“And a full explanation of how you took over this ship, killing the Shemdylann crew, and subsequently managed to kill two Mawreg,” the Admiral finished.
Samell sipped his drink, glad Larissa had given him such a thorough briefing what to expect in terms of an opening offer from the Sectors. “Generous indeed, but I have no desire to abandon the Sword of Thuun. I believe this ship capable of returning me and my people to Tulavarra, as it was recently there.”
Glennit’s smile grew more luminous.
The Admiral gave him a flinty-eyed look. “Got a pilot, have you? Know where Tulavarra lies?”
You know the human military won’t allow you to pursue such a plan. What do you truly want, given the circumstances? What are you bargaining for? Speak truth, and I will ensure the outcome. Glennit handed her mug to one of the hovering Tulavarrans and asked for a refill.
Larissa laid her hand on top of his. “Allow me?”
He nodded. They’d discussed this in the privacy of their cabin and decided it was appropriate for her to set forth the demands she believed the Tulavarrans should make. After she’d outlined her proposal, he liked the way she thought when it came to what he and his people needed.
“Let’s cut to the chase here. Samell and his people know they can’t keep this ship, nor can they get back to Tulavarra, at least not right now. We’ll keep our options open. But we do have the power to be incredibly useful to the Sectors. The Tulavarrans can kill Shemdylann—”
“Did we mention my consort killed one with her bare hands?” Samell said, smiling broadly.
As the admiral and the agent stared at her, Larissa felt her cheeks blazing red, as much from his quiet boast about her prowess as from his reference to her as his consort. Her new status took a bit of getting used to. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but my combat experience isn’t germane to this discussion. The mutant’s death was a special circumstance. As I was saying, the Tulavarrans can handle the Shemdylann, they can kill Mawreg, Samell and his people can act as consultants to the Sectors in both the war and the Amarotu Combine issues, and in exchange they want a permanent home.”
“Not just any home, I assume?” Glennit asked.
“Cherram. Samell wants the entire Cherram system, with full and exclusive rights, including complete control over immigration. He wants the total colony setup package, all the tech and supplies necessary to establish a functioning settlement on Cherram Six. A ship equivalent to this one and a crew to train their own people so the Tulavarrans can eventually fly it themselves. Full Sectors citizenship. A spot for High Priest Samell or his designee on the Sectors Ruling Council. Assistance in sending an expedition to Tulavarra should the Sectors locate the planet. A contract for serving as consultants to Command and the SCIA or other agencies as he deems wise, at the going rates.”
“Why not ask for the deed to old Terra itself?” The admiral’s words were gruff, but his tone was even.
Glennit laid her hand on his for a moment. “I find the requests quite reasonable. Granted in full. I’ll add two more things you don’t know to ask for.” As the admiral cleared his throat and seemed about to protest, she added, “I’m aware this doesn’t conform to how humans conduct bargaining and negotiations, but as I’m not one of you, I go by the ethos of my people.” Turning her attention back to Samell, she said, “All the Tulavarrans found in the Sectors to date have been made affiliates of Mellure, which entitles them to our aid and certain other perks as needed. I extend this status to you–”
“And my consort,” Samell said. “She’s Tulavarran now.”
Glennit hesitated. “Very well, in this one case only.” She inclined her head to Larissa. “Special circumstances.”
“I’m grateful and honored. And the second deal sweetener?” Larissa asked.
“Those of your people who are found to have been slaves of the Amarotu Combine may be eligible for substantial rewards as a result of their forthcoming testimony to Agent Quebesson and her task force. Assisting the Sectors in taking down the crime syndicate is worth a great deal to us.”
“The rewards are paid on a sliding scale, depending on the usefulness of the testimony,” the agent said. “We’ll consult with Lady Glennit, of course.”
“And now a request from us,” the Mellurean said. “There’ll need to be a liaison office on Cherram Six, to help co-ordinate between your people and ours, on future efforts.”
“How large an office?” Larissa asked, her tone wary.
“We’ll have to decide but probably not more than twenty, including appropriate support staff.”
“And until the Tulavarran space navy comes up to full strength,” the admiral added, “Sectors Command will be patrolling your solar system. You’re bound to be a high value target for the Mawreg.”
Samell and Larissa exchanged glances. “Agreed in all aspects,” he said. “Of course we’ll want the understanding in writing before we vacate the Sword of Thuun.”
The admiral positively radiated outrage, but Lady Glennit nodded and smiled. “We’ll have the document prepared for signature shortly.”
The meeting broke up, there being nothing further to discuss. The admiral and Agent Quebesson departed, Pete and his sergeant in their wake. Samell detained them for a moment, while the senior officer glared. “You’ll always be welcome on Cherram Six,” he told the Sectors soldiers.
“When your tour of duty is over, let us know,” Larissa added.
“I just might.” Pete shook hands with them, as did Donnie, then the two Special Forces operators were gone.
