Alien Legion: Arrows of Artemis

By C.S. Hayden

Alien Legion is the trademarked and copyrighted creative property of Carl Potts as published by Epic Comics/Marvel Entertainment 1984-1993. This is a work of fiction loosely based on the characters of Alien Legion and is unauthorized by its creator Carl Potts.

Plot and additional original characters copyrighted 2003 to Christi Smith Hayden

XVI. The Wedding, Part 1:

After their spontaneous passion in the sickbay showers, Sarigar and Jaikira had wound up in his quarters. They had spent the night entwined in his narrow bunk as they made plans for their upcoming nuptials and that was how Sarigar found himself as the comunit forced him awake.

"Sarigar here," he said curtly as he rolled over and switched it on. "Report?"

"Sorry to disturb you, major," Zeerod said softly, "but you have a private communiqué from General Gokk. Would you like to take the call down there? We've made good time at warp and are into the space lanes where the communication channels are clearer."

"Yes, that will be fine. Thank you, Zee." Sarigar ran a hand over the top of his head and did a quick wardrobe check. He had gone to sleep in an undershirt and pants after Jaikira had complained of being cold and stolen most of the blankets. Jaikira herself was wearing the silk chemise he'd given her on Ryssa; the only personal effect she had, he was flattered to learn, because she habitually carried it folded in a sealed packet inside her chest plate. "Anything else I need to know about?"

"Meico and Zora have their hands full in sickbay. Some of more cold-blooded members of Artemis and Hecate have come down with delayed exposure reactions. They plan to schedule full physicals for everyone that came up from the planet."

"That's probably wise."

"Major?" Zeerod asked contritely. "Not to pry, but breakfast for one or two?" He was making a deliberate effort not to look past Sarigar to the rumpled blankets behind him.

"Two," Sarigar said ironically. "I'm assuming that the gossip in the barracks has been flying fast and furious."

"Well," Zeerod scratched his beard thoughtfully, "shower tile is so very acoustic, major, and Captain Jaikira does have an impressive vocal range. One did not need to be standing outside the door to know what was going on, so to speak." He coughed discreetly. "But enough said on that. The general was most insistent on speaking to you."

"Very well, put him on."

General Gokk's broad bear-like face filled the monitor screen. "Sarigar!" he bellowed. "We've been trying to reach you ever since we received your reports over subspace bounce. Well done on the rescue and on destroying that particle beam gun."

"Thank you, sir."

"How's Jaikira? Is she all right?"

Sarigar smiled. "She's fine -- nothing that a little R&R wouldn't cure."

"K'thok's out pacing in the hallway," General Gokk commented wryly. "He's read Jakira's report and he's been trying to contact her. I don't suppose you know where she is? She doesn't seem to have any assigned quarters."

Before his old friend had finished speaking, Sarigar started to smile. He had felt Jaikira stirring in bed behind him and slipping her arm around his waist beneath the blankets. "Oh, I think I know where she can be reached." He lowered himself on one elbow as Jaikira rose up to peep over his shoulder.

"Hello, Trillian," she said as she yawned and raked her fingers through her hair. The new shorter layers had dried into an unruly rat's nest of tangled curls but she did her best to smooth them out. She propped her cheek against Sarigar's shoulder and pulled the blankets up under her chin. "Did he tell you?"

"Tell me what? Just a moment--" Gokk leaned back and called out, "K'thok! She's with Sarigar. Get in here!" He looked back into the monitor and eyed Sarigar knowingly. "There's an ugly rumor floating around about you, old snake. Something about a clandestine tryst in the showers, hmm?"

Ignoring Jaikira's sleepy giggles, Sarigar merely snorted. "Gossip travels fast these days," he said dryly. "It can't be helped though." He pulled Jaikira's hand out of the blankets to show off her betrothal bracelet. "I asked and she said yes. How do you feel about being the best man at our wedding?"

"Me?" Gokk beamed, his massive smile revealing a glittering array of teeth. "Why, I'd be delighted! K'thok, did you hear?"

The thin, bristle-haired head of Defense Intelligence bobbed his head solemnly in a brief bow. "Congratulations, major and congratulations to you too, Captain Jaikira." He turned his vivid blue eyes on his field operative. "Are you feeling all right?" he asked solicitously. "You don't seem quite like yourself."

Turning his head, Sarigar's lips brushed her forehead and he realized that K'thok was right -- Jaikira felt much too warm. "You're a bit feverish, darling," he murmured.

