Alien Refuge

by Tracy St. John

  Hoover’s forehead smoothed, and he managed a conciliatory smile. “Of course not. I apologize if I seem less than sympathetic to the fright you had. It’s just I have so much pressure with the Kalquorians always trying to enforce their rule over us. They do not trust us to govern ourselves, and many chafe under their dictatorship.”

  Iris had never seen any evidence of a dictatorship. Even if the Kalquorians had been more controlling, Haven was within their empire’s borders. Who were the Earthers to challenge that? However, it was probably best to meet the temperamental governor halfway.

  She offered her own reasonable smile and said, “I can’t imagine the responsibility you have. It must be quite stressful.”

  Hoover waited as if he expected her to say more. Iris only maintained her smile. She wasn’t about to apologize to him, not for Thomas’ inability to act like others and certainly not for refusing to toe the ‘us-against-them’ line.

  Again, Father Stephen interjected to keep things smooth. “Well, I think we need to be going.”

  Hoover’s placatory smile had waned. “Yes. I have a great deal of work to attend to.”

  Iris saw them to the door. Father Stephen turned to her. “I will send you a vid of the next service, as always. I do hope Thomas is able to sit through sermons soon. He needs the support faith will offer him.”

  Iris nodded. “I hope that will happen too, Father.”

  Fat chance. Thomas’ last attempt to go to church had ended badly. Even with a bag full of trains and sitting in the mostly empty balcony, he had been too excited by his new surroundings to settle down. His yells, running, and finally an attempt to drop an arrangement of flowers on the pews of worshippers seated below had ended the Jensons’ churchgoing on Haven. Thank goodness attending services wasn’t mandatory, as it had been on Earth.

  “Stay warm,” Iris called out after the men as they boarded the governor’s shuttle. Then she closed and locked the door with a relieved sigh.

  It was only then that Iris noticed her small home computer. Sitting on the kitchen counter, it blinked with a vid message. She went over to it.

  “Play message.”

  Jol suddenly appeared before her. Iris’ breath caught as she looked up at his image. Goodness, the man was handsome in an overwhelming virile way. So intense too, much like his Imdiko Rivek. The one difference between the two was that the Kalquorian priest didn’t seem as if he was barely restraining natural violence.

  The recorded Jol bowed. “Good day, Matara Iris. I have repaired your heating unit and the border shielding is in place and operational. You will find the program for activating it on the computer.”

  Thomas was suddenly next to Iris. He tugged on her shirt, his insistence drowning out the Nobek’s message. “Not Copin. Not Rivek.”

  Iris sighed. “Stop and replay vid. Thomas, that’s Jol. Please be quiet while Mommy listens to him. Quiet, Thomas.”

  “Jol,” Thomas repeated and subsided as the Nobek’s message started up again, soon reaching where the child had interrupted.

  “Your snow blower is also repaired. Should you need further assistance, feel free to contact my private com channel, which is now saved to your call list. It has been my honor to serve you and your son Thomas.”

  Jol bowed again, and blinked out as the recording ended. Thomas copied the bow. “Jol went bye-bye. Bye-bye, Jol.”

  “Bye-bye, Jol,” Iris echoed. She had the urge to play the message again, just so she could look at the handsome Kalquorian.

  She shook her head at herself. Okay, so he was handsome. He and his Imdiko. And they were incredibly kind. But they were still Kalquorians, and she needed to keep her distance from now on. Most Earthers, though not as ready to dislike their hosts as Hoover seemed to be, would still not approve of her spending so much time with the aliens. If the E.I.K. took notice, that would be even worse.

  Iris wondered what Governor Hoover and Father Stephen would think if they knew Jol had spent his morning fixing things around Iris’ homestead. She could just imagine the fireworks if they found out she and Thomas had been in the Temple of Life for several hours to boot.

  * * * *

  The end of the workday had arrived. Ospar walked down the halls of the administration building towards Jol’s office. He said goodbye to his staff as they departed, his smile easy. It had been a good day. Any day Governor Hoover didn’t contact him with the usual litany of complaints was a blessing in Ospar’s view.

