“Batac. These people”. Tah was disgusted. Did they not understand that living like this brought death? Gagging and holding his breath, he checked his PID. The information was clear and he had the directions to the first on his list. He moved quickly. Did all of Earth stink and look like this? This was no paradise. How were his people to live here? Their sense of smell would be their undoing. Living like this would not be easy for their kind. It didn’t look this bad on vid he reflected. Raising his nose trying to get above the smell he started to jog to the end. His people would not understand this way of living. No respect for the environment, no respect for themselves or what sustains them. This pained Tah. He was a little less hopeful that this world would provide the answers he needed. The salvation his people needed. With determination, he headed to his first stop.
***
Alex sat back in her chair and looked around at the empty office. She was always amazed when she looked down the open plan office just how large it was. Keeping your head down tended to warp your sense of space. Your desk became your bubble. No pictures of children or husband on her desk. No hand drawn pictures from the kids. No, not for Alex. A noddie head smiley character. Her personal mug. Stacks of paperwork full of useful reference material. Two screens. 3 Phones. 5 Systems on line. Legal documents and a pen holder. And a bowel of sweets for the staff who passed her desk or came by for a chat. That was her desk.
Alex smiled at the last of her staff who was heading out the door.
“You go home too Alex” Emma, Alex’s admin called out to her, Alex waved them off.
“Sure thing, on my way now too”. The staff knew Alex had a rule. If the staff were still working so was she. It made for an interesting life. Unpredictable and challenging but her staff never doubted her support. Alex swivelled her seat and turned back to her desk. She looked out the window. It took a very special man or woman to be able to put up with that crap. You couldn’t make plans. She’d tried many many times, and often ended up paying for tickets and not getting there. You just couldn’t guarantee what time you’d be home. Couldn’t guarantee you wouldn’t be up all-night re-writing court paperwork for the next day.
It was ironic. Alex told herself leaning back in her chair. This job was to support relationships and family. Yet, so many social workers were broken by the demands of the job. Partners not understanding the pull and drive of it or that they had to take a back seat when needed. It takes a very understanding and secure person to be able to deal with that and not question that you’re not ‘out partying’.
Sadly, Alex reflected, it affected many of her staff’s relationships as well as her own. When she interviewed for new staff positions, she was always honest with them. There would be times when you had to do after hours work, it would be at short notice, you needed child care, if you had them, in place in case you needed it and sometimes you would have to cram the weekends. It was the job. They were an Intake Team. It was the reality. The demands of the job outweighed the paid hours 2 to 1 at times and would wear you down.
No. Relationships were not easy in this game. As if. Alex snorted. Who had the energy for that anyway? It was such a great view from her desk on the 7th. The sun was setting, it was getting dark earlier now she noticed. The night’s drawing in and cooler nights were in the air. Winter will be here all too soon thought Alex. The different changing seasons always brought work to her door. No matter what was going on in the world, be it economics or politics, people were still the same. Nothing trumped nature.
Well, not today it seems. She’d be leaving on time. She could definitely do with that glass of wine when she got home. Alex rolled her shoulders. Yep, definitely time to go, she told herself turning off her computer and screens, she filed her papers, forwarded her phone, picked up her bags and headed for the elevators. She was done.
***
Tah was reeling. He’d returned to the ship moments ago after visiting three of the locations on the top of his list. He had remained hidden to all eyes but what he had witnessed and heard, he had little words for and those he did, made him want to punch something. Tah was angry, his control on his emotions slipping as he headed for the training room. He was in serious need of exercising some rage.
“How could they let that happen?”, he shouted to no one, the same question he had asked himself over and over again. Tah burst through the training room doors, looking for someone to combat. Remembering he was alone on his craft. Dam it.
“Computer, simulation warrior Tah two”.
“Compiling, warrior simulation Tah two”. Bouncing on his heels, Tah stripped off his weapons and PID and eagerly waited for the sim to start. Human behaviour left him feeling cold, angry and sad. Tah realised this was not all the people of Earth but there were plenty like this. He would eradicate all those that posed harm. With a primal roar, Tah engaged the sim.
Two hour’s later, exhausted but feeling more in control of his emotions, Tah made his way to the showers, ordered nourishment, ate and fell into a dreamless sleep.
“Tomorrow had better show promise” he murmured as sleep took him.
***
Tah was irritated. The last 4 days followed a similar pattern. He shadowed three organisations a day. Returned to the ship. Beat on some training equipment to vent his anger and frustration, showered, ate and slept. The information he had gathered told him nothing but the worst of these Human’s and their nature and yes, also some of the best. People willing to go to great lengths at their own sacrifice sometime to help those in need. That had been humbling to see. But the fact remained, they wouldn’t be needed if the situation didn’t exist. Earth was failing at dealing with these issues. Politics often getting in the way. It wasn’t working and yet, no one was willing to stand up and do something radical.
