Growing disenchanted as she spoke, I turned to the daises. “Can you send her a picture of Sorkbhal....” From the harsh intake of breath, I knew the Council had obliged my request. “Thanks.”
The elected leader of Great Britain blanched bone white.
She cleared her throat, patted it when she still couldn’t speak, and then smoothed a shaking hand down the crisp linen of her blazer.
Her gaze slid off screen, widened in controlled panic as she shook her head, and then slid back to the screen sharper than before.
“Well,” she began her voice tremulous and high. “That is a conversation for another time.” She drew in a breath. “In light of recent events, we’d rather you were returned home and examined by selected medical personnel, so we may determine your health for ourselves.”
“No,” Fiercely said as Cobra’s arms came into view on my other side.
Venomous wrapped a possessive, clawed hand around my throat, seeking my pulse, lower arms cinching around my waist.
Weston’s eyes narrowed.
Lips flattening, she eyed them in suspicion, and I understood why.
I was surrounded by a seven foot wall of deadly-appearing aliens who bore no weaponry, but as their bodies were weapons, they looked feral, lethal, and their hands were all over me.
“After prolonged contact with extraterrestrials,” she said her mouth tight, “any number of physical or psychological maladies might plague you, Miss Young.”
“She is well,” Cobra assured.
“With all due respect, Mr Cobra that Strikes, I’ll ask Miss Young to respond for herself.”
“Technically, he’s equal to a Baron in our peerage,” I said. “So it’s Sir Cobra that Strikes.” I looked up Venomous. “You’d be a minor Duke. Fiercely a Lord.” I brightened. “That means I really am a Lady as Éorik calls me.”
Chuckling, Venomous patted my head.
Fiercely replied to Weston. “Her words will be our words.”
“Because that’s going to make her think I’m speaking of my own free will.”
I sighed, rubbing Venomous’ upper set of arms, which snaked around my shoulders, so my entire back was pinned to the broad planes of his chest, my entire front covered by him.
Fiercely and Cobra crowded closer either side of me.
“These humans,” the Premier said, “believed the Intergalactic Alliance abducted and violated you, Lumen of the Stars formerly of planet 2276549, known to the native inhabitants as Earth, as a tactic in a prior declaration of war. We tried to gain the required statement from your leader as required, but met with resistance. Therefore, as the human can see you are unharmed, we may gain the relevant statements, so the matter of your status can be clarified.”
Looking at the Premier’s impassive expression then the red, furious one of the Prime Minister, I whispered. “Oh.”
“It is our thinking,” the Premier continued, “they erroneously assume this congress or the Rä coerce you.”
“Right.” I returned my attention to the screens. “Is he right?”
Weston’s eyebrow rose. “We’d be remiss to take everything at face value.”
“Okay, Ms Weston, may I be frank?”
Exasperated, she gestured. “Please.”
“Take all the preconceived notions you have about what this moment should be,” I held her gaze, “and toss them out the window. Nothing you’ve thought up will be correct. No scenario a war council, or think tank come up with can come close to how these beings act and think because they are not us. What I’ve witnessed....” I huffed a laugh. “We’re one species in a universe of thousands. Think of all the different cultures on Earth then apply that on an infinite scale. You’re not working on your terms, but theirs.”
“Miss Young, I assure you, we are equipped to handle contact from alien life forms.” Her gaze flattened. “Neutral or hostile.”
“You forgot benign.”
“Pessimism is part of the job.”
“The intent of this transmission is to gather information. The actions of the Intergalactic Alliance are neutral, and upholding the greater wellbeing of the universe is its ethos. This Council polices nine thousand five hundred and eighty six species.” The Premier spoke without a glimmer of conceit. “Should our intentions have embodied penalisation, by now, your planet would be nothing but burnt red sky, scorched ground, boiling seas and–”
“Bloody hell,” I cut in when the Prime Minster’s jaw dropped, and she began sweating. “You are not helping.” I looked at Weston. “First things first, this hasn’t caused any issues has it?” I winced. “No riots or doomsday panic?”
