Chapter 15
~ Cassidy ~
Cassidy stood across the room, staring at her sister. Neither moved as the throng of people swirled around them, totally unaware of the importance of the moment. Most everyone of importance had sent representatives who were now mixing, mingling, and speaking dozens of languages. The Galactic Council’s initial morning meeting had consisted of introductions, and then short speeches from interested parties.
One woman wore her long, pale hair in a tight braid hanging over one shoulder. Her formal black form suit bore the proud markings of a strange crest. Her baby bump was obvious for all to see, as it slightly tented the stomach of her uniform. She appeared quite regal to the assembled crowd of diplomats and high-ranking Galactic Council officials.
The huge, battle-scarred Krylon warrior at her side wore a crisp, black uniform bearing the same crest. He bent to whisper something in her ear. Her head turned slightly to listen to his words, her face forming into a determined expression.
The second woman was almost a mirror image of the first. Only, instead of a crisp uniform, she wore the regalia of a queen. Her long gown hugged every sensuous curve, dipping all the way to the ground. Long slits up each side revealed a bit more flesh than was typical at such dry functions. Her long hair flowed down around her shoulders, shining and healthy. Tucked into one arm was an infant with features much like the male standing at her side.
The Maruvian king was easily identifiable as he took a protective stance slightly in front of the queen. He wore thick bands at the base of his antennae, matching the headband worn by the queen. His clothing was dark and functional, leading most to think he was prior military among their people. The green-skinned insectoid had humanoid features and dark eyes. Three slightly larger infants were tucked comfortably along one arm. They poked and prodded each other as they looked curiously around.
Cassidy’s eyes landed on the little ones then searched her sister’s face. A slight smile provided the answer to her unspoken question. Before she could think to stop herself, she found herself moving towards the Maruvian delegation. Daron kept pace at her side.
Carolyn stepped out to meet her. With a wave of her hand towards the small one, she stated, “You’ve been busy. How many husbands do you have?”
“I have the same as you, just one.”
“They don’t look like you.”
“They’re mine.”
“I know.”
“Brushed up on parthenogenesis?”
“Yep. I don’t care much for it myself.”
“I didn’t think you would.”
“Can I hold my nephew?”
Igor made a frustrated squeaking noise, drawing her attention.
Carolyn smoothed it over quickly, “This one isn’t well. Hold one of the feisty ones.”
Turning to Igor, she chose the most active of the three. He made another small noise that seemed like a snicker to her ears. Glancing up at him, the man spoke.
“You’ve chosen Brokar. Careful, he bites.”
Teasing her sister, she tickled the babe’s belly. “I thought your queen forbade that.”
“He’s the incorrigible one. Don’t worry, he only nips.”
“Takes after his father then?”
Laughing, her sister’s eyes sparkled. “You might say that. Doesn’t your warrior nip every now and then?”
“I’m betting they all do. I’ve decide to just take this one home with me. He’s too cute.”
“I’d say at this point Igor might almost let you.”
“I’ll bet four are a bit of a handful.”
“They can be, but then again, I have like a dozen attendants. We all take turns keeping them busy.”
“It must be nice to be a queen.”
“It has its moments.”
“Would you care to join us on our ship?”
“My guys would freak out. How about you come to the Maruvian vessel?”
“I thought that wasn’t allowed.”
“Things change.”
“Some things don’t. You’re still my sister.”
“Don’t get your panties in a twist. That part will never change.”
“Fine, we’ll visit you.”
Talon made a screeching noise and members of his delegation moved around and two walked off.
“What was that all about?”
“Talon probably sent for the shuttle or something. Honestly, I try not to know all the details.”
Igor made a grumbling noise. “Don’t let your sister fool you, defeated one. She only ever thinks of details. She has plans inside of plans, like nesting cups.”
Pulling her thumb towards the insectoid, she asked her sister, “Does he mean nesting dolls?”
“The Maruvians design their drinking containers to fit one inside the other. I believe it’s a space-saving measure. They have a saying about getting the small cup. It means you’re unimportant.”
“I suppose that being the defeated one means I’ll be drinking from the small cup aboard your vessel.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re the queen’s only surviving relative. Your cups will be next in size behind mine.”
Talon leaned forward with his com still at his ear. “When the queens are ready, the shuttle is here.”
As they exited the building, an adolescent ran towards them. “Hey, don’t leave yet. I want to talk to you.”
Cassidy sighed, murmuring a word of warning under her breath, “Walk faster. Emily will talk your ear off about all things insectoid.”
Igor interjected calmly, “She has a Maruvian mimic at her side. We’ll speak to them.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Huffing and out of breath, the girl sputtered a quick introduction, “Hi, Cassidy, how’ve you been?” Without really waiting for a reply, she turned to Igor. “I saw you guys and ran right over. My name’s Emily of the House of Koal and I love bugs.”
