by A. C. Katt
Mark went for the doctor’s bag he had stashed in the council room. He checked Meg’s vitals. ::Your heart is racing; but that’s to be expected. I suspect that Tarin and Sam’s hearts are racing too. Sit, let us bring you some food and you can eat while you get to know your Warriors. If I were to guess, I’d say you haven’t eaten all day,:: Mark admonished gently.
::I had the girls’ and Sherry’s dresses to finish and also my own. I didn’t have time to eat. I thought I’d eat at the buffet, but then I lost it. I’ve made such a horrible first impression.::
::No, dearheart…:: Sam’s chuckle was warm in her mind. ::We love the fact that we bowled you over. At least we know you like us.::
Meg blushed. Sam watched Syn examine Meg closely. “There is a lot of mauve in her aura. She should come for coffee twice a week until that mauve turns blue to match Sam and Tarin’s.”
“What does the mauve mean?” Meg asked, ::Am I flawed?::
::No, Meg, you’re not flawed. Sara and my auras were a deep shade of fuchsia. We both had been kicked around by the school of hard knocks. I was a former prostitute and addict who picked herself out of the gutter and became a psychologist. Sara was a Cordon Bleu chef whose husband beat her, four-year old Michael, and Chou, Sara’s feline, so badly that Sara had to spend five hours in the healing chamber to fix the internal damage and another two to mend her broken bones and erase the contusions he left on her body. Despite Sarran’s superior medicine, we almost lost Sara. We both have pasts and so do you. The bond sees underneath the weight of your past to the core of goodness within.::
::You are perfect for us; the Goddess chooses wisely. See, we will open our minds to you and you will then know how much we care.:: Sam opened his mind to Sara, followed immediately by Tarin.
The other three Triads left the room.
* * * *
Chapter 9
I have learned to hate all traitors, and there is no disease
that I spit on more than treachery.
—Aeschylus
Retiring Room at the Hangar
“You are really my Warriors?” Meg asked.
“Yes, I’m Tarin, the Duke of WaterClan and this is Samuel James Johnson, Duke of EarthClan. We live at Falling Waters, the estate of the Duchy of WaterClan near our daughter, Sara, her WarriorPair, Mark and Juraens, and Sara’s son, Michael. Midnight and now Snowy live with us as do you, dearheart.”
“I’m a very simple fem from a small village in Ireland where I worked as a seamstress and took in laundry. I’m not talented or special,” Meg temporized.
“Not special? According to Sara, Syn, Adele, Ellen, and Anya, you designed and sewed all of their dresses for this event in a matter of days, in addition to providing designs for the other fems and making your own stunning gown. On top of that you reached Snowy from Ireland while she was in orbit around the Earth on Brightstar. Your psy is strong, Meg. You were meant for a council pair.” Sam held her close and she unconsciously snuggled in closer.
“Sam, I’m going to go and get our fem some dinner. Is there anything you don’t like?”
“I never got to try new things at home, so maybe a tiny bit of everything Sarran so I can determine what I like. I’ve been eating Earthen food from the fabricator.”
Tarin put his arm around Sam and squeezed his Warrior’s shoulder. “After she eats, I think we should take Meg home this moontine and arrange for her things to arrive next rising. We will call on Syn and Sara’s Triads to witness the mating next moontine. We have to prepare for company.” Tarin left the room.
“I’m just a simple cook. My Da didn’t like anything fancy although I wanted to try,” Meg said hesitantly.
“With us, you can try anything you like, or not at all. Syn and Sara cook. Anya and Ellen do not. We have a chef and a factotum to run the house, so you can work on your dress designs or sit and read all day. We want you to be happy. Will you come home with us this moontine? You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. We’d be happy to escort you to back to the barracks if you wish.”
Margaret Mary made a decision. “I’ll go home with you. Even though I’m thirty-six, I am a virgin and have no experience whatsoever with men. Everything will be new to me, so please have patience.” Meg straightened her shoulders.
Sam smiled. “Don’t worry. A Sarran WarriorPair is always gentle with their fem.”
“Oh! I have nothing to wear for the next rising.” Meg blushed.
“Then we’ll stop by the barracks and gather up your clothing and send for your household goods in next rising.” Sam helped Meg stand up.
