“Oh, okay,” she chuckled and made her way to the bathroom. She used her new hair dryer after wetting it in the shower. Boy, what a difference the hair drier made. Her hair was not frizzy like it had been for the last several days. She put on her make-up and dressed in stockings and a dark grey pants suit with a pair of Jimmy Choo wedges. She picked out her accessories and made her way out into the living room as she was putting on the last earing. “How do I look?” She asked as she spun around. “Is this appropriate for a meeting with the council?”
Zane was stunned. He knew she was beautiful but today she was positively radiant. Her hair that looked like dark fire was styled away from her face in a twist. Her large almond shaped green eyes glimmered like jewels. He was in trouble. Already he was starting to feel the desire for her arise. “You are beautiful, Gracie. We have about 30 minutes to the meeting. Are you ready to go?”
“Let me get my journal and I will be ready.” She went and picked up her journal on the bedside table and quickly skimmed her notes from the night before. She had a feeling she would succeed on her endeavor today. She was determined to share her love of the city with Zane in New York. It would be fun to teach him about earth and her beloved city.
They arrived at conference room 2, with five minutes to spare. Zeb and Brylon stood in the room waiting for the council members to arrive. Zane placed his hand on Gracie’s back and led her into the room and this sent sparks up Gracie's spine just from his touch. “Hello Zeb. How is Avery today? Has she had any problems with the translation disks?”
“No, she is doing great. I think that she is happy that she does not hear two languages at once anymore. She thought that was really annoying.” Zeb looked over to his friend’s mate, “Grace, you look great. Are you ready for your presentation?” He looked at her expectantly, waiting for an answer.
“Yes, I am.” She looked over to Brylon as he stood next to Zeb. “I do not believe I have made your acquaintance," she extended her hand out toward him, "I'm Grace Abernathy.”
Zane chimed in at the last minute, embarrassed that he did not introduce his mate to the ship’s engineer, “Brylon, meet my mate, Grace.” Grace saw that Brylon looked at her hand uncertainly. Maybe, this was not how Theron’s greeted one another, so she slowly withdrew her hand and let it rest in her pocket.
“It is very nice to meet you Grace. How are you finding the ship?” Brylon asked.
“Zane took me to the Starlight Gardens yesterday. It is really beautiful. I think that my stay is getting easier and easier each day.” She said with a smile.
Zeb began to talk to everyone in the group. “There has been news from Theron. I have not been informed of all of the details. It will be discussed before we hear from Grace.” Addressing Grace individually, “Grace you will have to take a chair and wait outside this room until we call for you. Is that alright? We may have to discuss matters of an important nature and the council will not approve of you listening in on them.”
“I can wait outside. That is not a problem.” Just as she said this the two Theron Council members walked in. They wore long flowing robes of a velvety texture but light as silk with gold rope accents that bellowed as they walked in. Zane introduced them to her. “Grace, I would like you to meet Vencenza and Francescon, high council members of Theron.” As he motioned in Grace’s direction, “Vencenza and Francescon please meet my mate, Grace Abernathy from the planet earth.” The council members did not reply but nodded their heads. Zane pushed a chair outside the room and bent down to place a kiss on her cheek, “For luck, Grace.”
She could feel the tenderness of his kiss on her cheek and heat that raced to the place where his lips touched her skin. She wasn’t prepared for how it would affect her. Just like last night she could feel the connection between them. To get her thoughts back on the task at hand, she sat outside the room patiently waiting and reviewing the list in her journal. She went over it a dozen times before Zane came out to get her. He gave her a look of consternation. Things must not be going well. It really did not matter any way. She always tended to speak so much better under pressure.
Vencenza broke the silence. “Zane and Zeb have briefed me on your plans. I am ready to reject them unless you can prove to us that they have merit. So far, I do not see any reason that would supersede the need for wasting our time allowing for this nonsense when we could be returning home to deal with the threats we recently have become aware of.” She waved her hand in a gesture to carry on as she said, “You may proceed.”
“First of all, I would like to thank you for allowing me to speak to you today. As they may have told you, I have a sizable fortune and I own and operate several businesses. I am willing to place all of my liquid assets into trust for the ‘Brides of Theron and their children’. This fund will be available for us in the scenario that we must be returned to our planet because upon arrival to Theron we are unable to stay there either because of war or environment al conditions. This fund would provide for all of the Earth females abducted as well as any children conceived by your warriors to ensure us the ability to set up a settlement on earth. It could very well provide my planet’s administration a token of good will on behalf of the Theron people. In return, I ask that I be given one week’s time to dissolve my business interests as they will face undue hardship if I abruptly disappear without a trace.”
Francescon chimed in, “And why exactly should we care about your business interests on the planet earth?”