Tah hit the sim hard. Tomorrow was a ‘weekend’ Tah had learnt that from several people he had overheard. Time worked differently on Earth. Many organisations did not work the days know as Saturday and Sunday. But he had overheard some of the workers talking excitedly about meeting up after work on Friday evening to what they called “blowing off some stream”. Tah smiled at this saying, they had a similar one on board the fleet ships. It was clear they had plans to meet up with people they worked with from other organisations and have what they called “down time and a few laughs”.
Tah understood letting off steam with follow warriors after much hard work. This social event with a mixture of alcohol and company, could be both enlightening and eventful. Tah raised his eyebrows. Certainly, if it is anything like his troops ‘down time’ it would be. Decision made, Tah headed for a shower and change of clothes. After his meal he would be meeting up with those people. This is going to be perfect. He told himself.
Tah engaged his PID at the appointed hour. “Computer location of Sid’s Wine Bar, up loaded to PID, drop and secure ship”.
“Compiling, uploaded information to PID, drop in 3,2,1 drop, ship secured”.
***
Alex dropped into the bar chair. Was it really Friday night already? she thought. Haaaa. There was a god after all, but it felt like it had taken an age in getting here. Alex took a quick look round the bar that had become important to those in social care. Near enough to the office, that it wasn’t a huge walk and in the business sector, so no client housing. It was perfect. A mixture of departments was present. Some from different services too. Alex recognised most of them. The bar wasn’t much, not posh or spic and span, a bit rough round the edges, a place to let off steam, and devoid of clients. It was relaxed and clean, with good bar staff and company.
More importantly the food was good, and for those that wanted it, the drinks not overpriced or watered down. Alex noticed about half her team letting off steam. She would leave them be. She liked the bar and they deserved it. If they wanted her to join, them they would ask. No insult given, none taken. Who wanted their manager round them all the time? God knows, I don’t, she reminded herself.
“There you go Alex, one spritzer hea
vy on the lemonade”. Alex looked up into the smiling face of Ryan. An ex-employee who now worked for one of the organisations.
“Thanks Ryan I could do with it, haven’t seen you for a while, how’s the family and how are you doing”.
Tah found the ‘bar’ just fine. It was in a nicer part of the city. Lots of what were described as business tower blocks. As he walked in he was assaulted by a multitude of smells. Sifting them, he found one intoxicating fleeting scent, that was wholly surprising. He tried to narrow in on it and failed. Too many other scents mixing in. It looked busy for early evening but guessed that most had come from ‘work’.
Walking discretely, silently due to his camo, Tah walked into the bar and moved from one group to another unseen. As he studied them, it was clear that there were several groups within these groups of people. Most surprising to him was that most of the people were female. Unescorted and no males to speak of. It was clear to him that some were just like his warriors in many ways. Some appeared to be old timers. Some being nurtured. Some were here to drink away the week, some appeared angry, some sad, but generally, they were there to socialise and bond, to have ‘fun’ and catch up with friends and unwind.
Tah was heartened to see that when groups come together with a common thread. Whether Bataari or Human, the atmosphere the same. There was plenty of rowdy complaining and storytelling, although all were obviously careful not to talk about people from work. Generalisations where the order of the day and clearly no names but meaningful looks. It was clear that these people were protective of their clients and the chatter quickly moved away to other issues. One name came up often, as they spoke of many things. Said with a mixture of awe, sometimes gratitude and thankfulness, or some slight annoyance. This person had the answers to many things it seemed. Tah needed to check this person out. They were clearly wise and enlightened on Earth cultures, and had mentored many of these people present. Clearly they had many years of insight to offer these people when working with males and females of this world. This person would be of use to him.
Alex came back from the ladies and a Cappuccino was waiting for her at the bar.
“That’s your one for the road Alex”. Alex smiled at Ryan. She wasn’t much of a drinker. She liked a glass of wine now and then or a spritzer but that was about it and when driving, one was her limit.
“Thanks hun, you know me, one drink wonder, got a long drive so the caffeine is perfect”. Alex took a sip and visibly relaxed. “Umm it is perfect”. Ryan laughed at her expression.
“I see you’re still a caffeine nut”. Alex nodded. “Sooo, you still doing 12 hour days 5/6 days a week, or are you doing reasonable hours now?” He asked her. Alex laughed, it always came back to work issues.
“You know the job Ryan, it is what it is”.
“Its gonna kill you is what it is.” Ryan choked back emotionally. Alex smiled and squeezed his arm. Ryan had given up mainstream social work finding it too demanding and emotionally wearing, Alex could sympathize. All those that came out of university thinking they were going to make change and save lives, were often disillusioned when reality kicked in. Unable to cope with the demands of the job, they left finding something easier to work with.
“No need to worry Ryan, the jobs the job”. Resigned, Ryan nodded.
“Yeah, sure”. They both knew Alex gave too much.
***
Tah had followed the conversations round the room and moved to the couple at what was called the ‘bar’. The female had recently returned from what was called the ‘rest rooms’. Tah did not understand this phase. Having checked the place out initially on arrival for any possible threats. The ‘rest room’ was not a place anyone would want to rest. Mostly, they were not nice places. They were places where your bodily needs were disposed of. The males rest room far from pleasant, far worse than the females. The smell with his heightened senses made him gag. That kind of mess was uncalled for.
