“You’re not so bad,” Nic said.
Watching Abraham and Lucas walk out the door, Mycos said, “You did not tell them about the ships.”
“They’ll know when they need to,” Lydia said. “They don’t arrive for another few months.”
“I take it they offered to see to Hylatian interests once we go,” Nic said.
“They did,” Mycos said.
“Good,” Nic said. “I think they’d do a good job.”
“Why,” Landros asked.
“Lucas is sneaky but honest and Abraham is a good soldier but more than a drone soldier,” Nic said. “Both of them understand what our goals are. Plus, I think they’re a lot disillusioned with the government.”
“You might be right,” Mycos said.
“Let’s get this meeting done,” Lydia said.
“Lunch with the family,” Mycos reminded her.
“Then your private time,” Nic teased. “Landros and I will take Abby and the others out sledding.”
“It’s a plan,” Lydia said as they walked into her favorite room. Gregor, Sally, Morgan, Tas, Eldred, and more rose as Lydia and Mycos entered the room. Lydia waved as she took her normal spot on the loveseat. Mycos sat next to her. Abby crawled into his lap.
“Are we gonna go home now,” Abby asked.
“We are,” Mycos said. “Shall we begin?”
“I’ve spoken to the Premier,” Morgan said. “She’s under the impression I’ll negotiate with you.”
“Morgan, I always enjoy our conversations,” Lydia said.
“But,” Morgan said. “You’ve had enough.”
“We all have,” Sally said. “Those at the shelter have asked to come with us. Will we have room?”
“Yes,” Mycos said. “The captain is doing shifting. It will be tight. Rooms are being pared down.”
“We’ll still have privacy,” Sally asked.
“Definitely,” Mycos said putting his arm around Lydia. “It is a long trip. We will all need adult time.”
“And family time,” Abby said. A chuckle went around the room.
“Tomorrow we start moving the non-essentials,” Mycos said.
“According to my calculations,” Gregor said. “It will take approximately two weeks to get everyone on the ships.”
“In that time,” Sally asked. “Will you negotiate with the premier?”
“Unknown right now,” Lydia said. “Most likely.”
“What will happen with the soldiers,” Morgan asked.
“The council is leaning towards leaving them here,” Lydia said. “But they want some acknowledgment from the government first and possibly some concessions.”
“I can take my softies,” Abby asked. “And my bike?”
“Yes,” Mycos said. “You will have new rules.”
“Kay,” Abby said grinning.
“What are we doing about the school,” Elaxus asked.
“And the medical facilities,” Justinian asked.
“We got an interesting proposal there,” Lydia said. She outlined what Abraham and Lucas proposed.
“It would allow more women to return to our worlds,” Aniton said. “This would ease the population issues we have.”
“It would,” Mycos said.
“What if,” Sally said frowning as she considered. “What if we left the tech running as a gesture of goodwill. But only on the condition we’re allowed to take the orphans and set up a regular immigration facility.”
“Those would be good conditions,” Lydia said. “Morgan, do you think they will go for it?”
“Possibly,” Morgan said. “How much more will leak?”
“The press already have their teeth in this,” Lydia said.
“Lots of conspiracy theories are out there,” Sally said. “Including one about the plagues. It’s possible the Premier will lose her position.”
“That could be good and bad,” Morgan said.
“She is a known entity to us,” Mycos said. “Someone new would not be.”
“But she’s not trustworthy,” Lydia said.
“Maybe it’s time to take one of her calls,” Morgan said.
“Agreed,” Lydia said. “Gregor, will you organize the shelter people first?”
“They are already preparing to leave,” Gregor said.
“There’s a couple who don’t want to leave, but want to help with the shelter,” Sally said.
“We’ll meet with them tomorrow,” Lydia said.
“Will you accept Abraham and Lucas’ suggestion,” Nic asked.
“There are details we need to work out,” Mycos said.
“It would be good to continue to help the children,” Gregor said. “I don’t want them punished for what the government did.”
A general nodding of heads went around the room. “Mycos,” Lydia said. “I know you’re angry with the government but Abraham and Lucas have been good to us.”
“You are right,” Mycos said.
“We’ll work it out with them,” Lydia said.
“There’s a lot to do,” Nic said. “We’re gonna be stuck on a ship for a while, so Landros and I are taking the girls sledding. You all, being the adults, can work on the rest of the details.”
“Landros, will you push me down the hill,” Abby said as she hopped off Mycos lap.
“I might,” Landros said. “Will you squeal?”
“Yes,” Abby said earnestly.
“Since I like to make girls squeal, I will push you,” Landros said as he scooped her up. The younger ones left the room.
“I think they’re ready,” Sally said. “If that was one of your concerns.”
“It isn’t,” Lydia said. “I’m disappointed. At the same time, I’m not surprised. The government killed those three women for no reason except hoping they would do more damage to us. They invaded our home hoping to do… I don’t know what but they had no concern for the women and children here. All they cared about was accomplishing their goals.”
“This is called disillusionment,” Morgan said. “Those who go into politics come in determined to make changes but then they become more cogs in the machine of politics.”
