“Yes, yes,” Kramer said testily.
“You’re late,” Lucas said as he opened the door. Mycos and Abraham accompanied him.
“I took a wrong turn,” Kramer said. “The report on the interrogation with the gang members came in and I was reading it.”
“I skimmed it,” Lucas said. “It’s about what we expected. A lot of posturing and not a lot of information. Have you gotten the report on the explosives?”
“Not yet,” Kramer said. “I’ll check on it now.” He turned to retreat up the stairs.
“Kramer,” Lucas said seeing the tense stance of Landros and Mycos. “Pay more attention to where you’re at.”
“Yes, sir,” Kramer said before climbing the stairs.
“His wandering is unacceptable,” Mycos said.
“When was the last time he had a day off,” Abraham asked.
“Who knows,” Lucas said. “He needs a woman, I swear.”
“Give him a day off,” Abraham said.
“He was in the girls’ corridor late last night,” Mycos said. “He claimed to be looking for you.”
“I was in the office,” Lucas said. “He said he was going to bed.”
“Do we need to restrict him,” Mycos asked. Landros nodded, stopped when he heard feet on the stairs.
“Landros,” Abby called. “Is dearhar down there?’
Mycos moved between Lucas and Abraham. He asked, “What do you need defur?”
Abby scampered down and leaped into Mycos’ arms. “I wanna see uncla,” she said. “Can he come here?”
“Why do you want to see him,” Mycos asked.
“He hasn’t been here in forever,” Abby said. She played with the top button on Mycos’ shirt.
“He was here three days ago,” Mycos reminded her.
“It feels like forever,” Abby said. Her big blue eyes widened as she pouted.
“What did Lydia tell you no about,” Mycos asked.
“I didn’t,” Abby denied but her cheeks turned red.
“Tell me the truth,” Mycos said.
“I wanna see him,” Abby mumbled. “He’s got all these new kids he’s talking about. I don’t think he remembers me.”
Mycos hugged her close to hide his smile. Abraham and Lucas covered their laughter with coughs. “He remembers you,” Mycos assured. “How could he not? He is your uncla.”
“But he talked about all those other kids,” Abby said.
“Because he wants you to know how important his work at the shelter is,” Mycos said. “Not because he is replacing you with those other children.”
“Are you sure,” Abby said.
“Abby,” Lydia called from the top of the stairs.
Abby shook her head and covered Mycos’ mouth. “She’ll be mad at me,” she whispered.
“Do you want her to worry,” Mycos asked.
Abby shook her head. Mycos raised his brow. She sighed, “I’m down here.”
Lydia came down the stairs and saw the men standing around Abby. “You came here why,” Lydia asked.
“I wanted dearhar,” Abby said.
“What did you wheedle out of him,” Lydia asked leaning into them.
“Nothin…” Abby said. “I wanna see uncla. Can’t I go there? I need to see him.”
“He’s coming back to visit the day after tomorrow,” Lydia said tucking Abby’s white-blond hair behind her ear. “You can be patient.”
“Uncla does not like to leave Sally on her own for too long right now,” Mycos said.
“Because she’s got a baby,” Abby asked.
“Yes and she works too hard,” Lydia said.
“So he has to be there to help her,” Abby said. “I miss him.”
“Shall we call him,” Mycos said. “You will be able to see him and Sally.”
“Her belly’s big,” Abby said.
“Abby,” Lydia scolded.
“It is,” Abby said. “Are you gonna forget about me when you get a baby?”
“Not ever, defur,” Mycos said holding her close. “There is no limit to our love. We can love Gregor’s new baby and still love you.”
“Oh,” Abby said. “Mama… no. She’s not here. She was a bad mama.”
“She certainly was,” Mycos said. “Now, you go gather up any softies you want to talk to uncla and we will call him.”
“Thank you,” Abby said kissing him and pulling Lydia close to kiss her. She wiggled down and ran up the stairs.
“You know she will drag all of her softies to your office,” Landros said.
“It’s worth it,” Lydia said.
“We’ll call it a night,” Lucas said clearing his throat.
“Yes,” Abraham agreed. “Shall we meet tomorrow to continue our discussion?”
“Before you talk to Floren again,” Mycos said.
***
“Our count is at nearly two hundred thousand,” Tas said as she looked over the reports.
“How many met their mates before they left,” Lydia asked.
“All the men who came down met their mates,” Glavar said. “When a man found his mate and the woman was willing, we sent for a replacement from the ship.”
“Your worlds are going to be much more diverse,” Tas said.
“We welcome all,” Mycos said.
“How was the process,” Lydia asked.
“Heartbreaking,” Tas said reaching for Glavar. She gripped his hand. “We went into a lot of slums and refugee camps and squatters’ camps. In one area, we cleared out an entire squatters’ camp. Women and children. More than fifteen hundred of them. The country allows men to discard their wives and children. They forbid women to work or drive so they can’t earn a living.”
“Shameful,” Mycos said.
“Some of the women weren’t really of an age but I couldn’t,” Tas stopped talking, swallowed hard, and turned her face away.