  The funny thing was, he could understand Hoover chafing under Kalquorian rule. He understood it because Ospar knew full well he would be doing the same thing were their roles reversed. Ospar had once been described by Rivek as ‘the most Dramok of all the Dramoks’. He truly despised not being in absolute control over anything he deemed his purview. Experience was quickly teaching Ospar that Hoover was an incredibly dominant personality as well. Not only that, but the Earther was easily insulted by the least slight.

  Understanding or not, the fact remained that Haven Colony was in Empire space and under Kalquorian protection. That meant give and take was required from both sides, but Ospar and Hoover were both ill-suited for compromise. Rivek would no doubt remind his Dramok that the challenge to work with someone almost completely opposed to him was a gift.

  Not dealing with Hoover today was an even better gift, and Ospar’s mood was positively sunny because of it.

  He neared Jol’s office, which was next to his. His protective Nobek liked to be close to him, a holdover from when he was employed as Ospar’s personal bodyguard way back before they had clanned.

  Right out of training camp, Jol had been heavily recruited by Kalquor’s Global Security force as well as the Royal Guard which protected the Imperial Family. He’d elected to work in the private sector instead, which had led to him and Ospar meeting and eventually clanning. When Ospar thought of how fiercely they’d butted heads in those early days, he couldn’t help but chuckle. At one time, he would have said it was more likely one would kill the other, rather than becoming lifemates.

  Jol’s door was open, as usual. The stern but patient Nobek welcomed anyone who needed his help to come in at any time. When Ospar walked in, his clanmate was frowning over vid reports. He didn’t immediately acknowledge the Dramok’s entrance, but Ospar knew Jol was well aware of his arrival. The head of security missed nothing.

  Ospar couldn’t resist poking fun. “My always efficient Nobek is behind in his work? I must note this day down.”

  Jol cocked an eyebrow as he closed down two readouts and tapped new information into the still-activated one. “I spent a great deal of time correcting Matara Iris’ problems. I am almost done catching up with today’s duties, however.”

  Ospar perched on the edge of Jol’s desk. “Ah, the young lady with the broken heating. Was she glad to see you?”

  “She wasn’t at home. She was making a call on our Imdiko.”

  Ospar’s eyes widened. “Oh?”

  “A most captivating woman.” Rivek’s robes rustled as he walked in. The agreeable aroma of musky scentwood wafted from their folds. He had a food container in one long-fingered hand. “Utterly fascinating. I can’t wait to try this pie.”

  Jol glared at the Imdiko with narrowed eyes. “My pie?”

  Rivek’s disapproving look was muted by the amusement in his eyes. “‘Sharing of riches makes you a richer man.’”

  The Nobek couldn’t restrain a good-humored smile. “And no doubt that just as I’ve kept Iris and her child warm, you have fed her soul with teachings. Therefore, you are due a share.”

  “I like the way you think.”

  Ospar looked from one to the other of the chuckling pair. “Would my clanmates mind including me in this conversation?”

  Rivek handed the food container to Jol. “Matara Iris has no access to this building or our home, and therefore, no access to Jol. Believing his kindnesses required a reward, she made him a pie and asked me to deliver it. She was embarrassed that she could not do more to show her g
ratitude, Jol.”

  Jol opened the container to peer inside. He took an appreciative sniff. “Her gratitude was not required, but I am not one to turn down food. Especially when it smells this good.”

  Ospar leaned close to get a whiff of the offering. Light and tart scents made his mouth water. “A generous gesture, considering you said she doesn’t have much to share.”

  “Then you won’t mind that I disobeyed you and fixed her snow blower.”

  Ospar had expected Jol to do that very thing, but he scowled at his Nobek anyway.

  Jol shrugged. “It was a simple repair, Ospar. What took up so much time was the protective barrier. I’ve got so many men on patrol for the E.I.K. that I didn’t have much help.”

  “You know how the Earthers are about us interfering though.”

