Shalia's Diary Omnibus

by Tracy St. John

  The brightness toned down just as fast as it had come on. We blinked to at clear blue skies outside the ship and a sparkling emerald sea beneath it. I’d never seen water so green. It was beautiful, like liquid emeralds.

  After a few moments, sea vessels began to appear. I stared at them, wondering if any were the cruise ships Cifa owned with his siblings. They were gone in an instant, however, passed over by our quickly flying shuttle.

  We were slowing down. When a swath of pink-sanded beach blurred beneath us, we were still moving at a fast clip, but at a sane pace.

  Silvery-gray cliffs lined the horizon, pockmarked with arches carved into their faces. I’d been told about the homes dug into the rock, and Candy and I exclaimed over the balconies sculpted out of the stone. We glimpsed some people, mostly the dark Kalquorians, standing or sitting on the balconies. It looked amazing, and I thought how wonderful it must be to live right by the ocean, able to walk out on one’s own terrace to enjoy the sea breezes and view.

  We flew over the cliffs and slowed down as we approached a landing pad. There were several smaller shuttles parked there. Ours flew over it and then banked, turning in a slow circle towards the far corner of the large arrival area where a few other vessels that appeared similar to ours sat. I surmised they were from the Pussy ‘Porter, having brought some of our shipmates down to Kalquor ahead of my group.

  Our vessel settled among its fellows, settling without a bump. I spied a pair of Kalquorian men walking in our direction before the window vids winked out. Then the pilot spoke again.

  “Mataras, allow me to be the first to welcome you to Kalquor. I hope you’ll find much happiness here.”

  The hatch opened. We’d arrived.

  We filed off. Some jumped up, ready to go. I was slower to rise from my seat, reluctant to so quickly quit my remaining link to the Pussy ‘Porter. However, I was not allowed to poke along. With Anrel in my arms, those still on board moved aside to let me through. Lady with a Baby gets all the respect … even when she doesn’t want it.

  I had no choice but to move my rump down the aisle and off the craft. I blinked in the bright sunlight as I emerged on the landing pad under a cloudless sky. Anrel scrunched up her face, her pupils turning into slits. She made a noise of complaint.

  The rest filed out as I held a hand over Anrel’s brow and another over mine. My sight adjusted. The Kalquorian men I’d noted approaching stood close by, but it was what was behind them that arrested my attention.

  A forest stretched across the horizon. That might not have impressive in most cases, but I’d never seen prettier trees. Their leaves were gorgeous jewel-tones, as if decked out in gemstones. Sapphire blue, citrine yellow, ruby red, purple amethyst, and emerald green splashed joyfully beneath the sky’s canopy.

  “Mataras, allow me the privilege to be the first to welcome you to Kalquor,” the taller of the pair who’d come to greet us said. His pleasant features beamed.

  None of us had the heart to tell him the pilot had claimed that treat. We smiled and murmured hellos.

  “I am Dramok Firef, director of the Matara Complex.” He was an older man with gray streaking from his temples. The stripes in his otherwise black hair suited his calm, handsomely craggy appearance. He reminded me of a not-as-careworn version of Captain Wotref. “This is my assistant, Imdiko Nosdu.”

  The younger man bowed. He was lanky, resembling a gawky teenager, but with muscles. He was as sweet and innocent as a young child. I heard a few muffled awws from the ladies of my group. The sound made him flush. He mumbled, “Welcome, Mataras.”

  “We are between liaisons right now,” Firef said. “Our last one has been clanned, and the newest—”

  “Has also been clanned and is enjoying her honeymoon,” Candy laughed. “Do we come to you until Katrina assumes her duties?”

  He nodded. “Imdiko Nosdu and I’ll do our best to answer your questions and resolve any concerns until Matara Katrina joins our staff. You should feel welcome to consult with anyone on our team. If that person can’t help you, they’ll find another who can.”

