Alien Refuge (14 page)

Rivek turned back to her. “I will not insist then. But I do want you to program my com connection in your regular device so you can reach me at any time. For any reason, even if it’s simply to talk.”

Ospar added, “All of our connections. I don’t want you unable to reach someone if we’re needed.”

Iris couldn’t shake that comforting familiar feeling, and she didn’t try. It was simply too nice. “Thank you.”

Jol held his hand out. Iris took her com out of her pocket and handed it to him.

As he programmed all their frequencies, the Nobek said, “My men will start their patrols immediately and they will clean up the mess outside. Thank you for alerting me to the matter and allowing us to serve you.”

Iris stared at him. He was thanking her for interrupting whatever he had going on? Thanking her for letting him help her?

Rivek chuckled at her obvious confusion. “You are Jol’s gift. Someone he can protect and aid in a crisis. I will see you and Thomas at the temple tomorrow? Or is the E.I.K.’s warning just cause to stay away?”

Iris scowled at that. Now that the worst had happened, she wasn’t going to let a bunch of bullies intimidate her or ruin Thomas’ chances for help. “We’ll be there.”

Ospar chuckled. “I admire your courage, Matara. It could be the E.I.K. has threatened the wrong person.”

Iris felt her face heat. “No one messes with my son.”

That had all three men grinning at her. Their approval washed over her, making her feel better than ever.

As they readied to leave, Ospar said, “I hope the rest of your night is better, Iris. Good night, Thomas.”

The boy surprised Iris by waving absently, though he didn’t turn around. “Good night. Goodbye.”

Iris saw the clan to her door. As she glanced outside, she was happy to see the cross had already been removed. Half a dozen Nobeks milled around the yard. They were looking at the ground, no doubt figuring out where the attackers had come from and gathering whatever evidence could be found.

As she had earlier that day, Iris watched Ospar’s clan get in their shuttle before she shut the door. She felt a little unreal. The E.I.K. had left a warning, and no doubt people would have something to say about her having Kalquorians roaming about her property in the days ahead. She certainly didn’t want to be ostracized or have the E.I.K. threatening her and her son. But getting to see Ospar’s clan again was certainly fine consolation.

Chapter 5

The dining room of the Kalquorian governor’s home was well-appointed but not overdone. Since Haven didn’t get many visiting dignitaries, it even managed to be a little cozy. The table was of Joshadan blackwood, an older piece handed down through Ospar’s family. It stood about waist-high, which meant the upholstered seating was well off the floor rather than the typical floor cushions. A blessing it turned out, since Councilman Maf’s frame did not permit him to lounge easily on the ground.

A couple of sculptures of proud Kalquorian warriors stood in opposite corners. Vids showed lovely pieces of art from Plasius. Those were overshadowed by an actual painting of the Kalquorian shore done by the celebrated Matara Amelia of Clan Rajhir. If one looked at the waves long enough, he began to see the faces hidden in the shimmering depths. The artist had astounding talent.

The room’s focal point was an aquarium that made up an entire wall. Within the blue-hued depths swam a variety of Earther aquatic life. Everything from royal blue bettas to orange-and-black striped clownfish darted and drifted amongst coral and swaying ferns. Visitors were dazzled by the variety of alien creatures.

Ospar had very little appetite for his meal this night, though the staff had done their usual exemplary job of crafting a fine dinner. And it wasn’t that Maf wasn’t an interesting and even pleasant guest. He had brought them all up to date on the goings-on back home on Kalquor, sharing some of the funnier escapades of Royal Council in-fighting as well as policy battles against the Imperial Clan. His wit was sharp as he described his fellow councilmen in humorous, though never disrespectful terms.

Still, Ospar could not enjoy the dinner. He was far too worried about Iris and Thomas now that the E.I.K. had targeted them. Knowing Jol’s security was keeping them well guarded and safe did little to settle his mind. He wanted to be there in their tiny home, watching over them himself. Talking to Iris. Making her smile. Discovering new surprises about her beautiful child.

Maf’s voice cut into his thoughts. “What was this I heard of a demonstration just before I came here? Something about an extremist group burning an object on someone’s doorstep?”

Ospar gave him a sharp look before he could stop himself. He didn’t like others outside his circle knowing too much about matters that were his responsibility. Haven was his business, not the council’s.

He wiped his expression of all but easy casualness. “The actions of a few disaffected Earthers. It was only a small protest.”

“I heard it was on the homestead of one of their own? Someone perhaps friendly to our race?”

Jol was as nonchalant as his Dramok. “The settler in question has a small child with a disability. I put a security buffer between her home and the shuttle traffic lane for the boy’s safety. Some Earthers don’t approve of any interaction between our people, so that tiny fraction left a token of their displeasure.”

Ospar chuckled with humor he didn’t feel. “You know how sensitive those with a cause can be.”

Rivek quoted, “‘The action of innocence becomes grist for offense.’”

Maf frowned. “Even small occurrences can ignite full-blown revolt if not put down quickly.”

“I hardly think the colonists want a real confrontation. Especially since they are so badly outnumbered here within Empire borders.” Ospar smiled at Maf, his attitude conspiratorial. “No matter where you reside and who is in charge, there will be complaints about the governance.”

The councilman laughed. “You are not telling me any great secret. Nothing is quite as dreadful as the quarterly interview with my precinct. To hear my opponents speak, you’d think I was the most evil creature lurking around the Empire.”