Tah moved to get a better view of the female. As he glimpsed her. Tah had to shake the shock of surprise off himself. This can’t be the right person that the others had talked about? But the name was correct. This Alex was not old and wizened at all. Clearly no elder. He wondered again if he had the right person. Tah touched his PID and looked at the records for this organisation. She had been called a Team Manager.
Tah checked again, his concentration distracted by that heavenly scent. His nose tickled and twitched. Tah breathed deeply. It was …….. amazing, he felt he could breathe it in forever, never ending. It was nothing like the artificial and created smells of this world. He’d had plenty of that to deal with over the past week. This was natural. Sweet, warming, but not sickly. Clean, like a new sun rise. Tah felt himself becoming compromised. He had a sudden moment of being out of control. Being led. He leaned forward towards this Alex as if being pulled magnetically to her.
Tah shook his head and refocused. What the hell was going on? He looked around sharply. Had he been infected with something? Everyone was where he’d seen them before. No one had come near him. The other smells the same as before. Tah checked his PID. The air was tainted with bi products of this Earth, but not any known drugs to influence him were present in any of the scans. Suddenly, Tah’s body went on warrior alert. His chest expanding and his limbs loose. Strength streamed into him from his core. Battle blood. Where was that smell coming from? Tah moved around the space checking for possible attack and moved into a protective stance and found none.
It took all his will power to bring his Battle Blood under control. Tah turned his attention back to the couple at the bar, Tah observed the female. Her name was Alex. She was small for a Human, barely came up to his chest. She had what was called ‘blond hair’ pulled back at the nape of her neck. It looked thick. Shinny. Some strands had come loose and were haloed around her face. Tah wanted to brush them back from her face. He had an intense need to touch her.
Woooah. Tah stepped back. What did that mean? Tah shook his head again to clear it. This time he really looked at the female. Her clothing seemed masculine known as a ‘suit’. She had a clear complexion and her eyes were a deep blue. Tah liked those eyes, they were unique to him and drew him in. This Alex was nothing remarkable by Earth standards from what they considered ‘beautiful’. It meant little to him. His race did not judge by anyone’s standard of ‘beauty’. She looked nice, he thought but no goddess as Earth literature spoke of, and she looked like no elder he knew either.
Tah observed the interaction between Alex and the male, he noticed she was offering moral support both verbally and physically as she reached out to touch this Ryan’s arm. As the female made contact, a growl burst out of Tah. Guttural and harsh and loud. Tah shocked, quickly backed away. What the hell had just happened? He never lost control. And, what in the depths of hell was that? That sound coming from him. A memory surfaced but he could not pin it down. Surprise hit him as he had to bite back further outbursts. His gums ached looking for blood. Something was wrong.
The thought of this Alex touching the male angered him? His reason told him they were not involved as a pairing, but he felt he was struggling for control. He felt the blood rage start to surface. He swallowed hard. Taking calming breaths. Placing his focus elsewhere. He needed to speak to her. To understand what was happening here. Tah did not understand this reaction to the female. There was no mention of it in the Earth information. Did Earth women entice males with their scent?
This was a threat to this people. Something unknown. Not recorded. He was a strong male and if he could react in such a manner to a female of Earth, then others would fall easily. Tah realised standing there, that this was not going to give him the answers he needed. Walking to the back of the bar, Tah entered the rest room for males. Seeing it empty, Tah materialised, placed his PID in camo and turned back towards the bar. He needed answers and he would get them.
***
Ann had just seen the guy walk out of the rest rooms. OMG, he was gorgeous with a capital G, she thought. She ha
dn’t seen him go in but hay, it’s a free world right. She told herself grinning. Simply drop dead gorgeous. Amazingly tall and muscular and big, real big, riding that bad boy biker look. He must be a model, she reasoned, worked out a lot but those features, defined and bordered on beautiful in a manly way and that hair, wow, any women would die for it. He carried himself confidently. This guy knew how to live. Maybe he was a model part time and a soldier of some kind with lots of yummy skills, she mused. Ann’s mind was going into overdrive.
“Clare, check this out”. Ann elbowed Clare and nodded in the new guy’s direction. Clare’s mouth dropped open.
“Halloooo” Ann whispered licking her lips. The new guy appeared distracted, he’s attention over at the bar. Ann nudged Clare with a wicked smile.
“Dibs. Let’s go”.
“Hello, can I help you, I’d like to be of help to you” A female had walked right into his path. Tah stopped abruptly and looked around at the voice. He’d only taken a few steps into the bar when halted by two females.
“I’d really like to help myself to you too”. Smiled the second one. Clearly both had been partaking of the alcohol, thought Tah. His attention taken, Tah lost sight of Alex at the bar and addressed the two females before him. With a tight smile he told them honestly,
“I am sorry, I do not know you and it would not be proper to have you help me in any way”. Tah tried to side step them. They moved with him. Both females turned and stared at each other for several moments with their mouths open, then both burst out laughing at him.
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