I scowled and told him, “I had a date last night with Dusa and Esak.”
It was Nayun’s turn to blush. As he went to fetch my pain inhibitor, I heard him mutter, “I’m having a talk with those two about being so rough. Maybe I’ll get a bit rough myself.”
Yep. He’s definitely my alien father.
When he came back, I took the opportunity to catch up on all the latest gossip. “What happened to Mom’s abductors and the people they were working with? Are they being interrogated?”
I’ve heard how harsh Kalquorian interrogation methods are. They are supposedly as brutal as Earth’s old regime when it comes to torturing suspects and the convicted. Not that I felt charitable to the people who had kidnapped and traumatized Mom, but she had won through her ordeal as intact as somebody with dementia could hope to. She’d been all smiles as she boarded her shuttle to daycare this morning. I felt kind of cringe-y when I thought about men and women being beaten and stuff, even though a part of me yelled they deserved it.
Nayun placed his palm against my cheek, comforting me. “The empire is not holding any Earthers liable for their post-Armageddon actions unless it is a direct attack on us. Kalquor is leaving that duty to the Galactic Council.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Did Nang let loose the people who took Mom?”
“Of course not. They are being held in guarded seclusion until Galactic Council lawgivers arrive to assume charge over them. The Galactic Council will determine what punishments are warranted. The kidnappers will still have to answer for their crimes against their own people, but their punishment is not up to Kalquor to determine.”
“How long will it take for the Galactic Council to arrive here? They’re almost as far from Earth as Kalquor, aren’t they?”
Dad nodded. “Yes, but since we were at war, there was a contingent of the neutral lawgivers shadowing our fleet and yours to make sure atrocities were not committed against prisoners. That being said, this site and your mother’s kidnappers are not a priority right now. The representatives for the Galactic Council should arrive in a couple of weeks, at the latest.”
“The women who took Mom away will be held responsible too? Or do you lovelorn Kalquorians allow them a pass? Can they score freedom for a kiss or a roll in the hay?”
Dad chuckled. “I appreciate how you think. I’d sign up for invoking punishment in that case.”
“Ew,” I complained. “I don’t want to imagine you doing that.” He’s too much like a dad for me to contemplate such things.
He laughed as if I’d told a funny joke before answering my question about the hated PT. “The women involved have committed a crime, especially those who lured Eve out of the Academy. They must answer for that, just as the men will. Everyone involved is locked up and awaiting extradition.”
I felt a lot better. Nobody was being tortured, but the evil Pageant Trio was getting a taste of theirs back. Good enough. “A couple of weeks before the Galactic Council takes them out of here? It seems to me you guys are stretched plenty thin without having to babysit the kids who can’t behave themselves.”
Dr. Dad gave me a small frown. “Speaking of going away, have you decided on the destination for you and Eve? You’ll need to put in your immigration status soon.”
I grinned. “I know where we’re heading, all right. Kalquor, where Mom can have her procedures and have a real life restored to her.”
Nayun was thrilled. “Excellent! You’ll be entering the lottery?”
A little of my happiness dimmed. “Yeah, that’s part of the package, isn’t it?”
He patted my arm. “I realize you’ve gotten close to Dusa and Esak. Even if they had an Imdiko and were established as a clan, they are young and without real rank, Shalia. In the lottery, clans are given a battery of tests to determine their worthiness to clan Earther Mataras. They have to meet parameters Dusa and Esak are far from realizing.”
“Like what?”
“Potential clans have gained standing in their careers and community. They have achieved a certain standard of living, so that their mate and future children will be well provided for.”
I arched a brow at him. “They come with a dowry, is what you’re saying.”
Nayun looked confused. “Dowry?”
“Never mind.” I huffed a breath. “What about love? Hasn’t that got anything to do with clanning?”
Dr. Dad’s eyes went wide. “Are you in love with Dusa and Esak?”
“I didn’t say that.” I shook my head at him. “I care about them. Okay, I adore them, so yeah, I suppose you could say I love them. They are absolute sweethearts. But I wouldn’t call myself ‘in love’.”
He sighed with relief. “Excellent. After all you’ve been through, you deserve stability.”
“And how. That being said, I’m not ready to clan, not even with Dusa and Esak.”
“Thank the Mother of All.” At my raised brow, Nayun rushed to explain. “They are wonderful men, but not prepared for the responsibility of a Matara.”
I snorted. “Do you think anybody is equipped for me? I’m sure as hell not interested in this clan business. I just want to get Mom well.”
“The trip from Earth to Kalquor takes nine months. Your mind may change about settling down by then.”
I wasn’t so certain about that, but I didn’t say a word in that respect. Instead I prodded him. “You didn’t answer my question about love being part of the equation.”
He smiled at me with such warmth I could have hugged him. I really do adore Nayun as the father I should have had. “To me, love is an essential ingredient, Shalia. I would never have clanned without it. I hope you find men who inspire you to give your heart. It is a lifelong commitment, after all.”