"It's nothing, Gar. Don't worry about it." she answered and turned her attention back to General K'thok. "Major Sarigar told me that civil war broke out while we were away. What happened?"

While the two D.I. officers caught up, Sarigar rolled out of bed and retrieved his personal medkit from his pack. He knew she was sick when she didn't protest as he took a quick scan. He frowned at the readings.

"Major?" K'thok asked, sounding like a worried parent. "What it is? Is she all right?"

"Her temperature's higher than I like. This morning's status report had a number of the shipwrecked personnel in sickbay." He stood up and went to the door, pulling on his uniform jacket on the way. "I'll let you talk privately to K'thok while I fetch Zora."

As luck would have it, he encountered Zeerod and Zora just outside the mess hall. His kangaroo-like aide was carrying a tray of food and chatting animatedly with Artemis' felinoid medic. Zeerod looked up at his approach and called out, "Major! I was just on my way to your quarters."

Sarigar nodded. "Actually, I was coming to get Zora. Kira's not feeling well."

"Prrt?" Zora Ree twitched her ears up. "What is wrrrong?"

"I'm not sure," Sarigar replied. "She felt feverish so I took a quick scan." He handed his medkit to her. "I'm no medic but these readings don't look good to me."

Zora tsked and shook her head. "Just like the otherrrs -- it's a combination of post-trrraumatic strrress and exposurrre. Wherrre is she?"

"I left her in our quarters talking to General K'thok," Sarigar replied. He caught Zeerod's bemused look and raised a brow ridge at him. "What?"

"Nothing, sir," Zeerod said lightly. "I'm just making a mental note to knock while your lady is in residence."

"See that you do." Sarigar gestured down the corridor. "This way, Zora." He attempted to take the tray from Zeerod but once his curiosity was up, not even a hel-bomb could tear the old warrior away.

They arrived in time to hear K'thok signing off. Jaikira had coiled herself up into a ball under the covers with only the top of her head showing. Zora immediately sat down on the edge of the bed and took out her more sophisticated medical scanner. "Come now, kitling," she said coaxingly. "Let me have a look at you." She pulled the blanket off Jaikira's head and brushed the curls back from her face while she scanned. "Yes, you have it too. Feverrr with chills, achiness, perrrhaps a headache?"

"Yes," Jaikira admitted reluctantly. "What is it?"

"Just a delayed rrreaction to ourrr orrrdeal, kitling, nothing that a day orrr two of bedrrrest wouldn't currre. I'll just give you an analgesic now to make you morrre comforrrtable." Zora administered a hypospray shot and then looked up at Sarigar. "We've had a number of people opt forrr sleep chamberrrs so therrre's some extrrra beds available if you'd like to me to move herrr out of yourrr quarrrterrrs."

"No, that won't be necessary," Sarigar answered. "I don't mind."

Jaikira managed a tired smirk. "For better and worse, eh?"

"Really?" Zeerod's ears perked up from the doorway. "You asked?"

Sarigar smiled smugly over the rim of his cup. "I did." He felt both pleased and proud as Zora admired the betrothal bracelet on Jaikira's wrist.

"This would explain that rather resounding 'Yes!' that echoed down the corridors yesterday," Zeerod quipped. "Congratulations!"

"Zeerod?" Jaikira asked almost timidly. "Could I ask a favor?"

He glanced at Zora who flexed her whiskers in curiosity. "But of course, captain," he replied smoothly. "How may I be of service?"

Jaikira smiled wanly. "My father disowned me when I joined the Legion," she said softly, "but I really should have someone to give me away at my wedding. I was wondering if you'd like the job?"

"Me?" Zeerod blinked, momentarily speechless. "But surely there must be someone more appropriate..."

"Well, I asked K'thok but he declined." She tilted her head to one side, looking at him from beneath her lashes. "So will you, please? I can't go down the aisle by myself."

"Oh, you mustn't, kitling!" Zora was bright-eyed as she nodded encouragingly at him. "It is trrradition, yes?"

Zeerod bowed and held his hand to his chest dramatically. "My dear lady, it would be an honor to escort you to the major's side at your wedding."

"That's the male side of the roster filled," Sarigar commented. "How are you going to pick your attendant, darling? Round robin eliminations in the gym?"

"Ha-ha, very funny." Jaikira made a face at him. "First, I'm going to send a subspace to my sister Jaityra at the Conservatory." She glanced apologetically at Zora. "We promised each other when we were just girls that we would be each other's attendant at our weddings. If she can't make it, then I'll pick someone from Artemis. Do you think everyone will be agreeable with that?"

