Chapter 12

 

 

Zander was confused and frustrated. One minute, HonORa had been smiling and laughing, enjoying herself with him and Lizetta. The next moment, she couldn’t leave quick enough. She was a challenge that was for sure. That was okay—he liked a challenge. As a hunter, he learned to be patient when his prey was proving to be difficult. He would use that patience now.

He was surprised when she made the comment about verifying whether he really snored or not. His was response was automatic—desire. Zander didn’t want to scare her off with the depth of his desire, and knew he needed to take things slow. But after their kiss last night, he didn’t doubt that she desired him in return. Her responses were genuine but also innocent. If she had never shared sex with a male before, his desire for her may overwhelm her. He had to keep his control when he was with her.

He left the cottage and made his way to the center of the village. The sun was up and the birds were singing. It was peaceful and beautiful here. No wonder his sister was falling in love with the place. His people would love living here in seclusion. This would be a perfect home.

“Good morning, Zander Bardo,” ZenIM, the village leader, said as Zander walked toward the village center. Several of the Colonial warriors were already gathered together. Everyone looked a little tired. They had been escorting the rest of the Morinians that arrived late into the night to the village so most of them had not had much time to rest.

“Good morning, Leader ZenIM. What is happening this morning?”

“The Morinian elders agreed to meet with me and my elders to answer a few questions both sides have. It will help relieve the fears some of my people have and to ensure the Morinians that they would be safe.”

Zander certainly could understand that. “I was hoping to speak with their elders as well. Do you mind if I come with you?” He asked the question out of politeness. He had intended to go anyway and no one would keep him from it.

ZenIM snorted. “Would you accept a no?”

Zander shook his head.

Sighing ZenIM said, “Fine, you may come. Remember that we are not attacking the Morinians, they are our guests.”

“I’ll remember.”

“How is your cottage? Do you and your sister have everything that you need?”

“Yes, thank you. I hope we’re not taking away supplies your people need.”

“Katieran Prime Leader RendEL is sending extra supplies to our village to compensate for the supplies used for the Morinians. A shipment should be arriving sometime this afternoon. Next month the Kiljorn leader with send supplies as well.”

“I could help bring the supplies up to the village if you need assistance,” Zander offered.

“That would be very helpful. If you could greet the Katieran shuttle when it lands, my warriors will secure the area. Leader LarIS’s warriors are splitting their duties, guarding the Morinians and helping with the supplies. Now, come inside the council building. Most of the Morinians elders have already arrived.”

Zander followed ZenIM toward the entrance of the two-story building. Opening the door, he saw a huge two-story foyer that opened into a great hall. Unlike what he had seen at the other leaders’ council meetings, ZenIM had arranged it to be more informal.

There were four curved benches that formed a circle. More benches lined the walls. Zander imagined the village having a meeting and thought ZenIM would stand in the middle of the formed circle. It was more like the Norad village in so many ways except that they sat on logs or rocks that formed the elder circle. Many times his father stood in the middle of the circle to speak with his people.

The Morinian elders, with Leader Lidia and Commander Kayley, were sitting on one side of the circle. A few of ZenIM’s village elders sat across from them. Zander took an open seat while the warriors stood in the back ground. ZenIM walked into the center to speak, just like he’d imagined he would do.

“I want to formally welcome the Morinians to our small village. We hope that you find everything to your liking. It’s not like what you might have on the transports or on Katiera, or even what Leader LarIS might be able to offer you, however, it’s private, remote, and protected on all sides.”

“What about an attack overhead?” Commander Kayley asked.

ZenIM shook his head. “We have sensors for any incoming shuttles or warships. If anyone tries to fly this way without approval, they would be detected and shot down.”

“They could come through the jungle on foot,” Kayley noted with doubt.

“Leader LarIS and his security team would detect anyone who lands anywhere on our planet. No presence would go unnoticed. We do ask that you stay within the set parameters for your protection.”

“Is it true that your village is undetectable with scanners?” one of the male elders asked.

“Yes, the jungle and natural elements from the mountain itself is perfect for keeping our village hidden. Only those who have been here or have been given specific coordinates would be able to find us. I can assure you that there are not many who are allowed to visit the village and all are trustworthy.”

The Morinians looked at one another and relief showed on their faces. “That is good to hear,” Leader Lidia said.

“I have a few questions of my own,” ZenIM spoke as if asking a question.

Lidia nodded her head. “What is it you wish to know?”

“How long ago did you part from the Morins?”

“We left our home world many decades ago. Some of the younger ones have only known us as Morinians. Stories of the Morins have been considered nightmares to keep the young in line.”

“Did you leave before or after their attack on Katiera?” ZenIM continued his questioning.

