Jo didn’t know what to say, she was so thrilled, so she hugged Kylie and said that she’d be honoured, but all Kylie’s babies names started with the letter K.
To which Kylie replied “They are Sceriae, Anna will be human” and then she hugged Anna to her and said, “It couldn’t have worked out better. Just think, no more pregnancies, and my baby with me for ever!”
Tsera popped her head round the door and Jo told her to come in. She entered a bit nervously until Jo said “I apologise for shouting at you, but I’m afraid Kylie was my priority. She has been told everything, and what is going to happen. She’s happy now so I’ll leave her to you. I know you’ll take great care of them both”.
Tsera nodded her head in approval and went to Kylie saying that she was pleased that all had been resolved happily.
So Jo told Kylie that she’d pop in later and kissing Anna took her leave.
Going through to her room, Jo couldn’t hear any noise from the bathroom so she assumed that Acorus had taken over Julie’s quarters and was showering in there. Feeling at a bit of a loose end she picked up her book, and wandered back into the living room. She had just settled down on a couch when the main door opened and Acorus came in. Jo was surprised to see that he was still in full armour and stood up as he came towards her.
Without preamble he said “Go and put some outdoor clothes on. We are going out, and please hurry”.
Jo could see that he was preoccupied so she went straight to her room and quickly threw on some sensible outdoor clothes on. She put on strong shoes and picked up a padded jacket, not sure why except for the serious way that Acorus had spoken to her.
They hurried out of the villa to a kind of armoured car, it floated as did all Sceriae vehicles, but it was armoured and appeared to have weapons on the front.
Acorus helped her into the back and got in after her. As soon as they were seated the vehicle took off, not floating along the floor as the other vehicles, she had ridden in had, but climbing to the height of the trees. There they joined a convoy of the same and bigger vehicles. Jo was handed a mask to put on, which she did without asking why. She discovered that it was delivering fresh air to her. Looking at Acorus she realised that he had his head armour shut down so that his face was completely covered. As soon as her mask was in place the convoy speeded up and finally moved so fast, Jo could feel pressure on her body.
She couldn’t talk but Acorus put his face next to her ear and told her what was happening. When he had left her yesterday he had gone to make sure that his officers had taken the Chomanay to their new home and that they were settled in alright. The Chomanay were pleased with the land they had been given and were busy building their shelters. A long hut had already been built for them, on Acorus’s orders and supplies of food, clothes and simple weapons had been placed in the hut.
Acorus sought out Haaka to make sure they had all they needed to start their new life.
Haaka was pleased to see Acorus but he could tell that something was bothering him.
Looking round the camp Acorus noticed that the females were very nervous around him, and were keeping together away from the Sceriae soldiers. With Kylie and the baby on his mind, he put the Chomanay female’s nervousness down to the hideous Sceriae armour. After all they had just been raped by monsters! To make sure all was well he had stayed at the camp overnight. When all seemed alright he had returned home in the early morning, just in time to hear Jo talking to Kylie.
He had left them, intending to shower and change into a kaftan, when one of his junior officers had brought a message from the Chomanay camp. A female had been attacked and nearly killed and the Chomanay had the culprit in captivity, swearing that he would be killed.
The senior officer there had acted intelligently and spoken to Haaka, who insisted that he would only speak with Acorus.
As Jo had helped the females the day before, Acorus was hoping that they would trust her, so that the facts could be discovered of what had really happened. Jo not being Sceriae would help tremendously. Jo was a bit surprised that she should be asked to do this. It seemed as if the situation could be dangerous and she said as much to Acorus, now that she had got used to the pressure in her head. He told her that there was no danger. The Chomanay were no threat to the power his soldiers had at their disposal. He was just pleased that a calm senior officer had been in charge; otherwise the consequences to the Chomanay would have been dire. Jo wondered why he was taking such armoured vehicles and more soldiers, to which he answered that a massive show of the Sceriae strength, would usually calm the angriest of species.