"It is yourrr wedding, captain," Zora purred. "Whateverrr you and yourrr mate-to-be choose will be perrrfect." She tucked the covers around Jaikira and stood up. "When you arrre well again, the squad will want all the details but forrr now, you arrre to do nothing but rrrest." She shook a finger at Sarigar in passing. "That's an orderrr, majorrr. I'll be back to check on herrr laterrr."

"Yes, ma'am," Sarigar said, snapping out a salute. He waited until the door was shut before coming over and handing Jaikira her tea. "You do realize that we've just told the two biggest gossips on the ship that we're getting married?"

"Yes," Jaikira replied as she sipped her tea. "Convenient, isn't it?"

* * * * *

By the time the Piecemaker arrived at Greelbase, the wedding plans were well underway. Jaityra, Jaikira's younger sister, took some time to locate as she was on tour with a concert group from the Conservatory where she studied music. Fortunately, the tour was winding down and a date was set. Sarivil was delighted with the news and promptly made plans to return with the promised family heirlooms. Neither Jaikira nor Sarigar wanted a big wedding - just a quiet ceremony with family and friends before disappearing for a week of well-deserved leave. The best-laid plans, however, have a habit of changing unexpectedly.

Sarigar smiled indulgently as Jaikira double-checked the shuttle flights. Ever since her sister had sent word that she was on her way, Jaikira had been besides herself with nervous energy. His own sister, Sarivil wasn't due to arrive until the day before the wedding but if she didn't, he wasn't worried. The betrothal bracelet would serve for the formalities. All he wanted was for all the wedding activities to be over so he could be alone with his soon-to-be wife.

Finally, Jaikira tore herself away from the flight schedules. "Everything all right?" he asked casually.

"Seems to be," she answered, slipping her arm around his and leaning her head against his shoulder. "Only two more days and this will all be over."

He sighed with her and lightly nuzzled her forehead. Since they were observing the traditional period of abstinence before their nuptials, both Jaikira and Sarigar couldn't keep from making little affectionate gestures towards each other and frequently did them without thinking. "At least Gokk had the good sense to send Nomad out on patrol. I really needed the distraction."

"Don't get me started on that," Jaikira said crossly. "I was beginning to wonder if you were coming back."

"What, and leave you standing at the altar?" Sarigar quipped. "You'd hunt me down and skin me."

Her eyes danced as she glared at him in mock fury. "You got that right, major!"

They were crossing the courtyard in front of the shuttle port when a shouted voice caught their attention. "Kira!!" A tall Jentekian male waved at her from across the quad. He was casually dressed with a duffel bag slung over his back and an aquaball tucked under his left arm. "Hey, Jaikira! Over here!"

"Friend of yours?" Sarigar inquired but Jaikira was already in motion. As he watched, his fiancée dashed across to meet the newcomer who met her halfway across and swung her up into the air with a vigorous hug. To his astonishment, Jaikira not only tolerated this behavior, but she also reciprocated by throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly.

Laughing, Jaikira led the stranger over. "Gar, I want you to meet my cousin Kaavon. Von, this is my fiancé, Major Sarigar." She smiled indulgently at her cousin.

"Ah." Sarigar held out his hand. "You would be the other black sheep in the family that I've heard about." He nodded towards the ball under Kaavon's arm. "Kira's told me that you play professionally."

"That's me, all right!" Kaavon said cheerfully. He was leaner than Sarigar but he moved with an athletic grace. His bold facial markings made him seem as if he were wearing a wraparound mask and years of exposure to pool water had given his hair blond highlights. "So you're the guy that finally snared our wild child? I've heard about you."

"Really?" Jaikira asked curiously. "From who?"

"Your little sis, who else?" Kaavon grinned. "I ran into her on Jentek station and she told me that you were getting married. She was heading planetside to pick something up and I was leaving to play in a tournament. I had some time to spare so I thought I'd detour through here and say congrats in person."

"Is Tyra with you?"

"No, she's probably a day or so behind me," Kaavon answered. "I'm supposed to tell you that she's gone to get 'it' and she'll be bringing 'it' with her, whatever that means." He passed the ball from hand to hand and eyed Jaikira suspiciously. "Are you two girls pulling a fast one or what?"

"Something like that."