  Rivek interceded, something he didn’t often do when the pair were having such a mild disagreement. “I don’t think Iris minds the intrusion except for wishing she could repay Jol in some way. Her son’s wellbeing is her priority, so she is not likely to complain to Governor Hoover.”

  Ospar sensed the undercurrent of concern in the Imdiko’s voice. He prodded, “And?”

  Rivek flushed. “And ... I like her. She is openminded. Open-hearted.”

  As Ospar mulled his Imdiko’s embarrassed admission that hinted at more than what he’d said, Jol added, “She is a staunch defender of her child, even if that means the chance of making enemies of her neighbors. No doubt someone noticed I was at her home today and will have something to say about it. Yet she never asked that I not make the repairs and upgrades.”

  That was another concern. Ospar pointed out, “It could attract the attention of the E.I.K.”

  “Which may mean she will require protection.”

  “And counseling,” Rivek said. He gave Ospar his most innocent look, which meant the Imdiko was anything but.

  Ospar could see his clanmates were completely infatuated with this Earther woman. Through his shock he realized that brought its own set of problems, whether Iris Jenson returned the interest or not.

  Chagrined, he asked, “Is she truly worth making things more complicated for me?”

  Rivek patted his shoulder sympathetically. “Perhaps you should meet her and decide for yourself. I should mention I think we at the temple could benefit her son. He is quite intelligent with much potential if his delaying issues could be managed.”

  Ospar folded his arms over his chest. “Now you’re just meddling.”

  “‘To not help a potential be realized is to shortchange the universe. There is no greater crime.’ I must obey my faith, even if it runs counter to my Dramok’s wishes.”

  Ospar threw his hands up in the air in surrender. He knew when he was defeated. Fortunately, losing to his clanmates didn’t sting as much as losing to others. “Fine. You can introduce me at our earliest convenience.”

  Jol’s com beeped for his attention, and he answered it privately. “Yes? Very good. We are on our way.” He shut it off and stood. “Councilman Maf’s shuttle has landed. Borl is escorting him to his guest quarters.”

  Ospar rose from his perch on Jol’s desk. “I alerted our kitchen staff to be ready to serve dinner should the councilman desire an immediate in-depth meeting. Will you join us in welcoming him, Rivek?”

  “Of course. Don’t forget the pie, Jol.”

  Jol came around his desk, clutching the food container as if it was found treasure. “You know that is not a possibility.”

  The three men headed out, Ospar giving Rivek the particulars of their important guest. Rivek, who kept up in all matters to do with Haven, didn’t require much briefing. Ospar was glad the Imdiko kept himself aware of things important to his Dramok. It added further ease to the stress-free day he’d enjoyed, something Ospar was grateful for since it might go late with the councilman’s arrival.

  The clan traveled to the guest lodgings in the Kalquorian village, located at the north edge of Haven Colony. Like the rest of the colony, the buildings here were all Earther-style construction. The thought had been that if the Kalquorians lived more like their former enemies, it would help encourage Earthers to see the many similarities between the two species. It was also hoped that Earther females would be more open to considering Kalquorian men as viable mates.

  Ospar was well aware of the three-fold mission of the colony under his command. First and foremost was the need to give Earthers the opportunity to recover from the war. Their numbers had been devastated by Armageddon, especially the women who hadn’t often been found off their home planet.

  Secondly had been the Empire’s need to offer some reparation to the survivors. The blasts that had doomed Earth had been an accident and a direct consequence of Earth’s leadership, but Kalquor took the blame anyway. It had been the attempt to invade their enemy’s home base had set off the bombs planted beneath Earth’s major cities. Haven was part of that effort at atonement.

  Third was the hope that bringing Earthers within the Empire, making them a part of its realm, would lead to increased breeding between the two races. Kalquor still teetered on the brink of extinction. Only the hybrid children of the indigenous population and Earthers could save its culture. It was no accident Ospar had been assigned governorship of Haven. He had worked behind the scenes since the very beginning to bring Earther women to Kalquor, to make them part of the clans. It had been his idea to send an old friend’s clan to the planet Plasius four years ago to test an Earther for breeding compatibility. When that compatibility had been confirmed he had, with the reluctant approval of the emperors and most of the council, issued the order for other women to be seduced and sometimes outright abducted to Kalquor.

