by Ava Ryant
“Like telepathy?” Alexa asked a little worried. Could the Laren read minds? He let out a little snicker as if he could read her mind, right now, and her eyes widened in paranoid alarm.
“Not as such, we can read our younglings up until they are around two or three annums. Not that they can really form comprehensive thoughts at that age but it allows parents to know instantly what a youngling needs, when they need it. As we grow the mind puts up barriers to protect from such an intrusion but keeps a tether. It is a psychic construct that allows us to feel emotions and sometimes push awareness to those we have tight bonds with. We will have that once our bond forms completely.” He said with a sexy grin. Alexa chose to ignore that last part.
“I see.” Alexa said, she had read that the Laren had some type of psychic gifts but the data had been sparse. Ryhs was definitely sharing more than the Laren provided new planets or the Coalition about themselves. She could understand why, Earth had done much the same with the data they had submitted.
“Anything else?” Alexa asked curiously, seeing if she could get any more information on the psychic gifts of the Laren. Ryhs ignored her and she knew she would get no more intel, for now.
Chapter 10
Alexa sat across from Ambassador Lyric and his entourage, all but for Ryhs who stubbornly insisted on sitting next to her. They had decided to meet, informally, in one of the conference rooms. She was, technically, not in charge right now but Justine and Ryker were busy keeping the colony in line. Word had gotten out about the incident and as expected, chaos erupted. However, she was determined to salvage the Ambassador’s visit as best she could. It was important to gain support from the Coalition in their fight against the Kraith. Alone they were vulnerable, but united with the Coalition they could keep Earth and the Colony safe. The Laren, except for the Ambassador, were all looking at her blank-faced and impassively. It was unnerving her and she had to force herself not to squirm in her seat like a misbehaving child in front of her elders.
“Let me apologize again for my actions on your ship. I hope the repairs are coming along well? If you need anything please let me know.” Alexa said politely, cringing on the inside when she remembered her rampage through the colony and onto the Laren ship. Ambassador Lyric gave her a soft smile and a gracious nod before speaking.
“Chancellor Alexa I too want to offer my sincere apologies for any misunderstanding upon our...initial introductions. It was not our intention to upset your people.”
“Yes, well this situation is beyond our control at the moment. Hopefully everything will be settled soon.” Alexa said with a forced smile. Some of the Laren stiffened at her words, exchanging looks between themselves.
“You are still hoping to undo the Mating?” One of the Laren asked. Alexa couldn’t remember his name but he was staring at her grimly, his churning eyes filled with hues of violet and plum purple.
“Our medics are still analyzing results from testing.” She said, her tone firm.
“Surely you cannot condone this, Ambassador?” Another Laren, female this time, said in a hostile tone, glaring at Alexa before turning to the Ambassador in stiff outrage.
“La’Rianne Sian! Control yourself.” Ambassador Lyric said sharply just as Ryhs growled savagely next to her. Alexa looked to her side in stunned surprise to see his Metallics flashing brilliantly as he scowled at the female Laren.
“Do not speak to my Spark in that tone again.” Ryhs snarled at her dangerously, making Alexa shiver slightly. His tone was fierce and savage. The threat obvious in his voice. He was defending her - even though he, no doubt, agreed with the Laren female - and Alexa found that she liked it. A little feminine thrill rushed through her before she could suppress it.
“La’Rianne Sian the matter is between Ryhs and Alexa.” Ambassador scolded softly breaking the tense silence in the room. Sian nodded stiffly before turning to face forward expressionless once more.
“Chancellor, perhaps we can begin discussing several proposals the Coalition have for Earth to consider?” The Ambassador said steering them back on track. She nodded and they began to dialogue.
It was time consuming. The Laren were proposing several trade agreements with various members of the Coalition who were eager to open up new markets for goods as well as military arrangements with the Coalition itself; as they were keen to get help with the Kraith from the Praesidio.
“Really?” She asked amazed as they told her about a reclusive species of the Coalition who wanted samples of all plant-life, especially aquatic vegetation from Earth in a trade agreement. They were called the Arbreu by the Coalition because their form of speech consisted of a rustling of tree leaves or a rubbing of bark noises - incomprehensible by most life-forms - the Laren had developed a translation program that allowed others to understand them.
They were apparently a sentient species that had evolved from plant-life rather than animal-life and were interested in vegetation on other planets. Earth with its abundance of aquatic flora, especially coral, interested them very much. Enough to want to come to the Mars colony in fact, which apparently was unheard of. Alexa looked at the database images of the Arbreu species and was shocked. They looked like trees; moving, sentient trees, with roots and leaves and everything. It was eery. The Growers would go nuts for them.
“Yes, the Arbreu are most reclusive but they do have advanced recycling technology they would be willing to trade. Or even their energy turbine tech. Both would, I think, be quite beneficial to Earth.” The Ambassador confirmed. She nodded. This was all very complicated and she would need to go over everything in fine detail and send it through with her recommendations to the ROE for review.