They landed outside the Chomanay’s camp, although one of the vehicles hovered just over the camp, and Acorus led Jo and his soldiers into the central area where all the Chomanay were gathered. Making sure that Jo was protected in a circle of Sceriae soldiers, Acorus stepped forward alone to speak to Haaka.
What Haaka told Acorus angered him tremendously, but he stood calmly and listened to him. One of Jo’s guards translated what Haaka was saying, and she became angry too. What he told Acorus was that one of the soldiers had been bothering a Chomanay female, from the moment he first saw her.
When Acorus had visited the camp yesterday Haaka had been worried about the female, who was called Bhathta, but Acorus had seemed distracted so he decided not to say anything. That night the soldier had grabbed Bhathta and taking her away from the camp had cruelly raped her. Acorus had left before Bhathta had been found, by her mother, who had raised the alarm. Bhathta managed to say which soldier had taken her, and the Chomanay males had cornered him and overpowered him.
Now Haaka was demanding that the rapist be put to death. Acorus was in a difficult position as usually a blind eye was turned, when the Sceriae were on another planet, as to how alien females were treated. Killing an alien female was frowned upon but rape wasn’t punishable by death.
Acorus spoke calmly to Haaka, telling him that the soldier would be tried and punished.
Then he turned to Jo and beckoned her forward. Her guards stayed in a semi-circle round her as she went to Acorus. He spoke to Haakaa, then said to Jo “Would you visit Bhathta and see that she is being attended to, then get her version of what happened?”
Jo said that of course she would but didn’t speak Chomanay so how could she communicate with her?
Acorus told her that one of the Chomanay females spoke English, he didn’t know how, and she would translate. Then he ordered Bhathta and her mother to be brought to Jo.
Jo’s guards took her to a yurt like shelter and went in with her to make sure it was safe. Jo was amazed at how comfortable it was inside, the floor was covered with colourful rugs and large cushions were arranged in a circle.
There weren’t many possessions in there but Jo could imagine how it would look when the Chomanay replaced the things they had lost in the Xenorii attack.
Jo sank down onto one of the cushions, then the door was pulled back and three Chomanay females entered. They shrank back at seeing the guards surrounding Jo, so she turned to them and told them to wait outside, she would shout if they were needed.
When they had gone Jo beckoned the Chomanay to her and told them to sit down. Two of the females looked very much alike, obviously mother and daughter. The mother, who introduced herself as Rheta was still slim and agile, with long dark blue hair, black eyes and white skin. Colourfully dressed with one string of beads at her neck and one bangle round both arms, she was very handsome with a proud look about her.
Bhathta’s daughter looked like a porcelain doll. Her blue hair was a shade lighter than her mothers. She had large black eyes and pouting red lips, she only had one string of beads round her neck and none elsewhere. Clearly the Xenorii had removed all the bangles that they would normally be wearing. The third Chomanay was an old lady, dressed in black with a red scarf over her midnight blue hair. She had no bangles left at all,
but although her face was wrinkled, from her bearing, Jo could see that she too had been beautiful when young.
Jo spoke to the old lady telling her that she was called Jo and that Lord Acorus had asked her to speak to them about the sorry incident the night before. The old lady said that her name was Antora, she spoke slowly in English and faltered over a few phrases but Jo could tell that she understood English better than she spoke it.
Jo asked Antora to interpret her questions exactly as she asked them and she agreed to do so. So Jo turned to Bhathta and said “I would like you to tell me exactly what the soldier did to you, from the first moment that he abducted you”.
Haltingly Bhathta told her story, and Antora translated. To Jo the girl appeared to be terrified, she kept her eyes cast down and almost whispered. Antora said something in Chomanay, and Bhathta raised her voice slightly.