“I believe it was before, but after meeting Leader RendEL, the timelines seem off. It could be that the Morin leaders ordered the attack and sent out warriors without informing the others of their intent. Once we knew how brutal the leaders were, we took as many of our people who wanted nothing to do with the Morin leaders’ cruelty, and fled. We named ourselves Morinian to differentiate from the Morins but wanted to keep a part of our ancestry. We’ve gone from one place to another, sometimes finding a planet we could use temporarily before running again. The Morins have sent ships after us each time we thought we were safe, and our numbers have died off tremendously. We no longer have the numbers to run or to keep up our transport. We need to relocate to a planet that will provide protection and sustain life.”

“Thank you for telling your story,” ZenIM told them signaling that he was done asking questions.

Zander stood up. He didn’t want the elders to leave before he had his own questions answered. “If it is acceptable, I have some questions I would like to ask.”

Leader Lidia narrowed her eyes at him. “You are one of the remaining Norads that survived the Morin attack, correct?”

“Yes, I’m the leader of the thirty of us who survived.”

“You blame us for your loss?” one of the male elders asked with suspicion.

“I don’t know you and promised Leader LarIS I would take the time to do so. You say you’re unsure of the timeline of when the Morins attacked Katiera, but did any of you know what your counterparts were doing to other worlds and their inhabitants?”

“Of course not!” Kayley denied.

He noticed a few of the elders turned their faces away. “You said that the Morins have hunted you from one location to another. You’ve had decades of evading them; you must have learned of some of their favorite rendezvous spots in order to avoid capture?”

The same elders who wouldn’t look at him before shifted uncomfortably in their seats. He knew he was on to something. He would get those answers no matter what.

“What is this? Why are we being interrogated? We’ve gone through all of this with Prime Leaders RendEL and KadEN.” Leader Lidia looked a little bit insulted.

“Zander, perhaps your questions could wait…” ZenIM tried to steer the conversation away from the questioning, but Zander walked over to whispered his suspicions to the other male and ZenIM nodded his agreed.

ZenIM looked at Leader Lidia, “These questions may be uncomfortable, but Zander has a right to the answers. Allow him a few more.”

Lidia sighed. “Very well.”

ZenIM motioned for Zander to continue his questioning.

Zander walked back and forth, glancing at the males that had caught his attention. “There had to be locations that the Morins continually used. After being on board the transports, I know firsthand that months on board gives you space sickness. To avoid that, youwould have to travel to the surface of a planet for weeks at a time. The Morins would need to make sure there were planets, or even moons that they could hide on. What do you two know?” He pointed his question at the two males, who seemed to look even more uncomfortable.

“Me…us? We know nothing,” the male with the bald head said, stumbling over his words. Zander knew the male was lying and so did everyone else in the room. Lies were hard to get away with when told in a room full of people with enhanced senses. His thoughts were noted by the village leader.

ZenIM spoke next. “Most if not all of us in this room have enhanced senses. We can tell when someone is not being truthful. Perhaps you would like to change your answer?”

Leader Lidia stood up and glared at the male. “Zulie, what do you know that you have not passed on to the council of elders or to your leader?”

“The previous leader asked me to keep certain things a secret.”

Lidia was furious. She turned to ZenIM. “Do you have a place you hold prisoners or those who misbehave?”

“Yes, we have a cave with a deep whole that we use for that purpose.”

“Put both of them in there. I want to question them until I get the answers that we would all like to have,” Lidia told him.

“As you wish Leader Lidia.” ZenIM motioned to several of his own warriors to come and grab the two Morinian males.

“You can’t do this! We’re elders of the council! We have rights!” They kept yelling, but they were no match for ZenIM’s warriors.

“You lost your rights when you chose to keep secrets from your leader!” Lidia told them.

“You’re not fit to lead!” one of the males asked as he was dragged out of the room.

Zander approached Leader Lidia. “I ask permission to continue questioning them.”

“You may come with Leader ZenIM, me, and Commander Kayley. We’ll question them together.”

“Thank you,” Zander told her. He would have gone any way but it was better to have their leader’s cooperation.

Those males had answers that might help him with his mission: to seek justice for his people. Then he would be able to finally settle down and live his life free of the constant guilt he felt. He would be free to have a family of his own. An image of HonORA carrying his child popped into his mind and it nearly took his breath away.

“Go on without me, I’ll meet you there. I am warning all my people to travel in groups for safety,” ZenIM told him.

That got Zander’s attention. “What do you mean travel in groups?”

“Right before the meeting, I got a message from Leader LarIS. An uprising occurred last night. Word of the Morinians’ arrival had gotten out and a few of his people are against them being here. He is monitoring the uprising, but advises us to stay near the village and to move only in groups.”

That was why he told the Morinians to stay within the approved perimeters. Zander questioned whether he should leave. “Would you make sure that my sister and HonORa are told of this and warned to follow security measures?”

“I will,” ZenIM assured him.

He still felt uneasy as he walked away. Zander needed to question these males, he would just have to do it as quickly as possible.