Finally, when their time had trickled to their last minutes, Dr. Z’arr had remarked, “I think it is good that you are to meet with the Human Shield, Captain Serros.”
“Yes?”
K’llan’s mother had responded with a firm nod. “Her nya is truly exceptional; very powerful, very clear. She not only holds great honor, but great honor holds her.”
At her mention, an image of Captain Serros had risen in K’llan’s mind: the Human’s passion and unwavering belief as she spoke in that ringing voice, the power of her burning as brilliantly. “I do find her to be rather… remarkable.” K’llan had answered, and her mother’s eyes had flashed with understanding and support.
“As I said, other doors shall open, my daughter.”
Before further words could be uttered between them, the office entry swooshed open and four Sigil Peace Keepers entered. The lead, a Braxien male, stepped forward and said “Apologies Consul Z’arr and Asha Z’arr, your allotted time has ended.”
He had said Asha. Not Lieutenant or Agent, just Asha, the Vosaia equivalent to ‘Miss’ or ‘Mister.’ The demotion to standard citizenship rather than her earned military grade or STF status cut like the slice of a saber, yet she had known it would be but the first of many times she would hear that term.
“Additionally, Asha K’llan Z’arr, as per orders, I shall need you to leave your Naval uniform here. Civilian clothes have been provided for you.” He had said the last with a nod to a plain, rust colored bag he carried. K’llan knew her face had been as granite as she nodded, then turned one final time to gaze at her mother in person for the next three centuries.
“Be strong, my daughter, and know you always go with my love.” Her parent had said, the surge of poignant affection she sent so powerful that it was a wonder the room had not swayed with its potency.
“I shall, mother, and know that my love is always with you.” K’llan had answered, her tone firm but for a single quiver, determined to keep her pain hidden from these officious strangers who went about their business with detached efficiency.
And that was it.
She had been forced to strip her hard earned uniform, leave rank insignia paid for with pain and sacrifice and exchange them for a plain, black and gray two top and bottom that’s only recommendation was that at least the set was well fitted. After, she had left the Consortium in a bleary haze, looking at no one, and though she still had several hours before her scheduled meeting with Captain Serros, she had decided to take a transport to the Sollex Level.
She needed to leave behind the Consortium and Paladex, leave the Forum and Civic Level and all that it represented to her now. She needed the physical exertion of walking block after block, mile after mile, to get lost in the crowd so she could begin to face the heaviness in her heart. She craved space so she could find answers to the hard questions regarding her immediate future that she was now forced to ask.
So absolute was her inner exploration of circumstance, heart, and path, that without realizing the course, she found that she had arrived at Aesir Plaza and stood before the entrance to the premises of Sonata some thirty minutes before the Captain was due. Making a decision, K’llan entered the open gate–doorway to the Sonata, a small plate and fine imbibement establishment that catered to all races. In design, it was essentially an outdoor garden space with petite standing tables and lounge areas overlooking an artificial stream and several ponds, all accompanied by well–tended flora.
The host, an elegantly dress Vosaia, led her to the far end of the premises and to a standing table devised to allow for a wide, city–level view as well as the apex of the stream, an artificial waterfall. Refusing refreshment until her company arrived, K’llan fell into the panoramic view of the cityscape. It was comforting to watch the streams of traffic and movement of millions of people against the backdrop of gurgling water and the smell of anlya flowers; a palliative of motion and enormity.
Some time later, the detached state of relaxation she had slipped into evaporated like mountain mist as she could feel the approach of a familiar presence, one that stood out against the hundreds of nearby people like a single star burning the blackness of night. From her position leaning over the railing next to her standing table, K’llan was able to turn her head and spot Captain Avara Serros as she walked in a ground eating pace up the incline towards the establishment’s entrance. Still dressed in the flatteringly cut Ministry Naval full dress uniform, the lean Human woman moved with confidence and an easy grace, her short locks ruffling in the faint breeze of late afternoon.
The Vosaia surreptitiously watched as the host met the Captain at the entrance and several patrons turned their heads to study the Shield Operative. The attention was unsurprising, really, given both Serros’s uniform and the medals that denoted an impressive rank, as well as her sheer physical and psychic presence. Either entirely unaware or simply ignoring the quiet responses, Serros unerringly turned her head towards K’llan as if she knew exactly where she stood.
And perhaps she does know, K’llan mused. If I can feel her so strongly, then perhaps she can also sense my presence.
Captain Serros fixed her eyes with K’llan’s and a warm, crooked smile lit her features. Without turning her head, the Shield said something to the hovering host and then strode to K’llan’s position.
Captain Serros was the first to speak. “Greetings, K’llan Z’arr. I am pleased to meet you here.” Her voice was richly musical in tone, more relaxed now that the two were not facing each other in life or death circumstances; a first, K’llan realized, since they had met.
The Vosaia found herself wondering if Serros was using her full name to mute attention to the fact of recent change in how she should be addressed. “Greetings, Captain Serros; I am pleased to meet you.”
“Are you hungry or do you want a drink? It is my understanding that the Sonata serves both Vitani and a number of liquors pleasing to the Vosaia palette.”