His look was wistful. I had to ask, “Is your clan going to try for a Matara?”
Nayun chuckled and his color deepened again. “We are too old to clan a fertile Matara. I do not expect we will convince any woman to join us.”
“Why not?” I scowled at him. “Just because a woman can’t have children any longer doesn’t mean she’s ready to be put to pasture. Mature women want decent men to share their lives with, same as younger women.” Or at least, that’s what I prayed. After my real dad left and before the dementia kicked in, Mom had often commented how much she missed sex. Privately, of course. Women didn’t go around on Earth yapping about getting it on. I’d thought she was crazy at the time, but my sexual expertise before Dusa and Esak had been with men who blackmailed me into their beds.
Nayun shrugged. “Maybe we’ll meet someone. I suppose anything is possible.”
“Of course it is,” I said cheerfully. “An intelligent, nice man like you is bound to attract some lucky lady. That is, if your clanmates aren’t complete jerks.”
That got Dr. Dad laughing. I couldn’t help but grin. I love his deep, rolling guffaws.
“No, my Dramok and Nobek are exemplary men,” he said when he’d recovered enough to speak. “Perhaps you are right, and we will meet a woman who is open to being with men such as us.”
I left him still chuckling over the idea his clanmates might be assholes. I’m glad to know he’s involved with a good Dramok and Nobek. My Kalquorian dad deserves the best.
I suppose I should register my intentions to go to Kalquor. I also need to line up Mom’s procedures. I bet I have all sorts of forms to fill out for myself since I’ll be opting into the lottery. Lots to do, and I’m not thrilled to start on any of it. You’d think since the world has ended, there wouldn’t be any more paperwork. Ha! So much for that. At least I have dinner with Dusa and Esak to look forward to tonight.
October 2
Dinner was enjoyable and full of surprises. Mom ate with us, and Weln joined our little group too. Dusa and Esak might be getting serious about having him as their Imdiko. They could certainly choose worse. As luck would have it, it turns out he’s a lemanthev howler. Dusa could complete his clan and musical group all at once. Earplugs, please. Okay, okay, the le
manthev music isn’t that bad, but I can’t summon up the enthusiasm as they have for it. Esak and Weln began to loudly disagree on who was a better pounder: some guy named Din (appropriate, yes?) or another guy named Sugal. Dusa put an end to their argument by growling, “Enough!” With that single word, they shut up instantly, though they pulled a few faces at each other. Boy, it must be nice to be a Dramok and have everybody listen to you.
The second surprise was a tall Earther man wandering up to our table in the semi-private dining room. He wasn’t accompanied by any Kalquorians, which is usually the case when an Earther ventures in. He was as buttoned-up as a businessman and smooth as a politician with his trimmed and brushed hair, blue polo shirt, and pressed khakis. His expression couldn’t have been more suspiciously innocent and friendly.
“Good evening, all,” he said. “I’m sorry to interrupt your dinner. I was recently voted to be the spokesman for the Earthers staying here at the Academy. My name is Matthew King, but everybody calls me Matt.”
Dusa, being in full leader mode after shutting down Esak and Weln’s discussion, took it upon himself to answer for all of us. “I am Dramok Dusa. My Nobek Esak, and our friends Imdiko Weln, Matara Eve, and Matara Shalia.”
Matt nodded to each of us as Dusa pointed us out. “A delight.”
I wondered about his assertion that he’d been ‘voted in’ as the Earther spokesman. I sure hadn’t voted for him or anyone else. Hell, I hadn’t known there was some kind of election. Then I remembered I hadn’t been on exactly friendly terms with my fellow Earthers.
I told myself to shut up with the suspicions, already. After all, Matt spoke with civility to me and *gasp* Kalquorians. I plastered on as friendly a smile as he bestowed on us. “Hi, Matt.”
“You’re the famous Shalia. This is your mother?” Matt’s beam dropped in wattage to be replaced with gentle concern as he spoke to Mom. She was busy contemplating her reflection in a spoon. “I am so sorry to hear about the awful things that happened to you, Mrs. Monroe. I hope you didn’t suffer too much.”
Mom glanced up from her spoon to blink at him. “Huh?”
“Matara Eve suffers from confusion,” Dusa said, still being everybody’s Dramok.
I thought, check out this guy, Lord and Master of the Dinner Table. Okay, I’m being mean. It got on my nerves that Dusa assumed he could answer for me and Mom though. He can be in charge when it comes to sex, but I am an adult and perfectly capable of speaking.
Matt nodded. “I’d heard, but I’m not the kind of man who talks about a person who’s present as if she’s not.”
That scored a point with me. Matt was becoming an okay guy in my book, even if he was a politician. Or had he been voted spokesperson without campaigning for it? If it had been dumped on him, he had my sympathy.
“May I sit down for a few minutes?” he asked. “Or would it be better if I spoke with you later?”
Dusa finally looked to me for my opinion. It was about time. I said, “Please do.”
