15

(Historian's Note: Less than two cycles of nan-Raleen before the Sol Federation of Worlds diplomatic vessel, S.F.S. Summer Wind, DCT-239 arrives at Mur Zhaen.)

"So, this is the place, right?" Craig inquired while looking at the small sign by the door.

"According to Healer Ghen-Dru'ta, yes," replied Khy'an.

Craig and Saa'an stood silently for a few seconds.

"I guess we might as well go in and see what they'll say."

"They might say 'no'...," Saa'an started to say.

"...And they might say 'yes'," Craig finished.

Saa'an gently wrapped the end of her tail around Craig's wrist, and then they entered the clinic.

Craig had gotten used to being stared at during his time on Mur Zhaen, which was partly due to him being an "off-worlder"—an euphenism for being an alien, and partly due to his formidible bodyguard, Bren-Khy'an, one of the fearsome Che'maht Sahn'rah. This time, however, instead of the usual curiosity, Craig saw the barely hidden looks of shock. He didn't doubt that there were several private telepathic conversations going on about his being in this particular clinic with a local female of a Third Circle House who was obviously paired to the high-ranking off-worlder. Saa'an and Craig walked up to an appointment kiosk and entered their information, and then they took a seat to wait to be called. While they waited, Bren-Khy'an stood nearby—her presence and demeanor kept the half dozen other couples in the waiting area subdued and almost to the point of looking anywhere but at Craig and Saa'an. Khy'an found this mildly amusing, in an odd sort of way.

"Apparently my time with Craig has not changed how my own kind perceives me--they are accustomed to being afraid of the Che'maht Sahn'rah. If they only knew...but they will not, they must not. Craig, of course, has an idea of what has changed within me, but that will always be between us." Khy'an glanced down briefly at Saa'an and thought, “I almost envy her, though I should not. She is happy with Craig, and I cannot begrudge her for that. I know that I will never be paired with another for as long as my Path continues, and having a little one of my own is not possible. However, this Terran thing Craig mentioned…if they can have a little one, he said that he will bestow upon me the 'honor' of being the little one's 'godmother'. I still do not understand what that means—I must make it a point to search for that term in the embassy's dictionary data when we return." A technician came out to usher in one of the couples in the waiting area, which momentarily paused Khy'an's train of thought. “It is well that the Empress has given her blessing on our friendship, and allowed us to continue to remain together as such. As much as Craig has come to mean to me—and both Saa'an and Ami'an as well, perhaps we have become as Craig said, we have become as much as family as any could without the ties of blood. I will miss him when he leaves for his homeworld." Khy'an gave a barely audible snort. “He always finds a way to be annoying…even his leaving will be annoying. Strangely, I will miss even that about him, and that is annoying." Khy'an smiled to herself. “At least Saa'an will try to keep Craig from too much trouble."

After waiting for nearly one u'ne, Saa'an and Craig were finally called. The three were taken down three different corridors, to an exam style room apart from the others, where they waited several more minutes. Finally, there was a light chime at the door, which then opened for the person who would be attempting to assist Saa'an and Craig with having a little one. The woman seemed to be average in height, build, and in looks…almost too average in Khy'an's view. Nothing seemed to be particularly memorable about the woman…except her eyes. Khy'an noted that they seemed to be an unusual color—instead of the usual ice blue, they were almost violet.

“Good evening to you, I am Aama-Ael'an, I am the specialist in genetics who will be assisting you." Without looking at her handheld display, she added, “You are Ilen-Saa'an, and you are…a human from the planet Terra, by the name of—I hope I do not mispronounce your name—Craig Nicolini; Is that correct?"

“Yes, ma'am, it is. Most everyone here has bit of trouble saying it right, unless they know my native language," Craig acknowledged in Tu'an, somewhat surprised that the geneticist got it right the first time without hearing him pronounce it first.

Aama-Ael'an smiled slightly.

