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by M. D. Neu

  I’m so lucky to know these people.

  He answered questions about the White House and the president. The most asked questions were on the Nentraee. His coworkers asked him what the Nentraee ate and how Mi’ko’s family treated him. They wanted to know about the cloak the Nentraee gave him. Several people, including Grant, were disappointed he didn’t bring it to show off.

  Kati handed him a piece of cake. “Wow. This is it. I didn’t think leaving was permitted. I thought they were going to wheel us out of here with the furniture. Together.”

  “Not like I’m vanishing. It’s simply a new job. We’ll still see each other, just not every day for nine hours a day.” Todd took a bite of the cake, tasting the chocolate buttercream frosting and raspberry filling as it melted on his tongue.

  “Oh please, you’re going to work with them. Once you’re up there on their ship you’ll forget about us little people back here on Earth.” She took a bite of cake.

  “It’s not like that,” Todd said. “I’ll be around, and you’re still coming over for Thanksgiving.” He turned to Jim, raising a fork. “Great job on the cake selection, Jim.”

  Jim waved back.

  “You’re keeping the house? I thought you were going to live with them?” Kati asked.

  He pointed to Dan. “I even have a renter. ’Course we—”

  “Listen up.” Varick’s thunderous voice echoed around the room, calling his staff to attention.

  Everyone settled and gave him their attention.

  “I’m not one for speech making. All I’m going to say is, Todd, we’ll miss you, and you did a great job while you were here. Best of luck, and realize you’ll always have a home. If those aliens tire of you or don’t appreciate you, you’re always welcome.”

  The group applauded. Jim cleared his throat and pointed to the gift on the table.

  “Ah, yes. Almost forgot.” Varick handed the box to Todd. “Just something to remember us all by.”

  Todd ripped off the green wrapping paper and opened the box. He waded through the yellow tissue and pulled out a T-shirt. On the front, it had his employee number, thirteen, with his last name above it. When he flipped it over, the back said, “Now Retiring” with the big number thirteen under the words. Todd snickered. The shirt was signed by everyone.

  “Wow,” Todd said. “Thanks, everyone. This is really nice. ’Course, you’re not getting rid of me. You’re still one of the first companies the Nentraee want to work with, so…” he trailed off, noting the smiles. This was so much harder than he thought. He knew each one of these people. He had conducted their new hire orientations when they started, and now they would continue without him. He shifted uncomfortably but smiled anyway.

  I shouldn’t leave. How can I leave these amazing people?

  “Anyway, thanks.”

  The room buzzed as everyone continued to chat and enjoy the cake, but then they slowly headed back to work. Each of them offered him one more personal goodbye. When almost everyone was gone and there was no more cake or ice cream, he turned to Varick. “Exit interview?”

  “Sure, if we must.”

  Kati gave him a hug. “You owe me dinner. And I want to come up to that ship and have you take me around. I’m sure there are a bunch of hunky Nentraee men up there for me to meet.”

  Varick cleared his throat. “Don’t you have a job to do, Katherine?”

  She pursed her lips. “Varick’s right. Call me later, we still need to go for drinks.”

  Todd and Varick made their way to Varick’s office. Walking was difficult for Todd, but he was determined to not use the cane. The physical therapist said he could wean himself off the cane but to use it when he got tired.

  “It’s not going to be the same around here.” Varick sat and pulled out the last of Todd’s paperwork and final check. “I still haven’t found the right person for your job.” He huffed. “I figured someday I would lose you to another company. I never thought I would lose you to another race of people. How do I compete with that?” The sneer-grin was gone, and his face seemed to droop.

  “I was under the impression that you wanted me to take the position?” Todd lifted the last word making it a question, as he signed the documents in front of him. “At least, that is what I’ve been told.”

  Varick settled back in his chair, then crossed and rested his hands on his stomach. “Bah. Of course, I do, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want you here for my own selfish reasons.” He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a poorly wrapped box. “This is from me and my family. I never got to thank you properly for what you did. That day in the limo. They say if it wasn’t for you, we’d have been dead. Your yelling drew attention to the second attacker, allowing the police to shoot him and stop him. Without you…”

  “It’s not necessary.” Todd focused on the box. He wasn’t a hero; he was just some guy who climbed out of the car window first. They were giving him too much credit. Could he be the hero they saw? Was he able to push away the pain and the loss to be that man? All he had wanted to do was hide away, but he couldn’t do that. He had to do right by his friends and family. He had to make sure that nothing like this would ever happen again.