I didn’t like the idea of the Earth falling into a global frenzy because aliens phoned home on my behalf.
“Some thing appeared on the Piccadilly Jumbotron at midday requesting the leader of humans come forth.”
“Oh, la.”
“Oh, yes. We made out it was a new Doctor Who trailer.” The Prime Minister exhaled. “So, fortunately, the media remains unaware of what has transpired. SETI were the first to detect the signal. Deep Space Satellites owned by US Space Command were next. They bounced the transmission to NATO, who then contacted the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs, who convened, and responded on behalf of the United Nations members. This video conference was arranged as a result of that response. Once it was confirmed you were a British Citizen reported missing, it was determined best if the UK led first contact, as you were cited as the reason for contact, and, as of yet, despite talk of scorched earth and boiling seas,” she shuddered, “we have been given no reason to believe there is a significant threat to terrestrial security. We are happy to continue discourse until-”
“Human,” the Premier interrupted, “do you acknowledge Lumen of the Stars formerly of planet 2276549, known to the native inhabitants as Earth, has the right as a citizen of your realm, to relocate to a new domicile in a galaxy of her choosing?”
Cut off from her speech, Weston was speechless.
She fiddled with demure pearls dotting her earlobes. “There is no regulation in Common Law prohibiting galactic emigration for a British Citizen.” Her eyes rounded. “Why on earth would there be?”
“Why indeed,” the Premier replied.
Her mouth worked without sound, astounded to be speaking of such a thing.
She jumped when an advisor off screen hissed legal jargon at her. “There are of course official channels she must–”
“And as leader of her people, do you acknowledge the Rä warriors as her legally bound spouses, as per the mating and claiming traditions of their species? There are no interspecies restrictions to be taken into account?”
“Interspecies.... S-Spouses?” Gripping the arms of her leather chair, Weston ogled me. “You married them? All of them?”
“I know they look menacing, as if they’re about to break me in half, but really, the snarls are more smiles, the fangs look worse than they feel, and they’re sweet.” I tugged on the hammered gold cuff circling Venomous’ thick bicep. The swirling pattern matched mine, Fiercely’s and Cobra’s armlets. “They’re adorable. I’m so in love.”
“As we are loving you,” Venomous returned.
Fiercely nuzzled my cheek, and Cobra stroked my hair.
Dreamy eyed, I leaned into their petting.
A random thought drew my eyebrows inward. “How can you understand them?”
Weston cocked her head. “I hear English when you speak, but your lips move out of sync. It’s like watching a dubbed foreign film.”
“Her lips move strange to us also,” Venomous revealed. “But we hear our tongue.”
“I am translating as we converse,” the Premier said. “There is a nanosec delay as I feed our verbal interaction into your minds. I cannot cerebrate faster across such a distance with the rudimentary cortexes you possess. Under regulation 334587 Lumen of the Stars is officially recognised by this congress as having joint citizenship to that of her unregistered birth world, planet 2276549, known
to the native inhabitants as Earth, and the registered planet of Rök. We hereby decree any offspring as a result of this union will fall under the protection of Intergalactic Edict. Lumen of the Stars remains with her mates, and retains the right to bring charges against the Defender. File a petition for a new case to be opened, in addendum. This ruling is final.” The Premier banged his gravel. “Go in peace, human on planet 2276549, known to the native inhabitants as Earth. Next!”
“Wait,” Weston cried lurching from her seat to lean over the desk. She panted, pressed a white-knuckled fist onto the polished wood. “Nothing has been resolved this end.”
The Premier was silent.
“Oh!” I was ecstatic.
My misty eyes went to Cobra then bounced to Fiercely.
Lastly, I gazed up at Venomous over my shoulder.
“Here that? Our hatchling is the first official Rä-Human, legal and everything. Look at us trailblazing.” Turning in his hold, I lifted up on my tiptoes to kiss his flattened nose. “Right on.”
