Chapter 3 #2
“Nothing much. At least, not immediately. There will be time for us to settle in and for the last of the Coalition members to arrive. Some have to come from quite far. Subspace travel is fast, but it’s not instantaneous, you know.
There will be a party to celebrate the opening of this year’s gathering.
It gives everyone a chance to meet. Especially the new representatives.
Most tend to keep the position for long periods, but there are those that change every year.
After that, the discussions will begin. They are very long and often boring.
Every species gets to bring any topic they want to be debated and considered, no matter how personal it is to them or how petty it might seem to others.
That is when we’ll have our chance to present our argument for humanity. ”
Scarlet’s belly immediately tensed with unease. Even just thinking about it made her sick. She was just a nurse, for crying out loud! She was in no way trained or prepared to speak on behalf of humanity to the greater universe!
But she swallowed the fear back. It was just like being on stage. Just like performing any one of her pretty, pointless talents for a panel of judges that couldn’t care less about her.
Except it wasn’t because this had actual, serious consequences.
And it was terrifying.
That thought must have shown on her face because Havali was quick to reassure her.
“You won’t be alone there, Healer Scarlet. Atem will be with you. Your human sisters will be as well. And myself, of course.”
“You’ll be there?” She asked, grabbing onto anything to help her not think about the enormity of the task that was falling onto her shoulders.
“Naturally.” He smirked with unmistakable pride. “I am the one who knows things, and I am the one who makes things happen. If you need anything, feel free to rely on me. It’s my job to make this as easy for you as possible.”
“What can I ask you for?”
“Anything.” His eyes flashed with a determination that surprised her.
“Any need or desire you have, just let me know. Being a guardian means I provide for people. Whatever they require. Food, safety, information. Anything – simply voice it to me. If I can’t get it or I don’t know, I know someone who can or does. ”
The guardians, on Turv at least, were basically civil servants. They did everything from sanitary services to policing to common labor. It was the largest, most diverse class of people on Turv. And Havali was number one among them.
And, she realized, she actually had no idea what that meant.
For the others, it was easy. Tuvo had to be the best warrior because he led warriors. Romival had to be the best scholar because he led scholars. But it seemed that Havali led a group of people who did everything, so how did he earn the name First Guardian?
She didn’t get a chance to ask as they continued talking logistics. A topic that, while important, was bland. And comfortable. At no point did Scarlet feel like Havali was hitting on her. His looks towards her were polite and kind and his tone was professional.
It was a relief from the desirous stares she usually got from his species. Or hers, for that matter.
Scarlet knew that the domini would never dare lay a hand on her without permission.
If for no other reason than that Atem would remove their hands if they tried.
He took his role as their protector and brother deadly seriously – quite literally, on some occasions.
And she wasn’t unique. All the humans got those looks.
They didn’t seem to care about Hattie’s curves or Scarlet’s height or Holly’s slim figure.
They were human and, being human, they were sexual and sensual without even trying.
She was told it was obvious in the way they moved most of all.
But Havali didn’t give her those looks. He was kind and friendly but not pushy or flirty. It was a sweet relief and she found herself getting comfortable with him rather fast.
“Oh, yes, I know the best restaurants to visit,” he assured her sometime later, nodding as he did so.
Nodding and head shaking were other moves that were purely human. But he had been doing them casually as they talked and becoming more natural with each attempt.
“I’ve already made a list of ones that I know serve human safe food.”
Scarlet started, surprised. “You did?”
“Of course. Tuvo may be in charge of your safety, but his role is more physical. It’s my task to make sure that you’re fed appropriately.
I know you can’t eat blood and I know, thanks to Hattie’s research in the kitchens, what sort of things are poisonous to humans.
Your diet is actually fairly varied and there aren’t many things you can’t eat that the entire greater universe also can’t eat.
However, there are some places that serve things that would be toxic to you, so I made sure to go through the list of places in the nearest district to be sure they’re marked out for you.
I’ll be sending a map of locations it’s safe for you to visit, for food or shopping or what have you, to you and the other humans and Atem later. ”
“Wow…” She breathed, impressed. “You really did all that?”
“Naturally. It’s my job.” He grinned, clearly pleased with her blatant admiration. “I’ve also got travel paths marked out, vehicle services we can trust on standby, and I’ve done background checks on all the staff that are going to be working directly with us.”
“You did all that before we left?”
“No. I’ve done all that since I’ve been on the ship. Except the background checks. No signal in subspace, you know. Those were done before I left, but I finished looking through and vetting everyone here.”
Her eyes widened further. “Havali, we’ve only been here a few days.”
“Yes?”
She laughed, disbelieving. “You’re incredible, you know that?”
He looked startled, like he did not, in fact, know that. It only made her laugh harder. He probably got compliments on his looks all the time too. Maybe he was just like her and the idea of being admired for his skills was surprising.
“How much longer until we land?” She asked, looking forward again.
Surprised that she had been so engrossed with talking to him that she hadn’t even noticed how close the ringworld was coming.
She could even see lines between individual segments of the ring now.
Those were probably absolutely massive walls that were dividing up the ring, considering she could see them from space.
“Right now, actually,” he grinned, gesturing to his combot.
Everyone had one. It was a little flying cellphone, basically, that Scarlet thought looked like some kind of bird or flying insect.
It certainly had the jerking, fluttering movements of one.
It created a holo display for him to interact with as he checked something she wasn’t rude enough to read without his permission.
“We were scheduled to drop out of subspace right as the night shield over the space port was about halfway retracted. That gives us exactly enough time to get clearance for our landing shuttle, alert the High Imperium’s representative that we’ve arrived, and have all the belongings of those going down stored and secured.
The alert asking the landing party to mobilize should be coming in about… now.”
Scarlet waited a beat before opening her mouth. The question she was about to ask died in her throat when she recognized Atem’s voice over the intercom announcing that they had permission to land and that the landing party should now make their way to the shuttle bay.
She laughed, stunned. “You’re really good at planning, aren’t you?”
“Scheduling and planning are about ninety percent of my job,” he said without looking up. “If I plan correctly, it minimizes the work that needs to be done and prevents wasted time.”
“Impressive,” she admitted, clapping for him.
His eyes honed in on the motion. “What does that mean?”
“Applause? It’s like… a way of cheering for someone? Saying well done? Good performance? It’s usually for big crowds, I just… Never mind.”
He shook his head, the motion almost seemed natural now. “No. Please. I wish to learn your human non-verbal communication.”
“Why?”
“If we are successful in our mission here, I will doubtlessly be part of the party that goes to Earth to begin first contact. First Voice will have the bulk of the responsibility – even more than Atem, actually – but my skills will be as invaluable as Tuvo’s.
I must learn the various ways you communicate that go beyond words. ”