That inspired more laughter. Ospar raised a glass of leshella. “The first rule of being a successful politician—”

Maf raised his glass and chorused with him, “You must be an utter masochist.”

Even Maf’s quiet aide sitting next to the councilman grinned. That man had barely spoken two words the entire visit. Half the time, Ospar forgot he was there. He struggled to remember his name.

Maf sipped his drink gingerly and placed his glass down. “You are the first governor to not trot out scores of complaints and requests for financial aid.”

“Will it help me?” Ospar shook his head and laughed more. “This is a growing colony, with a mixture of two races that were recently at one another’s throats. There is little trust, but we are building on what we have. I took this appointment knowing full well there would be problems. I have an excellent staff and the majority of the Earthers who come here are appreciative of our efforts. Kalquor has been most generous with everything we need.”

Maf considered him. “You are a man very much in control of his duties. I’m glad to see it. Haven is no doubt guaranteed to be a success with you at the helm.”

Rivek spoke up. His tone was friendly and interested. “You voted against the establishment of Haven.”

The councilman raised an eyebrow at the Imdiko. “A temple priest who stays informed on such things? That must be from being clanned to Ospar.”

Ospar barely kept his smile from growing. Maf was underestimating his Imdiko, and the governor knew Rivek would quickly clear up his misconceptions.

Rivek’s tone was perfectly even. “The idea that we priests withdraw from the rest of the Empire to only contemplate inner peace is a mistaken one. ‘There is no inner peace when the world outside is in chaos.’”

Maf nodded. “A sound policy, Master Rivek.”

Ospar’s clanmate pressed the councilman. “You did not lobby loudly nor challenge the Imperial Clan when they put the idea of Haven forth, but your vote is on record. What are your reservations about our colony?”

“Earth declared war on us. Earth put the explosives in place that led to us accidentally destroying their planet. We owe them nothing.” All spoken with a pleasant tone, but Ospar caught a dark undercurrent to the councilman’s words.

Ospar thought Maf had probably worked hard behind the scenes to keep Haven from happening. There had been a small but intense opposition to Haven’s creation.

Putting on his best diplomatic face, Ospar told Maf, “I agree the Earther government brought their terrible end upon themselves. Unfortunately, they took a lot of their innocent population with them and left survivors with little hope.”

Rivek chimed in. “We are a fierce race, but we are compassionate when called for. One does not leave women and children to a deplorable fate.”

That made Ospar think of Iris and Thomas again. “It is always better to extend peace than turn our backs on our former foes. It also gives the unattached Earther females an opportunity to get to know us. To perhaps entertain the possibility of joining clans.”

He wondered if Iris had considered becoming a Matara to his people. She was still well within childbearing age, and he was impressed with the mothering skills she’d exhibited in his presence.

Maf said, “I admit I am not quite sold with the idea of mixing the species. I have not been impressed with the majority of Earthers I have met.”

Jol studied him. “You’ve never made any mention of this in the council sessions I’ve viewed.”

“Officially, I keep such opinions to myself. An unclanned man with little potential to attract a Matara has no business commenting on such matters.”

The Nobek’s grin was almost evil. “Even our empress has failed to impress you?”

Maf laughed loudly at that. “Begging your pardon, Jol, but that woman is more Nobek than many Nobeks I know!” He shook his head, presumably at the thought of the spirited Earther. “Such a resourceful person. She has certainly earned my respect. It is no wonder Empress Jessica has managed to capture the hearts of so many Kalquorians.”

Ospar nodded. “I have had the privilege of meeting her. A most impressive woman.”

“And a passionate, fierce opponent if you are unlucky enough to disagree with her. Be very glad you are not on the council and locking horns with that one.”

“Having seen all the vid transmissions of council meetings, I am inclined to agree with you.” Ospar didn’t mention that Empress Jessica had once admitted to him in a private conversation that she loved a good fight. Smart and conscientious, she didn’t fear going toe-to-toe with the fiercest men on the council.

More Nobek than most Nobeks, indeed.

Conversation moved along to quieter subjects, like the last kurble tournament, the recent executions of the Nobek serial killer known as the Beast of New Bethlehem and his Dramok, the proposed dismantling of the raider branch of the Kalquorian fleet, and recent debates with the Bi’isils over territory. It was a quiet evening. When Ospar could forget about Iris, it was even enjoyable to hear firsthand news from home.

* * * *

Maf and his aide Sitrel were chauffeured back to their guest quarters after the dinner with Ospar’s clan. One of Jol’s security officers piloted. The window-vid showed the homes of the Kalquorian village huddled against the cold. The shuttle’s engine hummed with quiet efficiency as they went unhurriedly past.

The silence shield was up between the passenger cabin and the pilot, but Maf wasn’t content to trust it. Dramok Ospar had a fearsome reputation for being devious. He supposedly employed every means at his disposal when it came to knowing exactly where potential opponents stood on issues.

Dramok Borl had told Maf about the extremely emotional reactions Ospar’s entire clan had exhibited when an Earther woman named Iris Jenson had called for help earlier in the evening. Yet they had attempted to pass the issue off as unimportant. To the councilman, that meant the trouble had been of great significance.

Ospar was hiding something, which seemed on par for the wily Dramok. The man had been close to the previous and current Imperial Clans, though the consensus was that most of the more questionable assignments came through Councilman Rajhir. Nothing anyone could prove, of course. Ospar was careful to a fault to not let any private agreements leak out, especially when it came to the royals.