His inky eyes smiled.
Fiercely grinned and Cobra rubbed a knuckle to my cheek, sighing satisfaction.
“H-hatchling?” Weston whispered. “Baby? I didn’t notice, the cloak.... They can breed with us. Good god, woman. I can’t imagine one of those things on top of me let alone three–” She abruptly looked off camera. “Stop shouting at me, and get off the teleprompter. So far your advice has been utter codswallop. The alien head of government thinks we’re fools. I.... Security,” she screeched. “Security.”
A pimply, buck toothed face popped onto the screen.
“Lumen!” a nasal voice cried. “Doctor Quinton Canner, Senior Research Scientist for SETI, and official liaison to the Ministry of Defence for operation Illuminate here.”
He pointed to his laminated name badge, which flaunted the American and British flags and other organisational symbols underneath.
“Return home!” Hands from uniformed bodies off screen grabbed at his shirt. He resisted. “There is so much you can teach us. Prepare us for.”
Grunting, he was dragged away only to return missing half a shirt.
Hair mussed, his eyes were wild. “What we could learn from studying your blood and tissue after extended space travel outside of our galaxy boggles the mind.”
“I’ve been on three different planets without oxygen tanks, and seen, like, dozens of different species.” Finally, I had someone to boast to. My voice lowered darkly, conspiratorially. “I’ve eaten things you wouldn’t believe.”
Quinton’s face pressed closer until I saw an unsavoury amount of nose hair. “And you’ve had sexual contact with the extraterrestrials. You’re pregnant with the alien foetus. Think of what its genetics and organic tissues could teach us. You are the mother of a new race. Proficient in extraterrestrial coition.”
I narrowed my eyes.
It sounded awfully like Quinton suggested scientific experimentation on my extraordinary hatchling with its twitchy, spiky ears and adorable rib kicks.
Kicks it did in the middle of the night that freaked my mates out, so much, they lost sleep thinking it might crawl out if they weren’t keeping a constant vigil.
Quinton squealed when half a dozen bodies dived on him then manhandled him from sight, yelling for me in the background before a door slammed shut.
“Earthlings,” I muttered. “Extraterrestrial coition?” I scoffed. “He insinuated I was some kind of intergalactic slag. Do I leave such a vulgar impression?” Forgetting I stood mashed between three hulking aliens who had twelve hands all over me, I flung my arms out. “Do I?”
Cobra stared, undoubtedly wondering what I needed from him to be happy.
He looked at his nest mates for advice.
Fiercely shrugged.
Lowering, Venomous touched his cheek to mine and nudged.
Sighing, mollified, I rubbed back.
The Prime Minister gave a loud, “Ahem.” When she once again had my attention, she held out both hands. “Lumen, I apologise. This is all incredible on so many levels, and exciting. First contact has been imagined as many things. To have progressed so far in intergalactic relations,” delicate cough, “is both daunting and encouraging.” Hitting her political stride, Weston straightened. “At this time, we think it would be best if you acted as liaison to the Rä, and we will send an elected representative from the United Nations to the Council headquarters so Earth may further–”
“The Intergalactic Council denies this request. We do not recognise the authority of legislative bodies from unregistered planet 2276549, but we shall take your comments into consideration, and record them for analysis upon further communication in aeons to come.” His tone turned gentle. “Earth will join us when it is ready.”
Floundering after being concisely smacked down, Weston spluttered, “How do we keep other hostile visitors from–”
“The L’Odo will be fined for illegal poaching and enslavement. Under Code 998765, as a human, Lumen of the Stars has no rights protecting her or any purebred offspring from enslavement. But as you have acknowledged her union with the Rä, who are a registered species on a registered planet, she and her genetic descendants are now protected under Intergalactic Council Edict.”
