by Donna Steele
“Yeah, Leonard didn’t want her to be alone when she wasn’t at the hospital and he didn’t want to be alone, so . . .” Dusty winked. “Now you’re smiling.”
“That’s good news. Did he tell you?”
“No, he forgot to block visual last time I checked in. I recognized the place and called him on it. He blushed all the way to his hairline and that’s a ways back.”
Dee swatted him. “You’re awful.”
Dusty waggled his brows. “Awful enough to point out our chaperone is asleep, and we have some time . . .”
Her eyes went dreamy and he changed course from the kitchen to their bedroom. Who needed wine?
~ ~ ~
Dusty watched as Dee slumbered beside him. No nightmares and a restful sleep after incredible lovemaking. She was uneasy with the two ships still in orbit above Braddock’s Crossing, but no longer terrified. The sight of the alligator man had actually reassured her in some ways. She wasn’t crazy.
What would happen next?
~ ~ ~
Much later, the TV squawked distinctively.
Dusty halted as he headed toward the kitchen. “Dee?”
She hurried from the nursery, Erica in her arms, at the tone of his voice.
They sat together on the couch with Erica cradled between them.
As the alligator man shimmered into view, Dusty’s arm went around his women. The name alligator still held, but the scientists who studied the original broadcast ad nauseum agreed this being was indeed what was known on Earth as a dinosaur, though not a species identified here.
Once the picture stabilized, he began to speak. “I am Braxal of Malvek.” It took a moment for Dusty to realize what he heard was inside his head. His ears still perceived growls and clicks like before, but he understood the meaning now.
Peering at Erica, then at Dee, he tried to smile reassuringly. He was pretty sure it didn’t work.
“The inhabitants of Malvek learned of the inhabitants of Earth and wished to know more about them. We traveled here on a voyage of discovery, not war. We wish no harm to you, only the opportunity to greet you and exchange knowledge.”
“A first contact?” Dusty whispered.
“You are safe.” Those words came from Erica. He could discern her voice now and while part of him calmed, the rest remained hyped.
“As a gesture of trust, I would leave one of my . . . sons here as envoy.” He gestured toward a smaller dinosaur who stepped into the frame. “Axal will remain here to learn of your culture and share information regarding the Malveks.”
“Why the hesitation? Is this guy his son or not?” Dusty asked no one in particular. “He’s leaving only one of these Malveks for the whole planet? Is that arrogance or humility?”
Dee stared at the monitor.
“We will be returning to our home planet shortly. While there, ambassadors will be gathered. We will return to retrieve Axal and leave three or four Malveks to continue with our mutual education. We will welcome envoys from your culture as well to return with us when we bring our representatives. Axal will advise you on what they would encounter.” Braxal faced them through the monitor. “Malvek welcomes you.”
The picture faded away.
~ ~ ~
Aboard Braxal’s ship
Axal struggled to remain on his feet. It had been decided he would not cringe in the presence of his Warrior during the broadcast, but he never expected those words.
Braxal had declared him as a son. While true, as Braxal had an entire clan of offspring, only Warriors were accepted as sons. His rank was mind talker, higher than a worker, more on par with a tech. Never a son.
With the transmission completed, he sank into the crouch and trembled.
“Rise, Axal.” Braxal’s firm order was meant to reassure.
Axal did, shakily. “I am beyond honored, Warrior Braxal.”
“You have accepted a role in this endeavor far outside any that has been attempted before.”
“I will do my best to make you proud.”
“Your courage already has.”
~ ~ ~
Axal sat with Sark on the shuttle taking him to the planet. He had thought to leave Sark on the ship, but Sark refused to leave Axal’s side until the last moment. To be honest, Axal was grateful. Knowing Sark would be in his mind, still his physical presence comforted Axal. Only Sark knew exactly how terrified he was.
He would be alone on the planet. Even with constant contact with Sark, that thought remained uppermost in his mind.
He wasn’t brave. He was a mind talker, not a warrior, nor a soldier, but he alone would face this planet of frightened Earthlings. He felt Sark’s claw entwine with his own.
“I will always be in contact,” Sark voiced into his mind. “You will never be alone. And when you return, I will petition Warrior Gsark to become a member of the Braxal clan.”
Startled, Axal turned toward Sark. “You would do that?”
“I will be not parted from you after this.”
Axal could only nod.
Chapter 37
Washington, D.C.
Dee watched with fascinated interest as a shuttle, from the first spaceship to appear, landed effortlessly in front of the United Nations building in New York. Braxal had chosen wisely. All of the countries of Earth were represented here, and a large delegation stood outside to greet him.
Security looked good, so it must be more prevalent than she could see. Security wasn’t as necessary in this new world as it had been before their trip to the past, but under the circumstances, prudent. There were a lot of frightened people out there.
She had no doubt every human with access sat glued to his or her screen right now. She and Dusty—and Erica—certainly were.