Matt pulled up a chair. “I wanted to introduce myself, especially to the Earthers who are making strides in good relations with our Kalquorian rescuers. A lot of hurt feelings and concerns exist between our two races, which has led to plenty of problems.”
“Like Matara Eve’s abduction,” Weln said. He scowled as he said it. Mom is important to Weln, and he’d taken her kidnapping pretty badly.
Matt smiled at him, treating Weln as if he were a star pupil. “I heard about the wonderful presentation Shalia here gave your people in order to help them help us. I can’t tell you how it disturbs me that her efforts to improve this terrible Armageddon situation resulted in such a heinous act.”
He turned his friendly demeanor to me. I wondered if Matt’s cheeks get tired from holding such a pleasant expression for so long? Maybe his facial muscles were really well developed. “You’re assisting Commander Nang with a similar presentation he wishes to offer us.”
I eyed him, cautious again. “If people understood the Kalquorians had no intention of setting off Armageddon, more Earther lives might be saved. Everyone wouldn’t be so scared of their attempts to rescue us.”
Matt patted my hand. “A noble, selfless cause, especially after what you went through. I offer my assistance, if I may be so bold.”
My eyes widened. The majority of Earthers at the Academy are not happy to be among our former enemies. I’d been flat-out ostracized by most. Now their spokesman, the guy they’d made their mouthpiece, was siding with me?
I couldn’t keep myself from blurting, “Why?”
“After your mother was victimized, many felt ashamed of how they’d acted. Whether people agree with opening the lines of communication or not, there was no excuse for the abduction of an elderly, mentally disabled woman.” The smile disappeared, and anger lit Matt’s brown eyes. “A lot of us want to hear the truth of Armageddon, Shalia. I didn’t just hear about your presentation to the Kalquorians; I attended it.”
I was startled. I hadn’t realized any Earthers had been at the address.
Matt wasn’t done. “That our Holy Leader himself advocated such a travesty was bitter to learn. I saw with fresh eyes how depraved our Church had become. Deep down, however, I had known about the wrongs of our society all along. I lived here, didn’t I? I was part of it. Yet I’d never truly seen it until I looked at it from the standpoint of strangers.”
I had to agree. I’d been horrified on a daily basis when we were living under the old regime. It had still hit me with fresh shock when I’d explained to the Kalquorians about the terrors Earthers had endured.
Matt said, “I confided in those I could trust about your presentation. They shared it with those they trusted. I won’t lie; there are plenty who consider the Kalquorians to be our enemies. However, people are talking about how we need to change our attitudes. It’s as if we’re all waking up from a dreadful nightmare.”
He took a deep breath. “We must start fresh. This new beginning has come at a terrible price, so we have to make the best of it. We have to do better than we did before. Any way I can help, I’d like to.”
I was happy to hear this. I had thought Nang would be wasting his time giving a presentation to a bunch of hostile Earthers. There might be hope after all.
I told Matt, “I’ll mention your willingness to assist to Commander Nang. I’m sure he’ll be grateful to hear of it.”
Matt acted pleased. After a few more pleasantries with the group, he excused himself and left.
The rest of our dinner was pleasant. I didn’t get to indulge in any hanky-panky due to Dusa and Esak having early shifts in the morning, plus Mom had difficulty settling down for the night. So much is dim for her these days, but she does understand we’ll be leaving Earth soon. She’s in a panic to finish all her knitting for her Kalquorian friends. She stayed up half the night to work on a green-and-white striped cap and scarf. She’s even knitting the biggest mittens I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait for the look on the recipient’s face, whoever he is.
Matt’s attitude has offered me hope for my poor, crazy species. It’s nice to discover Earthers can move past their prejudices and fears. Heaven knows, we could all do with feeling safer.
October 3
Nang commed me this morning, asking me to help him with the presentation he’s going to give my fellow Earthers. With nothing else to do, I was more than happy to swing by his office. You’d think I’d have the sense to figure out Nang would be after more than my brilliant advice. That man doesn’t call it quits easily.
To give the man his due, he did have some professional questions before he started in on me. He asked how to phrase stuff, how to appear genuine and friendly, and how to not come off as the Almighty Conquering Kalquorian. We worked on his expressions and tone of voice.
I took the opportunity to mention Matt King to him. That guy has some smooth mannerisms, including the ability to make you feel he wants to be your very best friend. Nang is a good guy, but on the pushy side. I thought he c
ould benefit from a few lessons on how to schmooze. Matt King seemed the perfect person to show him.
“This man came up to you while you were eating dinner with the youngsters again? Out of the blue? He wasn’t rude to the kids?” Nang asked.
I rolled my eyes. “Nang, don’t be condescending as far as Dusa and Esak are concerned. I adore them. They’re sweet, and we have fun. Why can’t you accept they got to me first?”
“I have no problem with that. What I don’t understand is why you won’t allow me a chance too. I can satisfy you sexually. I’m more mature than they are and can talk about more important things than kurble matches and lemanthev music.”
“Your clanmates don’t care for women.”
Shalia's Diary Omnibus Page 20
