."
She was hit with a dozen questions. "So far all I could give you are speculations, there isn't enough information on it yet – but when I hear anything I will report it."
However, after the meeting Ihmen approached me and pulled me aside. "I didn't want to unnecessarily alarm the others. These electromagnetic waves are presently undetermined, and it's pattern is interrupted and irregular," she stated. "However, he does think it's coming from the section of space where, if someone was approaching the plejira galaktyka, they would've or could've picked up the Suvek's signal."
It had been determined that the signal beam had been directed out of the Milky Way galaxy as if perpendicular to it, out into space. "So it could be in response to the Suvek? Someone Vega was trying to contact?"
"My mother believes so, and Ian and Patrik agree. I didn't want to alarm Roman's sister and Drake – you told us he was once with the Trags," she stated. That was the real reason she withheld it from the meeting – Drake.
"He's not a Trag anymore," I told her.
"But he's had connections and… You trust him; we are trying to as well," she stated.
I understood.
"One more thing," she said. "I think we're rushing things, reaching out to the Soviets."
"Why? Developing relations with them is a good thing," I said straightening up. "Besides, Kurke said that they have the necessary alloys for tritan-stalunsile – well, as close to it as we're going to get. I know he wants to send someone to Ireland in regards to the duranium alloy, but I think South Africa should be approached, especially if we need to produce clear polymer-aluminum – their temperatures are more favorable."
"It will expose us," she said. "Carl said that Boruck is already sharing the technology with the Roscosmos."
Boruck went by Paul Boruck around the humans. He worked on the Kepler II investigation team on the team for the Kepler II's scanning and relay systems development and science data analysis at NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California. "When Carl met with the people from the Bauman Moscow State Technical University about the Kepler III designs as his PhD project, naturally they took notice – it's all Atrian technology and far more advanced than the human drones – naturally the Roscosmos and the State Space Agency of Ukraine were bound to want to know more. Boruck's superiors offered to share technology after they learned about the design specs for the new space probe."
"But we're moving too fast," she stated. "I think the astrophysicists recognized that it's Atrian technology."
"And if they do, and they want it, then that can potentially work in our favor. A voice to the humans that we're not out to destroy their world. I want these metals available to us before we have our ship under our control again," I stated. "And I want to begin reconstruction the moment it is."
"If integration is ever signed," she replied.
"Ihmen," I said, grabbing my bag. "We've been stranded here ten years. Don't you think that the fleet would be searching for us by now?"
"It's a large plejira galaktyka," she stated.
"It is, but it's not infinite," I said. I had to believe that they'd come. "We'll talk more later; but do consider making allies with other countries. Maybe then, those other presidents could convince the American president that we are not invaders but explores with a lot to offer."
"You're being idealistic," she said.
In a way she was right, but I still had hope that we could at some point have a meeting with the American president and discuss other options to the incarceration of my people – Roman's people.
Instead of taking my friends to The Bug after the meeting, I drove to the Burger King, ordered four whopper with cheese meals, no salt on the fries, eight bottles of water and headed to the park where they held the carnival. Drake looked about as we headed to the picnic area, and I wondered which memories he thought of, our time together on the rides or when the Red Hawks tried to abduct him, but he smiled as we passed the huge boulder near the bandstand. As we sat at a table eating, I told my friends what Ihmen said about the signal. "She didn't want to alarm everyone," I concluded. "That's why she told me privately, but I think she's right. The Suvek signal was sent for a reason, and if there is an Atrian ship out there, they might have picked up the signal beam."
"The fleet?" Drake asked.
I shrugged as I ate a fry. "Or a rescue ship? But Vega told you it was a weapon, one that would offset the balance here on earth and free us – so yes, I think it very well could be the fleet. But we don't know for sure."
"Vega's husband is a captain in the fleet," Roman stated. "He'd come looking for his wife and daughter."
"And his Hwatab, right? He'd want to rescue the leaders of his people," I point out. He is a captain? I wonder if he was aware of his wife's ambitions?
"Will they attack earth?" Sophia asked, concerned etched strongly in her face and in her eyes.
