Chapter 1 #2
Sadness enveloped me as I thought of the last research assignment I’d been on, the one that had ended my open welcome on most culture and linguistic expeditions.
It was historic research. And then, after only a few days, it ended abruptly, wasting hundreds of thousands if not millions of grant dollars for the team, thanks to intergalactic political tensions.
But still, I’d managed to bring a lot of resources home to study.
I’d studied for months, barely scratching the surface of the complex framework of the vorpyr culture.
And all of my months of studying had been for not when the government walked in and took it from me.
“I didn’t ask you to walk to lunch with me so you could wallow in bitterness.” Jaron said lightly.
“I’m not wallowing, I am… ruminating.”
He snorted. “Don’t forget I also have a PhD, you can’t wordsmith your way out of this.”
A smile stole over my face. No matter what, I could always rely on my brother. Whether it was to get me in trouble or brighten my day was anyone’s guess.
The day was brisk, reminding me that fall was coming to a close and winter was just on the horizon.
The path we were on led us out to the busy sidewalk going down the street.
It was just after one in the afternoon, so most people were hurrying back to their jobs from lunch.
The whole way my brother made a hilarious commentary on the lives of people we passed, and even the ducks in the pond. Still, he wasn’t as buoyant as usual.
“Something’s on your mind,” I murmured.
Jaron flashed me a surprised look, and I huffed out a little laugh. “You’re my brother, and I may spend too much time in self-pity these days, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know when you’re bothered.”
He was silent for a moment and I waited. He would tell me when he was ready. “You know how I was going to ask Amelia to marry me?”
“Yes.” I carefully kept my tone neutral.
Jaron sent me a knowing look. “I decided it was better to break it off now than regret what I’d done and have to go through a sticky divorce.”
My eyebrows flew up. “But you love her.”
Jaron looked miserable as he shrugged his big shoulders. “You can love something that’s unhealthy for you.”
I swallowed down my exultation at the news. Jaron deserved someone so much better than Amelia and I was glad that he’d finally come to his senses. He was smart and adventurous and Amelia was…high maintenance and demanding.
“I’m proud of you. A decision like that… most people aren’t strong enough to make it. But it’s a good decision. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Jaron.”
His easy grin returned. “Dang, that’s high praise coming from you. Considering how many people you call fools.”
I laughed. He wasn’t wrong.
We made our way into a hole in the wall restaurant set just off the main thoroughfare. There was no sign, only a plain wood door set in an alley, but it was always busy.
We slid into our usual seats and a tiny woman with deep wrinkles and dark olive skin padded over and set out bread for us. She told us the special and we ordered.
“What do you think about the upcoming elections?” Jaron asked when she was gone.
I shrugged. “Does it matter? We’re not the ones voting for them. Each country's elected officials vote on who should be on the Triplanetary Consortium government and half the time I wonder how good our own elected officials are let alone the ones they vote into the Consortium.”
“I don’t know. I think it’s something to keep tabs on.
So far, we humans have been fairly conservative in our interactions with alien species, and few come here.
And if they do, it’s usually because one of the conglomerates is hosting them.
I would really like to see more open trade and flight paths so not just the ultra-wealthy and powerful can experience the galaxy and other cultures.
As of right now, regular humans only get to experience interplanetary travel if they travel to one of the other human planets.
And trips between us and New Earth or MX-717 can get expensive. ”
“I can get behind that, but I don’t think it will happen for a long time.”
We went silent as our food came out. Then he said, “it might if we get the right people in during the election coming up in two years.”
I thought about it. “A term for those on the Consortium government is twenty years, right?”
He swallowed a bite. “Twenty-five.”
“Maybe I should pay more attention. But what would it matter when we don’t vote for them, our planetary governments do?”
“Most of the world governments still listen to their people when we gather in agreement. I think it’s a worthy cause to champion.”
I leaned forward and rested my elbows on the table, chin on my clasped hands as I stared him down. “Are you going to tell me you want to become some sort of lobbyist?”
He flashed a grin. “Would you help me if I did?”
My gaze drifted to the side, taking in the rustic décor without focusing on it. There was a lot of change that needed to happen. “Yes.”
“Well then, to a new adventure.” We toasted our waters and Jaron flashed a nostalgic smile. “Do you remember when mom would take us out to the country to have adventures?”
I groaned. “We thought we were pioneers of ancient times, trying to light fires with flint and going around with sticks we’d tried to make into spears, and riding only half-tamed ponies.
” The arm that I’d broken when I was thrown off the back of one of the temperamental little beasts still ached when the weather got cold.
“She really encouraged our imaginations and adventurous spirits.”
My smile was soft as I thought about Mom. “She was the most incredible person.” She made us think critically and give her a solid argument for anything we wanted. “Just because” didn’t work on our mom.
“I wish we could have adventures like we did then.” Jaron had a faraway look in his eyes.
“It sounds like what you have planned is a pretty good new adventure.”
“It is, but it’s so…” he shrugged, “it’s not exactly like it stimulates the imagination. It’s just recruiting people to tell our world leaders that we want the Consortium to have fair governance.”
“Adults don’t get to have adventures. Not like that. We get piled down in paperwork and practicality and the world around us grows mundane.” I said. That’s why I loved research so much. I could go out and experience something different. It fed something in my soul.
We ate and started back to work, taking a wide loop around the campus.
We were coming around a building when we saw our dean with the university president, a rare sight since the president rarely left her office and was usually busy schmoozing people who could give generous donations to the university.
What made the sight even more concerning was the three clearly high-ranking Consortium Military officers.
“What do you think is going on?” Curiosity glinted in Jaron’s eyes.
“No idea, but whatever it is, we should avoid it. Let’s go this way.
” We had only just stepped onto a path that would lead us around another building, out of sight of the group, when President Sharpe looked our way and said something to her companions.
Our dean turned in our direction and waved, almost frantically.
I sighed. “Why do I have a bad feeling about this?”
“Because after being an adult for so long you’re not as attuned to adventure as you should be.”
“This is not the kind of adventure I need. Unless they want to give me my year’s worth of work back.” I grumbled, thoroughly soured by seeing the two men and one woman in the same uniform as those who’d barged in and taken the most exciting research I’d ever had.
Reluctantly, I followed a step behind my overly enthusiastic brother as he headed down the wide stone path to the group that was now all looking at us with rapt attention.
Yes, I had a really bad feeling about this.