  I may not deserve this, but I have to do it. I have to become the man they all see.

  “No.” Varick’s voice pulled Todd back to the here and now. “The insanely large bonus check I’m giving you isn’t necessary.” Varick leaned forward. “Nothing I do is necessary, but as the boss it’s my prerogative.” His voice was gruff but with tone of gratitude in it. “Well, open it.” He slid the box toward Todd.

  Todd picked the box up and slowly turned it over. The gift was light and wrapped in gold paper with silver ribbons and a bow.

  Let this be the start of the new me.

  Todd ran his thumbnail along the taped edge, cutting through the tape. Wrapping paper revealed a black and gold box. He opened the top and pulled aside the tissue paper.

  A glittering pocket watch sat inside, beautiful in its simplicity, gold with a black accent band around the edges. The front cover had more gold and had scripted initials on it, a T and an L. He clicked it open. The face had four black diamonds—at the twelve, three, six, and nine o’clock positions. Todd closed it, feeling the weight in his hand. The chain was a thin braided rope.

  “Varick, thank you. This means more to me than you can imagine.”

  “It’s an A. Lange & Söhne. Not cheap, but German-made, so it’s worth it.” His eyes opened wider, as did his smile. “Claudia helped me choose it. Read the back.”

  Todd flipped it over.

  To my Counselor Troi, thank you.

  VCB

  “Thank you.” Todd’s eyes blurred with tears and he quickly wiped them away. “I don’t…You didn’t have…How can I—?”

  “You’ve done enough. I can’t repay you for what you have given me and my family. You’re a true hero.” Varick waved off Todd’s comments. “Okay, finish signing this stuff and get out of here. I have work to do.” His voice cracked.

  Todd glanced once more at the watch, clipped the chain to his pants, and put the watch in his pocket, noting the weight and sensing the ticking within the clock. This gift would remind him of who he wanted to become. Varick walked him to the lobby where Dan was sitting with the last of Todd’s boxes.

  “Ready?” Dan asked, standing.

  Todd peeked around the lobby one more time. This is it. “Sure.”

  “Do us proud up there and be the man we know you to be. Now get out. We have work to do.” Varick turned and thundered back to his office.

  “MISS. WEBSTER, I understand. I really do.” Todd sat on an uncomfortable conference room chair. His leg was stiff and bothering him, but he could almost walk at a normal pace again.

  She had shown up with several of her minions, wanting to meet with him to review his position again. “Do you, Todd? We’ve looked at your background and your experience, and, truthfully, I’m not so sure. You have no experience in this field.” A small,
gold crucifix slipped out from under the collar of what Todd believed was a government-issued ugly suit.

  “As you and your people keep telling me, along with Vi-Narm from the Nentraee, I’m a figurehead. A public face, hell, not even that public. I have no power, no authority. I’m an envoy, nothing more. I give the Nentraee a human face.” His head rested on the tips of his fingers.

  Todd couldn’t figure out why she didn’t like him. He shook his head. “Madam Secretary, I realize you don’t approve of me. I believe your exact words were, ‘a pretty face with no substance—a true PR stunt on the part of the Nentraee.’”

  Her lips pinched together. “That was taken out of context by that CNN reporter, and you know it, as do the Nentraee.”

  Todd rubbed his mouth, hiding his grin.

  One point, Todd.

  Honestly, he loved seeing her reaction; something actually bothered her. She was supposed to be a genius, according to her bio, but he didn’t see it in her. All Todd saw was a bitter, angry woman. “I know. I know,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Her smile slipped to a scowl. She brought the smile back.

  Two points, Todd.

  She crossed her legs, leaned forward, and smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt. The clear glass conference walls behind her showed a busy office. “Have you reviewed the materials we sent you?”