  In the intervening years, Ospar had become ashamed of the forced clannings he’d instigated. But the Kalquorians would be disappearing in less than 300 years, so he’d pushed the cause. He’d soothed his conscience by carefully selecting the clans for those first Earther women. He’d personally chosen Kalquorians who would do their utmost to make their unwilling Mataras happy. It was an uneasy compromise, even when he’d been utterly convinced he was doing the best thing for the Empire. He still hadn’t quite reconciled himself to his spearheading the scheme, even though the overwhelming majority of those first Mataras had indeed found joy with their mates.

  Guilt over those first Earther Mataras who still insisted they didn’t want to be clanned had spurred Ospar to take action when new laws had been broached. He had wholeheartedly endorsed the proposals, both brokered by his old friend Councilman Rajhir along with Empress Jessica. The latest of these was allowing those first unhappy Mataras to be de-clanned despite the near-unbreakable rule that clanning was for life.

  The second law that Ospar had given much time and effort to see passed was the one made before the war ended: that forced or coerced clannings of Earther Mataras would be banned following the end of hostilities. The outcome of the first Mataras had been a little too successful, it turned out. About half the council had ended up with Earther mates. The rest, mostly council members who had so unwillingly gone along with the initial abductions, had decided they wanted lifebringers of their own. Their constituencies had also clamored to add Mataras to their clans. As a result, many had fought restrictions on coercion.

  The current law outlawing forced clannings had been put in place for five years, an uneasy compromise with Kalquorians who wanted the issue revisited in the future in case the Empire’s numbers continued to fall. Half of that time had already passed. With the numbers of childbirths rising, making Kalquor viable for at least the next five hundred years, it was thought the law would probably be extended. Perhaps made permanent. More and more Earther women were going to Kalquor and joining clans on their own.

  One of Haven’s modest successes was kept as quiet as possible. In the less than two years since it began, well over four hundred women who had come there for a new start on life had found clans on the colony or had moved on to Kalquor to find mates. The Kalquorians did all they c
ould for new, unmarried female arrivals, giving aid where possible. Women came to trust their hosts when they weren’t warned away by fellow Earthers, which happened more than Ospar liked. The E.I.K. had become a real problem as of late, using intimidation to keep the races separate.

  Ospar had not attempted to find a Matara for his own clan. His work took up so much of his time that he hadn’t really considered it yet. Certainly he was too busy for fatherhood, though the idea had some appeal ... for the future. Rivek hadn’t had much contact with Earthers either, being a priest who spent most of his time ministering to those Kalquorians searching for greater meaning or simply looking for a clear mind to counsel them on their troubles. Jol was among the Earther population more than the other two, but it was usually in an official capacity. Nobeks dealing with security issues were not very approachable men, but Jol had found a couple of infatuations. His fascinations hadn’t been long lasting. One young woman he’d deemed as ‘too silly’ after a couple of months. Another had commed him incessantly during the day while he was working, even after he’d patiently explained to her why he couldn’t be interrupted every hour to reassure her she was on his mind.

  Now a new woman had gotten the Nobek’s attention, and apparently Rivek’s as well. Ospar fought off a smile. One with a child, no less. Life refused to be simple. Still, he was curious to meet this Iris himself, to discover what it was about her that was so entrancing to the pair.

  Right now, he had to concentrate on official matters. Their shuttle pulled up to the guest lodgings where Ospar’s aide Dramok Borl waited for them.

  Borl had housed Councilman Maf in the nicest of the visitors’ quarters, an elegantly styled blue building with arched doorways and flowing architecture. It was a mix of Earther structure with Kalquorian sensibilities. There were no windows, since they let too much heat escape. Indoors, vids that could transmit live feeds of the outside were the rule instead. The vids could also display other landscapes or art.