Seven Sisters

by Eileen Troemel

  “The Premier believes this is a vital operation,” Colonel Brown said.

  “Bring your people,” Mycos said. “We will see how things go at lunch.”

  ***

  Elaxus entered their house accompanied by three of his men and seven women. Gregor met them at the door. “Elaxus, what brings you here,” he asked.

  “We have a situation which requires some finesse,” Elaxus said looking at the people with him. “Are the lord and lady available?”

  “I will have to check,” Gregor said.

  “I believe your mate would be helpful as well,” Elaxus said.

  “She is expected shortly,” Gregor said slowly.

  “Thank you, Custos,” Elaxus said using Gregor’s title as guardian of the family.

  “Do you know where the small sitting room is,” Gregor asked.

  “Yes,” Elaxus said.

  “All of you wait there,” Gregor said. He assessed the young women with them, guessed they were homeless. “I will send some refreshments in.”

  Smiling, Elaxus said, “We are grateful for your kindness.” He led his small group into the sitting room the family used.

  Gregor heard a transport pull up, frowned as he opened the door to see Sally. She wiped tears away as she stepped out of the transport. Gregor met her at the bottom of the stairs. “Mo chroin, what is wrong?”

  “I’ve been let go,” Sally said leaning into him. “They said since I was pregnant, I should take care of my child and I couldn’t work.”

  “You said you could work until later in your pregnancy if not until the birth,” Gregor said. “Why did they change their minds?”

  “My boss didn’t say,” she said. “I have my suspicions.”

  “Come in where it’s warm,” he said keeping his arm around her, holding her close to his side.

  “I planned to stop after,” she said. “I want the time with our child but to be let go. All of my things are in the transport.”

  “You did not carry,” he asked.

  “No, your man did,” she said.

  “He will bring them to our quarters,” Gregor said nodding to the driver of the transport. “Have you known this was coming?”

  “No,” Sally said. “Why?”

  “I thought… you have been crying,” he said. “I have heard you crying at night.”

  “Oh, I get overwhelmed,” she admitted. “I love us, you and the baby, but it’s so much. I’m happy but nervous. I feel so much.”

  “You are not unhappy,” Gregor asked.

  “No. I’m happy,” she said. “You’ve changed my life.”

  Gregor crushed her to his chest and kissed her hard. Sally wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss. “Gregor,” she said breathlessly several moments later. “What’s wrong?”

  “I thought you were unhappy,” he confessed. “I feared I moved too fast.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m used to being on my own and handling everything on my own. I’ll try harder to include you.”

  “I want to comfort you,” he said. “I do not want you crying.”

  “I’m pregnant,” she said smiling and laughing. “You may have to tolerate a lot of tears.”

  “This is normal,” Gregor asked.

  “Yes, according to Carol,” Sally said.

  “May I... I want to come to your appointments,” Gregor asked quietly.

  “You want to,” Sally asked. “I thought... I thought you didn’t want to because your people don’t.”

  “You are my people,” he said. “I want to know how to take care of you and help you through carrying my child.”

  “You may come,” Sally said. “I want you there.”

  Relief and joy washed over Gregor. He held her close for long moments until he remembered the other problem. “I have to get milord and lady,” he said. “Elaxus has brought us a problem. He thinks you will be helpful. Do you feel up to helping?”

  “I feel best when I’m in your arms,” Sally said. “I guess it doesn’t matter whether it’s now or later, I was giving up my job anyways.”

  “But if they are changing their minds, it could be an indication of attitudes,” Gregor said.

  “One we should discuss with Lydia and Lord Mycos,” Sally said.

  “Go to the sitting room,” Gregor said kissing her again. “I will get them.”

  “Gregor, can we take some time together later,” Sally asked.

  He growled, recognizing her tone and her need. “Yes,” he said. “Before lunch.”

  “Wonderful,” Sally said.

  ***

  “How old are you,” Sally asked.

