Seven Sisters

by Eileen Troemel

  “Yeah,” Abby said. “It’s gonna be fun.”

  “It will be,” Gregor said leaning down to kiss her forehead.

  “Uncla,” Abby said. “Are you happy you’re having a girl?”

  “Yes,” Gregor said.

  “Me too,” Abby said.

  “I only have her because we came to get you,” Gregor said.

  “I’m glad you got us,” Abby said drawing out her words as she yawned again.

  “Rest well,” Gregor said softly. He gently retreated as he watched Abby fall asleep.

  “I’m glad you did as well,” Sally whispered.

  “All right,” Gregor asked as he put his arm around her and rubbed her belly.

  “She’s restless,” Sally said moving his hand to where their daughter kicked.

  “Beautiful,” Gregor said. He leaned down and kissed where the baby kicked.

  “Oh Gregor,” Sally teared up and held him to her.

  ***

  “It’s been four days,” Landros reported. “The Premier or one of her representatives have tried contacting us several times a day.”

  “We’re almost ready,” Lydia said as she rubbed her neck. “Let’s get the team in here and we’ll do a progress report.”

  “Yes, milady,” Landros said. “Here or the sitting room?”

  “The sitting room has more space,” Mycos said.

  “After the progress report, we need to speak with Abraham and Lucas,” Nic said. “They keep bringing us intel.”

  “Yes,” Lydia said.

  “I will inform the kitchen to expect a lot of people,” Mycos said.

  “Food, drink, and meetings,” Lydia said rubbing her neck again.

  “Landros and I are gonna go make out for a little while,” Nic announced as she rose from her seat. “You get probably thirty minutes without interruptions.”

  “Make out,” Landros asked.

  “I’ll show you,” Nic said blushing. She took his hand and left the office.

  “Should I be concerned,” Mycos said as the door closed behind them.

  “I think she means she’s going to sit on his lap and kiss him,” Lydia said.

  “She is bold,” Mycos said. He tugged Lydia out of her seat and into his arms.

  “We have so much to do,” Lydia said.

  “We can take thirty minutes to… make out,” Mycos grinned.

  “I don’t want to make out,” Lydia said leaning into him. “I want you naked and in my bed. I want a hot bath with you for hours.”

  “Once we are on the ship,” Mycos said. “We will have more time for our private time.”

  “But the smaller room,” Lydia asked.

  “I have made the changes,” Mycos said scowling as he assured her. “I want to give you every luxury.”

  “But more can fit into that room,” Lydia said. “We need a bed and little more.”

  “A bath,” Mycos said pulling her onto his lap as he sat. With one hand he rubbed her neck, felt her tension. With the other, he turned her head to him. “Where I can spend hours worshipping you.”

  Lydia met his lips with demands of her own. His ministration eased her headache. Her hands unbuttoned his shirt, pushed it aside. She touched his skin, inhaled his scent, kissed him. “Mo chroin,” he moaned as her hands demanded from him.

  Her tongue snaked out and slipped around his nipple. He pressed her to him. “Mycos,” his name washed over him like a gentle caress.

  “We are taking two or three hours today,” Mycos growled. Drawing her lips to his, he wiped her mind and eased her tension. His hands snuck under her shirt, circled her waist.

  “There’s so much to do,” she said leaning her forehead against his.

  “You have led us well,” Mycos said. “You need to let go and take care of yourself.”

  “I’d rather you tended to me,” she teased. “Like our first night together. In our big tub.”

  “There will be a tub we can use on the ship,” Mycos said chuckling. “Wait until you see the bathing room in my home.”

  “Do you promise we’ll spend a lot of time in there,” Lydia asked.

  “As much as your schedule will allow,” Mycos said.

  “What exactly will you be doing,” Lydia asked.

  “I will oversee the household and some of the businesses,” Mycos said. “Gregor… I guess his duties will change now.”

  “Why,” Lydia asked.

  “His position required him to be available all the time,” Mycos said. He brushed the hair back from her face and studied the scowl marring her brow.

