Quin watched Vivi, her eyes were heavy, she was shaking a bit, and the lines on her face were a sure indicator of the emotional strain she’d been through. “Kol, I need to care for Vivi. She has endured much today. We will be back after she gets some rest, and I’m assured that she is well.”
“She is well,” Vivian replied.
“Do not try to stop me from caring for you, Ehlealah. That battle you will lose.”
“Fine,” Vivian responded. She was tired, it was actually very enticing to sit back and allow Quin to take care of her. “We’ll be back soon. If you need us, tell Missy, and I’ll come running.”
Kol smiled sadly at her name for the ship’s computer, “I will.”
Quin placed his hand at the small of Vivi’s back to escort her from the room, and just before they walked out of sight, Kol called out, “What if she doesn’t like me? What if she fears me?”
Vivian turned back to him, “She will fear you at first, Kol. She’s human. We are taught to fear anything that is not of our planet. But you will win her trust. Be kind to her, move slowly and gently. Speak softly. If you feel the need to defend her or keep someone away from her, do so. Allow her to see you defending her. She will realize that you are taking care of her. She will love you.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Vivian shrugged, and smiled sadly, “I’ve been her. I know what it’s like. Besides, you have me on your side. I can help. And we have translators to help her understand you from the very beginning. She won’t have to wonder what fresh hell this is. She’ll know she’s found her haven.”
Kol’s woman shifted in her sleep, whimpering slightly. He went to her immediately, shushing her and stroking the hair back from her face. At his touch and whispered words, she calmed and settled back into sleep.
“You see? She’s already reacting to you. Trust yourself. You’re awesome, Blue-Dude.”
“Come, Vivi,” Quin said, “I have to check a few things before we can return to our quarters, and I’m not willing to be away from you yet. Call us if you need us, Kol.”
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Quin stopped off at the conference room on the way back to his quarters and spoke to Jhan, who had been advised to send Doc on the next transport back. The responsibility of overseeing the processing of all the women had fallen to him. While he was updating Quin, Bart and Vivian had a few quick moments to speak.
“I’m glad you came by, Vivian. I was hoping to see you before I leave in the morning.”
Vivian didn’t want him to go so soon, “Are you sure you have to go? I’m sure Quin would let you stay.”
“Unfortunately, I do. I have to make my report to the Consortium, and I have to give my statement and confirmation of Malm’s death. There will be an uproar when it comes out that he was collecting women, enslaving them, abusing them, using them for his own capital gains. It’s clear now why he demanded you be returned. He was afraid that you’d remember everything, and he’d be found out. The fact that he couldn’t get you back under his control was the reason we finally were able to get to him. He panicked, started making mistakes.”
Vivian nodded. “At least we were able save the women he had now. Do you think he was telling me the truth? Do you think he’s got other women stashed in different places?”
“Is that what he said?” Bart and Quin asked at the same time.
“He did. He said we’d never find them. What if they are being sold like I was. What if there are other ships out there just like the one Quin found me on?”
“We have all the records of his ship’s computer, Ehlealah. If there are others, we will find them.”
“Quin’s right, we’ll find them. Especially now that the Consortium will be looking for a way to save face. They will no doubt throw their entire power and focus into making sure there are not other females suffering as a result of his actions.”
“Okay. Thank you, Bart.”
Bart hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head. “You can contact me anytime you want, Vivian. I will always welcome your call.”
“Thank you, Bart. I promise to stay in touch,” Vivian said, hugging Bart goodbye.
Quin watched them hugging and saying goodbye, realizing how important family had been to Vivi’s healing. Which reminded him of his family.
“Where is my mother?” Quin asked Bart, realizing for the first time that she was not in the room.
“Right after Vivian returned and you rushed out to greet her, she took the beast and said she was turning in early. She said she has to get up and head back home, but will return the beast to you before she leaves.”
Quin’s eyebrows raised, “She took Kitty with her?”
“She did, thankfully. Otherwise I’d have had to entertain the damn thing,” he grumbled good-naturedly.