  He nodded to Nosdu. The Imdiko spoke in a quiet voice. “We have a welcome vid from Emperor Clajak and Empress Jessica for you. After that, we’ll make our way to the complex, give you a tour, and let you settle in.”

  He held out his hand, clutching a small object I couldn’t identify. He pointed it in the air and pressed it with his thumb. A huge vid screen appeared in the air, showing an Earther and a Kalquorian.

  At first glance, I would have declared Emperor Clajak the more impressive of the two. He was certainly bigger than his empress, loaded with muscle and an aura of easy confidence. His mane of steely-gray hair hung to his broad shoulders. It framed a handsome face, which wore a smile that hinted at cockiness.

  He bowed to us … or to the recorder he’d spoken to when he’d videoed the piece. He rose up straight and tall, every inch the self-assured Dramok. “Greetings Mataras.” His voice was silk against my ear. I wasn’t the only gal who shivered at those honeyed tones. “I am Dramok Clajak, Emperor of the Kalquorian Empire. My empress and I, along with our clanmates Emperor Egilka and Emperor Bevau, are delighted you have chosen to make our planet your home. This is your home, Mataras. You are among friends.”

  He looked to the tiny woman at his side. Empress Jessica was small in stature, especially when compared to her clanmate. Yet the confidence that Clajak wore like a second skin was hers as well. In fact, it permeated her. Her eyes flashed with a lively fire.

  “Welcome,” the elfin-faced empress said. “We are so glad you are here. No doubt there’ll be an adjustment period, but the staff of the Matara Complex will do all they can ensure a smooth transition. We are sure you’ll enjoy the perks of living there. We have tried to anticipate all possible comforts, but do not feel afraid to express your wants. You’ll find the mostly male staff ready to accommodate your wishes to their best abilities.” She grinned at us as if she was talking to close girlfriends.

  Clajak had watched her throughout her speech, his slightly arrogant visage turning soft with regard. I could tell he saw his Earther mate as an equal. He was obvious in his love and respect … that he displayed those emotions openly impressed me greatly. Empress Jessica was a lucky lady.

  When she finished talking, he again addressed us. “You are Kalquor’s future. We thank you with the utmost gratitude for coming. May the empire serve you with honor and bring you joy.”

  The vid ended. Nosdu tucked the portable player in a pouch on his belt as Firef stepped forward. “Indeed we are grateful you have come to us. Anything I or my staff can do to make you happy, just let us know. Now Mataras, if you’ll follow me, we’ll escort you to the complex.”

  We set off, moving toward a small outbuilding next to the landing pad. Much as we’d been on Haven, we were agog at being in wide open space. I wondered how long it would be before I would take walking in the outdoors for granted.

  As we walked toward the building, Firef dropped back, allowing Nosdu to lead the group. I was not surprised when he headed for me. Anrel, meet your newest admirer.

  “You must be Matara Shalia.” Only he didn’t look at me. He drank in the sight of a baby.

  I quelled the urge to say, “No, she’s Anrel.” It would have sounded whiny, but my reaction had nothing to do with my daughter being in the limelight. I have a thing about people not acknowledging me when we’re having a conversation. I’m weird that way.

  I got off my brat kick. “Yes, I’m Shalia Monroe.”

  “And this wonderful child is—?”

  “Anrel.”

  “Anrel.” He repeated it as if speaking a benediction. “It’s been so long since I’ve been near a baby this small. My sons have been grown for decades.”

  “You’re clanned,” I remarked. “And a father as well. It’s nice to have a family man in charge of the complex.”

  “It was among the requirements.” Firef finally smiled at me. “Management is required to have experience w
ith being a mate and parent. The committee in charge of the Earther Mataras thought it best.”

  I glanced at the youthful Nosdu. “The Imdiko is clanned to a Matara and has children?”