“I am very good at languages, among other things. Now then, you two wish to know if it is possible, through genetic manipulation, to have a child of your own. I will need to obtain a sample from each of you—the procedure will not be painful in the least, and will only take a few moments. Who wishes to go first?"

“I will," Saa'an offered.

“Very well then, perhaps your mate and his guard should step out for a moment," Aama-Ael'an suggested.

Saa'an gently wrapped the end of her tail around Craig's wrist and then nodded her head towards the door.

“I will be alright, beloved."

A short while later, the door opened and Aama-Ael'an poked her head out to call Craig in. Khy'an, of course, went in with him and stood nearby, watching the geneticist closely. Aama-Ael'an seemed totally unperturbed by Khy'an's presence, which was something she noted.

“There is something…different…about this female that I cannot quite put my finger on," Khy'an thought to herself.

It did not take long for the sample to be taken from Craig; he didn't have to do anything in particular, except to lie down on the exam table and expose himself behind a privacy screen. Without being touched in any way, he felt a rather unusual sensation as his sample was being drawn from his body. When it had been collected, he was given a wipe to use, and then he was allowed to redress.

Saa'an was called back into the exam room and Aama-Ael'an told them both that she would work with the samples and let them know if there was a possibility for success or not.

“I will contact you by this time next evening if the simulations show a favorable chance. I cannot promise anything, though I will try to know for certain if it is possible."

“That's all we can hope for. I know that we may be too different to make this work, but at least we can try," Craig said, glancing meaningfully at Saa'an.

“That is true enough, beloved," Saa'an agreed.

On their way back to the Terran embassy, Khy'an thought about the female geneticist, and found that she was having difficulty in recalling her face.

“That is odd, I have total recall of such things, yet I find that her features are elusive. I do not understand this, but I will look into the female's background and find out what I can about her," Khy'an thought to herself.

* * * * *

Aama-Ael'an looked at the two sample vials and tapped them lightly with her fingertips, while she thought to herself a few moments. She pushed her chair back and stood, picked up the vials, and then left the exam room. A short while later, she entered another room that had little but a desk and a chair, and a few nicknacks. On the desk was a rock studded with crystals, about the size of two adult hands in width. Smiling to herself, Aama-Ael'an worked a crystal out of the rock and set it aside, and then she removed another crystal from a hidden pocket and slipped it into the place of the other had been. She spoke a word in a language that had not been heard on Mûr Zhæn for over a million sun-cycles, and the room suddenly turned into what appeared to be open space among the stars. Aama-Ael'an, as she was known to the locals on Mûr Zhæn, pointed to a desired location in the starfield, and spoke another word. A swirling ball of light appeared before her that held a vague form in its center—and a pair of intense amber eyes that would be familiar to those of Terra and of other worlds.

“What is it, A'amahi Afer-ael'ena?" the swirling ball of light asked.

“I have news, U'ensa Hren-cha'ena. A Terran male has been living on Mûr Zhæn long enough to have adapted to the local culture, and even take one of the Mûr Tua'ansa as his mate. They wish to have a child together, despite their differences. It may be possible, though before I begin the manipulation, I need to know if the others see any problems that might come of such a union of the two worlds."

“A Terran you say…they are one of the Younger Races, as I recall."

“Yes, that is so. We have not been to their world in some time. When I examined this Terran male, he seemed to be farther along in their development than should be possible yet for his world. Perhaps we should consider making contact with them again."

“It appears that since we have withdrawn the Heart from Élendor Prime for re-energization, two craft—one from Terra, and one from Mûr Zhæn—are on a joint venture to follow the faint trail we left to see if any had the capability to find it. If they prove worthy, we shall extend a greeting. Attempt your test, A'amahi; report your findings to me, and I shall discuss it with the Elders—if they approve, then create the hybrid child and have someone observe its upbringing…discreetely, of course."

“It will be done, U'ensa. Give my regards to Mistress Naoia Anen-su'ena the next time you see her."

“She was inspecting the Portal the last I spoke to her; however, I will relay your greeting."

The swirl of light vanished and the room was returned to its normal appearance.