“There are older men on our worlds who will have an opportunity to make a connection,” Glavar said. “The women were beyond child bearing age but we could not leave them.”
“They will find a purpose on our worlds,” Mycos said. “You did the right thing.”
“Thank you,” Tas said swallowing again, clearing her throat.
“How do we have room for so many,” Lydia asked.
“In many cases, the women had little in the way of belongings,” Tas said.
“Sometimes only the clothes on their backs,” Glavar said. “These businessmen think they are foisting their … what did you call it?”
“Dirty laundry,” Tas said.
“Yes, dirty laundry on us,” Glavar said. “They have no idea what they lose.”
“In some of our countries, women are property. To be used and discarded on a whim,” Lydia said. “When I used the educational tech, I learned so much more about our history. Things I never learned in school. It makes me angry.”
“Did you have any difficulties,” Mycos asked.
“Most of the locations were aware of who we were and what we wanted,” Tas said. “Even some upper-class women opted out of their countries.”
“We have had no further incidences since the first round of them,” Glavar said.
“The ones where the businessmen packed women in warehouses,” Lydia asked. “And some of the women were not there voluntarily?”
“Yes,” Tas said. “Since then, when we go into a poor neighborhood, people stream out to ask us to take them.”
“If there are children involved,” Glavar said. “We bring them with.”
“At first, the women thought they couldn’t bring them,” Tas said. “It broke my heart when I asked if they were leaving children behind.”
“When they said yes, they were relieved to learn they could bring them,” Glavar said.
“How many more locations do you have to go to,” Lydia asked.
“I’ve had two more ambassadors ask,” Tas said. “I think we’ll top out at over two hundred thousand by the time we’re done. I’m a little worried
about space for all of them.”
“The captains of the ships tell me we still have room for more,” Mycos said. “They are even finding alternatives for belongings if the immigrants have them. The accommodations will not be as comfortable, but I believe we will be able to accommodate all of the immigrants.”
“Excellent,” Tas said. “I think another two weeks and we’ll be done with the current contacts.”
“It will be good to have you back,” Lydia said.
“I can’t wait to see all of you but Morgan as well. I’ve video chatted but I want to see her belly as she’s popped out a bit,” Tas said.
“How are things with your father,” Lydia asked.
“He’s stopped contacting me,” Tas said. “I think he got whatever information he wanted some other way.”
“At least he’s stopped bothering you,” Lydia said. “When you come back, we’re recommending you and Glavar prepare to leave.”
“Oh,” Tas said. “I wanted … for security reasons.. you’re right.”
“There are other reasons,” Lydia said. “Which we will discuss when you return.”
Staring at her, Tas frowned for several long moments. She nodded slowly. “I think we’ll be back in eight or nine days,” she said. “We’ll update you if it changes much.”
The vid shutdown. “Did Morgan not tell her,” Lydia asked.
“Perhaps not,” Mycos said. “You said you wanted to talk to me about something.” He pulled her into his arms, rubbed her back as he felt her tense up.
“I want to talk about children,” Lydia said.
“So do I,” Mycos said lowering his mouth to hers. Pulling her closer, he brushed his lips across hers again and again. “We need more private time.”
“There’s so much going on,” Lydia said. “Mycos…”
“Let me go first,” Mycos said.
“I.. I... all right,” Lydia said.
“You know children are important to my culture,” Mycos said. Lydia nodded started to speak and he kissed her. “Hear me out. I would like to wait longer before we make a decision about children.”
“You want to wait,” Lydia said astounded. “But you said… you didn’t even want to wait the six months.”
“I want more time with you,” Mycos said. “I want children, dozens of them. I want to see what your children will look like. I want to hold you and go through all the things Gregor is going through.”
“But,” Lydia prompted.
“I want you more than children right now,” he said. “I find myself thinking of you when I should be focusing on other things. I cannot wait for you to tell me you want to leave for my home worlds so we can have family time but also private time, much more private time.”
“I love you,” Lydia said pressing her body to his, brushing her lips across his. She unbuttoned his shirt, kissed his chest above his heart.
“I love you, mo chroin,” he said sighing as she touched him, kissed him. “Vos anima mea.”
“Hmmm,” Lydia said as she pulled his shirt out of his pants and pushed it off his shoulders. “I want…” A knock echoed from the office door. “Damn it,” she growled.
Mycos chuckled, though he felt the same frustration. “I think you want more private time as well,” he murmured.
“Yes,” Lydia said rising to go to the door. She waited while he buttoned his shirt though he didn’t tuck it in. She opened the door.
“Excuse me, milady,” Manere said. “We have three buses at the gate.”
“Follow the protocol set up by Gregor and Abraham,” Lydia said.
“The Colonel wants to know if we need assistance,” Manere said.
“We will take care of this but then we are taking a couple hours,” Mycos said rising and tucking his shirt in.
Lydia sighed but agreed. “Let’s get these women processed,” she said.
***
“Why do I have a message from Carlton Baker,” Lucas asked.