  Trina looked at Benel. He hugged her close. “Trust them,” he said.

  Trina said, “I’m seventeen.”

  “You’re sure of your feelings for him,” Sally asked.

  “Yes,” Trina said. “He’s earned my trust and my... my love.”

  “At seventeen, she can be made an emancipated minor,” Sally said.

  “You don’t like the idea,” Lydia said.

  “I hesitate,” Sally said. “I was let go today. I feel it was due to who I’m associated with.”

  “You think our enemies will use them as a way to turn public opinion and human laws against us,” Lydia said.

  “I do,” Sally said. “It might be better if a legal guardian could be found.”

  “I don’t want to stay here,” Trina said panic rushing across her face and raising her voice. “Sorry. If I stay on the streets, the gangs have put a bounty on all of us.”

  “All seven of you,” Lydia asked frowning.

  “What does this mean,” Mycos asked.

  “It means the gangs want them as…” Lydia tried to think of a good way to describe what the gangs did.

  “They want to fuck them,” Nic said from the door. “Hey, Trina, Carmella.”

  “It’s more than sex,” Lydia said. “They’re keepers. Some girls they rape and let go. Others they keep them. They force them to carry children, cook and clean for them, rape them, and worse.”

  “I can’t stay,” Trina said.

  “None of us can,” Carmella said. “If it weren’t for these men, we’d already be slaves to the gangs.”

  “What happened,” Gregor asked.

  “We left the school,” Trina said. “The gangs have taken to watching it.”

  “Why,” Mycos asked.

  “It’s a threat to their recruiting,” Sally said. “The more education the children have the less likely they are to willingly participate in a gang.”

  “We try to sneak out,” Trina said. “It was dark, we thought it was clear but they caught us. Benel and the others, they came to our aid. They were outnumbered but they still took on the gang.”

  “We have brought them what they needed,” Benel said. “They hide in the school.”

  “You three all want to stay with these men,” Lydia asked.

  “Yes,” the three teenagers nodded.

  “We haven’t fucked them,” Carmella said. “I’m sixteen. I don’t want… I’m not ready.”

  “It is all right,” Niger, her mate, said soothingly, rubbing her back, shifting closer to her.

  “They saved us and helped us but didn’t fuck us,” Carmella said. “I know it’s crude. I’m not brainwashed by them or anything. Niger’s gentle, kind, and sweet. He helps me with my studies and encourages me. No one. Not in a long time, not since before the plagues has done this for me. I want to be with him but not sexually yet. He says he understands and it is entirely up to me when it comes to… you know.”

  “Are any of you on birth control,” Lydia asked. She watched as all seven shook their heads.

  “What about you four,” Sally asked. “I understand why these three are here. They want to be with these men. Why are you here?”

  “There’s more of them,” Nola said. “I’m fifteen. I don’t want a guy but I want an education and I want protection.”

  “You’re here of your own fre
e will,” Sally asked.

  “We are,” they said.

  “Mycos,” Lydia said. “They could be our guests for a few days while we figure out the right thing to do.”

  “In the girls’ hall,” Mycos said.

  “What does this mean,” Trina asked.

  “It means bathing, clean clothes, food, and more,” Nic said. “The men stay out of the bedrooms. They’re in the hall for protection. Nobody says mother or father to Abby.”

  “What about,” Trina asked looking at Benel.

  “They can stand guard,” Gregor said.

  “They mean hand holding and nothing else,” Nic said. “Though I suppose Trina’s old enough for kissing and some of the other stuff Carol talked about.”

  “Sally, can you contact Carol to get her out here,” Lydia said. “Justinian can see to injuries, if you want to go to him.”

  “You don’t want them out of the compound until we get the legal aspect resolved,” Sally said. At Lydia’s nod, she added the request to her notes.

  “You have a choice in everything,” Lydia said. “If you don’t want Justinian to do healing, you don’t have to.”