“There is one final matter, the Laren wish to proposal a formal Alliance with Earth. We wish to have a Human Ambassador permanently placed on our primary homeworld, Sarienne, and for a Laren Ambassador placed on Earth.” Ryhs said beside her and she looked at him in astonishment.
An Alliance? That was something she had not been expecting. According to the Coalition, an Alliance between species was a very serious thing. It involved a sharing of technology, a backing of military support as well as allowing residency between planets. Having Laren on Earth as residents as well as Humans on the Laren homeworlds, it boggled the mind. In one way, this would drastically help Earth. Humans had advanced much in our technology in the last six years. The Techno’s were a huge help in that, they had managed to duplicate and adapt some of the Wraith tech left over from the invasion but compared to the Laren we were practically stone-age, cave dwellers. Alexa knew it, even if she didn’t like it.
“I was not expecting such a proposal.” She said diplomatically. The Laren all nodded but Ryhs looked disgruntled with her words.
“We are prepared to make a very attractive offer to your people for such an Alliance.” He said and outlined a very attractive proposal. She knew her eyes were wide as she listened and looked over the details on the data pad. This was going to cause a stir on Earth.
“I’ll need to review all this, why don’t we take a break for now. We’ve been cloistered in here for hours. Let’s take some time to eat, we have a large food court available and you are all welcome to explore the common areas of the Colony. I would be happy give a tour to your people this afternoon, since we...missed that event yesterday.” She finished and stood up, everyone else following suit.
They left the conference room and Alexa brought them to the food court, showing them the restaurants and cafe’s available for them to use. The people who were mulling around stared and silence abounded as everyone watched. She gave the colonists a reassuring smile, letting them know that everything was under control. Thankfully there were no Shifters present or who knows what would happen.
“Is there any ice cream?” Ryhs asked eagerly and Alexa bit back a smile.
“Yes, over there is a ice cream parlor.” She said pointing to the tiny shop with the old-fashioned window treatment.
“An entire shop of ice cream?” He asked asto
nished and she nodded, his eyes widening with wonder.
“Let’s eat real food first, ok? Then we can get ice cream.” Alexa said directing him towards a cafe. The Laren followed her lead, unsure of where to go. They sat down around a large circular table and a nervous, Bethany, came over to her. She was a Un-Alt, slang for a human that didn’t transform into Praesidio during the invasion. She was one of the resident civilians in the colony.
“Chancellor.” Bethany said in a tense voice and Alexa smiled at her.
“Bethany, let me introduce you to our guests.” She said and gestured around the table giving introductions. Bethany slowly became less nervous and handed out menus and told everyone the specials for the day.
Alexa ordered and explained some of the dishes to the Laren, when they asked questions on the food. Once done they chose to speak of simple, inconsequential things, Alexa giving details about the Colony and humans in general. After they finished she brought them to the ice cream parlor where she watched in amusement as all the Laren went gaga. Even the rude, female Laren - Sian - adored it and inquired if it would be possible to have it added to the trade negotiations.
“I’m sure we can come to an agreement.” Alexa said, biting her lip to keep from laughing. The Laren seemed to think it was some kind of delicacy.
“Here.” She said giving Ryhs a try of a soft serve cone. He had finished his rocky road and she thought he might like to try this.
He took a bite and his face filled with wonder. He began to gobble the soft serve ice cream eagerly.
“This is ice cream too?” He asked excitedly and she did laugh. Couldn’t help herself.
“Yes, this is soft serve.” Alexa leaned in and took a bite off his cone as they shared a smile, their eyes meeting in shared moment of amusement. Zing. Alexa glanced away as she felt that connection ping through her. The attraction between them was building with every look, every touch.
Afterwards, Alexa gave a tour around the Colony; expounding on the facilities and amenities available, that’s when trouble struck. She was on level three of the compound, showing them one of the common zones; this area resembled an old-fashioned, town square and housed a theater, an arcade, a few boutiques and specialty shops and a public garden for all to use. It was one of their busiest communal spaces and today was no exception. Colonists were moving around; shopping, enjoying their time off and giving the Laren a wide berth and speculative looks. BOOM. A huge explosion sounded throughout the colony, sending tremors out and making their group tetter and fall. Alexa was suddenly grabbed by Ryhs and pulled into his hold as he balanced them and prevented them from falling. People were screaming, dust and debris was thrown everywhere as she looked up to see...a riot.
The crash was the result of about thirty or so Shifters in beast-mode bursting through one of the main structural walls that separated the common zone from a restricted area. The mob of Shifters were fighting each other in a jumble of limbs and claws erupting through a newly made hole like a freight train. Rubble was collapsing sections of the square and Alexa could see many of the civilians under collapsed beams bearing injuries. Others were screaming and crying, running away or trying to save their companions. The rioting Shifters roared and clashed, an alarm sounded and those civilians unhurt were screaming and running away from the horde as they continued to tear through the common area.