“Sir,” Kramer looked up from his table. “I.. I don’t know. I’ll take care of it.”
“He’s the senator’s father,” Lucas said.
“I may have misdirected it to you,” Kramer said. He worked on his tablet for a few moments. “Ahh.. yes, I did. I’ll take care of it.”
“What does the man want,” Lucas asked.
“He’s inquiring about the case,” Kramer said going back to working on his tablet. “He is concerned for both of his daughters’ welfare.”
“You’re giving him the standard line about it being an ongoing investigation,” Lucas asked.
“Yes, sir,” Kramer said.
“If he gets tiresome, let me know,” Lucas said.
“Yes, sir,” Kramer said glancing up at Lucas. “Did you need anything else?”
“No, you should head out for the night,” Lucas said. “Oh. Don’t get lost in the manor house again. The Lord and Lady are annoyed by it.”
“Yes, sir,” Kramer said. “I’ll be more careful.”
***
“They’ve cleared out a number of slums,” Morgan said.
“I’ve seen the reports,” Premier Rivera said. “What exactly are they doing with these women?”
“It’s my understanding they are a predominantly male population,” Morgan said. She sat back, rubbed her belly.
“Do we know if there has been any mistreatment,” Premier Rivera asked. “Has anything untoward happened? You’re aware they have given refuge to some underage girls.”
“I’ve met them,” Morgan said. “They’re treated well, being educated and generally getting healthy.”
“Street girls,” Valerie Rivera asked.
“As in living on, not working the streets, yes,” Morgan said.
“How do you know once they leave here the women will be treated well,” Valerie Rivera asked getting up from behind her large desk to pace back and forth.
“Unless you intend to send a representative with,” Morgan said crossing her legs. “You aren’t likely to know the answer to that question.”
“The robotics,” Valerie Rivera asked. “How close are you to securing access to that tech?”
“Lord Mycos is concerned the government will attempt to convert them into soldiers,” Morgan said. “Are you willing to sign something which says we won’t?”
“Can they be converted,” Valerie asked. “I’d have to know more about it from our people.”
“Do you want me to arrange a demonstration,” Morgan asked.
“There is a lot of opposition to them taking more from our world,” Valerie Rivera said. “We need to see a tangible benefit before we can allow them more privileges.”
“You can’t stop our citizens from immigrating,” Morgan said. “The countries where they took women from all approached them. Either businessmen or ambassadors from the countries approached them. The women were willing and not afraid.” She didn’t tell her more than half the women had already found mates.
“How do they have room for so many,” Valerie Rivera asked. “How big are their ships? Do we need to be concerned about an invasion?”
“They have been congenial and open with what they wanted,” Morgan said. “I don’t know how they fit all the people into their ship. I’m certain they won’t share that tech no matter what we offer them.”
“There’s opposition to cooperating with them,” Valerie said.
“Is it strong enough to sever relations,” Morgan asked.
“We’ll reach a tipping point,” Valerie said. “We need something more than a robot which carries food around the house.”
“There’s the education programs, medical sensors and healing devices,” Morgan said. “Their energy technology is centuries ahead of our own.”
“Old news,” Valerie said. She sat at her desk. “You need to push for more technology from them. I want more and I don’t want to have stipulations put on there about military restrictions.”
“They won’t share without it,” Morgan said.
�
��Your sister is with one of them,” Valerie said. “You must have some pull with them.”
“She is,” Morgan said. “I do not. We are cordial and even friendly but this is one thing they’re firm on.”
“What would they do if we threatened to stop them from taking the women,” Valerie asked.
“Would you make it legally impossible for the women to immigrate,” Morgan asked.
“If opposition continues to grow, it might be a possibility,” Valerie said.
“Who’s in this opposition,” Morgan asked. “My own polls show people are in favor of continued…”
“This is at a higher level than the general public,” Valerie said interrupting Morgan. “I have another meeting. I want more. You need to get us more.”
“Yes, Premier,” Morgan said as she stood to leave the Premier’s office. “I’ll update you as soon as I have more information.”
***
Abraham strode into the investigators’ bull pen. Desks scattered around the large room. Men and women worked at the various stations while some stood looking at the board. Two offices bordered the room but both were dark.
“Abraham,” Lucas said as he walked in behind him. “Did you have something for me?”
“Can we go in your office,” Abraham asked.
“Sure,” Lucas said. He waved away several of his investigators as he walked through the maze of desks. Closing the door behind him, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m concerned about the Hylatians,” Abraham said taking a seat across from Lucas.
Lucas sat in his seat and leaned on his desk. “Are you worried about their safety,” he asked.
“I’ve some sources in the military,” Abraham said. He folded his hands and stared at Lucas.
“This room is scanned regularly,” Lucas said.
Abraham leaned forward. “I’ve got sources which tell me the ordinance you’re inquiring about was requisitioned,” he said.
“You think this is linked to the senator,” Lucas asked.
“You don’t,” Abraham countered. “The man lost everything. While he still has powerful friends, he’s toxic.”
“I don’t have evidence leading to him,” Lucas said.
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