  “Sally and the baby will need him,” Lydia said. “Can’t he be your assistant? What do you call them? Man at arms?”

  “According to his class,” Mycos said but stopped. “You are correct. We need to rethink our old system.”

  “Will all the women decrease the shortage,” Lydia asked.

  “It will ease it,” Mycos said. “It depends on the birth rate and the percentage of females.”

  “We’ll need it to be equitable,” Lydia said. Mycos slipped his tongue behind her ear making her sigh. His hand cupped her breast as his mouth explored her neck. “I can’t think…”

  “Precisely,” Mycos murmured. He kept her sighing and silent not thinking for long drawn out minutes. Her hums of pleasure and her hands pulling him closer, let Mycos know he succeeded in helping her forget all the duties pulling at her.

  A knock jarred them. Lydia held him tight to her, not wanting the interruption. Mycos growled as his arms tightened around her. “I wish we could have had our year,” Lydia whispered not letting him go.

  “We will have more time on the ship,” Mycos promised. He’d see to it.

  “Your shirt’s undone again,” Lydia smiled.

  “Your hair is mussed,” Mycos said drawing her back for a quick kiss. “You undid it, you should do it up again.”

  “I’d rather take it off you,” Lydia said but she buttoned his shirt for him. He smoothed her hair.

  By the time a third knock came, they were presentable but Lydia did not move off his lap. “Come in,” she said reluctantly.

  “Forgive the interruption,” Gregor said smiling at the two. “Lucas and Abraham have requested to see you before our meeting.”

  Lydia leaned her head against Mycos’ shoulder. “I hate this. They’ve been good to us.”

  “You can always make the offer,” Mycos said.

  “Before you see them, you should know Donna Lester broke the news about the invasion,” Gregor said.

  “However did she find out,” Mycos laughed.

  “Now you sound like Nic,” Lydia said. “Is she keeping her source to herself?”

  “Yes,” Gregor said. “We pushed her in the right direction. Her people found most of it.”

  “How is it playing,” Lydia said she remained on Mycos’ lap, refusing to break the connection.

  “Government bad, aliens good,” Gregor said. “At least that is what Sally said.”

  “You know she can’t stop you from reading the comments,” Lydia said smiling as Gregor had gotten very upset whenever a news story hit and the comments turned negative.

  “She is correct,” Gregor said. “I read most of them and do not need to read more.”

  “Besides, she is his mate,” Mycos said. “He will not do anything to upset her, particularly when she’s with child.”

  “Would you,” Gregor asked.

  “No,” Mycos said. “What is the general consensus?”

  “They are calling for an investigation,” Gregor said. “Many of those we have helped, particularly parents of the students, have given interviews in support of us and condemning the government. It appears to be escalating.”

  “Good,” Lydia said. “All right. Bring in Abraham and Lucas and let’s see what they have to say.” She started to rise but Mycos kept his arms around her. Turning, she smiled, cupping his cheeks in her hands. “This afternoon. You and I alone.”

  “Very well,” Mycos a
greed. “Bring them in Gregor. Gregor?”

  “Yes, milord,” Gregor said.

  “We need to talk about redefining your role,” Mycos said. “The girls will want you close but you will need time with Sally and your baby.”

  Relief washed across his face. “I thought we could have two or three to cover my duties,” Gregor said.

  “With you in charge of them,” Lydia said. “You’ll be on call in emergencies.”

  “Yes, milady,” Gregor said.

  “You stop that,” Lydia said. She rose from Mycos. “I’m not… you… you tended to us. I’m not over you.”

  “You lead,” Gregor said. “My role will remain the same. I will love all seven of you sisters and I’ll guard you with my life. As would any of the men who came with us.”

  “You’re special to us,” Lydia said. With a look at Mycos, she stepped into Gregor’s arms. “You feel like my father would have felt, I think. Uncla works but athair is more where my heart is.”

  Gregor’s arms gently encircled her. He held her close to his heart. “I feel the same, inion, only” he said softly.