The story that she told was simple. The soldier had been flirting with her from the moment he saw her. She told him to leave her alone and he did. Then in the night he grabbed her took her to a sheltered grove outside the camp, and raped her. Jo had been watching her the whole time, and found it strange that she wasn’t crying. She asked Antora if the Chomanay cried when they were sad or upset and was told yes of course they did. Then Jo asked if the girl had been injured at all. Any bruises or scratches that she hadn’t had before, and Bhathta said that she was sore and hurting.
When Jo asked if she had been raped by the Xenorii, Antora became angry, and said of course, they had all been raped, even her, as old as she was. So Jo reminded them that she had helped soothe and repair the damage the Xenorii had done. Antora nodded and said that they owed a great debt to her.
Jo told her that she had wanted to help and still did. Then she asked Antora if she knew of Jo’s history, and Antora nodded, yes. So Jo said, “You know that I’m aware how large the Sceriae males are. I have been told that the Xenorii, although all sharp bony scales and cruel ways, are not over large in the manhood department”.
Antora chuckled and replied “We Chomanay females, think that they are so cruel, because they know that they cannot please a female. To frighten a female they cut her with their bony shells. When she screams they fool themselves that it is their puny, manhood, as you call it, that is causing the pain”.
Jo smiled and asked “Therefore the bruises you would get from a cruel Sceriae rape, would be different from the wounds caused by the Xenorii”.
Antora could see what Jo was getting at and looking from Jo to Bhathta nodded her head slowly before she said “We must examine Bhathta!”
“It would be the right thing to do. A young male’s life hangs on a frightened girl’s story. Tell me has she been in trouble for flirting with males before?”
Antora spoke to Rheta in Chomanay. Rheta nodded her head and answered at length. With a sigh Antora told Jo “Yes she was beaten by her father for making big eyes at an unsuitable male. She keeps refusing offers for her, always looking for someone better. Now she has been raped by a Sceriae, no high bred Chomanay will have her. They think that a female raped by a Sceriae will never have pure Chomanay offspring”.
“Well” Jo gasped “what a load of rubbish”.
“Probably, but all specie have their beliefs”.
“Right. Now please tell Bhathta that we need to examine her. No excuses” ordered Jo.
Antora passed this on to Bhathta and Rheta who nodded her agreement, Bhathta however started to cry and shake her head. Her mother remonstrated with her and finally got angry. Taking her daughters arms she shook her and spoke at length. Bhathta was wailing and pleading, but to no avail, her mother was adamant.
Finally Bhathta gave in and her mother laid her down and lifted her skirts. Jo and Antora gently examined her. To both of them it was obvious that she had, had prolonged lovemaking, but there was no serious bruising that rape would cause to an unready female.
When they were satisfied with what they were seeing, Jo nodded at Antora and said “Now please ask her to tell us the truth!”
Antora spoke sternly to Bhathta and when she was finished sat back and waited.
Sobbing and occasionally putting her face in her hands Bhathta slowly told the truth. Antora translated quietly as she went along.
When the Sceriae soldier had paid attention to her, she had been extremely flattered. She was afraid of the way he looked, so against orders, in a secluded spot, he had removed his helmet. He was beautiful and spoke to her so politely and gently, she thought she was in love. When the camp was built and she was free from her work, she had crept away to find him. He was on the far outskirts of the camp, supposed to be on guard duty. They had sneaked away to a secluded spot and talked for hours. When it grew really dark Bhahtta was afraid to go back. She knew that her father would be angry with her. So they had decided to stay until morning. They had snuggled together and he had kissed her and caressed her, until she was on fire. When he removed his body armour she thought that he was a being from the deity’s garden. Before she knew what was happening all her clothes were gone and then he paused and asked her permission to mate with her. She was so aflame with passion that she couldn’t have said no.
When they were exhausted they slept. At first light he became worried and said that he must return to his post. After he had gone she dressed and was trying to decide what to tell her parents. Then her mother came. Unfortunately she had seen the soldier leaving from the direction of the grove. So when she started to shout at Bhathta, she had blurted out that he had raped her.