“Is this how you feel,” Mycos asked.
“I stopped supporting our government when their soldiers shoved guns in my face,” Morgan said.
***
Eight days after the invasion into their home, Lydia and Mycos stood before the com screen to face Premier Valerie Rivera. The lines across the screen tried Lydia’s patience. Mycos slipped his hand from her waist to her bottom, squeezed gently. “After,” he said.
“Yes,” she said. “First this unpleasantness and then…” she flushed slightly.
With a sizzle, the screen flashed to show Valerie Rivera, her face drawn and pale while her lips thinned and showed lines of annoyance. “Lord Mycos, Lady Lydia,” Premier said.
“Premier,” Lydia said her tone conveying her disdain for the woman. “As you’ve seen, we’ve forwarded the documentation outlining the infractions you and your government have made against our people.”
“You mean the Hylatian people,” Valerie Rivera said.
“I mean our people,” Lydia said. “You do humanity no good with your plotting and hypocrisy.”
“You have no idea,” Premier Valerie Rivera said. “We’ve been failing and needed…”
“We are not here to listen to your excuses,” Mycos said. “We do not care to hear them. It is for your people to determine the consequences of your actions.”
“We have the council’s judgment against your soldiers,” Lydia said.
“When were they put on trial,” Premier Rivera demanded as she looked off screen. “They did not receive any representation, nor were we allowed to present our case to…”
“They were on Hylatian soil,” Lydia pointed out. “Your laws, which you’ve broken, do not apply here.”
“You cannot…” Premier Rivera spluttered her objection.
“The council has determined,” Lydia
spoke over Valerie Rivera, wanting to get this unpleasantness over. “The soldiers followed the orders of the government. Therefore, it is the government who will be punished by the following sanctions.”
Valerie Rivera stopped sputtering, crossed her arms. “Extortion. What do they want?”
“You will allow the orphans, any and all to be housed here in the house for immigration to our worlds,” Lydia said. “Those already housed in the shelter will evacuate with us and you will offer no objection to this.”
Valeria Rivera leaned towards one of her advisors, listened before returning to address the issue. “This is acceptable,” she said.
“Additionally, this house and all property the Hylatians currently own or support, including the school and hospital where our tech currently is will be considered inviolable,” Lydia said. “We will leave our representatives in place to oversee the maintenance of our property as well as handle any and all immigration requests.”
“Immigration,” Valerie said. “You want more women. What will their lives be like? You’ll take them to heaven knows where and force them to…”
“These are our conditions,” Lydia said interrupting her prejudiced tirade.
“And if we don’t agree to them,” Premier Valerie Rivera asked.
“If you don’t agree to them, we will consider your orders to invade our territory an act of war,” Lydia said. “The council does not take lightly your actions and while the Hylatians have not been at war for over seven hundred years, we will not allow such a crime to go unpunished.”
“I need time to consider,” Premier Valerie Rivera said.
“You have exactly two minutes,” Lydia said. “When I end this call, we will either have an understanding or we will be at war.”
“Consider carefully, Premier,” Mycos warned. “Your world is very primitive. Your weapons would never make it out of their launch tubes. Technologically you are inferior in every way.”
“I need to step away for a moment,” Valerie Rivera said. At Mycos’ nod, she stood and stepped away from the screen. Gregor muted their side so information could be shared without the Premier hearing.
Monitoring, Gregor said, “There is activity in several of their military installations. Our captains report they see evacuations occurring in two in particular.”
“They’re getting all non-essentials out,” Morgan said. “Will you go to war?”
“It will be a slaughter,” Lydia said leaning heavily on Mycos. “From space, we can eliminate their long-range weapons.”
“You know she’s in the bunker,” Morgan said.
“We’re aware of her location,” Mycos said. “The bunker is not beyond our ability to destroy.”
“Oh,” Morgan said. “How will you convey that?”
“We’ve leaked some information through her intelligence agencies,” Mycos said. “However, we cannot be assured they are sharing that information at her level.”
“You can’t find it shared or they haven’t shared it yet,” Morgan asked.
“They have not shared it yet,” Mycos said.
“Is it technology or more that you have which gets you all this information,” Morgan asked.
“Yes,” Mycos said.
“She’s back,” Lydia said. Gregor unmuted their end in order to continue the dialog with the Premier.
“How long will you maintain your presence in our country,” Premier Valerie Rivera asked.
“Indefinitely,” Lydia said. The council allowed for a limited number of years but Lydia intended to make Valerie Rivera negotiate for the limitation.
“That is unacceptable,” Valerie said. “Your interference is causing unrest in our country. You are negatively affecting our culture.”
Lydia snorted derisively, “If we are, whose fault is that? We don’t have some prime directive like in the science fiction movies. We came here to find our mates and aid you in advancing. You’ve met our offers with insult, suspicion, and violence.”
“We want an end date to your interference,” Valerie demanded. “Two years.”
“One hundred,” Lydia said. “Perhaps by then, the humans will have evolved enough to recognize how fortunate they are we didn’t destroy you.”
Mycos wanted to object. He didn’t want their people entangled with the humans for that long. Lydia squeezed his hand as Valerie came back with a new number. Back and forth Lydia negotiated.