“Then all is tended to, I’m taking my Ehlealah home. We have much to discuss,” Quin announced.
“Go right ahead, I’m staying here for a while longer, then, I’m turning in, too,” Bart said.
Quin stepped forward and embraced Bart, “I am proud to call you family, Bart. You are a good male.”
“As are you, Quin. I’m proud to be counted as one of your own.”
“Yes, you must be one of mine,” Quin said, a weird smile on his face, “someone must help care for Vivi’s beast.”
Bart laughed at Quin’s attempt to be funny.
“Do you understand? You are considered family because you must care for Kitty when you are here.”
“Yes,” Bart said, still laughing, “I get it. You’re making a funny.”
Quin nodded, smiling. Then he looked to Vivian who was fading fast. She’d curled up in his seat and was watching the warriors as they finished up on the ship that had been Malm’s. She was particularly interested in watching the women as they were freed from their individual tubes and processed for transport to Command Warship 1. She was somewhat calmer now, but obviously the stress had exhausted her.
“Let us go home, Vivi,” Quin said.
“Okay,” she answered, holding her arms up for him to lift her.
Bart smiled when he heard Vivian say, “I promised each of those women that I’d make sure they were all safe. So I need to do that, okay?” as Quin carried her from the conference room.
“You may do whatever you wish, Ehlealah, as long as you are at my side,” Quin answered. “But first, you need to rest. You are falling asleep in my arms. I will hold you tonight while you sleep, yes?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
Funny how she’d gone from not wanting anyone even in the same room with her when she slept to preferring Quin to hold her all night. Vivian sighed and settled into his arms a little better. She was home. Finally home.
Three weeks later
Quin and Vivian, followed closely by Eula and Kitty rode the lift up to the Command Deck. Vivian was just along to watch. They’d told her they had to address their people to make a few announcements and asked her to tag along. She had no idea she was about to become the main focus of an entire planet of people.
Having arrived at the Command Deck, they exited the lift and stopped outside the doors that would put them directly in the middle of the command center of the ship. Quin turned to Vivian, “Are you ready to greet our people as their Sirena?” he asked, smiling lovingly at her.
“What do you mean? Most of them have already seen me wandering around here.”
“All our people, Vivi. Everyone. You are about to be introduced to our people as a whole, our planet,” Quin explained.
Fear covered her features, “Nooooo. That’s… that’s not necessary. I’ll meet them all eventually,” she said nervously, backing up a step as though she was ready to turn tail and run.
“Vivi! — daughter, you have survived so much and are stronger for it. I am in awe of all you have become, child. You were born to ascend. You ascended to the skies. Ascended your limitations to stand tall in battle against your captors. Ascended your fears and anxieties to accept
Zha Quin and stand at his side. Now it’s time to once again rise to the occasion. Ascend once more, my daughter. Ascend and accept all that is yours for the taking. Allow us to properly present you to our people. You are strong, resilient, brave and just. They will love you. There is nothing to fear. Ascend.”
Vivian swallowed deeply. Thinking on her mother-in-law’s words. She was right. She needed to rise above. She needed to take that next step. She needed to ascend to the next level.
She leaned forward, which caused Quin to lean down toward her to better hear whatever she wished to confide. She wrapped her small hand around the spike at his chin, pulling him closer, “What do I do?” she asked nervously.
“You let them see what I do. Your bravery, your vulnerability, your heart, your beauty — allow them to see your humanity. None can resist you.”
Eula smiled, happy at the way her son and his mate ‘fit’ so well, “Mimic my behavior, daughter. They will see you as we do.”
“Ehlealah,” Quin whispered, closing his eyes as he gently kissed her forehead, the word itself reminding her of all she was to him.
Vivian looked from Eula to Quin, “Okay. I’ll try. I’m ready.”
Quin took Vivi’s hand in his and stepped through the door onto the Command Deck followed closely by his mother. Both their guards split into two units: half on the Command Deck with the women they’d sworn to protect, the other half outside the doors. All fully alert and at the ready.