  Todd thought of the stacks of papers he’d received that were sitting in the den at home. It was busy work, and none of it made any sense; policy and procedures he would never even need.

  “I’ve started, but as long as we’re being honest, how much of it is actually going to be useful? I mean—”

  “You started? You start with the Nentraee…” She stopped and picked a piece of lint off her skirt, taking a full breath before she continued. “I can’t believe we’re allowing you to do this. This is a mistake. We should’ve had more control over this.”

  One point, Martha. I’m still in the lead. Bitch.

  Todd flattened his tie, spotting a piece of cat hair on it. Ignoring it, he stared at her. He felt the tick of the pocket watch and breathed. He’d had just about enough of this woman, and everyone telling him what was what. “A mistake. As I recall, Madam Secretary, the government didn’t have much choice in the matter.”

  Martha frowned again, taking a deep breath.

  Three points, Todd, one point Martha.

  “I suggest, Mister Landon, you remember where your loyalties lie and review the information we’ve sent you. Everything that we’ve compiled will be useful, I assure you.”

  “Even the stuff on those xenophobic groups and religious protesters?” Todd frowned. How stupid could these nut-balls be? “Madam Speaker, they’re nuts. They’re nearsighted bigots.”

  Martha’s eyes narrowed. “Do not underestimate the power of faith, Mister Landon. You have no idea what people of faith can accomplish when properly motivated.”

  Todd sighed, exasperated with this conversation.

  “Try not to be this naive with the Nentraee. And please try not to embarrass yourself or your country or, God forbid, the entire human race.”

  Three points, Todd, two points, Martha. Dammit.

  “I believe we’re finished here.” She walked to the clear glass door that led back into the main office area.

  “As always, Madam Secretary, it’s been a pleasure.” Todd bit his tongue as she opened the door, and he closed his padfolio and stood up. He moved slowly to the exit, careful where he stepped.

  “How’s your leg?” Her tone changed—it was sugary sweet now that the door was open and others could hear her.

  Sadly, he would need to get used to, and better at, dealing with people like her.

  “Getting better.” He walked past her, waiting for her to trip him, or at the very least, push him.

  “It’s such a shame your recovery has taken so long. I’m sure that must be difficult for you and your partner.” Her eyes grew large, and her voice got a little higher. “Oh, I’m so sorry; it slipped my mind. Please forgive me. Such a shame you lost James in the attack. I can’t imagine the pain you must still suffer.”

  Todd stumbled as he shuffled his feet.

  Set and match. Todd Landon loses.

  “Well, it was good to see you, Mister Landon. Best of luck, and, again, I’m so sorry for everything. And again, I’m so sorry for your loss. Such a waste.” She patted his shoulder and offered what appeared to be the deepest and most heartfelt look of sympathy and sorrow.

  He gave her what he hoped was a polite nod and walked off, trying not to shake with disgust. That woman was pure evil, and there was nothing about her he liked. He pushed the button to the elevator and pulled out the pocket watch.

  There are people who love and care for me. I’m not alone.

  He checked the time, then slipped it back into his pocket. Someday she would get hers, and he wanted to be there for it.

  To be continued in Conviction.

  Glossary of Terms

  A’: Day

  A’UNA: Benzee holiday, the day the Clan War ended; celebrated by all Benzee but mainly celebrated by the Za’entra.

  A’A LUTA: Marks the day the Nentraee world was destroyed; a day to remember all those who died and were left behind.

  ACTIONSHIP: A two-seater (pilot and gunner) attack ship.

  A’DA MAGINA: Day of hope, celebrated to remind the people that there is always hope.

  A’ GODÁ FAOO: Celebration after the third right of fatherhood is complete.

  A’KO HUNE: Evil little spirits who are known to haunt weddings.

  A’ MEV: Naming day. This is similar to a birthday. It is the day that the Nentraee are given their name and presented to friends and family. Normally a week after birth.

  A’SOOTEE: Rebirth, when the Nentraee calendar begins.

  BENZEE: Nentraee home world

  A’ZEN: Day the Za’entra celebrate the final winning battle over Dentraee, Martween, and U’Zraee.