Lady Glennit lingered. “A word with you both?”
Samell led the way back into the conference room after dismissing the rest of the attendees from his ship. Glennit didn’t sit so neither did he and Larissa.
“Well done on the negotiations,” she said to them. “I’m assuming something on Cherram Six is the source of the unusual energy enhancing your power?” As Larissa and Samell exchanged glances, she laughed. “I’ve met several of your more powerful priestesses in the Sectors, freed captives of the Combine, so I know what your native power ‘tastes’ like. I’ve no ulterior motive for asking, merely curiosity. Will all your people benefit from the exposure to this?”
Samell shrugged. “I don’t know. The circumstances for me were rather unique, and I had Larissa’s help. These women you met—will I be able to contact them? I want to offer them a home with us.”
“Of course, although I warn you the women have established well rounded new lives since their various escapes from the Combine, with loving human husbands and steadfast friends and allies.”
“I’ve no intention of attempting to coerce them to join us,” Samell said. “Life on Tulavarra was lived in a relatively free fashion and should be pursued in the same way here in the Sectors. I merely want to extend a welcome.”
“All right.” Glennit’s manner became brisk. “I’ll have to blanket your people’s power while they’re on board the Persephone, so you might want to warn them in advance. The humans aren’t overly comfortable with what psychic beings can do—the Sectors had to accept us as we present ourselves to be because my people were at home in the stars long before the humans ever left their little rim world. At our first meeting we demonstrated quite forcefully the power lies with us, not them. We keep to ourselves, we give much less than the Sectors would like to have but, when we choose to become involved, our word is our bond.”
Larissa nodded. “I’d agree with your assessment. But why restrict the Tulavarrans’ power temporarily?”
“It’s best if the humans become used to what you can do over time, in more defined situations. Gain acceptance through your deeds. We’ll be your sponsors, don’t worry, but I can’t have the admiral and the others constantly worrying you’ll take it into your heads to drive them from their ship into space. Expect this phase to last about three months, I’d say, before you’re done with Agent Quebesson’s questioning and the Sectors assembles the requested colonization packet. We
’ve had valuable experience on what your people require to thrive on board a ship, exposure to the gardens and such. I’ll monitor the situation closely and you and I’ll meet regularly for status.”
“Why are you so generous to us?” Samell asked.
She smiled and her face softened from its usual elegant lines. “Perhaps you remind me of my own people, and how we started, uncountable millennia past, on whatever planet gave birth to us. You could be our much younger cousins. And the galaxy will have need of what you might evolve into being, once the last of us has chosen to depart this existence. None of which will happen in your lifetimes so don’t be so solemn. Or terrified, as the case may be.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Enter!” Samell said.
Kliderr stuck his head into the room. “The Persephone says the documents you requested have been drawn up and the admiral is bringing them back to be signed.”
CHAPTER TEN
A few weeks later, Larissa sat in the large garden on the Persephone, fidgeting a bit. She’d finished a session in the ship’s training facility a few minutes ago, sparring with a several members of the Special Forces team assigned to the ship, keeping her reflexes and skills honed. Now she was waiting for Samell to finish another round of testimony to Agent Quebesson’s insatiable agents then they were going to their quarters for a shower and a private dinner.
A bevy of Tulavarran ladies came around the corner, walking the path curving from the direction of the sizable bed of ornamental flowers and shrubs. Fidaya was among them and, with a suppressed flicker of annoyance, Larissa realized the noblewoman was bearing down on her, clearly wanting to talk. So far everything the lady had to say had been of the troublemaking variety, attempting to pick at the relationship between herself and Samell. Larissa had no time for interfering, jealous busybodies. The others met their assigned military liaison and headed out of the area like a flock of multicolored birds in their gaily-patterned tunics and skirts.
“Good afternoon,” Larissa said, trying to be pleasant nonetheless. “Things going okay for you here on the ship?”
Hands on her hips, Fidaya glared at her. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“I could care less where you are or what you’re doing.”
“But you care about keeping Samell away from me. Has anyone told you we were lovers on Tulavarra before he was taken? In fact, we were to be married. How dare you interfere in our relationship?”
Getting to her feet, Larissa fought to keep calm, because Samell had never mentioned being previously engaged. “He’s an adult—if he’d wanted to get back together with you once he met you again on the Shemdylann ship, he would have.”
“He’s dazzled by you being a warrior,” Fidaya said. “Thinks he owes you for all you’ve done for our people. He’ll come to his senses eventually and realize what a mistake he’s made—I’ll make sure of that.”
“I’d advise you to keep your nose out of our relationship.” Who in the seven hells does this bitch think she is?
Fidaya leaned closer. “What do you know about being the consort of the Tulavarran ruler? About our customs, our society? You can’t even wield our Thuun-given powers.”
