Wednesday Briefs: Ancalagon Ch. 92

 

Garjah snorted. “Who do they think that will impress?”

“What are they projecting?” I asked, squinting. It looked like blurred faces.

“The images of their forebears. It’s a reminder that they are the descendants of those who began as the leaders of our people and the tradition continues. Generally they use projects only during ceremonial displays on Inaugural Day.”

They weren’t above political machinations, but for as subtle as Mereval could be, this felt clumsy. It was too overt, too arrogant. It explained why Sloval was in the lead, though, but I wasn’t going to be lulled into a false sense of security thinking this was their only play—or even their main play—to discredit Garjah or cut us off from his allies.

Too bad for them that respect for the past wasn’t what drove the rebels; they wanted to bring about changes to the status quo. And there were a lot more rebels than they thought. All we had to do was wait them out; they’d have to give in to the demands of the people if enough of them spoke up. Rulers only lasted as long as those who were being ruled consented.

Enough people turned and greeted them, exclaiming over their old-fashioned projects, but there was a large crowd around Ases and the table of food that were ignoring the Kardoval’s entrance into the room. Garjah and I stood between them. They’d have to go through us to get to him. Garjah planted his feet in that wide stance I’d grown familiar with and stood his ground.

“Good evening,” he said, saluting when they grew close. I gave them a nod, but Bouncer just sat, his tail lashing. His disinterest in them was a casual disrespect, and I had to work to curb my smirk. This was being cast across the planet and to the Galactic via Ases’ mech.

“Your successor has done well with the security while you have been absent, Garjah,” Sloval said.

He had no subtlety at all.

“Seedrah is young but very capable; he comes from a fine family. I’m sure he’ll continue to work well as the security liaison for the government while Essell and I work with the ambassador.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?”

“As you said, he’s done very well.” Garjah paused. “I’m sure I can make myself available to him for consultations, however, as he is still in training.”

“We wondered if you would neglect that duty.” Lenveval glanced around the room. The guards who were there were interspersed with the staff and were nearly indistinguishable. I never would have known if Garjah hadn’t pointed them out. The guests were never supposed to know.

“I neglect none of my duties to our people,” Garjah said mildly. The rebuke looked like it stung, based on the sour expression on Sloval’s face. “As you speak of duty, I am sure you wish to start the dinner. We are here, after all, to celebrate the treaty and the Galactic’s ambassador, Ases.

“Of course we are,” Mereval said as she glided from the back. She tapped her body in two places and turned off the project. “We hope you will enjoy the meal.”

 

The food was good; everyone was served the exact same thing after all. Our seats were tucked away in a corner, at a small table for just the two of us, and I could barely see the main table. I trusted Ases to navigate the hidden dangers in the meal, however; the man was a thorough politician.

“Psst,” I hissed. I leaned forward to offer Garjah a bite from my knife. “How’s he doing?” I was sitting with my back to the high table.

“Fine. It looks like Mereval just laughed.” Garjah craned his neck, looking beyond me. “Yep, she looks happy and furious about it at the same time.”

I relaxed back in my seat, feeling like we might be able to pull this off for the first time. I’d said it a few times, but this was the first time I was actually feeling confident. We’d met the Kardoval on their terms and forced them to ours instead.

The Four Arms were about to have their fingers on a lot of different pieces of the pie. I could just hear Ases going on his spiel now. Not only did he have the experience and the shifter background to make him more comfortable around these people, he could bring valuable contacts to the Galactic if he was careful.

The windows on the far side of the room smashed open. Screams filled the room as glass sprayed the dining tables. Two silver orbs flew into the room, whirring as they spun.

Garjah stood and bellowed, “Target!”

The security staff flew into motion. Some rushed toward the tables and others pulled weapons and targeted the orbs which were flying erratically. They must be piloted. That was the last thing I saw before Garjah shoved me and Bouncer under the table.

“Everybody down!” he ordered.

The screaming was loud, and someone was whimpering and rocking under our table. I ignored them, trying to listen to what was happening while soothing Bouncer and keeping him with me. The others huddled away from us, but I hugged him, ignoring his constant growling. “We’re fine,” I whispered. “We’ll all be fine.”  

“Ases, get down! Frisah, to him, now!”

“Wait,” Ases shouted. “Mech, protect. Target the silver flying objects and eliminate the threat.”

His mech could be nearly silent, so I couldn’t hear it, but I did hear sudden cheers. I peeked out from under the table. Garjah was pale, his markings standing out in stark relief. “Call for medics, and get me all the security footage from inside and outside of this room. Nobody leaves,” he barked when someone broke for the door who wasn’t security.

Assured whatever the silver orbs were, they were gone and Garjah wasn’t worried about more if he was calling for medics. I crawled out from under the table.