“We cannot have anyone else in control of our government,” Valerie Rivera demanded.
“We won’t be in charge of the government,” Lydia said. “At no point will we take over the government. We will protect what is ours. We will prevent your government from using our technology to cause war. You need to find better ways to improve your economy rather than unleashing plagues and starting wars.”
“You can’t kn… believe,” Valerie Rivera stammered feigned outrage. “Do you have any idea how many died? Do you …”
“Yes,” Lydia said. “I do understand how horrible the plagues were. Twelve years, the council is unwilling to leave prior to that time. Will you agree, or will you be responsible for the destruction of your country?”
“I…,” Valerie looked to her advisors again. Her frown indicated their lack of answers. “Very well.”
“Our representatives will be in touch,” Lydia said intending to cut her off.
“One more thing,” Mycos said. “None of the women who immigrate will be forced to come here. If we find out you are forcing women, we will return in force to deal with your primitive and dysfunctional government.”
“We understand,” Premier Valerie Rivera said.
Gregor cut the communications. “We will monitor,” he growled. “How many years did the council really want?”
“Nine,” Lydia said. “I opted for twelve to give us time to get as many away from here as possible and if they follow the law, to allow other leaders to take her place.”
“Very wise,” Morgan said. “She didn’t disappoint with her reaction.”
“You predicted it exactly,” Lydia said. “How can we have such a corrupt government? How did it get so bad?”
“Do you really want a blow by blow,” Morgan asked.
“I don’t,” Lydia said. “I want to be done here.”
Mycos turned her into his arms. Rubbed her back, he held on as she trembled. “Mo chroin,” he murmured.
“You have definitive proof about the plagues,” Morgan asked.
“We do,” Gregor said. “Justinian followed medical research and we were able to find the orders leading directly to Premier Rivera for the deployment of it.”
“This should leak,” Morgan said. “If this were known, her career would be over. There isn’t a person on this planet who wasn’t affected by the plague.”
“Except the elite who were able to buy the information and protect themselves from it,” Gregor said.
Lydia put her hand on Mycos’ face. “We have a lot to do,” she said. “We aren’t leaking the information. We aren’t hiding it either. I don’t want to be the cause of more unrest.”
“But people are digging,” Morgan said. “You’re right. It might come out on its own.”
“An hour,” Mycos murmured.
Lydia nodded and turned to go. “Morgan, thank you. I’ve appreciated your counsel through all of this.”
“I only wish we could have reached your vision for our own world,” Morgan said. She rose, squeezed Lydia’s hand and left.
“I will keep the girls busy for a couple of hours,” Gregor said. “Take the time, mo inion.”
***
They gathered in the large foyer. Sally, Gregor, Mycos, Lydia, Nic, Landros, Dani, Abby, Rachel, Heidi and Hannah stood together. Abraham and Lucas along with Abraham’s squad and several from the Hylatian forces joined them. Lydia gripped Mycos’ hand, “This is where it all started.”
“It’s where our lives changed,” Nic said. She looked into Landros loving eyes. “For the better.”
“Will
you miss it,” Mycos asked worried for all of them.
“We’ll have each other,” Hannah said, reaching for Manere. “Plus a better life where we’re going.”
“We’re gonna learn fighting on the ship,” Dani said.
“I’m gonna be the best warrior,” Rachel said.
“I wanna learn more about the Hylatian traditions,” Hannah said.
“Can we go,” Abby said. “I wanna ride my bike on the ship.”
“We can,” Lydia said.
“One last thing,” Mycos said. Turning to Lydia, he took her hands. “You said this was your tradition.” He went down on one knee as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small ring box. “I tried but could not find your mother’s ring. I hope this will be acceptable.”
Lydia swallowed as she opened the box. “Oh Mycos,” she murmured.
“Mo chroin, you are my mate,” he said. “Will you spend your life with me?”
“Yes,” Lydia said pulling him into her arms, tears washed down her face.
Nic took the box from Lydia as she wrapped her arms around Mycos. Their mouths met and clung.
“It’s beautiful,” Abby said. “There’s eight stones.”
“One for him and her, and one for each of us,” Nic said.
Abby leaned in, hugged Lydia and Mycos around their legs. Hannah, Rachel, Dani, and Heidi followed suit. “Well shit,” Nic said. Mycos and Lydia wrapped their arms around all the sisters. Nic rolled her eyes leaned in and handed the ring box back to Mycos. “You better put it on before we all get drowned.”
The whole room laughed except Mycos and Lydia. He took the ring out of its box and slid it on her finger.
Epilogue
“Hurry,” Abby said. “I want to see.” She rushed towards the viewing deck on the ship.
“Abby,” Gregor said. He helped Sally whose belly bulged with their second child.
Abby rushed back to them. “I’ll take Maeve,” she said picking up the little red-haired girl. “I want to see, can we hurry?”
“We are right behind you,” Gregor said.
“What will you name this one,” Nic asked. She and Landros held hands as they walked next to Gregor and Sally. “You’ve already got one which means great joy?”
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