  Lydia reached up to touch his cheek, went on tiptoes and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. Mycos grumbled but held it mostly in check.

  “We will work on the roles,” Mycos said. “I too, feel your former role does not cover how important you are in our family.”

  “Thank you,” Gregor said. “We will have time to discuss this on the journey home.”

  Lydia stepped back, squeezed his hand. “All right, to matters at hand,” she said immediately returning to Mycos’ arms. “Send in Abraham and Lucas. We’ll talk to them first.”

  “Yes, mo inion,” Gregor said.

  “You surprise me every day,” Mycos said holding her close.

  “I know you don’t like…” Lydia said wrapping her arms around him tightly.

  “It was exactly right,” Mycos said. “What do you plan for these two?”

  “I’ll be sad to see them go,” Lydia said.

  “I agree,” Mycos said. “Should we check on Nic?”

  “Leave her be,” Lydia said. “She’s exploring the advantages of being a girl.”

  “I am going to talk to Landros,” Mycos said.

  “You’ll do no such thing,” Lydia said. “Nic is exploring what it means to be a girl in a safe environment.”

  “This is important,” Mycos asked.

  “You know what we knew before,” Lydia said shuddering a little. He held her close. “Landros is safe for her to explore what it feels like to be held and touched.”

  “Like you and I did, but less…” Stumped on how to express it, Mycos stopped speaking.

  “Less adult and more innocent,” Lydia said. “She’s finding her power in her femininity rather than fighting.”

  “Important development,” Mycos said.

  “It is,” Lydia said. “I like when you take on the role of protective big brother.”

  “It is all new,” Mycos said. A knock on the door announced the arrival of Abraham and Lucas.

  “Are we interrupting,” Abraham asked noting how close they stood.

  “No,” Lydia said but she stayed where she was. “You asked to see us?”

  “We did,” Lucas said. He and Abraham stayed standing.

  “Please sit,” Mycos said. He shifted to the love seat so he could sit close to Lydia. He drew her down next to him, held her hand.

  Both men took the seat nearest them. “We have more news,” Lucas said.

  “Good or bad,” Lydia asked.

  “We spoke with Kramer,” Lucas said.

  “What did you find out,” Mycos asked.

  “He isn’t saying much,” Abraham said.

  “Only that his contact was Carlton Baker,” Lucas said. “I already knew that from the correspondence we ferreted out.”

  “Have you spoken with Carlton Baker,” Lydia asked.

  “How is Morgan,” Abraham asked.

  “She’s resting,” Lydia said. “She’s asked to not be disturbed.”

  “When I’ve tried to speak with Carlton,” Lucas said. “I’ve been…”

  “Told to stop,” Abraham finished for him. “I’ve also been waved off. We’re to remain in position but not provide any more support.”

  “Are they aware if it weren’t for the two of you, we would have already dealt with the soldiers,” Lydia said.

  “Dealt with meaning putting them to death,” Abraham asked.

  “Yes,” Mycos said. “However, the council is discussing.”

  “What holds them back,” Abraham asked.

  “They knew the risks in contacting such a primitive culture,” Lydia said.

  “Are you defending or accusing us,” Lucas asked.

  “I’m relaying facts,” Lydia said. “I am not taking part in the decision-making process.”

  “Why not,” Lucas asked.

  “Would you ask any victim to be part of the sentencing process,” Lydia asked. “The others on the council have a more objective point of view.”

  “Do you want to put them to death,” Abraham asked.

  “What would you do,” Lydia countered his question with one of her own. “If someone invaded your home, threatened your family, what would you do?”

  “It’s a good question,” Abraham said. “The primal part of me says, I’d fight them back. The soldier in me says they did what they were ordered to do. The father in me… he wants to wipe them all off this earth.”

  “And there you have our dilemma,” Lydia said.

  “Fair enough,” Abraham said. “We have actual proof of this leading directly to the Premier. I know you probably already have this information but we’ll turn it over to you.”