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Wednesday Briefs: Ancalagon Ch. 91

 

Ases sent his mech to the far side of the room where it extended its legs and looked down on the room. We’d been announced, and the applause had sounded sincere enough. The knots of people were slow to approach our trio, however, even after the mech moved away.

“The clothing is certainly interesting.” Many people wore outfits that mirrored the patterns on their skin, spots or stripes, but in many different hues. Others wore draped robes held over a single shoulder or wraps in plain colors but accessorized with gaudy jewels. “I’m glad I packed several formal outfits.” He wore a silver robe with crimson detailing around the collar and cuffs, but the trailing sleeves had gaps along top edges that exposed the muscles of his shoulders, biceps, and forearms.

Plenty of fabric to conceal his personal stunner and at least two knives I knew Ases used to always carry.

Garjah was dressed far more simply in a short kilt with his armbands on full display. I wore his mother’s, and more than one person side-eyed them. Still not comfortable forgoing shirts despite the added difficulty of accommodating an extra pair of arms, I wore a vest with open sides that tied. The sheath molded into the spine protection of the cloth hide a stiletto blade Garjah insisted I carry after I proved I could reach the retracted hilt, activate it, and then actually use it without harming myself.

The pillow he’d had me stab had been another story. Bouncer had pounced the second the plant fluff had appeared from the neat rip, and he delighted in yanking out more and flinging it over his head until the fabric bag of the bag hung empty and the room had been in shambles.

All in all, between getting clothes fabricated, weapons fitted and tested, and going over our plan for the evening, we’d already had a long day.

At least the banquet tables along the sides of the room had plenty of food. My dad used to complain that Institute functions were always lacking in the proper amount of selections, but there were many different types of plants, meats, and sweets laid out on platters for the guests to nibble on. Drinks were circulated by serving staff, which made me nervous. Cautious, I only took a glass from a server who held a tray that had been offered to several groups around the room.

“Careful, that’s intoxicating,” Garjah warned.

“I assumed.” The small bubbles and sharp bite of the scent that wafted up and hit my nose when I lifted the glass were hallmarks of a beverage I’d need to go easy on. “Where are our hosts, do you think?” The Kardoval hadn’t entered the room yet.

“They’ll make an entrance.” Garjah also held a drink and a small plate of food.

“Ah, Timok, I’m glad to see you,” Garjah said. I turned my head and caught sight of the medic, still not quite sure if I should scowl at him or welcome him too. He held too many secrets in that sly gaze.

“And who did you bring to us?” he asked.

“This is Ases, an ambassador from the Galactic Council. He volunteered to come with us and be a part of this new era for your planet,” I said. “Ases, this is the chief medical officer for the ship Garjah normally commands as well as the planet.”

“Interesting.” Ases brightened. “Most doctors I know either specialize in space travel medicine like mass injuries or alien pathogens or focus on healing their own people. Do you really practice both?”

“Well, it’s not that difficult, you see, when most of the time we don’t risk encountering other species,” Timok said. “Essell here was a unique case that brought many challenges with his unique status with Garjah as well as the adaptations necessary to handle the damage to his system.”

“Several scientists on the Institute’s council team wanted me to speak to someone about that; they were fascinated by the genetic anomalies he presented with the physical modifications like his extra limbs and the changes to his eyes. He wasn’t very cooperative in letting them learn more.” Ases smirked when Garjah narrow his nostrils.

“I am not surprised. He was a terrible patient.”

“Hey! I am not an experiment to be poked and prodded. And I said thank you for saving me, and helping Bouncer too.” Timok had helped him, but he was just such an arrogant asshole about it that it galled me to acknowledge the sheer miracle of what he’d done saving my life.

“Yes, yes, you won’t let me examine you for additional changes and monitor your system overtly. I understand this.” Timok turned to Ases. “But you are not a human, correct?”

“No, I’m not. I do have this humanoid bipedal form, but I can also shift into a four-legged mammalian form that is more… primitive, shall we say? I still understand and can reason, but everything is more black and white and my shifted form sees things in a simpler way.”

“Fascinating.” Timok led Ases toward a table with food, and we let them go. A few others joined them as they got some finger foods, Timok pointing and a young female nodding and then indicating the yellow spotted flowers with spiky petals she was dipping in a clear sauce.

“He is not as subtle as he thinks he is,” Garjah said.

“What?”

He nodded by tilting his head to the right twice. “There’s activity over there, which means the Kardoval should be arriving shortly.”

“Is he getting him out of the line of fire?” Not that I thought they’d bring actual weapons. But their biting comments were barbs intended to hit home every single glance and insinuation.