Alexa’s eyes widened as she saw Ryker in his beast-form, in the middle of the throng, fighting several Shifters at once. The Laren were looking on in horror and shock and she knew she needed to act before the Shifters noticed them in their midst. In the state they were in, they could not be reasoned with. The Shifters would turn on the Laren like the vicious predators they were. Not to mention the hurt civilians being trampled on by the pack of battling Shifters.
Fury raced through her and Alexa stepped forward. Her hands shot out in front of her, using her telekinesis to lift the Shifters off the ground and into the air. Separating them from each other with a vicious yank, Alexa was beyond pissed, so she was not so gentle in her ministrations. Keeping them suspended like weird imitations of floating in space. They hung there, dangling in the air, growling and roaring with violent intent, swiping at each other in futile attempts to resume the fight.
“That’s Enough!” She shouted and gave them all a fierce shake to demonstrate her point.
“Send the Laren back to their ship.” Alexa said quietly to Ryhs as she moved away from him. He nodded grimly and turned to the delegation.
Alexa ignored everything else, going over to the injured civilians, comming the Med Center for assistance. Justine came running through the massive hole, looking around at the damage appalled. Ryhs came up next to her after the Laren delegation exited and kneeled down to an injured woman, helping lift her out under a beam. A security unit and medical team came rushing towards them and she directed them towards the injured. Using her Tk she lifted beams and debris out of the way so they could more easily get to the victims. Every new person they discovered made her just that much more...enraged. Her Tk strained against her hold, wanting to lash out against the Shifters for what they’d done. Alexa held it in with fierce determination and tenacity.
Silence from above had her looking up to see the guilty and distraught looks on the Shifters faces as they watched their fellow colonists being evaced. Alexa glared angrily at the Shifters in the air as the last was carried out and silence reigned throughout the compound - someone obviously turning off the stupid alarm some time ago. She looked around at the damage to the square, tons of goods and supplies were ruined, not to mention the giant hole in the wall. And all of it happened in front of the Laren. She was highly embarrassed, the Laren had just watched the Shifters tear through a wall, only a day after she did the same to their ship. This did not put them - the Praesidio - in a very good light, and it was all her fault.
“When I place you on the ground, you will shift back or I will crush you like a bug, understand?” Alexa bit out angrily. She waited a moment as she eyed the Shifters and slowly lowered a few at a time, starting with Ryker. Ryker shifted and stood, naked as the day he was born, a blank look on his face as he watched her lower Shifter after Shifter, seeing them all shift back to their human-form, laying on the ground, panting. Many had blood and cuts on them.
“Lieutenant Ryker, have each of these Shifters placed in the brig and checked by Medical. Then get engineering to patch up this hole and put together a damage report and meet me in my office.” Alexa said in an angry voice and he nodded sharply.
Alexa stomped back to her formal office, Ryhs silent at her side, the door slid open for her - for once she wished it was a old-fashioned swing door, because she longed to slam it shut.
She took a deep breath and heard the door beep. Looking behind her she found both Justine and Ryker waiting to enter.
“Enter.” Alexa called out menacingly.
“What the hell was that?!” She yelled, seething with rage, as they stood at attention in front of her.
“Chancellor…” Justine started to say but Alexa interrupted her, so angry she could scream.
“We are trying to put our best foot forward after the yesterday’s fiasco and there's a riot! Civilians were injured! Ryker, I expected you to keep the Shifters in check!” She ranted, waving her hand angrily at them. Their faces stiff and blank.
“Explain.” Alexa bit out, taking a deep breath, praying for calm.
“I take full responsibility, Chancellor. You entrusted me with the care of the Colony and I...” Justine said formally. Ryker scowled down at her before interrupting.
“It wasn’t her fault. It was mine, I lost my temper and…”
“Don’t! Don’t cover for me.” Justine said angrily looking at him.
“It was my fault. If I hadn’t…” Ryker said to her, looking contrite and furious at the same time.
“I don’t care who’s fault it was.” Alexa gritted out, stopping their argument. Just then the door slid open and Anabel came barrelling into t
he room panting with exertion, having obviously run the whole way to the office.
“And where were you when this was going on?” She snapped at her and a wounded, hurt look came across Anabel’s face and Alexa felt like shit for snapping at her.
“I was dealing with a problem with the Growers. The Shifter’s aren’t the only ones uncomfortable with the situation.” Anabel said stiffly and Alexa sighed.
“I’m sorry for snapping at you. What’s wrong with the Growers?” She asked concerned and Anabel gave her a forgiving smile.
“Their fine now. I handled it.” She said and Alexa nodded, normally she would want to know more but she was still trying to deal with the Shifter riot and that had to take precedence unless it was an emergency. She turned back to Justine and Ryker, both had gone silent and blank-faced again.
“The Shifters?” She questioned and Ryker looked to Justine before answering.
“Twenty-three Shifters are in the brig under arrest. Only three were seriously hurt and they are being treated in the Med Center. They will be transported to the brig once released. The rest of the Shifters are in lockdown in their quarters, everyone knows what...happened was unacceptable.”