Chapter 27
Scarlet
“Well, that was a load of horse shit,” Scarlet said in falsely pleasant English so that no one realized what she was saying as Super Crav climbed back in his box.
And good riddance to him.
Alanna snickered and responded, also in English, “Thank you for not exploding and driving away one of our allies.”
“If he said ‘breedable’ one more time, I might not have lasted.”
“What are you whispering about now?” Havali asked, using his grip on her neck to direct her head back just enough that he could speak into her ear.
Scarlet couldn’t suppress the shiver that went through her. Had a man ever taken such careful control of her before? They always either seemed to not take control at all or try too hard and end up either seeming fake or causing damage.
Havali’s claws weren’t out, his grip wasn’t harsh. When he moved her, it was more like a firm suggestion that she could easily break out of if she was so inclined. That made his taking control a choice of hers and therefore something she didn’t have to resist.
“They’re focusing on us as mates again,” she responded, very nearly resting her head back on his shoulder as she tried to keep her voice from being accusatory.
She didn’t know who might be listening and, even if she didn’t like what was happening, she didn’t want to anger or alienate their allies by speaking from anger. Even if she did feel justified.
“They should be so lucky,” he said, warm affection in his voice heating her up inside. “Do you want me to tell them to stop?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s fine. If it gets too bad, we’ll have a conversation. But so long as it’s working, I can’t complain.”
He sniffed her gently making her tremble in his grasp, prompting an answering growl from him. She sighed, relaxing against his chest.
Atem’s angry growl opened her eyes to gaze at her alien brother as he glared at Havali as though he might be willing to fight him here and now.
“Later, Healer,” Havali said in her ear, chuckling. “Let’s not test his temper. It’s stretched thin enough these days.”
“Yeah,” she sighed, standing straight, already missing his hand as it fell away. “He’s been super grumpy lately.”
“His pregnant mate keeps leaving her nest,” he said as though that explained it.
Which, she supposed, it did. As hard as the domini instincts were riding Peony, they were just as bad, if not worse for Atem, because they were his own natural instincts and not a transplant from the fetus.
As much as Peony didn’t want to leave her nest, he wanted to keep her in it.
The fact that her humanness kept pulling her out was making him cranky.
Better not to make it worse by openly flirting with an unproven male in front of him.
Still, she couldn’t stop herself from sharing a look with Havali as the next detractor was stepping out of his box, prepared to speak with a grim look on his face.
The rest of the day was largely just a repeat of the morning.
Someone came down and pointed out some reason why humans shouldn’t be allowed to join.
Some were reasonable and harshly logical, like Tsok, others were angry and resentful, some others were fearful.
Like maybe the humans could pose some kind of threat.
Then, alternately, a proponent would come down.
They were either passionate and excited like Crav or logical like Tsok – but at least logical in their favor.
One of them earned growls from all three Havali, Atem, and Tuvo for daring to suggest that they should accept Earth and harvest it of resources – kind of sort of implying that human females were on that list.
His species was one suffering from womb rot, and though Scarlet understood his desperation, she did not like being made to feel like chattel.
The day that followed was the same. As was the day after that.
Endless hours and marks of aliens expressing agreement or displeasure at the humans joining them.
Luckily, it did not get to the point that they ran out of allies.
If it did, the arguments would have become just a long line of naysayers telling them all that humans should definitely be uninvited to the cool kid’s club.
But it also didn’t go the other way either.
By the time they finished with arguments a few days later, and all the questions had been asked and answered, Atem had a chance to speak his closing statements, once more giving his opinion on why Earth should be a protectorate.
Scarlet was exhausted. Objectively, she did little more than stand there and listen, but days on end of it, fighting past the alternating anger and frustration with each side, left her tired beyond reason.
The High Imperium thanked everyone for their contributions halfway through the last day before calling up the next species to present their case. It seemed so anticlimactic that, after all that, they didn’t even get to have a vote.
Though, that might have been a good thing. When Alanna was going over the numbers that night at the team meeting in Atem and Peony’s room, it was to find that the spectrum of potential allies and enemies had now been sorted into definitely no, definitely yes, and maybe.