Both males looked at Jaikira and then at each other. Kaavon shook his head slowly. "You are in such trouble."

"I'm getting used to it." Sarigar merely shrugged. "My men are giving me a bachelor party tonight. You're welcome to come, if you like."

"I don't drink anymore, but I still like a good party." Kaavon lifted the strap of his duffel bag with his thumb. "I've got to check-in at the visitor's hostel first, if that's all right."

"I'll come by the hostel and get you this evening." Sarigar leaned over and kissed Jaikira chastely. "I've got a staff meeting, darling. I'll talk to you later."

"All right." Jaikira smiled and gazed after him fondly. She turned back to her cousin and scowled at his amused expression. "What?"

"You like him!"

"Of course, I'm marrying him." She twitched her tail irritably. "Honestly, Von!"

Her cousin laughed at her. "It's just I remember what a heartbreaker you were. How many betrothal proposals did you go through anyway, four or five?"

"I've grown up then, Von," Jaikira said taking his arm and leading the way out of the quad. "I've got a good life in the Legion and a good man to share it with -- what's wrong with that?"

"Absolutely nothing, Kira," Kaavon answered. "I'm happy for you. You can't blame me for being curious about the guy that finally tamed you."

Jaikira smirked. "Who said he tamed me?"

* * * * *

Having played professional sports for many years, Kaavon had seen it all -- formal receptions, celebratory bacchanals, and conciliatory benders. When Sarigar and his second-in-command, a humanoid named Torie Montroc, picked him up at the visitor's hostel, Kaavon was prepared for anything by the time they arrived at the officers' club but a Legion party, as he was soon to discover, was something entirely different.

"Incoming!" bellowed the small creature at the door. Kaavon blinked as the call was taken up by its exact duplicate, identical to the first being with long curved claws, tapered snout, and hairy scaled plating, and then a third.

"Major on deck!"

"Atten-shun!"

Kaavon nudged Torie. "It's too early to be seeing things, isn't it?"

"Those are the Iks," Torie said lightly. "Don't worry about trying to tell them apart. They share a group mind so it's not a big deal."

A booming voice cut through the crowd noise. "Old snake! It's about time you got here!" A furry wall loomed up in front of them and Kaavon inadvertently gaped as he looked up at the ursinoid with the cybernetic eye. "Who's this? A civilian?"

"This is Jaikira's cousin, Kaavon," Sarigar said smoothly as he made introductions. "This is my best man, General Trillian Gokk."

"An honor, sir," Kaavon replied, giving a Jentekian bow in lieu of a salute. He leaned towards Sarigar. "So were you going for rank or size when you picked him?"

"Both," Sarigar answered jovially, "but Trillian and I went through officer's training together. He's one of my oldest friends in the Legion."

"Hur-hur! The only reason I'm doing it is so I can kiss the bride!" Gokk rumbled. He gestured, narrowly missing the bulbous head of a four-armed Polaran. "Help yourself to the bar! The night's just started!"

Selecting an Aurelian carbowater, Kaavon cruised through the crowd of soldiers, amiably accepting the role of odd man out. He'd heard a lot about Sarigar from Jaikira earlier but he was interested in observing him for himself. Curiosity went both ways; before he knew it, Kaavon found himself engrossed in conversation with the acting father-of-the-bride.

"--Delighted to meet another member of the family," Zeerod said enthusiastically. "You must let me introduce you around." They made the rounds of the room until finally ending up in a group huddled around a green-skinned Thracian named Jugger Grimrod.

"So yer here fer th' weddin?'" Jugger commented. "A bit outta yer way, ain't it?"

"Not really," Kaavon shrugged. "I was heading out to compete in a tournament and had time to kill. Besides, when I heard Kira was getting married, I wanted to see the ballsy bospor that had to nerve to do it." His choice of words got the reaction he wanted.

"Hur-hur-hur! Ain't that th' truth?" Jugger waved Kaavon and Zeerod into his circle of acquaintances where they had been playing cards and drinking groghs. Jugger held out a draft. "Want one?"

"No thanks," Kaavon declined politely. He held up his drink. "I'm staying away from the booze. You guys can drink my share."

"Got any creds?" Jugger asked, holding up a compupad. "We'll let you chip in."

"Yeah?" Kaavon looked intrigued. "What's the bet?"

"Honeymoon pool," Jugger said, narrowing his eyes at Sarigar across the room. "The major an' his lady have a certain reputation, y'see, so th' bet is how long an' how often. They've only got a week's pass so that's th' time limit."