Quin let go of Vivi’s hand, leaving her beside his mother, and stepped up to the holovid platform, taking his place at the end of a line of all of his highest ranking officers. Eula took a seat in Quin’s command chair with Vivian at her side. And Vivian was delighted when Bart stepped up to stand at Eula’s other side, “Bart! You’re back!”
“Hi, honey, didn’t think I’d let you go through all this alone, did you?”
“Honestly, I didn’t think of it. Had I known what they had planned, I’d have called for you, probably to rescue me, though.”
Bart chuckled, “I’m Earth’s Ambassador. Having me here endorses your mating with Quin,” he smiled at her suddenly, “Congratulations, by the way.”
Vivian grinned, “Thank you.”
“You happy, Vivian?” Bart asked, genuinely concerned.
“Yes, I’m owning it,” she said.
He grinned at her, understanding the reference, “They’d be proud, Vivian. So proud.”
Vivian nodded, “I think so.”
“Are we ready?” Quin asked. Everyone agreed and all seemed in order, so Quin said, “Open comm.”
All at once, the huge holovid projection was broken into multiple sections, each with a different group of faces staring back at them, some obviously on other ships, others in what looked like office buildings, even a few with unusual looking trees and greenery behind them as though they were outdoors. Even Quin’s father and his cabinet were displayed prominently in the center. It reminded Vivian of a wall of small televisions, each on a different channel.
Quin’s father, who she’d not met personally yet because of some law about one ruler must remain on the planet at all times, began speaking first. “People of Cruestace, thank you for joining us. We have long awaited the blessings of an Ehlealah for Sire Zha Quin Tha Tel Mo’ Kok. Our prayers have been answered, and we are greatly pleased. Please allow us a moment to introduce you to our new daughter, Sirena Vivian Tel Mo’ Kok, of Earth.”
Vivian startled when Eula began speaking next to her, she’d been caught up in the wall of people now staring curiously at her.
Quin stood quietly at attention as his mother greeted their people, all their people, taking a cue from his father to proceed with the official introduction. They were transmitting to all of their ships, as well as every location that had access to the transmission planetwide in both public and private homes. The announcement and introduction of their new Sirena would happen simultaneously for everyone. He looked back at his Ehlealah and saw her completely expressionless, staring mutely at the screen. His brow furrowed, was she alright? Quin broke protocol, leaving the line of his Generals, Lieutenants and other officers to join Vivian at his mother’s side. When he reached her, she did not indicate she realized he was there. She looked straight ahead, chin raised, spine straight, and for the first time, he noticed Kitty sitting regally at her side. His dagger was on her belt loop, and she had a thumb looped over the hilt, her feet were planted, her stare unwavering. Then he realized, this was her battle stance. The same look she’d given him when he entered that room to find her chained to the floor. Her do or die look. Quin stepped closer to her and wrapped an arm about her waist, very clearly staking his claim and adopting her countenance, staring into the holovid as it sent out an image of them while his mother introduced Vivi to their universe and both announced and blessed their union.
When the announcements and introductions had been finalized, his entire command crew and the line of his officers faced Vivian as one and saluted her, shouting in unison their reverence for their Sirena Vivi.
Vivian didn’t know how to respond. She looked to her right and watched Eula gracefully bow her head and reach out with both arms as though spreading love to them all, palms up as she gradually opened her arms even more, inviting them all in.
Vivian did the same, but she kept the dagger in her right hand, which caused all the males to cheer. She’d unwittingly accepted their praise and returned it in like, but by offering her weapon to them, she’d offered her trust and sworn her loyalty to each warrior and citizen of Cruestace. It was the way they were all sworn in upon graduating the military academy. For each graduating class, Quin’s father was saluted by all completing their military training, and then he, in like, saluted them with his battle blade in hand. Quin had taken over that responsibility since assuming command of their military, and, in fact, used the very dagger that Vivi now held to salute each warrior at their graduation ceremony — just as she had unintentionally done. Cries went up immediately of the Warriors’ Sirena. Cheers and praise, many of them raising their own blades in deference to her.