  “You have the orders,” Mycos asked.

  “A recording,” Lucas said. “All verbal orders are recorded and stored. This was not supposed to be recorded, but the sergeant who took the order disobeyed and kept recording.”

  “For the attack,” Mycos asked.

  “For the explosives,” Abraham said. “We’re still digging on the attack.”

  “How much trouble will she be in,” Lydia asked.

  “It depends on how the media goes,” Lucas said. “PR is a bitch. It seems as though they are turning in your favor.”

  “For now,” Lydia said with a hint of cynicism.

  Lucas and Abraham exchanged a look. Abraham sat forward. “What are your plans,” he asked.

  “We are returning to my home worlds,” Mycos said.

  “Soon,” Lucas asked.

  “Yes,” Lydia said. “The girls have each said separately they are ready to go.”

  “What will happen with this location and the tech you’ve put out here,” Abraham asked.

  “It will cease to work,” Mycos said, a coolness in his tone warned the two men across from him to tread lightly.

  “You’ll punish the children and the poor,” Lucas asked.

  “This is why you’re a good investigator,” Lydia said. “You know what matters to me so you hit it hard.”

  “We will not leave it here for this government to exploit,” Mycos said.

  “What about leaving it in the hands of humans you trust,” Abraham asked.

  Lydia and Mycos exchanged looks and he shrugged. “I’m not sure there are a lot of those remaining here,” Lydia said.

  “I’m staying,” Lucas said. “I find my current career less than desirable.”

  “I’m retiring,” Abraham said. “I want more time with my family.”

  “What exactly are you proposing,” Mycos asked.

  “If you leave the tech here, we’ll maintain it and keep it safe from those who would misuse it,” Lucas said.

  “We know security,” Abraham said.

  “You do,” Lydia said. “How do you think it will help?”

  “Those in this poor neighborhood will excel,” Lucas said. “They’ll go to college sooner. They’ll do better in the fields as they’ve got a step up.”


  “This will continue your good PR,” Abraham said. “It will help with something else too.”

  “What,” Mycos asked.

  “Your men still need mates,” Lucas said. “We can quietly with less publicity collect women. That sounds like we’re doing something underhanded. We can let women know you’re willing to take immigrants.”

  “We assume if you leave the tech behind, you’ll leave a way for us to be in touch,” Abraham said. “We could set up interviews for men and women to meet.”

  “The men need to be in physical touch to determine if the woman is their mate,” Lydia said.

  “All right. Teams can interview and get qualified women ready to immigrate,” Lucas said. “We can work out the details. It can be done away from the public eye.”

  “Didn’t you say you wanted to do adoptions,” Abraham said. “There are still many children on the street.”

  “We did,” Mycos said. “Who will take custody of these children?”

  “The women,” Lucas said. “It’s a long trip back. Are your men willing to come here to meet or is it better to have ships going back and forth?”

  “Why do you want to maintain contact,” Mycos said.

  “You’ve done a lot for our culture,” Abraham said. “I’ve seen people be healed who should have died. I’ve seen girls rescued from the streets. I see how you are with these seven sisters. We don’t want to lose the positive influence you’ve had.”

  “All of which has been fought by your government,” Mycos said.

  Lydia patted his knee and he leaned back to put his arm around her. “We’ll discuss and let you know,” she said.

  “Thank you,” Lucas said.

  “How many of your people will be leaving when you do,” Lydia asked.

  “Most,” Abraham said. “After working with you, my squad is of the same mind as I am.”

  “There are one or two who will remain in the employ of the government,” Lucas said.

  “As informants to you,” Lydia asked.

  “I’m going into private business,” Lucas grinned. “I don’t need informants.”

  A quiet knock on their door indicated the people for the meeting had all arrived. “We have another meeting,” Mycos said standing.

  “Thank you for seeing us,” Abraham said.

  They walked out together. Landros and Nic waited for Lydia and Mycos. Lucas stopped in front of Nic. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you,” he said.