“There won’t be any firing.” A chime filtered through the room and everyone turned to face the door Garjah had already noticed activity at; well, he was the head of security for a reason. 

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Wednesday Briefs: Ancalagon Ch. 90

 

There was a rush of bodies toward us, and I tensed, but Garjah reassured me quietly. “It’s all right.”

Two Four Arms—Neejah’al just didn’t roll off the tongue quite as well—in smooth yellow robes cinched at the waist with white belts and hovering devices led the crush.

“Can we have an interview?”

Ah, they were some form of report casters. Garjah didn’t let go of me but he did tap one fist to his chest. “We would love to make time for the planetary news, but it has been a long journey. However, the welcome ceremony tomorrow may be an ideal time to learn more about both my bonded, Essell, and the new ambassador. I am sure you will be invited.”

Lasers held no comparison to the sheer fury shining out of Mereval’s eyes. Whatever machinations she wanted to plan would have to be very discreet with the eyes of the entire planet watching the ceremony and meal live. Well, at least the obvious danger would be avoided. We’d barely landed, and I was already exhausted.

Garjah started walking toward our shuttle, ushering Ases ahead of us, and I stayed by his side. The crowed nipped at our heels and protected our backs. Bouncer paced by my side, his ears flicked backward. I kept my head on the swivel as we took the transport straight to Garjah’s home.

“Are we really staying here?” I asked.

“It’s a beautiful home,” Ases said.

“Of course. They cannot do anything to us now without the world knowing; if anything, it’ll be after the welcoming ceremony.”

“So we’re safe.”

“As I promised.” Garjah led us inside. “Come on, let’s go see what our friends have left us.”

 

Food was waiting on the counter, and there was a comm pad tucked in the bottom of the basket of fruit, hidden by a false bottom woven into the grasses.

“Amazing.” Ases was following Bouncer straight to the atrium and the garden. “Oh.” His skin rippled. “Can I change?”

“If you want. Our room is upstairs, but you can have the run of the house otherwise.” Garjah moved to a set of doors on the main floor alongside the kitchen that faced the atrium. He pushed them both open. “You may stay here.” The room was spacious for someone used to the overcrowded planets, with a bed in one corner, a small desk and chair in another. Shelves with décor lined the wall I could see inside from outside the door.

“You and Bouncer enjoy. We’re going upstairs.” I clapped Ases on the shoulder. “Thank you, friend. I know I put you in a tough place.”

“I’ve a whole new planet to explore.” Ases’ other half shone in his eyes and his twitchy limbs. “I should be thanking you.”

I chuckled. “All right. Hint taken.” He would probably shift in the middle of our conversation if I didn’t stop talking. “Good night.”

“Night.”

 

Garjah had taken all my nervous energy and channeled it into wearing me out, so I’d slept. I woke to him reading the comm pad he’d found in the fruit basket. I rolled over and put my chin on his firm chest. He wrapped his lower arm around my back, stroking my skin. “I love how soft your skin is,” he rumbled.

“You said that last night.” Early morning light was brightening the corners of the room.

“I enjoy it very much.” He tried to put the comm pad down on the floor, and I reached out with one hand and caught his arm.

“Nope. No distracting me. What exactly is on that device that it had to be hidden?” We had a day, and I fully intended to spend a part of it luxuriating while immersed in water until I felt completely clean, but not even the two orgasms he’d wrung from me last night and the heavy sleep brought on by the return of full gravity could completely remove all the worry.

Okay, I tended to swing from rash action to nervous dithering and back again, but that was just my nature. I was getting better about making plans ahead of time, and I would make him better about communicating.

“Schematics for the capital building; apparently there’s been some rush renovation since we’ve been gone. No even Seedrah was allowed to see what the workmen were doing; he was only allowed to vet their clearance.”

“But….” That hung heavily in the air.

“Based on their areas of expertise, he thinks they are creating a weapon.”

“What?” I pushed up, the sheet pooling in my lap. “What kind of weapon?”

“I’m not sure, but this man,” he tapped the screen and brought up a file, “does ship retrofits. And this one does satellites.”

“How does that equal weapon to you?” I asked. “And how did you figure all that out if you don’t have their memories?”

“Security, remember?” He tapped his head. “I know weapons. I know what we use on ships, what we use to protect the planet, and I am very, very good at reading data and predicting threats. This secret project that doubled in size as soon as we launched? That’s a threat.”

“To us or the Galactic?” I swallowed hard. Garjah could only protect us against the weapons he knew about.

He rubbed a hand over the raised ridges on his head, sighing. “A threat against the Galactic is a threat against us, even if we aren’t facing the immediate business end of an energy blast.”

“What are we going to do?” Why did this just keep getting more difficult?

