by M. K. Eidem
Trisha watched as the darkness of space turned to the blue of Earth's atmosphere. "Will it take long to get to the NACB?"
"No." Ull pushed a few buttons on the console. "Once we received the coordinates, the Searcher altered its orbit. It will now remain over our location so shuttle transport times will be minimal."
"And the Searcher will remain undetected?"
"Of course, as will the shuttle flights." Ull frowned at her. "Why would you think anything different?"
"With the President and other Leaders in residence, there's going be a great deal more surveillance and air traffic in the area."
"They will not detect us unless we want them to." The shuttle banked slightly, and Ull looked back to the console. Reaching into his vest, he pulled out his comm unit and handed it to her. "We are close. Let your tío know."
Trisha's gaze flew back to the window and saw they were flying over the flat land of the Northern Plains. Taking the comm unit, she pressed the button Ull pointed to and waited for it to connect.
"Representative Burke?" Her tío's voice came through almost immediately.
"Mr. President," she responded in English. It was something they had discussed earlier that morning. He wanted this to be thoroughly documented and understood by all on Earth, so they needed to communicate in an Earth language as much as possible. "We'll be landing shortly."
"Inform Warrior Ull that he will need to lower his shielding before landing."
That request surprised Trisha, and she looked to Ull.
"What?" Ull growled in Tornian.
"They want you to lower the shielding before you land." Trisha was finding it easier to switch between the languages.
“I will once we are overhead.”
Trisha relayed that information as Ull pressed a few buttons. In moments, she felt the forward momentum of the shuttle end, and it began to descend.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Aaron's eyes widened as he got his first look at the alien shuttle as it suddenly appeared hovering overhead. It wasn't the sleek silver ship depicted in so many movies or the round 'saucer' shape so popular in the 1950s. This ship was matte black and shaped like an arrowhead, and as it descended, Aaron realized just how much more advanced than Earth these Tornians were. While he could see the shuttle, it was utterly silent. It was only when it got closer to the ground that the air began to swirl, picking up dust and ruffling the clothing and hair of everyone present.
Three landing supports extended from the bottom of the shuttle just before it reached the ground, and whatever was powering it shut off. The air quickly calmed, and Aaron knew he would have thought it had been a freak wind if the shuttle were shielded.
Looking at the security and medical staff waiting with him, he saw they were just as shocked as he was, but were having completely different reactions. The Security personnel all braced for an attack, their hands tightening on their weapons. While the medical staff seemed filled with excitement for what they were about to see and discover.
The faintest of mechanical sounds had him looking back to the shuttle to see a doorway appear halfway down the side of the shuttle, and a ramp was descending from it. Security followed the President as he moved toward the ramp, along with the aerial drones in charge of recording every moment of this historic event.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
"Welcome home." Trisha smiled as she rose and faced those sitting behind her. Their expressions told her they weren't sure if they believed her, and she couldn't blame them after all they'd been through. "Warrior Ull and I need to step outside first and speak with the President. Once done, I'll return, and we'll get you off this shuttle so you can take your first steps in getting your lives back."
She’d explained all this to them before but wanted to make sure they understood and didn’t panic. She wasn’t sure how she’d react to being this close to home and still having to wait.
She nodded to Ull, who was now standing beside her, and he moved down the aisle between the abductees until he reached where she knew the door was. He touched a panel causing the door to open and a ramp to lower. As she looked out, she saw her tío standing there and knew she was the only one that saw the relief in his eyes. Calmly, confidently, with Ull just behind her, she walked down the ramp ignoring the gasps and whispers as everyone got their first look of an 'alien.'
"Mr. President." She formally addressed her tío in English and held out her hand as she stepped off the ramp.
"Representative Burke," Aaron replied, shaking her hand then addressed Ull in Tornian. "Warrior Ull, welcome to Earth."
"Mr. President," Ull growled back then crossed an arm over his chest in the Tornian greeting between Warriors and bowed slightly.
The President returned the greeting, then switched back to English and addressed Trisha. "Medical staff is ready to assist the abductees out of the shuttle." He gestured to his left.
"They…"
Ull's deep growl cut her off, and to her shock, he pulled out his sword and pointed it at the advancing group who instantly froze. The security detail didn't. They immediately raised their weapons and aimed them at Ull.
"No!" Trisha stepped in front of Ull, flinging her arms out, trying to make herself as large as possible, as she walked backward until she pressed against Ull's chest.
"Stop!" Aaron ordered shaking off those that were trying to pull him out of the line of fire. "Stand down! That's a direct order!"
Slowly the guards complied, and Aaron switched to Tornian. "That includes you too, Warrior Ull. Sheath your sword."
"No one other than Representative Burke shall enter the shuttle until we have reached an agreement," Ull growled back.
"Why?" Aaron demanded suspiciously.
"Do you allow unknowns onto your vessels?" Ull challenged, and Trisha suddenly understood the problem.
"Sheath your sword, Ull," Trisha said as she turned to face him. "I give you my vow that no one will enter the shuttle. You can seal it once everyone is off."