"Hmm...," Kaavon pursed his lips and stared into space thoughtfully. He reached into his jacket pocket and flipped out a couple of cred chips. "One hundred says that they make it to twelve hours and one hundred more says they make it to a full twenty-four or better. After that, they'll both be unconscious."

"No way," Jugger scoffed. "I mean, my money is on Sarigar all th' way, but really-"

Zeerod regarded Jaikira's cousin shrewdly. "I'd said he's got the inside track, lads. Come on now, give - what do you know that we don't?"

"I'm Jentekian, guys," Kaavon said with a good-natured shrug. "We have mating rituals that don't make it into the galactic standard textbooks." He glanced towards Sarigar, who was nursing a nutrient shake and talking with General Gokk. "See him? He's not touching the booze but that's the second protein drink I've seen him with."

"So?"

"I had lunch with Kira and my petite little cousin ate me under the table." He grinned. "Traditionally, the bride and groom tend to stoke up on their food reserves so that they have plenty of energy for the honeymoon. The longer your nuptial mating goes on, that's how many years you'll be married, or so they say."

"You know, Jugger," Zeerod said sagely, "I'm getting the feeling that you might want to stop the betting now before things get totally get out of hand."

"Naw, this will make it more interestin,'" Jugger said with a wicked laugh. "A lot more interestin.'"

"So, what was Jaikira like when she was younger?" Torie Montroc asked as he and Sarigar wandered over. "I'll bet you have all kinds of stories."

"Yeah," Kaavon drawled out, "but if I tell you, she'll throttle me." He laughed. "Kira used to be a real bookworm. We used to have to drag her out of her room to play. All she did was read and study and practice all day long."

"Really?" Sarigar raised his eyebrows. "What happened?"

"Her rebellious teenage years, of course." Pausing to take a sip of his drink, Kaavon continued. "We used to sneak out of the family compound and get into all kinds of trouble. Kira used to love to go to these spaceport dives because the music there was so unlike the formal stuff she was forced to practice all the time. Once she caused a riot because she'd entered a singing contest. She'd had a few drinks to settle her nerves, and thank Ayal she'd entered under another name, because when she got on stage, she had the crowd worked into a froth. If it wasn't for the fact I'd known her since she was a skinny little girl, I would have been drooling with the rest of them."

"Let me guess -- she called herself 'Naja?'"

"How'd you know?"

"Oh, I know Naja," Sarigar said with a smug smile, "intimately."

"A-ha! Then she's probably done the Sssl' phahnla for you then."

Sarigar choked on his drink.

"No?" Kaavon chortled gleefully. "Boy, are you in for it!"

"The what?" Torie asked, grinning at his commander's obvious discomfort.

"It's an erotic Jentekian dance form," Kaavon said gleefully. "My aunt is very traditional. A girl isn't considered a well-rounded betrothal prospect if she doesn't know how to perform the Sssl' phahnla for her mate." He chuckled darkly. "It was considered one of Jaikira's more desirable selling points, considering how many proposals she turned down."

"She's had others?" Sarigar asked, raising a brow ridge. "She's never mentioned it."

"I doubt that she would." Kaavon took a sip of his drink. "She never liked the whole betrothal concept. I was really surprised to see her wearing that bracelet today."

"She never takes it off," Zeerod observed.

"Really?" Kaavon smirked. "Well, well... little cuz is finally settling down." He raised his voice in an eerie imitation of Jaikira's and said, "'Von, I'd rather be dead than be shackled to some ignorant male with an iconoclastic, out-dated symbol of morality. It's demoralizing and demeaning!'" He laughed with everyone else. "Little miss opinionated - it was a relief when she went into the Legion because she and my aunt would argue every waking minute. Don't ever say Kira is like her mother," he told Sarigar, "not if you ever want to want to get back into her good graces again."

"Are they that much alike?"

"If you're lucky, you'll never find out."

* * * * *

"--and then that Thracian tried to proposition the dancing girl, she laid him out cold!" Kaavon grinned. "That's when Sarigar grabbed me by the collar and we went out the side exit just before the MPs came roaring up. I've been to some wild parties before but you Legionnaires really know how to push it to the edge."

Jaikira shook her head as she sat across from him at the small table. They had met for breakfast in the arrival lounge at the shuttle port. "Oh, dear. This explains why Nomad looked like the living dead when they came out of their barracks this morning. Thank Ayal they didn't decide to do the bachelor party the night before the wedding. Did Gar drink much?"