  “Yeah, you wanna say yes. Trust me,” Nic said. “He won’t mess with you but he makes the pain go away.”

  “We have clothing which will fit them,” Gregor said.

  “We can stay,” Nola asked. “We don’t have to go back to the streets?”

  “Until we figure out the legality of all of this,” Lydia said.

  “Oh. Oh. I … thank you,” Nola said her eyes misty and her voice soft.

  “Benel, Niger, and Linc,” Mycos said. “You may see them to the healing room and to the girls’ hall but you will return here when they are settled in their rooms.”

  “Yes, milord,” the men said together.

  “Nic,” Lydia said.

  “I’ll show them where,” Nic said.

  “Thank you,” Mycos said.

  When the room emptied of the ten, Elaxus said, “Many of the men have found their mates and wish to return.”

  “Return,” Lydia asked.

  “To the ship, milady,” Elaxus said.

  “Are the women willing to do this,” Mycos asked.

  “Yes,” Elaxus said. “Some of them have experienced …”

  “Prejudice,” Sally said.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said. “They are unhappy in their current situations. Some of them have been asked to leave their family homes or their rented homes.”

  “Families are pushing them out,” Lydia asked.

  “Yes, milady,” Elaxus said.

  “If they have rental agreements, they can’t be pushed out,” Sally said.

  “How many,” Mycos asked.

  “Perhaps thirty couples, milord,” Elaxus said.

  “Bring them here,” he said. “We can accommodate them on the second floor.”

  “How many men are here on earth,” Lydia asked.

  “About two hundred,” Mycos said.

  “But you have more on a ship,” Sally asked.

  “We do,” Mycos said.

  “How many,” Lydia asked.

  Gregor and Mycos exchanged a look. “We have not revealed this to anyone,” Mycos said. “This world has strange customs and goes to war easily.”

  “Mycos, it’s us,” Lydia said. “We aren’t running to the government.”

  “We have nearly a hundred thousand aboard the ship,” Mycos said.

  “You’re right,” Sally said. “It would be viewed as an invading force.”

  “Why so many,” Lydia asked.

  “There was much discussion,” Mycos said. “When I proposed this trip, it was costly. Getting here takes time. Families did not want their sons to wait for mates.”

  “There are smaller ships which will return to our world,” Gregor said.

  “Still taking a lot of time,” Lydia said.

  “Yes,” Mycos said. “We thought by the time those who want to return got back, their family would be well established.”

  “How old are all of these men,” Lydia asked.

  “Now, sixteen to about forty,” Gregor said.

  Mycos chuckled. “We were foolish,” he said. “We thought we would be welcomed. We thought we would come here, find our mates and return.”

  “The technology,” Sally asked.

  “A way to meet women,” Gregor said.

  Lydia and Sally laughed. “Wow. What will happen when all your men find their mates,” Lydia asked.

  “We assumed,” Mycos said scowling. “We did not really think about here much.”

  “Basically you came here to plunder the women and leave,” Sally said chuckling. “Bringing the modern day version of beads and trinkets.”

  “All to distract the government from your real purpose,” Lydia said. “To find mates.”

  “Are you laughing at us,” Mycos growled.

  Lydia kissed him. “It’s sweet,” she said. “You came across the universe to find your true love.”

  “Ohhh,” Sally said, her eyes getting misty. “Gregor.”

  Confused, he took her gently into his arms, “Sally?”

  “You came so far for me,” she said. “You make me feel so special.”

  “Mo chroin,” Gregor murmured, rubbing her back. “Vos anima mea.”

  “You are my life too,” Sally kissed him, long and slow, holding him to her. “We have to bring them down,” she said. “If they feel half what I’m feeling right now, we need to create a plan to get them down here to find their mates.”

  “You and Gregor should do that,” Lydia said.

  “To begin with, let’s increase our people here at the compound,” Mycos said.

