CHAPTER 10
Selene turned around with a smirk on her face. “I just knew it. All this talk about Krylonian women being unstable is total bullshit.”
Shafra shook her head. “I really think some of them are unstable, just not all of us.”
Lar Jalon looked up from his molecular viewer. “That may mean some of you have a natural immunity or have encountered a pathogen that protects you from it. We need more study to determine the exact reason you are not affected. It would be helpful if we had an extremely unstable subject to study for comparison.”
“You need my mother. She’s the most unstable person I have ever met. It normally takes a squad of twenty warriors to truly contain her. I can’t image what kind of leverage we’d need to gain her cooperation.”
“If she has sons, perhaps we can offer to look for him a human mate.”
“The only son she cares for is the one my father raises as his own. I think she loves him so much because he was sired by her favorite male.”
“We’ll work on that. In the meanwhile, I have another favor to ask.”
Lar Jalon smothered a smile. “It seems that the favors you ask are mutually beneficial, so please let us know how we can be of service.”
Selene laughed at his sad attempt at humor. “The multi-language bacteria they gave me wrote over my native language and now I can’t speak to my mother in my own tongue. I can tell it makes her sad.”
“Just add your language to the serum.” Lar Jalon truly didn’t seem to see a problem.
“Korban said, it would take years to make that happen and it would only be considered if our world proves useful.”
“I hate to say this, but your mate is an ass.” Jacob stared at her defiantly, clearly thinking he spoke the pure truth. There was also a hint of pride because he was using human slang.
“Maybe, but he’s my ass.” When everyone turned to look at her, she backtracked. “That didn’t come out exactly right. I meant everyone is a bit of an ass sometimes. I love him despite his shortcomings.”
Shafra beamed at her. “You are truly the only one who speaks up on his behalf. My brother is lucky to have you.”
“I think that I’m the lucky one. Anyways, what would it take to get that problem fixed? I want my mother and me to speak together like we used to. It would also be helpful for any new humans who come to your world. You will want to say sweet things to them in their own language, won’t you?”
“I think you just found your solution to leveraging my mother into cooperating. Shar Jalon has been in contact with my father. It seems that the imperial father sent an envoy to the parley with the humans for women. Having a functional language program for them would probably increase the probability of success on their mission. How complicated would something like that be?”
“I could have that prepared in time for the Krylonian delegation to inoculate themselves on their way to Earth.”
“Make it so, Lar Jalon.”
Selene glanced at the door to once again see Shar Jalon filling it. “You sure do creep around, don’t you, big guy?”
His expression was totally blank, just as it always was. His tone of voice sounded flat and a little hollow when he replied. “I seem to arrive at the opportune moment at times. I will speak to His Imperial Highness immediately. I believe his intent was for them to meet us in preparation of visiting Earth.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m all that interested in supporting the trade in women from my home world. If you don’t mind, now that most of the sampling is done, I plan to spend time with my mother aboard the Candorian freighter.”
“I hope you will give her my congratulations on her pending nuptials.”
“Her what?” Selene gasped as she struggled to understand what Shar Jalon told her.
“I am sorry, Miss Selene. I was under the impression that she informed you she has agreed to mate the captain of that vessel. His name is Captain Koal, the same male who originally took you from Earth.”
Selene sunk back, sitting on an exam table. “I didn’t know. She was supposed to discuss the possibility of coming to the Sylon home world with me.” The room was quiet. Selene finally forced herself back together. “I can’t believe that of all the males in the galaxy, she had to choose that one.”
Shar Jalon frowned. “I am certain she does not know that interesting fact.”
Listening to the sweet little human become upset made his chest tighten, but Shar Jalon knew she had a right to know such information. Walking to his office, he opened his com and found another message waiting for him from Captain Koal. Pinging him back, the man answered from his own private office.
“Good day, Captain Koal. We will be within docking range within the hour.”
“I suppose the Lady Selene has told you that she desires to spend time with her mother aboard my ship?”
“She did mention that fact to me just now. She was disappointed to learn her mother was recently betrothed to the male who stole her away from her home world. I don’t know how this new information will factor in her decision, but I did not want you to be caught unaware.”
