Chapter 14: Never Said Goodbye
Emily and Leila were staring at Isabel in dis-belief. First, she was carrying a gun! Second, she was trying to make it seem like it wasn't illegal. And third, she hadn't told them that she had fallen in love with an eighteen year old air force officer from America.
"When were you going to tell us?" Leila was a little hurt. It broke Isabel's heart to hear the slight cry in her voice. "I thought that you trusted us."
"I'm really sorry. I had to sign a non-disclosure agreement that is forcing me into silence." Before Emily had a chance to yell, again, Isabel walked over to her and clamped a hand over her mouth. "If I was allowed to explain it to you I would but I'm being watched so I can't. Will you just drop it?"
"I'm sorry." Leila's voice appeared from behind her. "We shouldn't have pushed you; we don't want to give you a reason to use that gun."
Speak for yourself! Emily thought. I don't believe this crap, she's lying to us!
"I'm not lying to you…" That was when Isabel was engulfed in a white light. Great! "Hi, Thor." Isabel greeted the little grey alien in front of her.
"Isabel, we have spoken with the IOA and they have agreed to council with the four races." Thor explained slowly. "We have brought you here to do so, after speaking with the rest of the races we have agreed that the council will take place on board of my ship."
Isabel was led to a large room with a hexagonal table. There was one chair on five of the six sides and a side with no chair, Isabel assumed that it would be the place for the Ancients. The room filled with a bright white light and each of the seats were filled, apart from one. "You must sit here." Thor instructed as he gestured to the empty chair.
Isabel took her seat and sat looking uncomfortably at the host gathered in front of her. She still felt the necklace on her skin and it wasn't helping comfort her like it usually did. Thor took his seat also and the meeting started.
Look at her. She doesn't even look like she is the right person. One person's thoughts stirred. I hope Thor brought the right girl. Another thought. What a load of rubbish! The familiar voice of General O'Neill echoed.
I have always found it strange being able to hear the thoughts of people regarding your own race. It gets easier in time. One of the Nox remarked.
You can hear it too. Isabel asked shocked. I thought I was the only person who could hear it!
No, there are few of us with this skill. You should find it a gift that you can do this.
I'll have to disagree with you. Isabel tried to listen to the rest of the introduction Thor was giving but she had heard it already on the way over here.
For the rest of the meeting she had no need to listen with her own ears. She found it interesting to look at herself from across the room, hearing what people thought about her slightly vacant look. Whenever she was asked a question she would mostly give the answer they wanted to hear but occasionally she would say the opposite and watch them start an argument. She felt that she would answer calmly and slowly say what they wanted to hear until she made them agree with her. Manipulation was fun.
By the end of the meeting she was going to go with the Nox and learn about how to unlock all of her 'abilities' that she had been given. The Ancients would also visit and teach her what she needed while she finished growing up; if she would grow up. Thor hoped that she wouldn't age once she reached sixteen and wouldn't die of natural causes. The only way she would die is if she was beheaded. Living with the Nox meant that she would learn the art of healing so being shot or stabbed wouldn't kill her.
"Thank you for helping us come to this arrangement General O'Neill." Thor said before beaming him back down to earth. Thor individually thanked each representative before they left. When it came to the Nox, Thor called Isabel over one last time. "Are you ready to leave?"
"I am." Isabel gulped. She stood with the Nox and took one last look at the empty table before she was sent to the Nox' homeworld. In the blink of an eye she was looking at the trees and the sky. The gate was still buried and they were stood on top of its burial site. The large Nox city wasn't hidden anymore. It took its place in the sky and looked perfect, she wasn't sure if it was real but she hoped it was. It was amazing to see what a simple people could do. She knew that her thoughts weren't private any more but she didn't mind if he heard this. It was astonishing to see it for herself.
"You will learn much child. You should probably learn how to shield your thoughts." He joked. That was the first time she had heard one of the Nox make a joke. She didn't even think they could make jokes. "You need to learn that very quickly."
"Yeah, I'll try." Isabel sighed.
"It's not bad to miss them." He soothed. "It's good. You will have someone to fight for."
"More like someone to have nightmares over." She retorted. It was depressing. She didn't even get to say goodbye.
"That will make it better for you when your studies have finished. You will be able to return more frequently."
"I suppose that's better than the alternative." Isabel didn't like being away from Earth but it was too late to object now. "Let's get started." Isabel sighed as they walked over hills and valleys towards the city in the sky.