“I only have my sewing machine and one small suitcase.” Meg was embarrassed by the meager amount of belongings she brought with her from Earth.
Tarin came back with three plates and set them, silverware, and napkins at the small conference table. “Don’t worry, our Meg. You’ll have everything you need; your Warriors will provide for you,” Tarin said. “I never thought I’d have a chance at Triad after Nezier was killed in battle by the Zyptz. Sam’s Mary died twenty-two years ago and he’s not been serious about anyone since until me and now, you. Do you feel the pull of the bond?”
“I feel overwhelming fondness for the two of you. I had an immediate affinity for Sara and Syn, for Sarran in general. I think I do belong here and to you. Let’s have our meal. We’ll get my things and I’ll go home with you afterward. Nothing bad has happened to me on Sarran so I think I can trust that nothing will. Your Warriors actually mean it when they say that a Sarran will do anything for a fem, even one not their own. I can’t believe that a member of the council fixed my sewing machine. I never made the connection to TaSyn.” Meg shook her head.
Sam carried Meg to the table to eat. She sat and ate all of the food on her plate.
* * * *
Retiring Room Council Chambers: Field House 22:00 tines
Sam and Tarin ignored their food. They were too busy marveling at their fem. When she finished eating, Sam asked, “Do you want us to carry you, dearheart, or would you rather we hold you while you walk?”
“I’d rather walk, please. I’ve already made enough of a spectacle of myself this moontine.”
The door opened. Snowy and Midnight walked through. ::While you were yakking, I had TeBron transport your things to the Duchy. The three of you have to learn to take care of business. Let’s go home. I’m going to need some things of my own. I’ve been using the communal facilities. Why we had to wait two tides to go to your Warriors is beyond me. I knew which one of you was on the ship. It would have been easy to find the other once we got here.::
Meg sat up. ::Now Snowy, don’t be a scold. It’s an unattractive character flaw in a fem or Warrior. We’ll go with our Warriors and Midnight and straighten everything else out on the rising. Was that Sherry with the other two Warriors?::
“Do you mean TeAllen and TeWell?” Tarin cocked his head.
“I think those are the names I heard Syn say. Sherry has a son, Jimmy, who is ten. She got married when she was fifteen in a place called Alabama. Her father practically sold her to an old man.”
“Fifteen cycles? Sometimes Warriors on Sarran bond that young but it’s by choice. Fems never bond until after they are at least eighteen.” Tarin was indignant.
“I grow more ashamed of Earth every day,” Sam spat through thinned lips.
“That devil beat Sherry and Jimmy then kicked her out when she turned twenty-five because he said she was too old. He didn’t even want Jimmy. Poor Sherry was homeless and spent many hours in the healing chamber fixing old scars. Your Warriors found her at the shelter who had documented her injuries so her former marriage was dissolved. I hate that he received money for her and Jimmy.”
::Don’t worry, little one, Allen and Well are good Warriors and will take excellent care of both Sherry and Jimmy. Now let us take care of you. As far as that fucker…:: “See Sam, I learned Mark’s favorite word.”
::Sorry little one, that fucker will never get to spend the mone
y because the American Congress passed a bill by voice vote in the house and the Senate that says he goes to jail in a place that doesn’t like men who abuse fem and offspring.::
“I believe Ireland passed that law also. Da would have gone mad. He said a woman was meant to be beaten. The Bible even specified the size of the stick.” Meg sighed. “Da didn’t go to church, yet he knew that passage by heart. ‘A severe beating can knock all of the evil out of you.’ Proverbs 20:29-30.”
::I’m glad your father passed, dearheart, because he would be rotting in the same hole along with Sherry’s husband and Bradley, my former son-in-law.::
::Did you like your dinner, little one? Do you want some more to eat?:: Tarin fussed.
::No, I’m full. If I eat any more, I’ll get fat. I already have a rounded tummy.::
::Do you drink you Tierest juice in the rising?:: Sam asked.
Meg cocked her head. “That was a strange question.”
“If you drink your juice, you’ll never be overweight. The Tierest juice balances a Sarran’s weight in perfect proportion to their body. Have you seen any overweight fems? They may all be pregnant, but none of them are over…”
A wailing siren sounded. Tarin turned to Sam, “There’s been an attempt to breach. I need to find Bron.”