"My apologies, Warrior Ull. I should have realized, and I now understand your concern." The President switched to English and repeated what he'd just said, but Ull's gaze remained fixed on Trisha.
"Please, Ull." Her eyes pleaded with his.
"Only if you vow never to do that again," he growled.
"Do what?"
"Put yourself at risk to protect me. I am a male, and therefore, expendable. You are not!"
"You're not expendable, Ull." She placed a hand over his pounding heart. "Not to me."
"Vow it, Trisha," he demanded as he covered her hand with his.
"Fine," she sighed. "I vow it. Just make sure you don't do something like that again."
"I am a Warrior. I shall always protect my Empire and those under its protection, which includes you and those on the shuttle."
"The medical team wasn't a threat to the people on the shuttle." She couldn't believe he thought they would be.
Ull said nothing as he sheathed his sword.
"Representative Burke." Aaron waited until Ull sheathed the sword before he spoke. Still, he'd been intently listening to Ull and Trisha's conversation and found himself surprised at how protective the Tornian Warrior was of his niece. It was something he would discuss with her. Once they were alone.
Ull immediately missed Trisha's touch when she turned back to her tío. "Yes, Mr. President?"
"Are the abductees able to leave the shuttle on their own?"
"Yes." With that, she turned, and after giving Ull one last look, walked back up the ramp.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
If he could have, Ull would have followed Trisha up the ramp, tossed everyone else out, and taken Trisha back to the Searcher. His heart had nearly stopped beating when she put herself between him and the weapons the Earthian warriors had pointed at him. Seeing all those red targeting spots on her, he'd nearly lost his Warrior's control. Because of it, he'd nearly impaled her on his sword as she backed up. Only at the last minute had he repositioned h
is weapon so he could still defend them.
When she'd turned pleading eyes to him and willingly touched him in front of others, when she'd claimed that he wasn't expendable, he would have given her the entire universe. But he would never allow her to put herself in harm’s way again. For anyone. She was too important, and not just because of what she could do for his people. That was what gave him the strength to not bend to her beseeching look. Or to follow her up that ramp.
Chapter Nine
"Representative Burke, you and Warrior Ull will follow me."
Trisha had just finished settling the abductees in the medical center of the NACB. It had been a little bumpy at first. The abductees had gotten used to speaking in either Kaliszian or Tornian. So, when the doctors had started questioning them in English, they'd struggled to answer them. It had the medical staff exchanging worried looks until Trisha had stepped in. She calmly reassured the doctors that nothing was wrong, and the abductees just needed to think to speak English again consciously, and they would. After that, things moved smoother, and the doctors began to compare the abductees' current health to their medical history.
Ull didn’t understand what was said but took it all in without saying a word. Trisha wondered how this deep repair unit he talked about compared to Earth's medical procedures. She'd have to ask him, and when they were alone, she would. Right now, she needed to follow the President's directions.
"Of course, Mr. President." She gestured to Ull with her head, and he began walking beside her as she followed the President, his security detail closing in behind them.
Traveling through the building, Trisha was surprised at its size. It made sense if the countries of North America were going to be coming together because their leaders and support staff would need the room. But how had her tío been able to have it built without the media finding out and reporting it? After several more minutes, they arrived at a massive set of doors opened by more armed guards.
Ull's trained gaze quickly took in everything as he entered the room. Where every exit was, the armed guards defending each one, and how those individuals of most importance sat higher than where they were on the floor. It was like the chamber where the Assembly of Lords met but wasn't as intimidating. He realized that it was intentional. While there were warriors on Earth, its society wasn't built around them as the Tornian world was.
As they walked to the center of the room, the President gestured to two chairs. Between the chairs was a small table with several clear bottles and a small container.
"Warrior Ull. Representative Burke. You will sit here." He picked up the container and handed it to Trisha. "This will allow you to understand everyone." With that, he moved to where a guard had opened a door, then climbed the steps leading to his seat.
Trisha let her gaze travel around the horseshoe-shaped room taking in all those present. While she was no expert on all the world's leaders, because of Tío's position, she did recognize those elected to the new World Council, and they were all here. It was the reason for the earbud translator her tío had handed her.
"Is there a problem, Trisha?" Ull spoke quietly, so only she heard. If something concerned her, they would leave. He would not have her in harm's way.
"No." She turned to give him a small reassuring smile. "I was just surprised at the number of leaders here. I thought it would be just those from North America."
"This concerns you?"
"No. It's a good thing. It means decisions will be quickly made." Under her breath, she muttered. "Hopefully."
"Representative Burke." She looked up to where Tío sat. "Is there a problem?"
"No, Mr. President."
"Then would you and Warrior Ull please take your seats so we can begin."
Trisha nodded then translated for Ull, but before she could pull out her chair, Ull did it for her.
"Thank you," she told him, then opening the small case, pulled out the earbud, and placed it in her ear.
"What is that?" Ull growled.
"It allows me to understand all the languages that will be spoken here today," she reassured him.