Grace could feel the pressure cooking now as Vencenza spoke, “Our world is at war and we have just received a report that there is activity among the bases run by the Drylons. Even with all our allies, why should we waste one week of our time to save your businesses when the people of our planet are in danger?”
“I know what it is to lose family to war and terrorism. When I was 16 my entire immediate family was killed when two planes were hijacked by al Qaeda militants on September 11th, in our year 2001 and they crashed them into the twin towers where my family had a very sucessful law office. Many people died that day. My parents and my brother and sister were lucky. They were on the floors that were directly hit by the first plane and were instantly incinerated. Dust and toxic smoke filled the air for miles in the city, covering the people who had to walk home because most of the city's transportation was halted. While the buildings were burning, most of the American people watched their televisions in horror as people jumped out the windows of the tall buildings to their deaths, choosing to die before the buildings collapsed on top of them because there was no other way to escape. Those were only two of the planes that were hijacked that day. There were other targets, other planes.”
“My country has been at war with these terrorists for many years now. I have seen war first hand and I know many service men that have done one, two, and three tours of duty to protect our rights and liberties. Why should I turn my back on the women you abducted, my fellow Americans, and my personal family legacy? What makes our plight any less important than yours?” She looked the council members in the eyes for emphasis, “I am willing to go with you. I see the merit in your attempt to save your people and sustain your race and I am honored to be in a position to help but I will not leave my family to suffer when I can do something about it.”
“From what I have learned through my conversations with Zane, you are a very honorable and proud people. You honor your ancestors and fight in their honor. Are you suggesting that I may not have the same right to honor my ancestors and their contributions to my future, which are quite sizable I might add, when I am quite clearly willing to abandon my planet to join you with the intent of enabling you to carry on your race? I have an obligation to take care of the businesses that many generations of my family have built. I need to make sure that we, the women you have abducted, are provided for and have an adequate back-up plan in place in the very slim chance that we cannot survive on your planet or the slim possibility that your planet no longer exists and we must return with the additio
nal possibly of adding members of your race in tow. You need us to help save your race. Shouldn’t that be enough to see this proposal through?”
Vencenza looked surprised at the enthusiasm, tenacity, and shear bravery of the woman before her, “I believe that you have made an excellent argument.” Looking at Zane, she added, “Please escort your mate outside the room and return. We must discuss this before a final decision is made.” He rose from his chair and approached his mate grabbing for her hand and giving it a squeeze. They stepped outside and he bent to whisper in her ear, “You were wonderful in there. I have never seen Vencenza so captivated.” He smiled at her and gave her a quick kiss, turning away and returning to the room. He was prepared to support his mate at all costs.
Vencenza looked around the table waiting for someone to speak, “Since none of you care to talk, I will bring up my first question. Why should we let her go? We have a great need to return to the planet. Current intercepted communications made by the Drylon’s suggest they are about to attack. All the other ships in the fleet are already returning to the planet or visiting our allies to obtain their support.”
Zeb looked the council members in the face, “I will have to agree with the earth female. We did not consider their rights as individuals when we abducted them. Even though we had permission from their government to take them, we should have thought to do something to make the transition for them a little easier. The time required for Grace to finish her business on earth brings the added opportunity to enact many potential solutions we have been developing to ensure that the women we have already taken are given an opportunity to do things that would make them better able to adjust to the idea of leaving with us. We could allow them to gather their belongings from their homes and bring them to the ship. This way they would be more comfortable. I will say that the Earth females are a formidable asset to our race. Not only can we interbreed, they are a remarkable people as a whole.”
“Brylon, what is your take on this?” Francescon asked.
“I was thinking the same thing. Emma, my mate, has had a very difficult time adjusting. I think that we should do whatever it takes to make them alright with the fate they have been dealt. I have the ability to beam a warrior to the living quarters of the Earth females and by using video guides it will allow the females to direct them to whatever they would like to bring with them. After what they want has been gathered, those items can be beamed to directly to engineering via electronportation. Also, I am working on a way to have the women who want to tell their families’ good-bye the ability to do so via video chat. This effort on our part should enable us to earn their trust and possibly affection.”
Francescon looked at Zane waiting for his take. “I think that what Grace does for her fellow earth women and the possible future generation of our warrior/earthling mixed children is a way that we can provide everyone with a feeling of good will. It will potentially show the women that we do care about them and their wellbeing. Let’s face it, with the way time is affected at the speed that we travel in our ships, they may never get the chance to return and visit the loved ones that they have left behind. I can speak the language fluently and other than my size, which is not impossible on their planet, I would be willing to accompany my mate to the planet while she takes care of all of her business.”
Francescon looked around the table and added, “I am in agreement with you all. Brylon, I believe you have some excellent ideas. I will ask you to implement them as soon as possible. From what I have seen today, if these other Earth women are as capable as your mate Zane, they will make a great addition to our race.”