Now K’llan was certain; another small, yet appreciated gesture. “A drink. I have already consumed my requisite Vitani.”
“I’ve also recently eaten, so drinks it is.”
As if summoned, a thick–set, long–haired Human man appeared a moment later to take their order and the two submitted their choices.
Finding suddenly that she craved conversation with another whom she felt safe with, a true rarity given the last weeks, K’llan asked “Kylosian Honeywater?”
The Human woman smiled in response. “From my homeworld. It is fermented and distilled honey mixed with local fruits and spices. Its flavor derives from the large bees the honey is farmed from, about the size of my closed fist,” she held up one hand to demonstrate, “that inhabit Kylos.”
“Would you tell me a little about Kylos? I have traveled to few Human governed worlds.”
The Captain regarded K’llan for a moment with a casual intensity the Shield Operative was probably not even aware she carried herself with, then nodded in acquiescence as if she knew why K’llan was asking; to speak for a time of another’s unknown home. As if such distraction would somehow lessen the pain she felt by being banned from returning to her own.
“Of course. Kylos, located in the Myradon System, is the furthest of all the Aligned Human Colony worlds from our Capital planet of Pax. Actually,” she began after delivering a nod of thanks to their server who placed their two drinks on their table. “Kylos is close to Voss where we met, which is why, despite its relative distance from Pax, my homeworld is quite developed.”
Serros raised her glass to K’llan, who, recognizing it as some Human ritual, repeated the gesture then took a sip of her drink just as Serros did. “It’s a fairly settled if not overly populous planet, though we’ve more than enough people to hold a Ministry seat. Three main distinct Old–Terran ethnic groups and cultures settled Kylos and then blended to create an entirely unique culture: Cuban, Chinese and Welsh.”
“I have noticed that Humans seem to hold fast to specific ancestral traditions ev
en while adhering to a Human meta–culture that is comprised of each subset.” K’llan remarked, her brows knitting in consideration. “It is… different from the Vosaia model of civilization.”
“How so?” Serros asked, genuine interest rippling across the space between them as she leaned back against the balustrade on the opposite side of the table.
“Vosaia culture is much more homogenized. One major language, one major belief system, no regional genetic variation resulting in predictable physical appearance, etc. I suppose that due to our long lifespan, the emphasis in Vosaia society is instead focused upon lineage and merit that contributes to the wellbeing and honor of the Vosaia people as a whole, rather than individuality. The Vosaia also make it a habit to embrace positive aspects of other alien civilizations and combine them with our own traditions.”
“The willingness to add foreign practices to their own explains the Vosaia reputation as galactic diplomats.” Serros commented thoughtfully, toying with the slender glass of her drink.
“Yes, I suppose it does.” K’llan responded. “It is interesting. Vosaia are encouraged to interact with those of other species so as to enrich our own, yet at the same time, we are very… certain of our value, shall I say.”
“I definitely picked up on that aspect of Vosaia culture when working with Operative Hadarr on this last mission.” Serros remarked dryly.
With a smile of her own, K’llan also leaned back against the railing. “Well, some Vosaia do tend towards a sense of… lofty self–satisfaction, shall we say. That is not true for all.”
Serros shook her head a bit ruefully. “As it is with some Humans. We are a particularly individualistic species, and that emphasis on the individual has, throughout Human history, manifested numerous times in an ugly rather than celebratory manner. Now, when such unsavory expression occurs, it is rarely directed towards other Humans but instead reserved for aliens. Fortunately, such reactions tend to be a minority, in part because Humans too feel the need to adopt and then rapidly improve upon any useful or intriguing facet of other cultures.”
“Vosaia have studied the Human capacity and drive for expansion, especially technologically and territorially.” K’llan remarked, choosing her words carefully so as not to cause offense.
With an astuteness that K’llan was growing accustomed to, Captain Serros quirked her lips in response. “Yes. Well, with the Human entrance into inter–species interaction several millennia ago, Humans rapidly pressed exploration initiatives to totally new levels, pooling resources to support the venture. So as to not lose the sense of being ‘human’ from Human culture, there was a renewed interest and push in preserving ancient Terran custom and tradition, even while embracing alien civilization.”
There server returned then and asked if they wished for a second round of drinks. The Captain nodded her willingness to K’llan and then to the pale skinned server who quickly refilled their glasses. Picking up the thread of their earlier conversation, K’llan asked “Do you often return home to Kylos?”
Much as K’llan had done before the Captain’s arrival, Serros leaned over the railway and gazed at the view of the Sollex Level, the movement causing her position to actually shift slightly closer to K’llan. Running well formed fingers through her slightly curling black hair, Serros shook her head in the negative. “Not as often as I’d like, though I always carry it in my heart. It’s a beautiful place.”
Sensing the surge of joy, longing, and a brush of poignant sadness she could not quite trace, K’llan said simply “Tell me.”
With an inclusive warmth rippling towards her like the strings of a skillfully bowed firanelle, K’llan submerged herself in the gentle reverberations of the Human’s nya as she listened to the Captain’s words. “For the most part, Kylos is a tropical planet, covered with the warmest waters you can imagine and verdant green. An amazing number of plant and animal species inhabit its lands and seas. When I was a kid, I used to love nothing more than swimming and sailing those blue waters, feeling life swell around me, yet I felt totally at peace, untouchable by any grief.”