Braxal, she assumed, exited first. She had only seen this Malvek twice, so she didn’t know if she could tell them apart. Another large alien followed him.
The president of the UN stepped forward, a small man of Asian descent. The two aliens towered over him. Both bowed their heads slightly and he did the same, then extended his hand. Rather than shake hands, as the Malveks possessed only claws, they merely touched, not unlike a fist bump. Someone in protocol must have had a couple of sleepless nights deciding that.
She glanced over to see Dusty grinning. When he winked at her, she found she was able to smile herself.
Words of welcome were transmitted and Braxal responded. Dee heard it in English in her head while clicks and snarls reached her ears. “Thank you, President Sato. I would like to present Gsark, a fellow clan leader of the Malveks and head of the Gsark clan. We are honored you have welcomed us to your planet. I would like to present my son, Axal. He will remain here to learn.”
The smaller dinosaur Dee had seen before emerged from the ship. Because he did not move with the confidence of the two larger beings, Dee understood why he was the one to become their representative. He did not appear nearly as imposing.
Dee reached out her hand to Dusty, who caught it and brought it to his lips. “I do believe it will be okay,” he said.
~ ~ ~
New York City
Axal clung tightly to Sark’s mind as the shuttle lifted, terrified. Surrounded by these soft skinned humans, all wanting something from him, was more frightening than the pain of the shield.
The small man with the pale skin, Sato, bowed to him again. “Let us go inside, I’m sure you would like a few minutes to compose yourself.”
“Thank you.” Axal followed numbly, on one hand glad to be away from the hordes of humans and on the other, unable to see the sky where Sark now traveled farther away from him.
He understood why only one of them could stay. They needed the level of exchange he achieved with Sark to penetrate the shield, which still existed. He
would not be severed from his planet completely. He was not braver than Sark, but he had not been injured. It was better this way.
“You are wrong. You are much braver than I will ever be, Axal.” Sark’s mind, familiar and comforting, was there.
It was time to assume his duties as head mind talker and son of Braxal, Warrior of the Braxal clan.
~ ~ ~
Washington, D.C.
Dusty watched along with the rest of the world as the two Malvek ships left orbit. Speculation ran wild over the motives of the aliens. Dusty disconnected from the media once the ships were on their way.
He knew far more about what was going on than any pundit, though he couldn’t share the knowledge.
They hadn’t seen the Guardian since she’d answered some of their questions. Dee was convinced on occasion the woman and Erica communicated. Dusty wasn’t going to dispute it.
He had little firsthand knowledge of babies. In his original timeline, daycares hadn’t existed as extensively and nearly none at workplaces, unlike today. Erica, regardless of what else she could do, was able to raise herself on her arms and look around when on her stomach and could watch and occasionally bat at toys dangling above her.
Dee assured him these were normal human milestones and laughed at his assertion Erica performed far above where her peers were in abilities. The fact she found her feet while on her blanket and grabbed them with her hands had caused both Erica and Dusty to laugh out loud.
Whatever her abilities, she still seemed to delight in her humanness and lit up like a light bulb when he returned home from work.
And his relationship with Dee grew stronger than ever. They’d weathered their latest storm, after much turbulence and stress, to reconnect even deeper than before.
With renewed energy they also reconnected with Dusty G, having him over to meet Erica. Both seemed delighted with the other. His comment still played in Dusty’s mind. “You know, I haven’t been around a baby in a long time. My grandchildren aren’t babies anymore. I need to do this more often. I haven’t felt this good in a long time.”
Dusty checked on that following his departure. “Did you like Dusty G?”
“Very much,” Erica confirmed. “He is a good connection to the past you and Momma share.”
“He said he felt better after being with you.”
“That is physical. His heart did not receive all of the blood it should have. I repaired the problem for him.”
Dusty went still. “Are you serious?”
“He is a vital part of your pleasure. It was no trouble.”
“Thank you. You might not want to mention this to Momma. As a doctor, she might be jealous.” He nuzzled her tummy and she laughed, grabbing his hair.
Chapter 38
Dusty and Dee took a half-day to check out houses, leaving Erica in the daycare at the hospital. Values had fallen when the Malveks arrived, and Dee knew Dusty wanted to take advantage of that.
They toured four homes, three of which were real contenders, when Dee called a halt. “Enough for today. I want to get back to Erica.”
“You know she’s doing fine. We’d know if she wasn’t. It’s only been a couple of hours.”
“I know. I still want to get back. I’ve missed one nursing.” She held up her hand. “I know I’m weaning her.”
“Please notice, I’m not arguing with you.”
“I know. I feel a little foolish, but I miss her. When we’re both at the hospital it won’t be like this.”
“Really?” Dusty’s eyebrow rose and she swatted him.
“Tell me which house you liked best and why.” She advanced the conversation, and they discussed the pros and cons of each house as they headed back to the hospital.
