by Rayann Marse
The sixteen elders who were still seated began to murmur amongst themselves.
"The two of you have made a good case for yourselves," said Uklu. "It has been heard, and it will be the next item that we consider. Until a decision is reached, you, Amnay, are considered immune to all challenges. Your past sins of cowardice are forgotten. And you, Kozue, are allowed free rein. Anyone who touches you will answer to us. Now, leave us. Goodbye."
***
They visited the bed chamber where their love first began to blossom. They found it in black ruin. The bed had been reduced to a sprinkling of metal shards and scorched cloth. The wall where the screen had stood was peppered with sooty holes.
A deep melancholy settled over Kozue at the sight of the place. It reminded her of her camp in the jungles of Honduras, burned to the ground by some unknown group of cartel men, soldiers, or guerillas angry at the presence of aid workers.
The sorrow lasted until Amnay wrapped his arms around her. And suddenly she was home. She was warm down to the marrow of her bones. They made love again there, standing amidst the ruins of the early, innocent days of their relationship. It was an urgent affair, full of desperately clawing hands and groans of such deep love and pleasure that it was almost despair.
"I love you," she cried at the end.
Amnay gripped her waist and squatted to thrust deeply into her as she bent with her hands on the floor. As close as humans and Menin were in appearance, she didn't think his seed would take within her. But perhaps one of his future inventions would allow it. Now that she had his love and his cock whenever she wanted it, the next best thing was to have his children.
That would be the bridge, she decided. The real bridge between man and Menin. The two species could not be considered as cousins, or even as allies, until a child was born who had the blood of both.
Until then, there was work to do. Kozue had to believe the Mindseat would decide favorably. But it was wise to accept the worst case scenario as a foregone conclusion. And to prepare for it.
"I have to find the others," she said after their lovemaking, as she pulled up her pants. "I have to find Sybil, especially. If anyone knows what's happening around here, it would be her."
"I've heard nothing about where she might be," Amnay said. "But I don't know her mind. Do you have any ideas?"
Kozue nodded. "Our ship. If I was her, I'd go there."
They went there right away, following a straightforward path but walking at an easy pace. Walking with confidence. They could not be touched. For the time being, at least.
Their easy mood was shattered when they saw what was happening at the door that led to the hangar. A huge group of males had gathered here, armed and angry, looking ready to commit violence. A lone figure held them off from going through the doors. A female, naked and covered in blood that ran from a dozen tiny cuts. She waved her hands, shouting and trying to talk the militia down.
Amnay ran forward, gesturing at Kozue to stay behind. He approached one of the males and spoke with him for a time. Then he returned to Kozue, looking anxious.
"It seems the Mindseat's contention had to do with another human," he said quietly. "The one called Sybil has sequestered herself in the ship and is making demands. She has turned many of our females to her side and convinced them that they can alter their position in our society. The Mindseat is deciding whether to go forward with the assault."
As angry as Kozue felt at Sybil for this act, she could not understand the pure rage she saw on the faces of the males who waited here.
"They'll kill her," Kozue said. "They won't hesitate."
"And she won't come out, because she knows that," said Amnay. "This is a volatile situation."
"Go back to the Mindseat. You have to speak to them. Give them more information to help with their decision. Tell them I will go in and try to talk Sybil down."
She looked at the army of angry males. What were the chances they would let her pass? Probably quite low. But she had to try.
Amnay, however, had a clever glint in his eye. He grabbed her arm and took her back down the hall.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"The library."
***
Amnay reached behind a set of books and pulled out a remote. He took it into one of the reading alcoves and hit a button. An entire wall flashed to life, showing a familiar scene. It was the bridge on the human ship. Sybil was there, talking to Tide. A few Menin females stood around, biting their nails and pulling their hair. One of them noticed the screen — a two-way connection, this time — and stared.
"You sly devil," said Kozue.
"I thought it was a good idea to put one in your ship," said Amnay. "Just in case. Go and talk to her. Get her out of there. We will find a safe place to keep her until things blow over. I will try and get an audience with the Mindseat, but it's unlikely they will listen to me twice. It may all rely on you, Kozue."
She took a deep breath, nodded, and stepped into her ship.
The Menin woman who had been staring at the screen now yelled in horror and ran out of the bridge.
Sybil turned around, her eyes red and her hair a mess. She saw Kozue. Confusion and relief flooded her face.
"Hi, Sybil," Kozue said, stepping forward. "This is some pickle we're in, huh?"
"Where the hell did you come from?" the older woman asked, then pointed at the wall. "What is that?"
"Something my man cooked up. Listen, I know this is a bad situation. But this is what I do, remember? It's why I was put on this mission. I can make things right. I've already made some progress. Do you trust me?"
"I'm not sure I should trust anyone," said Sybil, laughing and staring at the floor. "But I do trust you, Kozy."
"Good. Then pick your head up. I've been through too much shit to fail now. Let's get to work."
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