"Protocols say they might – if it is the fleet," Drake stated.
"Roman, I think you and I have to be mentally prepared to consider this as a reality – the fleet may be coming, and if they do, I don't want a war with the humans," I stated. "We've lost so many already, I don't want to cause more deaths – human or Atrian."
"Should we tell Gloria?" Sophia asked.
I looked at Roman. "Your call."
"No, not until we know for certain," he said.
"What about our friends?" Sophia asked.
"I don't want to alarm them," Roman stated.
"So what do we do in the meantime?" Drake asked, the warrior wanting a plan of attack.
I smiled at him. We discussed options, what we knew about military protocols, and I suggested using Lukas' blog to warn the world if it seemed that the United States would resist our need to gain control of the ship.
"Which they will," Drake pointed out.
"My greatest fear is if they impose martial law and lock down the Sector – or worse think that bombing it is an option," I stated.
Roman looked skeptical.
"I wouldn't put it past them," I told him. "In every movie scenario the Americans have a solution to defeat the aliens. In a real attack from orbit they don't have any real defense, and that will terrify them."
He cocked his head. But Drake looked smug.
"Their aircraft won't be able to fly as high as our ships in orbit, and if they do attack, we have fighter craft with the capability of flying in higher elevations and have excellent maneuverability. The human nuclear missiles – even if they can be projected up at the intergalactic battle cruisers, which I don't think they can but they might try, we'd simple shoot them – blow them up in the lower atmosphere. They don't have defense options that would be affective, but our ships could destroy a city – heck, multiple cities – from orbit."
"And you're certain that they will attack the U.S.?" Sophia asked.
"It's a possibility; if they try to find us and realize that half of the Atrian survivors are being held captive in an internment camp they will want to free them – that could mean war. Even Eljida, Ukænos and Negea could be perceived as detention facilities."
"So they will wipe out America?" Drake asked, and I knew that bothered him as much as it did me.
"No, not just America," I told him. "Next time you see a image of the earth as it appears from space, put your finger where the Sector is – then draw a large circle. There are no boundaries visible from space, and our officers will not have seen a human map. The computers will be able to translate the language within an hour as the crew scans the planet for survivors – and they will be looking for all of us, 5,689 adults – not counting little kids born in the last ten years. They will indentify which continent we're on – our exact locations. Once they do that, they will chose their target zone, and I fear that in addition to North America, a third to half of South America will be in the target zone as well, considering our global position."
Drake set down his whooper and sat up straighter. "She's right, a lot of other countries will be brought into this."
"So we have to do what we can to prevent it," Roman stated.
"And to do that, we need our ship. The communications onboard are our only hope of maintaining control of the situation," I stated.
We continued to discuss the options and worse case scenarios until it was time for me to drive them to the Sector. Sophia and Roman bid me good night and exited the car. Drake turned to face me. "So we wait, is that it?"
"For now," I sighed. "Until the human detection technology identifies who sent that response. We still don't know if it is the fleet or a rescue ship. So yes, we wait. Kenton and the others will inform me with all new developments, and I'll inform you and Roman."
"Wait, aren't we going to be included in your meetings?" he asked.
"Yes, of course you are, but I get updates in emails and texts on any occurrence that could affect us all," I reminded him. "Sometimes I'm told things privately, things that the Ikseyan don't want to unnecessarily alarm the residents and families about or until we have more conclusive information."
He stared out of the window.
"What is it?" I asked softly.
"So we wait and hope that we don't become a target," he said with his fist clenched.
"Drake, I'll do anything it takes to protect the Sector and everyone in it," I said emphatically, and I meant it wholeheartedly.
His head snapped in my direction "Don't do anything reckless."
I nodded, shrugging my shoulders.
"I mean it, Maureen, don't do something that puts you in danger."
"If the situation becomes bad, I'll find a journalist that will listen to me," I told him. I saw a tick in his jaw. "At some point we may be found out, and when that happens, we have a plan of action."
"What is it?" he asked.
"There are several, and you have to get in before your curfew. I'll tell you tomorrow, okay," I said but he was hardly appeased. "Ian and the warriors will look after me and the people. I'll be fine."