  “Clanned to an Earther, yes. His first child is due in a month.” Firef was proud to relate that. “He was promoted only two weeks ago and given a waiver since his fatherhood is so near. He’ll probably have a million questions for you, but if he becomes a pest—”

  “He won’t bother me, no matter how many questions he asks,” I promised. “I’ve been the nervous new parent and know how it feels. I had a ton of questions and worries myself and welcomed any help I could find. I still do, as a matter of fact,” I added with a laugh.

  Firef grinned. “He’ll appreciate that.”

  We’d reached the little building. It turned out not to be a building at all. Most of the front wall slid upward, revealing it to be a huge elevator-conveyance car. The Matara Complex was underground in a former mine, so going into the earth was no surprise. I was sad to say goodbye to the great outdoors so soon, however.

  We boarded the transport and bid adieu to the blue skies as the door dropped closed once more. No matter the size, conveyances all appear pretty much the same: gray, metal, utilitarian. Blah.

  “Residential.” I noticed Nosdu’s gaze had riveted on Anrel. His expression was half-delighted, half-terrified. Yep, I knew the feeling. Nosdu was probably going to be among my very best friends in the foreseeable future. I gave him an encouraging smile when he glanced at me.

  It wasn’t two seconds when the conveyance door opened again. At first, I thought we hadn’t gone underground. The landscape was the same as before, except the colorful trees were a lot closer. The sun was as brilliant, the sky stretching as wide as before.

  “Oops,” Candy muttered next to me, amused.

  Firef and Nosdu stepped off however. After a moment’s hesitation, we followed them. Then nine women stood stock still, our necks craning as we had a look.

  I’d understood the ceiling of the underground was a tremendous vid displaying the weather conditions of the world outside. Yet I hadn’t expected it to appear so real. Only the distant rock walls emerging between stands of trees betrayed the illusion. It felt as if we were actually outside. Hell, there was even a breeze to cool my exposed skin. I was amazed. I’d never witnessed a large-scale vid that could display with that amount of high-resolution. I truly couldn’t tell that I was underground.

  Among the colorful trees with their startling ivory-colored trunks and branches, a few dwellings dotted here and there. I guessed these were homes for the Kalquorians since Nosdu had directed the conveyance to take us to a residential area. They didn’t resemble Earther homes at all. They were rounded creations with swooping curves. It reminded me of stone formations that had been weathered by the elements.

  They were interesting, but Candy grabbed my arm and pointed up into the trees themselves. Darn if there weren’t treehouses in the branches. And when I say treehouses, I don’t mean the kinds of things pre-teen boys would build back on Earth. I mean treeHOUSES. Actual structures meant to be lived in. I spied stairs winding around the trunks, leading to various levels where closed rooms and balconies affixed to thick networks of branches.

  “Gorgeous,” I breathed in appreciation. “Heaven help anyone who’s a sleepwalker up there.”

  We set off down the stone path that led from the conveyance. It opened into a wider lane that curved off to our left, parting the pastoral landscape that managed to appear cultivated and yet natural all at once. We made the turn and gaped yet again.

  The Matara Complex loomed on the horizon. Again, the vids I’d watched of the place did not match the reality. It was breathtaking.

  Similar to the smaller homes we passed, it was rounded with graceful undulating curves along its roof and exterior. Again I imagined ancient rocks worn by wind and water into sculptural beauty that only nature could create. It looked constructed of granite, but there was a sheen that spoke of polished rock. Near the top were a few openings, lovely arched windows or doors, fit for a cathedral’s stained glass. The structure was astounding.

  When we stepped inside, it was no less awe-inspiring. The courtyard, which sat squarely in the center of the complex’s open middle, was an explosion of color. First there were flowerbeds blooming like they were afraid they’d never have the chance to do so again. The scents they put off would put the most expensive cologne to shame. It was amazing.