“I need to find Mark and Juraens. I’m going to leave you with Sara and Syn. Someone or something attempted to breach the new Sky Shield.”
Meg suddenly found herself next to Syn and Sara. Sam must have transported her.
“All the Warriors are assembling at their Battle Stations. As Ta, we need to stay here and keep the fem calm,” Syn said briskly.
Suddenly, the front of Syn and Anya’s gowns were wet with a mixture of water and blood.
“There must have been something in the food. The fems aren’t due for two tides and none of the Warriors are here,” Syn gasped as she slumped to the floor.
All of the pregnant Ta are about to give birth. I’m a Ta now too, so is Sara. We can handle this crowd.
Meg broadcast on all channels. ::Any doctors, see to the pregnant Ta. Sara, take the young fem back to the barracks. Sherry, gather up the older fem who’ve been to the birthing classes and assign two to each of the Ta.::
Meg looked around. ::You!:: She pointed to an older fem who was walking around in a daze. ::Go to the fabricator and make sheets, towels, and cots. Get someone else to help you carry them:: The fem scurried to obey.
Margaret Mary went over to where Syn was lying. “Did the four of you eat anything that all of the others didn’t?”
Syn thought for a moment. “There was a special bowl of punch on the Elder’s table. None of us drank very much because it was sickly sweet.”
“Someone tried to take out the Elder Council by attacking their fems and unborn bebes. Sara, did you have any of the juice?”
“No, I was watching you and Daddy. Hilnut poured me some but I didn’t drink it.”
::Midnight, get Aloysius and Tigger and organize the cats to find and detain Hilnut.:: Meg faced Sara. ::Send me a picture of Hilnut so I can send it to the cats.::
Aloysius, Chou, and Tigger ran into the hangar. Aloysius shouted, ::Tigger, Chou, see to your persons. If the other two don’t have a feline, assign one each to guard them. Midnight, take Shadow, Snowy, and Bandit and twelve of the others to see to the off and femspring. Chewy,:: Aloysius called to a cat with chewed ears, ::go find Mark and the fem doctors and get them in here. We have to save the Ta.::
Four fems stood near the Ta, obviously wanting to help but not knowing what to do. Meg spied them out of the corner of her eye. “Fabricate soft moontine gowns. Make them short and also make blankets. We’ll need blankets both for the bebes and their Zinnas.”
Mark and the other physicians came running into the hangar. “What happened?”
Sara ran up to him crying, “The Ta have been poisoned. They are in labor but very sick. Hilnut gave them poisoned juice.”
“Fuck, Hilnut was in league with Stoker.” Mark hugged Sara. “Did you drink any?”
“No, I followed our sires to see Meg. She’s taken charge. With Syn and the others down, no one else knew what to do.”
* * * *
Menalaus strode into the room. “The cats captured Hilnut and Aloysius brought the vial of poison to me. It’s the same compound that was on Septis’ tentacles. I have the antidote with me.” He passed out four vials. “Give this to them in Tierest juice so they keep it down. It won’t stop the labor but it will save their and the bebes’ lives.”
Meg quickly got some Tierest juice from the buffet. “This juice is untainted. The other fems drank it and didn’t get sick.”
Menalaus pour a vial into each of four glasses. “Administer the antidote. Do you know how to help a fem through birth?”
“Yes, I’ve taken the classes and helped deliver bebes in my village in Ireland.”
“Can you manage this with Mark?”
“Yes,” Meg said confidently. This is something I know how to do.
“Good, I have to transport back to Brightstar. We’re under attack. Send Mark as soon as you can spare him.”
“He can go now. Several of the fems are doctors. I asked the cats to get them.” Meg looked toward the hangar door. “They’re coming in now.”
“Mark, you’re with me.” Menalaus and Mark popped out of the room.
The fems already in Triad teleported to the hangar. Sara and Meg as the most senior fems available shouted instructions. “Go to the barracks and secure the facilities. Wait for the Warrior’s all clear signal.”
* * * *
Brightstar: 23:00 tines
Sam stood behind Tarin and reloaded the Brightstar’s laser cannons, which, with a single shot, could tear apart one of the light slips. He had holstered a laser pistol set to kill. It handled like the sidearm he carried in the United States Army. In a very short but brutal battle, all of the Zyptz light slips were destroyed.