"It will not harm you?"
"Of course not. My tío would never allow that." With a grunt, Ull sat.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Aaron waited until Ull sat before standing to address the world leaders. "Esteemed colleagues. Thank you for responding so quickly to my request, especially as I could give you no specifics. You now understand why. Seated before you is Warrior Ull, a male that is obviously from another species, from another universe altogether, and while he made contact with the United States first, his reason for being here affects everyone on the planet."
Trisha expected there to be an outburst as she translated for Ull, and her tío paused, but she'd underestimated those gathered. They were the leaders of their Councils and countries for a reason.
"I know you all have questions, but first, let me make the proper introductions." He waited for Trisha to finish translating before continuing. "Chancellor Smyth representing the European Council." He gestured to the woman sitting the furthest away from him on the right. "Chancellor Abara representing the African Council." This male was seated next to Chancellor Smyth. "President Ochoa of Mexico." Aaron gestured to the man sitting closest to him then looked to a woman sitting to his left. "Prime Minister Gagnon of Canada. Beside her is Chancellor Nguyen of the Asian Council, and next to him is Chancellor Khatri from the Australian Council." He waited for Ull to acknowledge each leader. "Warrior Ull is the representative from the Tornian Empire."
"How is it you speak his language?" Chancellor Smyth questioned. "How long have you known of his existence, and who is the woman beside him?"
"I will get to how I now speak Tornian, but let me reassure you that I only became aware of Warrior Ull's existence two days ago through my niece, Representative Burke, who is translating our languages for him." He gestured to Trisha, sitting beside Ull.
"But how…"
"Perhaps it would be best if I explained?" Trisha interrupted the Australian Chancellor.
"Please," Chancellor Khatri encouraged.
As Trisha went to rise, Ull put a restraining hand on her leg. "What are you doing?"
"They want to know why you contacted us…me, first. I need to explain."
"You will not leave my side."
Trisha frowned at that but sat back down. If it made Ull more comfortable for her to remain at his side, then so be it. Looking back to Chancellor Khatri, she began.
"The reason Warrior Ull contacted me first is that approximately six months ago, a friend of mine, Lisa Miller, went missing along with her two daughters, Carly and Miki." She decided to leave out how it had been her fault, as she'd left the girls alone with their Uncle Peter. "I contacted my tío, or uncle as some of you call them, to see if he could help find them after the local authorities could find no trace." She let her gaze rest on her tío for a moment before continuing. "He couldn't. Two days ago, Lisa contacted me through Warrior Ull. She and her girls were taken from Earth and are now on Luda, a planet in the Tornian Empire, where they are happy and perfectly fine."
"How did they get there?" Chancellor Nguyen asked in Mandarin.
Ull's quiet, 'Tell them,' had Trisha looking at him in shock.
"You can understand Mandarin?" she demanded back in Tornian.
"I can understand every language you do if you and I are physically connected."
"Physically connected?" When she frowned, the hand he hadn't removed from her leg squeezed slightly. "Oh. Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
"It didn't come up."
"Representative Burke?"
"I'm sorry." She looked back at Chancellor Nguyen. "Warrior Ull was inquiring about what you asked. If you would allow me to give you some background first, I will then explain how Lisa and the girls got to Luda." When the Chancellor nodded, she continued. "There are many different species in the universe, but the primary ones concerning us today are the Ganglians, the Kaliszians, a
nd the Tornians. Each in their own way is on the brink of extinction."
"Why?" One of the leaders asked.
"Because of something they call the Great Infection." That comment had everyone surging to their feet and quickly backing away from Trisha and Ull.
"Calm down!" Aaron ordered over the melee. "It's not that kind of infection! Do you think I would have asked you to come here if it was?!"
"Then what is it?" Chancellor Abara demanded as slowly everyone began to settle back into their seats.
Trisha took back control of the room. "It's something that was caused by the actions of three males, one from each of the three species I just mentioned, over five hundred years ago. And while it has affected each species differently, it is also what has brought all of them to Earth."
"Explain," Prime Minister Gagnon demanded.
Trisha went on to explain how the Ganglians were now slavers who could only experience sexual release while inflicting pain. The Kaliszians could no longer produce enough food to feed their people. And Tornian males outnumbered their females two hundred to one.
"The Tornians knew nothing about Earth until approximately fifteen months ago when another Earth woman, by the name of Kim Teel, was discovered on a Ganglian ship by the Tornian Emperor, Wray Vasteri. Severely abused and barely alive, he not only saved her, but he fell in love with her and made her his Empress." Gasps were heard throughout the chamber. "That would have been the end of it, but when Kim became pregnant, all hell broke loose in the Tornian Empire."
"So that's why they're here. For our women." President Ochoa vocalized what all the other leaders were thinking.
"Yes." Trisha refused to lie to her people. The only way this was going to work was if everyone was upfront and honest. Or spoke truth as the Tornians would say. "They need our women, but only those willing to Join with a Tornian, and yes, that's what they call sex… Joining. But before you get fixated on that, there's more you need to know."