Finishing her tale Bhathta pulled her knees up and wrapping her arms round them sat sobbing and swaying backwards and forwards.
Jo sighed and said “Antora I would ask you to tell your people what the truth is. I will tell Lord Acorus. The soldier will be punished for deserting his post, no doubt about that. But he will not lose his life because of his youthful folly and raging hormones. Incidentally Antora, please tell me how you speak such good English”.
“When I was younger, for many years, I had a place in the market selling our cloths, bangles and chains. Two young Earth females came every day to the market and we became friendly. I taught them Chomanay and they taught me English. We are still friends and I see them every time I come to Scerior”, Antora smiled at Jo and went on “I would like it if we could be friends, I will teach you Chomanay and you could tell me about your people and planet”.
Taking her hand Jo replied “I would like that very much. Maybe you could introduce me to the girls who taught you English. But now we must go and tell Lord Acorus the truth about what happened last night”. Turning to Bhathta and Rheta she told them to stay in the shelter until they were sent for.
As Jo left the shelter with Antora her guards fell in around her. Taking in the care that the Sceriae soldiers showed to Jo, Antora commented “You are very special to Lord Acorus, are you not?”
Jo shrugged her shoulders and replied “He takes good care of all his household” not wanting to appear to think of herself as special.
As they approached Acorus, he rose to his feet, as did the Chomanay he had been sitting with. When Jo was close to the circle of males, Acorus stepped forward and took her hand to lead her into the centre. Antora followed, although Jo could see that she was nervous. Acorus and the Chomanay had been sitting on sturdy wooden chairs, and Acorus guided Jo to the chair, next to the one he had been sitting on. Quietly she told him that it would be diplomatic if he gave up his chair to Antora. Turning to Antora he nodded and going to her offered her his seat. She started to demur but he insisted.
When everyone was settled, Jo turned to Acorus and said “I think it would be a good idea for Antora to tell the Chomanay what we have learned. Do you understand?
Chomanay?”
He nodded and said “I understand more than I speak, so let her speak”.
Nodding at Antora, Jo said “I would like you t
o tell everybody what we learned in the shelter. Speak with honesty about Bhathta’s lies, then repeat what she told us”.
So Antora spoke.
When she had finished there was a murmur from the Chomanay, and one male stood up. He was obviously very angry, and questioning what Antora had said. She answered with great dignity, and pointing a finger at the standing male it was obvious that she was chiding him.
Through it all Acorus had sat quietly, but when he stood up there was complete silence He said “I have listened carefully to what Antora has told you” then he waited for Antora to translate, before continuing “The soldier who mated with your female will be punished. Firstly for abandoning his post, and secondly for laying with the female without her father’s permission. Although I would be within my rights to punish the female, for this is my planet, you are guests who have agreed to abide by our rules; I will trust Haaka and your council to punish the female adequately. But I do suggest that you find her a strong mate, before she causes any more trouble!”
Haaka had stood when Acorus did, and now he turned to his people and spoke. Acorus quietly told Jo what he was saying “You have heard the truth from Antora, who we all trust and venerate. Lady Jo-Anna has once again done us a great service, and Lord Acorus is being extremely forbearing. Without knowing the truth we threatened to kill one of his soldiers. On any other planet they would have exterminated us. We are fortunate that once again the Sceriae have proved what a good and fair people they are. To live on Scerior in peace and comfort is more than we deserve. I want you all to swear to be good citizens of Scerior and to contribute to keeping Scerior the best planet in all the universe”.
At that the Chomanay stood and swore to be the best citizens Scerior could desire.
As the circle broke up Jo turned to Acorus and said “I would like to talk to Bhathta’s father. Do you think that would be possible?”
He shrugged and replied “If that is what you want then it will be made possible”, and turning to his guards he issued an order.
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