“Courteous of you to ensure she had all the information available to make an informed decision. Please know, I plan to stand behind whatever decision the females make. However, I will not abandon my mate nor her small ones to their own devices aboard your vessel.”
“Apparently, there is some new rule that every visitor to my ship comes with their own protectors. You’ll find no objection from me. We have a longstanding alliance, after all.”
“I suspected we agreed. I am aware that you will solicit my female for samples. Know in advance, I would not object to such. You must be careful, as it’s likely she now carries my child.”
“All due care will be taken. I have no wish to make an enemy out of a friend.”
“Once again, we agree. Forgive the directness, but I will take no risk where my betrothed is concerned.”
“Nor would I in your place. Please be aware that the Lady Selene has requested we solve the communication issues between her and the Lady Elaine.”
The Candorian nodded. “I have heard the Krylonians did not do a very good job of integrating their language into the multi-language bacteria.”
“It is a simple fix for us. If you will prepare the Lady Elaine. We would be honored to share it with her so she may communicate freely with all the major peoples of the verse.”
“You have our thanks, my friend. We will see you shortly.”
After a lengthy conversation with both His Imperial Highness and the emissary he sent to Earth, arrangements were made for three unstable women to be tested by his physician and for the language bacteria to be updated to include the primary human language on Earth and one additional Earth language. Shar Jalon was not certain why the second one was necessary, nor did he particularly care. The deal was simple and straightforward, just the way he preferred them to be. Trusting his physician and the new clone, Jacob to deal with the women had been a good decision. The women seemed well adjusted and happy, for the most part. Shar Jalon was not keen on spending enough time around them to misstep.
Heading for the landing bay, he knew they would be there waiting for him. The four of them chatted away, with the Krylonian Commander stoically standing watch.
Had the males attained a higher level of social skills from being around the females? They were certainly more individualized in their appearance. Jacob now wore his hair in a knot high on the back of his head with a thin stick through it. His pants were tucked into his shoes but his socks were strangely bunched at the top of his boots. Clones normally wore them folded neatly down with the pants over their boots. He also had a long-sleeved shirt tied around his waist, wearing only a sleeveless shirt.
Normally, Shar Jalon would not tolerate a clone being out of uniform, but in this instance, he could clearly see that it made the females see him as more individualistic. It was clear they needed to adjust their practices in such matters. Being individualized was clearly a valuable tool in their never-ending quest to gain acceptance by other species.
Shar Jalon immediately took off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt halfway. He grabbed a piece of string and attempted it tie his hair back at the nape of his neck.
The Lady Selene saw him struggling and stepped over. “That is not a good look for you. Let me help.” She quickly stepped behind him. Grabbing his hair, she flipped it over and over, tying the string at the bottom. Glancing into the shiny metal surface of the wall support, he saw she made a long replicating knot halfway down his back before tying it off.
“That’s called a braid and you really have the hair for it, nice and thick.”
“You have my thanks, Lady Selene.”
A brief nod from Jacob and Lar Jalon told him it was acceptable.
Shaking out his shoulders slightly, he had to admit to feeling more individualized already. Taking out his handheld, he typed out instructions to his clothing production team. He sent instructions for them to research current Earth fashions and come up with a subdued selection of clothing to assist the clones in appearing more individualized. Having the females around was proving beneficial on several levels.
The captain announced the freighter was connecting to the docking port. Shortly thereafter the huge bay doors swung open to reveal a small party of visitors. The women running towards each other alarmed him slightly, but the commander held up one hand, indicating that this must be normal behavior. The females’ behavior proceeded to get odder by the moment. When they were face to face, they threw their arms around each other and water leaked from their eyes. This happened occasionally for the Shardon. It was apparently a malfunction shared by the humans. Then they put their lips briefly on each other’s face repeatedly. It seemed to be a gesture of affection or something of that nature.
When the women turned and walked back towards him, Koal and the others followed slightly behind them.
“Captain Koal, it’s nice to see you again. You look no worse for having a human female in your bed.”
“It is by far the best decision of my lifetime. They are amazingly affectionate creatures. Perhaps you should procure one for yourself.”
“A clone would hardly know what to do with a female, Captain.”