"You better be," he said and reached over to draw my head closer to his and kissed me, a strong fierce kiss. When he broke off I was breathless. "Tomorrow. Don't forget. I want details."
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
~~~~~o~~~~~
I discussed everything with Loraine when we were getting ready for school the next morning, and continued the discussion in the car. "Ihmen thinks we're pushing too quickly by sharing our metallurgic technology with Russia, Ireland and South Africa," I said.
"We are," she replied. "We haven't even found a viable planetary alternative, and you're exposing us to other countries."
"So far only Russia," I pointed out. But she was right. "It's too forward and premature to be considered. However we can't back out now – we've already initiated contact. We have to proceed." I turned the corner at a stop sign. "You have your passport and money, right?"
"Yes, always," she stated. "Justin will go with me, and we'll approach the Mexican authorities."
"We need to have someone in place to warn Canada and Cuba," I said, thinking aloud.
"Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama.. and oh yes, Belize," she said, going over the list of countries south of Mexico.
"You forgot Nicaragua," I pointed out.
"Yeah, right," she said grinning. "Now name all the South American countries."
I stuck my tongue out at her.
~~~~~o~~~~~
Miss Garcia introduced two foster boys of a family that ironically 'just moved in town' and had enrolled at Marshal High. I knew them both: Dren, a Sævad, and Garth, a Zæsak, were both nineteen and living in my apartment as members of my guard. "Can you believe it, I have protection now?" Loraine stated as we walked out of class.
I turned to gape at her. "What?" What did she mean – she had protection? She's always had protection – she's like a sister to me and my guards were to keep her safe as well.
"Roman mentioned that Drake was his and Sophia's protection. Sooo, Ian increased the protection detail and reassigned the scouts. You, me and Sophia each have primary point guards and the other three are back up," she said.
"Dren and Garth are yours, Justin is mine…" I was at a loss. Byron had been my second point guard before he joined the Trags, and Gareth, Mason and Arnund were our perimeter guards.
"Justin is your front point, Jason is your serpilnow, Byron is keeping eyes on the two Trags in school, Dunon is joining Grayson and his Red Hawks. Loren is here now – she's watching Sophia as her front point, Dren is to be my front point and Garth will pose as his best friend since he's to be my serpilnow, and of course there is Gareth, Mason and Arnund."
"And of course, Ethan and Quinn are back up when we're in town while Gareth, Mason and Arnund coordinate security in the streets with the warriors and the men working at the two automotive shops, and Frank in the Endendale police force," I finished for her.
"Yep. Why do you seem surprised?"
"They are expecting trouble," I said softly. Ian and Meheka really did think the unknown transient phenomena picked up by the arrays was a signal response to the Suvek.
"Who is?" Emery asked, sounding worried.
"Okay, we need to talk and in private," I told her and drew her aside. "Do you recognize the new boy in school, Dunon?" I asked her and she nodded.
"He looks familiar."
"For now, treat him as if you don't – same goes for Dren. Garth may introduce himself, but unless his does, don't engage him in conversation," I said in a warning tone. "They're scout warriors; Dunon's here to keep an eye on the Red Hawks, Dren and Garth have been added as Loraine's security. And don't engage Gareth, Mason and Arnund in conversation either. But if for any reason they pull you aside, do exactly what they say."
"Why?" Emery said slowly.
"You and I are seeing Atrian men, that could be one reason. My head of security believes he has reason to be concerned, so I listen to him. He wouldn't have bleached three more of our scouts unless he felt things could get hot," I told her.
Emery nodded slowly. "Okay, I understand. They are simply here as a precaution."
"And since you, Julia and Sophia are my friends, if anything happens, one or more of them might move in on you and draw you to safety, so don't fight them and do whatever they say," I told her.
"Okay. Go it," she said, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I just hoped that Julia and Sophia were as accepting – and Roman and Drake. I wondered how Drake would take the news.
Note:
1 – the process presented for initiating a company in Russia was borrowed without permission from the internet: /data/exploreeconomies/saint-petersburg/starting-a-business