Studying the Shield’s profile, K’llan was struck by the Human’s compelling beauty. It was a beauty that was less outwardly delicate than a Vosaia’s yet when coupled with the woman’s soul, would draw any Vosaia more surely than a moth to flame. The lines of her features were clean and strong, yet simultaneously held undeniable grace. Her finely formed lips were less full than most Vosaia yet were an appealing, naturally rouged hue that no Vosaia was genetically graced with. The Captain’s long frame was lean and, knowing from the very personal experience of having engaged in combat with her, powerful, yet at the same time, she was sleek in build.
Turning her own body so as to match the Captain’s lounging posture, she noted the Human’s long, curling lashes and found herself wondering if the blue waters of Serros’s world matched the dark azure of her eyes. “Your home sounds lovely.” K’llan could not help but hear the note of wistful sadness in her own voice.
As if shaking herself out of a reverie, the Captain shrugged and turned her attention fully to K’llan. “It is. Yet for me, my truest home is aboard the Excalibur, with my crew and my Squad.”
Reluctantly, K’llan forced herself to say aloud the troubling thoughts she had been attempting to escape while enjoying the Shield’s presence. “I do not have a homeworld or a home right now. I feel most… uncertain. It is a new experience.”
Leaning slightly closer, eyes intent, Captain Serros announced, “That’s actually the reason why I most wished to meet with you.”
Placing her now empty glass on the table and folding her hands together with one elbow propped on the balustrade, Serros asked quite seriously, “K’llan Z’arr, would you like to join Nova Squad and become part of the crew of the QS Excalibur?
Taken off–guard at Captain Serros’s proclamation, K’llan’s thoughts swirled like a hummingbird flying madly to and fro.
With a somewhat daring smile, the Human continued with, “Nova Squad is my personal experiment, you could say. We tackle special operations on behalf of the Quorum and all of the Quorum Aligned Systems and worlds that others cannot, as befits my status as a Shield Operative. I will tell you now that our range of assignments goes far beyond the borders of Vosaia interest, as your work as a Strategic Task Forces Agent did not. Meaning, missions are always tied to the collective good of the Quorum races. By definition, our work is extremely engaging but it also means that the demands of the job and our responsibilities are equally high. Though the crew is mostly, note not entirely, Human and comprised of Ministry Naval personnel, Nova Squad itself is, as you’ve seen, quite diverse. If you accept the position, you would be the only Vosaia currently on–board, but that situation could easily change.”
Straightening her posture as if to emphasize the import of her next words, Serros stated “Given the great latitude we Shields are granted in order to not only fulfill our missions but also to determine what our missions are and what they should be, I tell you now that this offer is never made lightly. I accept only the very best, most accomplished individuals in their respective specialties as members of my Squad, and only the most promising as crew.”
K’llan felt a fresh splash of shock at the Captain’s words. She did not need to be directly told by Serros that being named a member of Nova Squad held great prestige and honor throughout Quorum Systems; a youth on any populated Quorum world would know it to be true. It was the very closest one could get to becoming one of the rare, elite members of the Strategic High Risk, Intelligence and Enforcement arm of the Quorum, after all. And, Shields were granted vast liberty and almost unlimited resources to fulfill their given role and successfully complete their missions.
“You offer this in spite of my disgrace?”
Serros made a scoffing sound low in her throat that was part laugh and part growl. “You are innocent of all charges; there is no disgrace.”
“Not all charges. That the data is now held by the Karukai Impe
rium means that I did err.” K’llan responded, and despite her best efforts, she knew her sense of shame was evident.
“K’llan Z’arr, a traitor within the STF and perhaps the Vosaia Consulate or Quorum itself, was responsible for the loss of data, not you. You did all that any could have to prevent its theft. You did your duty. That’s all that can be asked.”
“I… I thank you for your words, and your confidence, Captain Serros.” Emotion running high, K’llan found that the words were difficult to pronounce.
“No thanks are necessary.” She responded with a grin that was both slightly mischievous and apologetic. “After all, I hope that their shortsightedness is going to lead to my benefit.”
Losing the playful cast to her features, Serros added more gravely “I don’t want to push you, but I did want to extend the offer as soon as possible as we are not scheduled to be docked at Sigil beyond a few more days. Plus… I thought it would better for you to make a decision before the media obtains and broadcasts copies of the Tribunal records now that the proceedings are no longer closed and will be released within a couple of days. Please, think seriously about the offer. I can give you three days before we ship out; after, you would have to reach me by Vid or Net.”
Looking into the clear eyed gaze of the Human Shield Operative, K’llan felt an almost overwhelming rush of emotion. Gratitude and relief at such unfailing support and compassion, deep sadness for what she had lost, excitement and intrigue for the opportunity now open before her. More than any other sentiment, however, K’llan felt the warmth of this Human woman who stood before her, and the undeniable bond that had somehow formed between them.
Nova Page 13