Jacob spoke up flippantly. “Speak for yourself, my leader.” Casting a strange look at Lady Selene, he mumbled. “Some of us have a good imagination.”
Selene giggled and shoved him gently. “Good. You can be the test subject for the Shardon. We’ll see if you’re really that brave.”
“I’d be honored, if she were half as beautiful and smart as you.”
“It’ll take someone a whole lot smarter than me to keep you entertained, big boy.”
Instead of someone becoming highly agitated, they laughed. The situation perplexed him greatly.
Elaine smiled politely. “Are you ready to come aboard the Candorian freighter? We’ve made you a room.”
“I don’t know. Am I getting sold to highest bidder again, Captain Koal? Between you and Korban, I never really had a chance, did I?”
Elaine spoke instead of Koal. “What are you talking about, Selene?”
Koal’s cool voice interjected. “Do you think this is the time and place to discuss such matters?”
“I’m not stepping foot on your vessel, Captain Koal. Not after what happened to me the last time.”
“You’re speaking flawless English again.”
Waving her hand in the air, Selene responded curtly. “The Shardon fixed the multi-language bacteria. We can zap you if you want. Koal was supposed to tell you all about it.”
“He did. I just didn’t think it would work so quickly or so flawlessly. Their ship looks primitive. I didn’t think they would have the technology to…”
“Well, they do.” Selene snapped at her mother. “All their time and energy is tied up in medical research and development to extend the lives of their clones. Why didn’t you bring the girls? I wanted to see them.”
“Since when did we begin to cut each other off when we’re speaking? Was it at the same time we became disrespectful to each other’s friends?”
“Don’t you mean mates?”
“Yes. It was one of the things I wanted to talk about to you in person. Call me old fashioned, but I don’t like having my personal life choices discussed via holo-vid. If you will remember, I was respectful to the male you chose to spend time with. I expect the same courtesy in return.”
Watching the back and forth between the two women was unnerving for Shar Jalon.
Jacob interrupted them. “If you would like, we can take you to a private meeting room. You can enjoy refreshments while you argue.”
Selene shot him a dirty look. “We aren’t arguing, we’re discussing.”
Shar Jalon held up both hands. “Your discussions are much more animated than we are used to. Surely, you would prefer privacy for such conversations.”
“Were you the one who attacked the prince’s ship and stole her away?”
Before he could answer, Selene spoke angrily. “Well, who in the hell here hasn’t stolen me away at some point?”
The older woman took a step back, bumping into her new betrothed. Captain Koal’s arms came up protectively around her. Glancing over her shoulder, the woman spoke. “By all I know of Captain Koal, he is a good man. If he took you, it must have been for a reason.”
Selene spoke in an angry voice. “I’d have never taken you to be so gullible?”
“Gullible as in clinging to a man who attacked your intended’s warship and took you away, or gullible as in wishing to drag two innocent children to a ship fresh from battle?”
Shar Jalon saw Selene’s expression deflate. “I will come with you to see the little ones, but I’m not staying over there.”
“I think it might be better to wait on your intended to arrive. Perhaps he can assist you in getting your own head out of your ass. You’re angry and your words towards me border on belligerent. I understand that you’ve been though a lot, getting moved from one nice ship to another, until landing in your prince’s lap. However, the little ones and I have not been so fortunate. We survived an extinction-level event on our world. Every day for almost two years has been a struggle for survival. Captain Koal has been nothing but nice to us. The girls and I care deeply for him. I would not have you interfere with the little happiness the little ones have found with your spiteful words.”
Selene’s eyes closed for a moment. “I get it. I didn’t before, but I do now. If you let me see them, I’ll watch what I say.”
“They are really looking forward to seeing you and would be disappointed if you didn’t come to them.”
“If you go, Tref and I come as well. We will not leave you undefended.”
Elaine’s voice rose slightly. “You don’t need defenders on our ship.”
Koal waved his hand. “You are all welcome among our people. We have nothing to hide.”
“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.” Selene’s dry sense of humor went unnoticed.
Shar Jalon turned to Koal. “I would like to speak to you about a matter of urgent concern.”
“I will give you my full attention tomorrow, old friend. This night, I reserve for my family.”
“Understood.”