  The beds separated pie-wedge shaped sections of the courtyard. Each section was tiled in a different color. Yellow, blue, green, red, so on. And each section had a different function. I saw whirlpools, almost all of which were taken up by small groups of women who gawked at us new arrivals with mild curiosity. Most wore full body bathing suits similar to what we’d had on Earth, but a few wore scantier pieces that we couldn’t help but startle at. Old Earth repressions had us glancing at each other as if to say, can you believe she’s wearing that?

  Another section was reminiscent of the outdoor sitting area of a café. It had low tables, seating cushions, and firepits. That part was bustling too, with a ton of ladies drinking and eating and whooping it up. One woman was the center of attention. Fancy wrapped presents surrounded her, along with nine Kalquorian men who stared daggers at each other.

  Nosdu spoke in an undertone in Kalquorian to Firef, but I caught what he said. “Matara Penelope has invited all three clans she’s considering to her birthday party.”

  Firef sighed as he looked the situation over. “Ask Security to send in a few more guards, just in case.”

  While Nosdu muttered into his com, Firef gave us all a bright smile. “As you can see, we have many activities and opportunities for relaxation here.”

  He wasn’t kidding. We walked across the pie wedge courtyard, exclaiming at a huge pool where several gals swam about, and an open space in the purple section where we were told meditation, exercise classes, and dance lessons were held.

  The green section threw us all for a loop. Raised platforms covered in soft, billowy mats filled the spot. It was another heavily populated area, but I don’t think anyone in my group avoided taking a step back. It didn’t matter that we’d all viewed the vid introduction to the complex long before we got here.

  The skimpy bathing suits some wore in such a public place had been an eye-opener. Women lying on the platforms, wearing even less and receiving massages shocked us. The Tratsods that performed the massages … no, none of us were quite ready to view those.

  They had this orangey-pink skin on their lumpy round bodies that set my brain to screaming. Seriously, nothing should be that color. It’s wrong. Add in all those slippery, slimy looking tentacles, and the rest of me wanted to scream too. And don’t get me started on the tall, thin stalks, on top of which hovered their eyes. Ick, ick, ick.

  It was bizarre how many women allowed those inhuman things to slide over their oil-glistening skin, the aliens rubbing tentacles all over backs and shoulders and thighs. I couldn’t imagine any sane person willingly touching a Tratsod. The only nice thing about them was their soothing humming. If I closed my eyes and somehow brought on amnesia so I didn’t remember how they appeared, they could have droned me straight to sleep. I noted Anrel’s lids drooping heavily as we stood close to the section.

  Firef and Nosdu watched us with amusement as we made faces at each other. The Dramok said, “Not particularly pretty to us, are they? We aren’t attractive to the Tratsods either. Still, once you forget their appearance, you cannot find a better massage anywhere.”

  I’ll have to take his word for it. I’m in no hurry to have any of those critters on me. Ew.

  We moved on, the two men shepherding us into the complex itself. “The ground floor is taken up by our offices, along with other activity and relaxation spaces,” Nosdu told us. “You’ll find classes in our language, geography, and history to familiarize you with your new home. We also offer lessons in a variety of hobbies such as cooki
ng, art, music…”

  Anrel got my attention with a whine. Away from the hypnotic droning of the Tratsods, she was wide awake again. Her expression was instantly recognizable.

  Our administrator and his second had led us to a workout room with state-of-the-art machines. “You have the worst timing,” I cooed to my little bundle of now-smelly joy. “Mommy would have preferred to check this gym out.”

  Candy overheard me and leaned close. The auntie sniff test is identical to the mommy sniff test. I think it might be ingrained in women or something. She snickered and nodded. “Someone’s made you a present.”

  I sighed and sidled over to Firef as Nosdu continued to play tour guide. “Where can I change the baby?” I asked quietly so as not to interrupt the Imdiko.

  “Change the – oh.” Firef wore the same expression so many men tended to when a diaper was loaded. Panic. Maybe like the female sniff-for-poop test, that terror is ingrained into the male gender or something. You’d have thought I’d asked him to do the honors of changing the baby.