The unexpected mission
(Sarah P.O.V.)
The Angaran establishment (their governors) have asked us if Ja'al can return to his home planet to assist in an investigation regarding a 'suspicious attack' on one of their main city's destroying a vast area of their homes, civilians and nature. And as Ja'als current commanding officer I have been asked to 'support' him.
Their leader a blue female who wears a red outfit, she stands very gracefully and is a fair bit older than Ja'al but comes across as very wise and calm.
"Good day Commander Ryder of the Tempest." Starts to talk with a velvety serene voice. I nod my head respectfully since I can't remember her name, as it has been a while since I was last greeting onto the planet, however that time we were trespassing by mistake…
"We have asked for your assistance, as you have been told we have had an attack on our third largest tribal settlement. We ask in this difficult time that Ja'al Ama Darav is to return to our custody for a vitally important mission. In doing so it is highly unlikely he will be able to return to the tempest. I am sorry for any inconvenience, Ms Ryder." I could feel my blood boil a little so I made a deep sigh while my brain goes through everything and anything to give him a reason to stay.
"It was a challenge at first for him to settle with all our culture shock to him, and every one could tell it was tough. But he is a valued member of our team and I'd be lost without his help." I said while trying not to blush but almost in defeat I sighed.
'This is not my choice ma'am, its Ja'als. But if he wants me to watch his back." I said to their main leader, then turning to Ja'al himself smiling at him directly.
"Then I have your six covered." I told him not caring if I may have turned a little pink, which was happening.
Ja'al looking down at me gave me his trademark half grin, while shaking his head at me. First time I told him I had his back he took it very literal and was confused, hence all the culture shock.
"I don't think you realise Ryder, but this is a very sensitive operation to which, how can we trust you not to sabotage information? For all we know, it could have been humanity trying to remove us from this world to make it your own." The male dressed in green next to their leader explains very firmly. I look at him and he looks annoyed, but I understand his suspicion, then looking at their leader who looks at him for a millisecond and huffs I think? At him and he the quiets down. Is that in defence of me or… I look down while thinking of something to say but all I can hear is a quiet but aggressive growling sound coming from Ja'al? Growling? I lose track of my thoughts and stare at Ja'al who looks very angry.
"I will ask for Sarah's support for the mission and will make sure there is no sabotage. I can confirm the attack was not of the Tempest, as I have been working very closely with them. And once this mission is over I will be returning to the Tempest, Ma'am." Ja'al very bluntly stated whilst moving in front of me putting his left arm behind himself signalling me to stay behind. I'm not sure if it was this action or the crowd gasping and muttering among them selves. I stand on my toes and curiously peak over his shoulder and see four Angarans with guns in our direction. I suddenly feel a small blush form on my face and rest my hand on his back so he knows I'm behind him. And for a small moment I feel 'protected' and safe even though if I step out they might shoot me.
"That wasn't our agreement Ja'al! You were meant to keep in contact with us! You went silent and then we are suddenly attacked, what would you think in our position? And don't growl at me, Ja'al." The leader said very firmly and almost motherly.
I look at him very confused, almost hurt. I put my hand on his shoulder and gravity slid it down his arm.
"Ja'al?" is all I need to ask as he immediately turned his head so I could see but stayed behind him, however he was avoiding eye contact with me.
He breathes out deeply and says nothing. I go to move out to his right only for him to put his arm out in front of me. Obviously trying to keep me out of the range of the armed Angarans. When I go to look at him he immediately looks away and to their leader, and I don't think I have ever seen his nose twitch so much. Its kind of cute- NO brain stop this trail of thought!
"I will be honest with you Ms. Ryder. I sent Ja'al to join your team, he was to watch you and report your intentions and advise you to find worlds without intelligent life already occupying it. He was sworn to secrecy but didn't give us a report when we asked for one, and the next day we were attacked. Only someone on the inside would know our locations, so somewhere someone is feeding information to an enemy. How can we not be slightly suspicious?" She explained almost saddened and ashamed. Meanwhile Ja'al placed himself directly in front of me, I hate to admit it but it made me smile.
"And yet you accuse her with no evidence. I have travelled and worked very closely with all the tempest crew, I think I would know if we attacked you. Have my word that we have only attacked the Kett. You know they are trying to turn us Angarans into mindless mutants, for them to use as weapons and slaves. And guess what? They are trying it with the Milky Way species too. We saw mutant Asari. We managed to rescue the ones who were not indoctrinated. Is that enough evidence Ma'am?" He more or less, spat at them. And there's the growling again, so to try to calm him down I rested my head on his back. I have no idea why I did it but I didn't want to see him falling out with his own people. As deep down this is his home and its understandable to get upset but I'm sure he wont want to spend his whole life with us humans forever. Even if that were the case, I wouldn't mind staying in his company.
"I'm amazed at how eager you are to help and protect this human," The leader said slightly disappointed with a chuckle. "And completely love struck…" she said loud enough for us to hear.
"What!" I accidently squeaked, surely I didn't not hear that right but any thoughts were distracted by the commanding officer giving us a brief run down on our newly acquired mission.
-
(After the mission Ja'al P.O.V.)
I walk up to the area where the Tempest is 'parked' after contacting Cora explaining that Sarah took a big hit and is unconscious, but alive. And I'm not in the best of conditions myself with multiple open flesh wounds, but they wont kill me. All the other squad members took a lot bigger hits than me. But, I don't know why, I wouldn't trust them carrying Sarah, injured or not. Liam and Drack run to me with a medical stretcher, I place her as gently as I could on the stretcher being awfully careful that I don't catch anything that could be potentially broken, fractured or generally painful. Then I have the fun job of removing her arm from around my neck (which is a lot harder than I had originally thought, and humans are strange biologically, like their straight legs, five fingers, strange feet, tiny heads, the on going long fur that they grow on their heads to ' hair style' and they are also very light in weight).
I nod at my teammates as they run her back to the ships medical centre, while I turn around to find my planets main governor in front of me. I sigh.
"It is done, Kett attack, no one came out with out wounds, the captain is in the med tent getting stitched up, we lost three guys out there, and Sarah needs urgent medical attention." I say firmly but respectfully keeping a full eye contact.
My people's leader smiles at me gratefully, then nods in understanding.
"I am going back to the Tempest" I state and turn round to walk off to the ship when she puts a hand on my shoulder which stops me and causes me to look over my shoulder.
"My little boy has grown up, I am very proud of you Ja'al" She quietly and softly mentions with a smile to which I nod and half smile back.
"And please tell Ms. Ryder, we thank her for her assistance and when she gains consciousness, please, let your mate know she is always welcome here. She acts very young and adorable Ja'al. How old is she? How long do humans live for? Oh and even if I cant expect grand children off you, she is lovely-"
"MOTHER! It's not like that." I may have shouted a bit louder than I'd like to admit, oh shit, people are looking at us now...
"Okay I – I may, think she is cute. And she is a good person. But that doesn't mean she is my mate." I very, very quietly admit staring at the floor sighing a bit.
"She'll come round, trust me. And between us I think she likes you. Now go before I change my mind, and keep her safe." My mother tells me shoving me (well a soft push to the best of her abilities) to the Tempest to which I turn around and wave at my silly and annoying mother who I love dearly.
END!