Vivian looked up at Quin, not quite sure what she’d done.
Quin smiled down at her proudly, “You have endeared yourself to all our warriors, my Ehlealah.”
Vivian looked to her right, Eula was smiling proudly at her and had stepped closer to loop her arm through Vivian’s. “Well done, daughter. Very well done.”
Epilogue
Commander Zha Quin Tha Tel Mo’ Kok stood at attention, waiting for the mandatory vidcom to come online. He still didn’t like these damn dog and pony shows, but at least they were slightly more tolerable than they used to be.
Quin didn’t move, didn’t blink. He had a specific persona to broadcast, and he would not be swayed from his belief that it was the best way to begin a conference — with intimidation. This one in particular was more important than most. It was mandatory because all governing members of the Unified Consortium Defense would be included. He’d demanded to know why he had to attend, since the Cruestaci were on a never-ending probationary status, but he’d not received a reply, which irritated the hell out of him. So he stood, full of more irritation than he’d had in a while, waiting as did the rest for whatever bureaucratic waste of time wrapped in red tape they handed to him this time. He rolled his eyes — a habit he’d recently picked up from his treasured Ehlealah — toward the ceiling — just as his holovid crackled and came online. He saw the Chairman of the Consortium try to stifle a smirk at his rolled eyes and grumbled to himself — it was not meant to be seen. Still he stood waiting for all the others’ vid connections to come online as well.
Eventually they were all live. Quin’s holovid wall on the Command Deck filled with face after face, each with dozens more behind them. “Gentlemen and Ladies, Sovereigns, Sovereignas, Emperors and Empresses, Rulers of all worlds and peoples — I welcome you to the first unanimously attended conference of the Unified Consortium Defense Organization. As you well know, the
re has been much change and discord among our administration. Changes have been made and safeguards put in place to insure that corruption and personal gain will never again usurp the powers and energies of our organization. We are, after all, a conglomeration of all nations who have been gifted with the unique opportunity to protect ALL of those less fortunate than we.”
There was a moment of pause while applause from many of the varied holovids thundered clearly across the connections. At that same moment Quin heard the door open behind himself and knew from the look on several faces watching his own vid connection, that his Vivi had joined him. From the wide-eyed, slack-jawed expression of several of them, he had no doubt that she probably wore her dagger, carried her chain and was joined by Kitty, who now weighed in at a little over two hundred pounds. There were rumors abounding of the Warrior Sirena, who roamed the corridors of the Cruestaci Command Warship 1, wearing her weapons as jewelry, making a game of outwitting her personal guard — but from the looks on many faces, to see it in person was another thing altogether — taking it from rumor to reality. He smiled warmly, reaching his open hand back toward Vivi, without looking away from the holovids, for her to come and take her place beside him.
Vivian made her way in true Vivian fashion, unhurried and confidently, making eye contact with every warrior who looked her way and giving him a warm smile before moving on. When at last she made it to Zha Quin’s side, she took his hand and stood very close to him. Kitty plopped himself down at her feet and stared at the wall of curious onlookers wearing much the same expression Quin did.
Quin looked down at Vivian, his countenance went from one of no-nonsense irritation to one of great pleasure. She never ceased to amaze him, and this day was no different. She wore her hair up, the long tail of it falling behind her head, and she wore the traditional colors of his people. The silver St. Christopher’s medal that had once belonged to her uncle at her throat, a deep green silken shirt with white pants, much like the blue jeans of her people she so loved, but in white. The pant legs of which were tucked into a miniature version of the battle boots each of the Cruestaci warriors wore and an emerald green sash was tied about her waist. Attached to that sash was the leather sheath that held her favorite dagger — the jeweled hilt easily seen rising above it. She wore the traditional emerald green cloak of his status clasped at her neck and thrown back over her shoulders, in her own size of course, and grasped in her left hand was a length of chain which wrapped around her wrist and forearm before being tossed casually over her shoulder to dangle down her back.
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