The maybe pile was very small. The noes were outnumbering the yesses by three. And humanity’s future was hanging in the balance by a single digit number.
“This is fine,” Atem assured the three discouraged humans. “We still have time to change minds before the final vote. There are enough maybes to make the vote yes. We simply have to win those votes to our side before the end.”
Peony sighed, rubbing her belly. “Do you really think we can?”
“I know we can,” Atem promised, sitting behind her on the bed so he could pull her onto his lap and hold her belly from behind. “Havali shall give us whatever information we need on these maybes, and we shall change their minds.”
Scarlet looked to Havali who grunted in agreement.
Before she had a chance to ask anything else, someone commed Atem to tell him that Fellaseen had arrived and was requesting an audience with the delegation on behalf of the High Imperium.
She did not mind coming into the nest if Peony and Atem were okay with her there.
Peony was. Atem was not, but he pretended to be as he clutched his mate close and tried very hard not to glare at the new female when she walked in. Whether from politeness or because she sensed his aggression, she didn’t come in much further than the door.
“Greetings,” she said brightly, doing that four handed diamond bow thing. “It is a pleasure to see you all again. Speaking in the capacity of the plenipotentiary of the High Imperium, we have come to offer you a gift.”
“A gift?” Peony repeated, gently stroking the arm that Atem kept protectively around her protruding belly as he looked over her shoulder.
“Indeed.” Fellaseen looked to Scarlet. “The High Imperium feels very guilty for what happened to you. All representatives and their guests are under their protection, and that protection failed that night, nearly at the cost of yourself.”
“Oh,” Scarlet sat up straight in surprised.
That had been days ago now. She had already considered it over and done with since security had been stepped up in the compound.
She didn’t even really feel like the High Imperium owed her an apology.
“That’s not necessary. You guys are trying to find them. That’s enough.”
“Still, they wish to make amends.” She smiled. “The High Imperium wishes to invite you and your delegation to enjoy a star cruise over the main power pole of Holotulle’s Ring.”
Scarlet had no idea what that meant, but clearly the domini did because their three eyes all went wide as they stared at her in amazement. Even Alanna’s jaw dropped.
“Are you serious?” She asked, grabbing at her chest.
“Am I missing something?” Peony asked, looking between them all.
Scarlet shrugged, not understanding either.
Havali was happy to explain, a hint of awe in his voice.
“There are five power poles along the Ring. Gathering points for the solar energy that is harvested through the night shields. They inhabit districts all on their own and are incredibly important to life on the ring. But it’s a great deal of energy and, like all energy, it’s not all completely transferred into power.
Some is lost. But they cannot lose it through heat, otherwise the district would be damaged, and no one could work there due to the high temperatures.
So, instead, they deliberately release it as light energy periodically. ”
“So, like little stars?” Scarlet asked, trying to picture what he imagined.
“No,” Alanna breathed, leaning forward. “Like an aurora!”
Havali nodded as Peony gasped, catching on. “It is a beautiful display. Incredible to behold. And the main power pole is said to be the most beautiful of all.”
“Said to be?” Scarlet repeated.
Alanna giggled, wriggling in her seat. “Since the power poles are so important, flight in or around them is highly restricted and breaking that restriction earns immediate punishment. Like, blow you out of the sky style punishment. There are some pictures, but they’re few and far in between.
Only a select few are ever allowed to actually see the lights.
It can only be done with the High Imperium’s direct permission! ”
“Precisely,” Fellaseen smiled peaceably. “If you are agreeable, we can begin making the arrangements tonight. We can have your cruise scheduled for about a tenday from now.”
As she spoke, she looked directly at Scarlet. A second later, Scarlet realized that, though the invitation was directed towards all of them, it was primarily for her. She was the one who had nearly been hurt or taken. Therefore, it was up to her to accept or decline.
Peony and Alanna couldn’t be making bigger puppy dog eyes if they tried.
Choking back a snicker, she inclined her head politely to Fellaseen. “We’d be happy to go. And are grateful for the opportunity.”