Leaning over slightly, Igor murmured, “In our culture, you address the queen, not her drone. The Maruvian queen can be called by the description of your choice.” Cutting his eyes to Cassidy, he stated, “Most call her the victorious queen for obvious reasons.”
Cassidy complained, “You’ve got to rub it in, don’t you?”
The girl propped her hands on her hips and glared at them worriedly. “Hey, no freaking fighting, I just got here and I don’t want everyone to walk off mad before I get some answers.”
The mimic at her side shifted slightly. “Perhaps now isn’t the opportune time, my friend.”
“I’m now sixteen years old. I don’t need you to tell me what I can and can’t do, Christopher.”
“You’ll get yourself grounded again, and I won’t intervene this time.”
A deep masculine voice spoke, “Christopher is correct, youngling. However, I wish an audience with the queen as well. If she accepts me, you may accompany us.”
“You’re the best guardian in the entire world, Shar. I love clones second to bugs. Always remember that.”
“Untrue, youngling. You love dragons second to bugs. Then Candorians and then perhaps the Shardon clones.”
Shrugging, the girl quipped, “Well, that’s still pretty high in the pecking order, if you ask me.”
Cassidy murmured, “I’d advise you to meet with the prince. His home world has taken in the mimics, and he would be a powerful ally.”
The trip to their ship was short and the conversation light. After sending the teens on a tour of the ship with Talon and putting the little ones down, the adults settled down for a conversation.
Cassidy asked casually, “What are your plans? If your numbers are small, my Daron has volunteered to offer you clanship. It would be a tight squeeze but we could accommodate you.”
“This is the topic I wished to discuss as well. It has been suggested that you resettle on the Shardon home world. Your unique abilities and your open acceptance of cloning technology would make you welcome among our people.”
“Igor and I have made other plans, but if those fall through, we’ll carefully consider your generous offers.”
Daron spoke for the first time since arriving, “I believe that the Galactic Council is eager to extend inclusion rather than just recognition. Your gifts of Heart Stones, coupled with your staunch stand on non-violence won them over. For my part, I can hardly believe such recent enemies are now harmless allies.”
“Trust me; we’re no longer interested in conflict. We see trade as the way to move our people forward. Our new queen has shown us the error of our ways.”
Shar Jalon spoke calmly as he removed a small box from his pocket, “I believe what you say is true. The mimics of our home world urge us to throw our support behind you, even though it costs us our standing with the Sylon home world. As proof of our commitment, I gift you with a Krylon personal shield. It’s technology, shared with very few in the verse. My wish is for Maruvians with no mimicking ability to hide themselves from aggressors, and have some small measure of protection. Inside this box, you’ll also find a data chip and a small encapsulated sample of mimic DNA. We strongly suggest you use it in developing your line.”
Carolyn took the box he offered. “I must admit that we never expected to have allies. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Our survival as a species may depend upon you speaking on our behalf. If there’s anything we can ever do to repay your kindness, know that we will.”
“Seeing our cloned brothers thrive will be enough thanks for the Shardon.”
Sighing, Carolyn edged into dangerous territory. “I do want to say that our way has been difficult and as their queen, I have had to make choices that I’m not proud of at times. If we step on your toes at any point in time, please know ahead of time that we mean no harm and will do what is necessary to make it right again.”
Cassidy beamed at her sister. “I don’t know where that came from, but that’s what I consider taking the high road.”
~ Carolyn ~
Watching the shuttle take their visitors back down to the planet below, Igor moved behind her. Wrapping his wings around them both, in his most protective stance, he asked, “Do you think to make a deal with the alliance if they object to us staking a claim on our new home world?”
“The alliance is but a small faction and their request for inclusion in the Galactic Council hasn’t been approved. The alliance is comprised of three princes. The Shardon clones have pledged their support even if it means breaking with the alliance. Shar Jalon is their leader so his word can be trusted. I doubt the youngling who visited us today would tolerate her father making war with the only insects who speak. She will speak right into the Candorian prince’s ear her displeasure. My sister has already advised me not to take the Krylon prince at face value, for even his mate doesn’t fully trust him. With two thirds of the alliance on our side and most of the other planets viewing us favorably, we will be accepted.”
“These are my thoughts as well. It doesn’t sit well with me that your sister is so far from our protection.”
“What happened to your one queen policy?”
He squeaked a laugh. “It disappeared when I saw with my own eyes the love between the two of you. As drones, we’ve never seen queens who grow even a small amount of fondness for one another. They are too competitive and look to outsmart each other and prove their superiority by having the largest ship, the most crystals, and the most obedient drones. I’m glad that is no longer our life.”
“You and I are of like minds. We’ll let nothing stand in the way of protecting our people. I think the traders are pressuring the Galactic Council for an answer even now, to our request for inclusion. The moment they give their approval, the small contingent of drones we left on the planet will launch our beacon. Then all the world will know the Maruvian home world has been founded.”