“Get up. Have first meal with Ases and Bouncer, who probably misses you. Contact the resistance who will be attending tonight’s ceremonies, and prepare for psychological warfare on all levels.”

“Sounds like a great time,” I said grimly. 

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Wednesday Briefs: Ancalagon Ch. 89

 

“The Galactic Council wants peace between the many unique species all over the universe.  I have come with Garjah and Essell to start the introductions.” Ases stepped forward and bowed. “My name is Ases. I hope that you will give me time to learn your culture and forgive any mistakes in my manners, but know I have nothing but the best of intentions as we create a bridge to bring your worlds alongside the Galactic society.”

“This is not our way.” That question was not staged. A contingent of new arrivals pushed their way through the crowd, but they were only led by two security forces.

The Kardoval had discovered our landing.

“Our ways have changed before, when it was necessary. The universe is not as large as it once was, and other species are not the danger to us they were either. Our technology is advanced, and our security is strong.” Garjah smiled when the crowds cheered.

“With the guidance I learned from our many meetings, I was able to bring create a treaty with the Galactic with favorable terms for us. Ases is a Fertet, just one of the many species we met. He brings new technology, new ideas, and new opportunities. In fact, his mech currently is broadcasting the first look the rest of the universe has of our planet. I appreciate the warm welcome our people have shown him.”

Garjah’s announcement stopped the Kardoval in their tracks as they approached us; they clearly heard the same subtle warning in his tone I did. “We saw the signal to the planetary web,” Mereval said. She led the phalanx spearing toward our position.

Saw, but didn’t stop? Or was that a clue to state they’d locked it down? I’d

“It is bouncing off satellites to also broadcast to all Galactic planets within range as well,” I said. “After being hidden for so long, many people are curious about yours. With the protective stance Garjah took over Ardra, there are others who wonder what kind of home world you have. We thought, what better way to help introduce the rest of the Neejah’al to them with your warm welcome to new progress?” Garjah’s hand clenched down, our fingers woven together tight.

Sure, I was laying it on thick, but it was necessary. We were known to the Galactic as the ambassadors for his people, not the Kardoval, and this entire landing and first meeting was being recorded and viewed live. Hiding had just become impossible.

Yep, message received. Their skin all paled, their facial markings standing out distinctively, and Sloval’s lips were twisted as he glared directly at me. They had lost control over the entire situation, and they could either attempt to save face and retain the illusion of power… or lose it entirely.

The balance of their future, and ours, hung on the next few moments.

“Your negotiations on our behalf were no doubt guided by the wisdom of your mother, Pryntiok, who straddle two paths and did things most could not do.”

Garjah put a fist to his chest and bowed. “I want only the best for the Neejah’al so that all may prosper.”

“Of course. We did not know of your arrival time, so we do not yet have a welcome ceremony and dinner planned, but tomorrow would be lovely. Ambassador Ases, if you would do us the honor of attending a meal in your own to celebrate your coming and the treaty we have to review?” Lenveval smoothly extended an invitation and a slap of reality at the same time.

As the planetary rules, they did have to agree and ratify the treaties. I’d hoped they didn’t know that, but maybe they weren’t quite as isolated as the rest of the planet.

“Ases is staying with us,” I said. Bouncer rubbed his body against the front of my legs and then took the few steps to Ases’ side and did the same to him before crouching between us to stare down at the Kardoval. It was a pose that exposed the leashed power of his larger-than-life body and intent gaze. “His luggage is being shipped with ours.”

The few things we had when we’d bought on our way out of the city weren’t suitable for the occasion, and try though I should pay, it wasn’t like I had the ability or that Garjah wanted me to. Ases would need time and some tutoring until he understood their society; I barely understood it and I had Garjah to lean on. I wouldn’t let my friend flounder on this all-important mission.

“Of course. If you’ll just follow us, we have transport—”

“We have a vehicle, thank you.” As if by magic, or maybe someone was listening in on the broadcast, it was time to go. A shuttle appeared and settled down next to the ship, away from the crowd so not to kick up dust.

“My thanks again for your hospitality, and I look forward to both sharing a meal with you and learning more about your people,” Ases said smoothly. He had gotten good at the social graces while I was away.

Too bad I hadn’t. I was trading glares with Sloval. I’d like to think I was winning, but I was rather powerless in this situation. I didn’t have a network of protestors and old friends, or couches to skip between.

What I did have was sheer determination.

I wanted Garjah safe, so he would be. “Thank you all for coming, and please watch the feed for more coming soon from Ases. We both have so much to share with you.”

“We welcome that.” Mereval’s voice was sweetness and light, but her tone could not be mistaken. This was just the first battle in the war; we might have won but it wasn’t over.

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