  CANDRA: First moon of Benzee; closest in orbit; similar size to Earth’s moon.

  CÁDO: Companion animal to the Nentraee. They are a medium-sized animal that has limited intelligence and can communicate on a basic level.

  COLO CO MO: A Nentraee dish—a combination of meat and vegetables over a noodle. Very popular but very expensive to make as both meats and vegetables are rationed on the ship. It has an almond and citrus scent but is spicy.

  DAMUS WITH MĨ (MEES): A vegetable-based dish with a thick sauce and a flatbread. A common dish among the Za’entra.

  DEN A’TAE: Four-day religious event to honor Jealug Bravisa.

  DUSAL: Flying water bird that buzzes and can be annoying.

  É’BOWUNÁ: Stone unity bowl, used in all Nentraee wedding ceremonies. Each clan uses a different type of stone decorated in various ways.

  EMISARATION: All Nentraee children, when they reach age twenty-four, are considered adults with full rights: voting, É’mawee, etc. At this point, they are no longer considered children and can make all their own life choices.

  É’MAWEE: Nentraee wedding. A two-day event where the families and invited guests of the couple come together to witness and speak. It is celebration of the couple and the family.

  É’MAW Po: Family dinner hosted by the families of the couple getting married.

  É’MAZEE: Day of joining—the actual day the couple is legally married.

  É’MAZ PO: Couple’s first dinner—the lunch or dinner hosted by the newly married couple.

  É’TOK: Wooden token placed in the É’bowuná by each person in witness of the É’mawee. The token has a unique symbol on it that represents the person in attendance. They will place the token in the bowl as an indication of their support of the couple and the wedding.

  E’XIN: A rich Nentraee wine, served warm. Traditionally served at weddings or very special events, now it is enjoyed on other occasions. It has a fruity chocolate flavor.

  GĨ (GEES): (1) A flying lizard-type animal; (2) A medium range passenger sh
uttle holding between ten and fifteen people, used mainly by government personnel.

  GODÁ FAOO: Rights of fatherhood, there are three stages. Once the third right is granted, the only way Godá Faoo can be revoked is if the father has a child by another woman.

  IZ-CUS: A flowering plant. Instead of petals, it has pink sweet-smelling berries. The berries are used as a perfume or deodorant.

  IZ-GOOT: A flowering plant with large lavender blooms with spiky green leaves. Smells like ocean mist.

  IZ: A flowering plant

  Ĩ-TA (EES-TA): Vulgar word used to describe the Za’entra, meaning half blood. Commonly used prior to the Clan War. Now it is considered very offensive by almost everyone.

  Ĩ-NO (EES-NO): One of the worst, most vulgar terms in the Nentraee language. The English equivalent would be “Fucking Bitch.”

  JAREEDAN: A leafy plant that has a strong lavender scent.

  JEALUG BRAVISA: Formal reference for the Nentraee deity.

  JEKTĨL (JEK-TEESL): A high-level accountant or controller for a dedicated project.

  J’VEESA: Common reference for the Nentraee deity.

  KAP’ERIN: Ceremonial cloak, dress garb, used by the Nentraee. Often embroidered in gold or silver with the symbols of the seven clans. The military Kap’erin differs in that it will only be embroidered with the signet of the specific branch of the military.

  KAROO: Silver-laced ear cuff worn in the left ear by some Za’entra. It started as a way to remember those lost in the Clan War, now it’s a fashion accessory. Some were passed down over the years, but most are new with new designs. There is no one single design. They can vary.

  KĨ (KEES): Largest class of military ship in the Nentraee fleet.

  KUMNAS: An Ultween thick dip. A combination of nuts with oil and spices.

  LAGU: Chopsticks used for eating, normally used in the left hand.

  LÁOO: A tieback for longer than normal hair, used by males of the Altraee clan to keep their hair in a neat ponytail. The strands are braided around the hair, ending in a standard knot.

  OMLANGA: Nentraee dish—a flat noodle and meat dish made like a casserole with the equivalent of cheese and spices. A common dish among the Za’entra Clan. Now, however, after the Clan War, only served on A’una to celebrate. This has a meaty, sweet, spicy scent.