"Hardly anything, cuz," Kaavon answered. "Maybe a couple of groghs but that's all." He lowered his voice. "You'd think he was in training, hmm?"

"None of your business, Von," Jaikira said pertly. "What are your plans for the day?"

"I talked some guys into a pick-up game at your natatorium," he said good-naturedly. "Sarigar said he'd captain the other team so if he's as good as you say he is, it'd ought to be a decent match."

"That would explain why you've got your gear with you," Jaikira commented, noting the gym bag by her cousin's chair and the ball that he kept passing from hand-to-hand. "I'm beginning to think you sleep with that ball."

"You know me, always practicing." They both looked up as another shuttle arrival was announced. "Sarigar told me to keep an eye out for his sister. Her flight's due this morning."

"Don't you go making a pass at her," Jaikira warned him as she scanned the crowd coming through the arrival gate. "I know how you are."

Kaavon laughed. "No worries, cuz. I never fool around with girls whose brothers carry a hel-gun."

At that moment, Jaikira stood up and waved. "Sarivil! Over here!"

A tall Jentekian female waved back and made her way out of the crowd. She had the same facial marking as Sarigar and was very conservatively dressed in a skinsuit and tunic. "Jaikira!" she called out as she came closer. "Where's that brother of mine? He isn't making you do everything, is he?"

Jaikira laughed. "No, I'm letting him sleep in. His bachelor party was last night."

"And a fine time was had by all," Kaavon said brightly.

"This is my cousin, Kaavon," Jaikira said, making introductions. "My sister told him about the wedding and he decided to show up for it."

"I'm meeting Sarigar at the pool for an aquaball game in an hour or so. Would you like to go with me?" Kaavon offered. "Kira's got to wait for Jaityra to get in."

"Hmm..." Sarivil eyed Jaikira conspiratorially. "Legionnaires playing aquaball -- will the viewing be good? It's been a long time since I've had the leisure to ogle the odd male."

"I'd say your chances are pretty good," Jaikira commented, "but you shouldn't say things like that when Von's around. It goes straight to his head, poor dear."

"Really, cuz," Kaavon snorted. "I'm not as vain as that!" He winked at Sarivil.

Two hours later, Jaikira was starting to get anxious. The last two transports from the Auron system had disembarked without any sign of her sister. Sighing bitterly, Jaikira checked the shuttle schedule again. A private vessel from her home system was preparing to dock. She didn't believe in coincidence but at this point, anything was worth investigating.

Her comunit buzzed. "Captain?" Zora's voice purred. "I've just finished with the caterrrerrrs. Has yourrr sisterrr arrived yet?"

"No," Jaikira replied, "and it's beginning to look like you had the right idea when you insisted on having my dress uniform pressed and cleaned."

"Well, a formal militarrry wedding can be verrry dramatic," Zora said consolingly. "Everrryone in the squad has theirrr uniforrrms decked out according to rrregs. Shall I have yourrrs prrreparrred?"

"Let's wait on that," Jaikira said as she threaded through the crowd. "There's an unscheduled corsair arriving from Belgar II. It's a long shot, but she might have been able to wrangle a spot on board."

"As you wish, Captain. I'll see you laterrr."

Following the shuttle schedule, Jaikira found herself leaving the arrival gates for the commercial flights and heading towards the slip reserved for the higher military echelon and Sideruem Council members. She and Kaavon both preferred to travel in anonymity whenever possible but Jaityra could have easily exercised her high family privileges to travel faster.

The sleek corsair looked out of place amongst the more sturdily built shuttles as it took its place in the docking ring. Whoever was arriving had full diplomatic security so a passenger list was unavailable to the public. Jaikira swished her tail impatiently as she waited for the passengers to disembark. She didn't have to wait long until a younger Jentekian female appeared, looking around anxiously as she hooked the strap of her travel bag over her shoulder. She was dressed simply but elegantly in a sleeveless dress and her long hair was covered with an iridescent scarf.

"Tyra!!" Jaikira threw her arms open and hugged her younger sister. "You made it by the skin of your teeth! Did you bring it?"

"Y-yes," Jaityra answered slowly. Her forehead wrinkled in a pained expression. "Unfortunately, that's not all that came with me."

Jaikira looked past her to the airlock of the ship and her eyes widened in horror. "No... not you."

"Hello.... daughter."

To be continued in Chapter XVII: The Wedding, Part 2