“Wonderful. Our gratitude for upholding the rights of our citizen, and protecting her interests. But, um, ah....” She smoothed her hands out in front of her. “Other than fiscal penalties, what is stopping these L’Odo, and others like them from taking more of us?” Weston licked her lips, nervous at the thought of aliens snatching her countrywomen from right under her nose. “You cannot expect us to sit here and–”
The Premier gave a wearied sigh. “Due to the abundant life forms, and potential for humans to be exploited as livestock, slaves and breeders on the black market, planet 2276549 known to its native inhabitants as Earth, is being placed on the Protected List, until humans demonstrate an ability to defend its residents from encroachment.”
“Livestock,” Weston echoed then flushed angrily. “And I beg your pardon! We can defend our citizens perfectly–”
“Yes, yes,” the Premier interrupted. “You harness the atom. Crudely and without finesse. So far you’ve managed to blow yourselves up.” He paused. “Several times. After you accomplish worldwide peace, deep space travel, stop poisoning your own air, bodies, and repair your ozone, planet 2276549, known to its native inhabitants as Earth will be considered for membership.”
“You made contact!”
“To clarify Lumen of the Stars’ right to remain with her legal spouses, as ownership was challenged by the L’Odo,” he enlightened as if she were a bit slow.
Weston placed a hand on her lined brow. “So that’s it? That’s all?”
“This congress has no desire to interfere with the natural progression of your civilisation. Analysing the data we’ve siphoned off your databases, we see you are aeons from harnessing the elements of your world to achieve deep space travel. That is the bare minimum requirement of membership.” His tone softened. “You are impulsive children who think you are intelligent. Your consciousness and technological advancement compared to those of other species will have you categorised as animals, if registered now. Reviewing the interbreeding between Lumen of the Stars and her Rä spouse, we have determined humans have the potential for more. The philosophy of his Council is to protect. You are not ready.”
Weston rocked back then planted both palms on her desk.
She leaned as far over as possible to snarl, “Impulsive? Why you–”
“And arrogant enough to argue with an entity eons older and wiser who councils patience.”
“But–”
“You are not ready.”
“That is not.... I....” Weston gathered a mantle of diplomacy about her. The snarl eased, and she met him head on with a threatening glare. “I am the Prime Minster of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. During this discussion, I represent countless nations around the globe. You will take me seriou
sly. We meet one of the requirements you define as needed to apply for membership. Sir, you must–”
“Outside of this esteemed Council, I am the Emperor of eight star systems,” the Premier corrected then his voice heightened to a deafening resonance that crashed with a terrible, vast power. “The correct way to address me, alien, is Highest Majesty. You rule the lump of rock you squat upon, but that does not give you dominion over one such as I. You are lesser. Dust to my sun. I could focus my mind, and purge the threat your savage civilisation poses to the cosmos should I deem it prudent. The recklessness I sense from you, one who leads, persuades me to deliberate the deed knowing a seed of your species, no matter how small, thrives elsewhere.”
“How dare–”
“Sarah,” I cut in. “Shut the fuck up.”
Her head popped back on her neck.
The Premier’s voice returned to a tedious monotone. “The crashed Drestoni civilian-grade vessel you have in storage under the ice of your northernmost pole is defunct technology from a now extinct species that will never work within the atmosphere of your planet. You are not as close to deep space travel as you assume.”
Her eyeballs popped. “That project is classified top secret. How did you–”
“Yes, yes, yes,” the Premier interrupted, exasperated. “As I have said, at best, it will be your children’s grandchildren who are ready to meet with us. Until then, leader of humans, go in peace.”
“But-!”
The screen went blank.
“She is going to be pissed,” I said to the room at large.
Venomous bent to talk in my ear. “Your species came a word from eradication, my Lumen. The Premier is a Godai Emperor. They battle with their minds.”
“Your people will never know you saved them,” Cobra said looking proud.
I shrugged. “I’m sure it’ll even itself out in the end.”
“We find the L’Odo guilty on all accounts. Another complaint of enslavement and cruelty from a registered species has been logged. Charges include a demand of restitution for the death of a royal from the planet Vayhalun. The Verak hold the L’Odo responsible.”