  “There are other technologies which will help the humans,” Elaxus said.

  “What sorts of technology,” Lydia asked.

  “Power,” Elaxus said. “Humans still rely on fossil fuels.”

  “Mostly,” Sally said.

  “We have advanced solar, wind and water,” Mycos said. “It is a good idea.”

  “If we clean up the pollution, our environment has fewer contaminants,” Lydia said.

  “We need Morgan Richardson to advise the humans to work with us,” Mycos said.

  “We could have her for dinner, again,” Lydia said.

  “With all the mates and the sisters,” Sally said. “Along with the new girls.”

  “How will we handle the new girls,” Mycos said.

  “Will the men really wait,” Sally asked.

  “Yes,” Lydia said. “Mycos has shown them how and why it’s important they do.”

  “What happens on your world if a man takes a woman who isn’t ready or doesn’t want to be taken,” Sally asked.

  “It has not happened in generations,” Gregor said.

  “The last time,” Mycos said. “I believe two families clashed and the male died. It was unclear whether it was through battle or due to punishment.”

  “Is there a clear punishment now if a man does this,” Lydia asked.

  “Yes. If there is a man who is her mate, the perpetrator is put to death,” Mycos said. “If no mate is involved, it is left to the woman to decide.”

  “Will the humans believe it is a matter of honor,” Gregor asked.

  “I think it will depend on how we handle these first ones,” Mycos said.

  “Hmmm,” Lydia said. “Have you discussed this with the humans at all?”

  “We cannot,” Mycos said.

  “It’s a vulnerability,” Lydia said understanding.

  “Which they will exploit,” Sally said.

  “Too many factions in the government with hidden agendas,” Lydia said.

  “For these first seven,” Gregor said. “Could Sally and I become their guardians?”

  “Unless we get a contract,” Sally said. “I’m not sure we would be allowed.”

  “Are we hinging this on public opinion swaying in our favor,” Mycos asked.

  “Yes,” Lydia said. “Thes
e girls are homeless. What if Sally and Gregor were in charge of the shelter? We could bring down more men from your ship as guards.”

  “Set it up as another compound,” Mycos said. “Like here, protected and safe for those who do not have any safety.”

  “Yes,” Lydia said. “Sally, you have the perfect qualifications.”

  “The location near the school is perfect,” Sally said.

  “We need to encourage our partners,” Mycos said.

  “Bring in Colonel Brown and his squad,” Gregor said. “As well as Morgan and Eldred Richardson. Can we bring in more people?”

  “I think we have to,” Lydia said. “The more invested they are in what we do, the better.”

  “How will we get the men down here,” Sally asked.

  “We have a supply ship which comes three times a week,” Mycos said. “On the ship, we have a hydroponics area which grows food from home the men like.”

  “As do the girls and I,” Lydia said. “Particularly the measan orins.”

  “We will send some of the couples up,” Mycos said. “We cannot send them to our home worlds yet but they can escape the difficulties they have here.”

  “Elaxus, you start organizing the people to go to the ships,” Lydia said. “Mycos, they will want to know how much of their own things they can take with.”

  “Our women have large dowries,” Mycos said. “We planned for this.”

  ***

  “I don’t want to,” Abby said. “I’ll get cold.”

  “You will like sledding,” Mycos said as he sat on the floor with her.

  “I’ll freeze,” Abby whispered.

  “No,” Mycos said. “You will wear this. Remember you picked this out.”

  “It’s pretty,” Abby said, looking at the purple and blue snow pants.

  “You have all the things you need to be warm,” Mycos said. “And if you get cold, you can come back in.”

  “You won’t make me stay out,” Abby asked.

  “Of course not,” Mycos said. “On my world, winter is joyful. There are hills which the children love to ski and … Lydia, what did you call it?”

  “Snowboard,” Lydia said. “Hannah’s going. The men will be outside with you.”

  “But you two aren’t,” Abby said.