The head of the daycare met them with a smile. “You have an adorable daughter,” she began after greeting them. “I must tell you about something that happened after you left. Erica was on the big blanket with several other children. One of our babies, Kristine, was not happy. Tina headed toward her with a bottle when Erica reached out and grasped her hand. Kristine and Erica looked at each other for a long moment, then Kristine relaxed. I can’t say they ‘played’ together but the whole atmosphere lightened. Erica is going to be a delight to have around.”
“That’s really nice to hear,” Dusty said when Dee couldn’t respond. “Is anything going on? We saw the news van outside when we drove up and the lobby was awfully quiet.”
“You didn’t hear? No, I guess it happened after you dropped Erica off. Axal is visiting our location today.”
“A-Axal?” Dee stuttered.
“Yes. He’s been touring in the D.C. area. They’re keeping it quiet, to deflect any crowds. It wasn’t announced. We didn’t know until about twenty minutes before he arrived.”
“Maybe we should slip out through the ER,” Dusty murmured to Dee. She nodded and gathered up Erica’s things as he swung the baby up into his arms.
Axal was here? It had to be a coincidence. She had heard he asked to visit hospitals and clinics to see the medical facilities of Earth. Apparently in that area Earth excelled over Malvek.
They took the stairs, avoiding any crowds, and opened the door into the trauma center, turning toward the exit. Their way was blocked immediately by the assembled staff. A security contingent surrounded Axal but giving him freedom of movement.
Up close he wasn’t quite as tall as Dusty. He was fearsome to look at, though not nearly as frightening as his father had appeared. A sentient, living dinosaur of a species that had developed intergalactic space travel now stood in her workplace.
As though he heard her thoughts, he turned, and his eyes settled on her. Dee froze. She wasn’t mistaken. It was her his eyes fastened on. She felt Dusty move closer and she stepped back half a step to make contact with him. The security of his chest, his arm resting on her hip and Erica safely between them, helped.
Axal started in their direction.
He stopped in front of them and bowed. “It is you.” Apparently, his communication was private because no one else reacted.
The administrator joined them. “I would like to introduce you to one of our best trauma doctors, Dr. Dee Stevens.”
“I would wish to communicate with her. Do you have a space?” Axal’s eyes had not left hers.
“Of course,” the administrator said smoothly. “Please come this way.”
Dee clutched Dusty’s hand and allowed him to lead her to the small room used for consultations with the families of patients.
“We will be fine.” Axal lifted his claw to forestall his security from joining them.
The very military-looking man in the suit hesitated, then nodded. Dee could almost hear the security officer thinking—these people Axal chose were a small family. They had their baby with them. And Axal had chosen them, seemingly at random. They were no danger to him, at least from all appearances. He’d be right about most of it.
“Our communication is private.” Axal spoke to their minds as soon as the door shut behind the guard. “And I know your mind.” He focused on Dee. “You were responsible for the time shift.”
“Have you come to take Dusty?” Dee heard the quaver in her voice. Dusty’s arm went around her.
“No. We know you did not cause the time shift. That was the work of the Guardians. You were instrumental in the changes to your planet.”
“How do you know?”
“As I said, I recognized your mind. I understand now we caused great stress to the people we reached. My apologies and my thanks.”
“Thanks?” Dusty managed to get out.
“A long conversation at this time would be suspicious and I do not wish to highlight you any more than I already have. In the future I will have private conversations with others as I am doing now, but you are
the only two I wish to speak with in this manner. At one point, prior to the change, your planet became of interest to my sire, Braxal. When he returned to his study following other business, the planet had changed, and waves of time distortion emanated away from near this location. This power is beyond our capabilities, but we are able to discern it.”
Axal shifted to a more comfortable position. “This change to your planet has led to great growth among the Malveks. My partner tells me of new ideas and shifts in attitudes which are becoming widespread due to the changes you began even though they evolved far from my home world. In the past, an envoy such as myself would never represent the Malvek race. I am indebted to you. I would appreciate additional conversations in the future. But only after I have diverted attention from you. As a physician, I have many questions for you I am not comfortable asking others. We have healers, though none with the skills of your species.”
“I . . .” Dee looked over at Erica. What were her thoughts about this?
“It would be safe, Momma. I am here.” Erica’s voice sounded in her mind.
Dee’s head whirled. Two different people were speaking directly to her mind. Axal didn’t appear to be paying any attention to Erica. “Yes. I would like to meet with you.”
He rose and bowed low to both of them. The door opened, and the security guard entered.
“Are you ready to continue your tour?”
“I am. Thank you.” Axal followed the guard out, leaving Dee, Dusty, and Erica alone.
“We need to get out of here.” Dusty tugged her to her feet when she didn’t move.
“Yes.”
Axal had refocused on other areas of the hospital, but some of the press remained behind and approached them.
“Can you tell us why Axal wanted to speak with you?” An aggressive reporter stood in their path.