Vencenza looked at Zane, “Zane, you speak the language and she is your mate. You will go with her. Please go and get her so she can hear our final decision.”
Grace returned to the room and Zane let her sit in his seat at the table as he stood behind her with his hands resting comfortably on her shoulders. Vencenza looked at Grace with admiration, “You make a very interesting argument for your people. We are willing to allow you to proceed with this endeavor. However, we cannot give you the week you request. You will have 5 days.”
“I hate to disagree with you on that time frame, but a substantial amount of work needs to be done. If you could see it in your heart to give me six days, I am sure that I should be able to finish everything required to set my plans into action.” She looked around the table so she could emphasize this need to the group as a whole.
Vencenza looked around the table seeing no objections, “Six days it is and not a minute more. We will be moving out in one week’s time and all preparations will need to be made before we travel home. Dr. Zane has some work that he will need to see to before we leave.” She addressed Zane, “Will you have enough time to do all that is necessary to prepare the ship and go on this mission with your mate?”
“I can coordinate all necessary work and complete checklists from the surface of the planet. I have a very capable staff and Jeeka, my second in charge, can see to most of those duties in my stead. When will we be allowed to depart?”
Francescon stood up, ready to leave the room. “You may leave immediately. The sooner you return the better. We will expect progress reports from you. Please report to Zeb with all updates. He will keep us informed. If that is all the business we need to discuss, I conclude that this meeting is adjourned.” Vencenza and Francescon left the room and the rest lingered behind. They were all excited with the outcome of the meeting.
Zeb was the first to say something to Grace. “I will tell you honestly Grace. I severely underestimated you. I can honestly say that I never seen Vencenza so quick to agree to anything. You really were able to get your objectives through to her. That is a feat in itself and you should be very proud."
Brylon looked pleased as he moved to dismiss himself. “I can’t wait to tell Emma all this. I hope that maybe this will help her adjust. I have made a bit of progress with communicating with her, but this might help me gain her trust. I am going to go and tell her now. Thank you, Grace! You have accomplished so much for the women of your planet.” He quickly left the room with an extremely big grin plastered across his face.
Zane was so proud of his mate. He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze, “We had better go down to pack. I will have to procure some more clothes for the planet’s surface. I can do that while you pack your things.” He looked at his commander,”Zeb, I will be checking in with you whenever possible. I will carry my transmitter if you need to contact me in the case that the plans should have to be changed.”
They made their way out the door and to the transportation tubes. Zeb motioned to the tube that was waiting, “You guys go ahead. You have much to do. I will catch the next one.”
“Thanks,” Zane said to his friend, “Give Avery our love.”
They entered the tube and Grace wrapped her arms around him tightly as they made their way back to the quarters to pack and ready themselves for the trip. She was grateful for his support. She could feel his calming presence in the room as she addressed the council. This was by far the toughest group she faced in her life. The board of the firm was 90% owned by family members that she had known all her life and she was very knowledgeable of how they would react to her ideas. The council was a mystery to her. She took comfort in the way he wrapped his arms around her in return as they moved through the tube system.
Grace had mentioned that she would like to be beamed directly into her penthouse, preferably after Jo had left for the day. That way she would be there before Jo returned in the morning. She told Zane he only needed two outfits. He had three in his quarters so it was not necessary for him to find more clothing so he packed what he had. She would have to call Michael’s tailor on the surface to have some custom suits made. There was no way that even the biggest and tallest shops would carry a suit to fit his large muscular frame. She made up her mind to have several suits made for him as the first item on her agenda. In her world, he would have to dress properly.
; Chapter 13
Coordinating their efforts with engineering, they were able to beam down just after Jo left the building. Zane did not know what to expect. He had only observed her on the beach, and spent time watching her sleep in her room in the Hampton’s house, and in the airport. Her home was spacious and grand when compared to his quarters on the ship. It was a beautiful. She had many pieces of art hanging on the wall from various artists that her parents collected in their lifetime. Small sculptures were placed around the room on various tables. The floors in the entryway were some kind of stone with many colors embedded in its smooth and polished surface. Grace excused herself quickly to make a few calls in the study leaving him alone to explore his new surroundings.
He surveyed the apartment, taking an extreme interest in her kitchen and finally her balcony. He stepped out and heard the sounds of the city. The wind was circling the buildings around him making a whooshing sound. He could see the headlights from the cars on the street and every once and awhile he could hear the sound of a honking horn. Across the street, he could see the park and the lights that illuminated the concrete pathways through the grass. It was a beautiful at night. The lights all around him were making it hard to see the stars that he was used to seeing from the windows of the ship.
Theron's Hope (Brides of Theron) Page 13