They had made quick work of the few Zyptz light slips that attempted to penetrate the Sky Shield and the newly bonded Warriors and the council were released from duty once the Zyptz were destroyed to reassure their fems. Zaron and Bron, as heads of the Elder Council, officially appointed Saxon and Lunas as Commanders and Admirals of the Fleet after this action; the position formerly held by Tonas and Jonal, then Mark and Juraens. Saxon’s and Lunas’ quick thinking saved the Brightstar.
The four Te WarriorPairs found out about the danger to their fem and unborn bebes when the battle ended. They handed command over to the Captains and Admirals of the Fleet and transported to the hangar to be with their fem.
* * * *
The Hangar: 01:00 tines
Meg and Sara remembered how to use the fem mind block to take the pain out of birth and the four fem were having contractions two minutes apart only an hour after their water broke. The Ta fems were all eight to ten centimeters dilated and the bebes had crowned.
Syn lay quietly, carefully monitoring the femspring in her womb. The fem archives showed them how to speak to their unborn bebes but this information was forbidden to the Warriors. The Goddess spoke to the Ta and assured them that they would be fine.
Zaron and Bron were by her bedside mots after beaming down from the Brightstar. “PaChette, do you want us to teleport you home?”
“No, the other fems have to see how we react in crises. We’ll stay here and let them see we trust our Warriors to protect us.”
Newly bonded WarriorPairs returned to the hangar and were directed to the barracks. Aloysius, Tigger, and Chou came in to report. ::The fem didn’t panic once Meg and Sara took charge. Meg was able to figure out quickly what the problem was and sent Chou up to Menalaus to get the antidote. He came immediately and administered it in Tierest juice but couldn’t stop the onset of labor. Meg recruited four fem physicians to take care of the Ta. Each cot is guarded by two cats and a fem acting as a nurse along with the doctor. Thank the Goddess that the other pregnant fem were on the Brightstar with their Warr
iorPairs.::
::TaSyn is crowning,:: Dr. Mai Lee told Zaron and Bron.
Bron and Zaron stood by Syn’s cot just behind the doctor. “Can we hold our fem’s hands?” Bron asked. Syn knew they wanted to do something but neither Warrior knew what to do. The doctor was taking care of everything.
Syn picked up her head. “Dr. Lee, let them take the bebe. They took the classes; they can do this.”
Dr. Lee stepped aside. “TeBron, TeZaron, take care of your femspring.” Syn pushed down once more and the baby’s head crowned and it slid out. Bron grabbed her shoulders and turned their femspring to remove her from the birth canal. Zaron delivered the afterbirth. Bron placed the baby femspring on Syn’s belly and Zaron cut and tied the cord. Both men were openly weeping.
“PaChette, you’ve given birth to the first bebe born on Sarran in ten cycles. Nara’s was the last pregnancy on Sarran and now you, our fem is the Zinna of the first born. Thank you, Cynthia, you have restored my faith in the Goddess, in Sarran, and in our people’s ability to survive.”
::May I name our femspring, Bron, Zaron?::
::Of course, PaChette.::
::I want to come full circle. Our femspring’s name is Nara.::
Bron and Zaron got down on their knees loped their arms over Syn and the bebe and sat there murmuring love words to Syn and the baby while they continued to weep.
Garlance stepped up behind them and cleared his throat. Bron and Zaron rose, wiping their eyes. “Report.”
“Hilnut was found by Aloysius and Tigger and a party of thirty felines who executed him, witnessed by Mark and Juraens who were the closest Sarrans to receive the cats’ call. They teleported the body to Brightstar to be spaced.
“Good work, Garlance. We’ll see you at home.” The Warriors turned back to their fem and femspring. In this moment they were doting sires rather than heads of state.
Anya crowned next and Jonal and Tonas took care of business assisted by Lisa Scott who found her WarriorPair this moontine. Their femspring had Anya’s reddish hair and Jonal’s fiery eyes but the shape of her face screamed Tonas.
Ellen delivered next followed swiftly by Adele and just like that, the Sarran race took a deep breath and exhaled. The Earthen fem were truly compatible with the Sarran now, in deed as well as word.