“Nothing.” Now it was Larissa’s turn to move closer, her height dwarfing the unpleasant woman. “What do you know about life in the Sectors? The politics? The customs and society, to put in in your terms? I think my areas of expertise are going to be a lot more relevant to your people, going forward, than whatever you used to do on Tulavarra. But me being from the Sectors isn’t why Samell and I are together.”
“No? What then?” Fidaya gave her a scornful appraisal.
“You have a cold-blooded view of love between a man and a woman. I pity you. It’s not a transactional arrangement. It’s two people being equals, partners, who can’t imagine life without each other. We relish facing the challenges life throws at us together.”
“Well said, my love.” Samell stood there and from the frown on his face had obviously overheard at least part of the conversation. “If Lady Glennit would let me show your aura to Larissa right now, Fidaya, she’d see how full of lies and jealousy you are. Did you and I sleep together on occasion, as adults do? Yes, I don’t deny the truth of your assertion. Did we ever once speak of marriage or anything permanent? We did not. You were intent on snaring the prince of Sotholles as I recall, or was it the high priest of Henagrann? I don’t flatter myself now—your only interest in me is that I’m the highest ranking male in our group of refugees.”
Fidaya immediately burst into tears, as if trying to evoke sympathy and evade the truth in his assertions. “Why are you being so cruel to me? You’ve changed for the worse, Samell.”
“And you remain unchanged in your original scheming state.” He gave a small, mocking bow. “I suggest you go find a private place to gnash your teeth and leave us in peace to enjoy the garden.”
Gathering her skirts, she brushed past him with a sniff and left the garden.
“Okay, I never promised to like all your people.” Larissa moved to join him. “She annoys the hell out of me.”
Samell enfolded her in his arms. “What she said about herself and me, on Tulavarra, was a lie with a small kernel of truth.”
“I may not have your powers to see emotion, but I know the lies of a jealous woman when I hear them.” She kissed his cheek. “It’d take more than a bitch like her to shake my faith in you, in us.”
“I never did formally ask you to marry me.” He kissed her palm. “Should I correct my oversight now? Is there an authority on the ship who could perform the ceremony of your people?”
Larissa stepped back and raised her left wrist, tapping the woven silver bracelet with one finger. “Remember when you gave me this? What could possibly make the bond between us any more solid, or more enduring? Not words from Admiral Murphy or anyone else.”
He gathered her close again. “Yet I wear no token from your people. Does the omission bother you?”
“Lords of Space, give it a rest.” Capitulating, she laughed. “If it’ll make you happy, we can do the wedding thing. I’ll get Lady Glennit to be my bridesmaid, which is an experience probably no Mellurean has ever had in all their millennia of life. I’ll carry flowers and sneeze because I’m allergic to the damn things, and I’ll even wear a dress. By the seven hells, if we’re going to do this, we’ll do it right.”
“Would you do make such a sacrifice?” He began to nibble her neck then kissed his way up to her earlobe, which he gently nipped.
“Which part?”
“The dress?”
“Yes. But only if you swear to tear it off me when we get back to our cabin.” She cupped his face with her hands.
“The idea holds much appeal and could be fun.” His green and gold eyes held a merry glint.
“I’d make sure it was. Actually, it might not be a bad idea for us to get married, do the symbolic joining of Tulavarra and the Sectors.”
“Now who’s thinking like a politician?”
“Ugh.” She shuddered. “I hope not. Not my normal mindset at all.” She kissed him. “But it might be just as well to get my ring on your finger, warn the ladies you’re taken.”
“In all possible ways.”
His outrageous leer made her giggle. As they strolled hand in hand from the garden, she said, “Do you remember the fortune you gave me the first time we met?”
Frowning, he shook his head. “Not in so many words.”
“‘You and your friends will journey far and reap great rewards. Widespread fame shall be yours,’” she quoted. “You were a bad fortune teller, my friend.”
He was laughing so hard he could barely get the words out. “I resent the slur on my abilities—what part of my prophecy has failed to come true? We traveled, we’ve reaped an entire solar system for my people and as far as I can tell, we’re famous, at least among those who know of our efforts.”
Grinning, she poked him in the ribs. “You forgot to tell me the most i
mportant part—about the tall, dark and handsome stranger I was going to marry.”
“Merely an oversight on my part. Perhaps I didn’t wish to be boastful.”
“Too late, we’re not strangers now,” she said.
“Indeed we are not.” Heedless of the other people in the crowded corridor, he took her in his arms and kissed her with passion to make his point in the best way possible.
***
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Author Bio and Links:
USA Today Best Selling Author
“SciFi Encounters” columnist for the USA Today Happy Ever After blog
Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.
Seven time winner of the SFR Galaxy Award, as well as a National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, Veronica is also the proud recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal relating to her former day job, not her romances!
She was honored to read the part of Star Trek Crew Member in the audiobook production of Harlan Ellison’s “The City On the Edge of Forever.”
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