“Well, now that that has been set into motion, let us see what comes of this," A'amahi Afer-ael'ena, or Aama-Ael'an as she was known on Mûr Zhæn, thought to herself.

The geneticist's body was briefly bathed in multi-colored hues of light while her body transformed into a different female shape that resembled a tall woman with white hair, almond-shaped violet eyes, and slender build, wearing clothing the colors of a forest—a human would think she was an elf from their ancient legends. She withdrew the crystal from the stone on the desk and put it back in the hidden pocket, and then she touched several crystals in a specific sequence. A cone-shaped beam of energy projected from the rock, which caused a portal to open, leading to some distant, secret location. When Aama-Ael'an stepped through, the portal closed behind her.

* * * * *

Craig, Saa'an, and Khy'an had a late lunch when they returned to the Terran embassy. Craig noticed that Khy'an was being rather quiet, so he asked what was on her mind.

“Perhaps it is nothing," Khy'an replied.

“C'mon, Khy'an, something's bugging you, so what's up?" Craig insisted.

Khy'an had been idly poking at a piece of her food with her fork, instead of her usual wolfing down whatever was put in front of her, which gave Craig the cue that something was bothering his guard.

“I cannot put my finger on it," she said, finally stabbing a piece of meat, “but there is something about that gen-tech that troubles me. I find that I am having difficulty recalling her appearance, and that is odd." Khy'an finished by putting the piece of meat on her fork into her mouth.

“Really? Geeze, she was…was…um, about…I dunno, about average height, and…um, help me out here, babe…" Craig furrowed his brows trying to think what the woman looked like.

“I…I…cannot seem to remember, either, just that she looked…average," Saa'an said, thinking on it.

“That is just it, she seemed too average…except for her eyes," Khy'an added.

“Yeah, that's right…she did have weird colored eyes. I've seen various shades of brown, black, green, amber, hazel, yellow, red, blue, gray, and combinations of those colors, but never…what were they…yeah, violet. I've never seen anyone with violet eyes before, and I've met a lot of folks from diferent worlds," Craig agreed.

“I cannot seem to recall her face, either," Saa'an added.

“Now that's just plain creeping me out if none of us can remember what she looked like," Craig commented.

“I will attempt to find what I can on this Aama-Ael'an—surely there is a record of her," Khy'an stated, feeling most annoyed.

Khy'an situated herself at a workstation in the protected depths of the Che'maht Sahn'rah headquarters where the vast amounts of highly detailed records were kept. Security was, of course, very tight in this area—protections were in place that prevented anyone from teleporting in, as well as other forms of transport into or out of the area. Once Khy'an entered her security credentials into the computer system, she went to work compiling all available information on Aama-Ael'an. Expecting the report to take awhile to generate, Khy'an was about to get something to drink when the data terminal chimed that it was complete. Khy'an opened the report and frowned at the small amount of data it contained. Aama-Ael'an was listed as being from a distant colony world within the boundaries of the Empire called Hyal-Naeris. The expected usual personal information was there: House, birth order, date born, sex, and so forth. All seemed normal enough, even her schooling and advanced education, only…the records showed that Aama-Ael'an was orphaned due to an unexplained natural disaster with only vague details listed. She was raised with other surviving little ones in a fosterage center.

“Little ones…wait, she used the term 'child' when talking to Craig and Saa'an. Craig uses that term in place of 'little one' often enough, which I suppose is common among his people, though in our language, it is used typically by a family member when addressing one of their own and not in such a general way. A simple enough word used in an uncommon manner. As I recall, Aama-Ael'an seemed to speak Craig's name without a hint of accent—those of us who have learned the language of his people do not speak it exactly as they do. Even with my time among the Terrans at their embassy, they still note my own accent, just as I note Craig's accent when he speaks our language. Being a colonist, Aama-Ael'an should have a slight accent of her own as all the other colonists do—it is only natural, but she has none. According to this, she has not been on Mûr Zhæn for more than…that is odd, no longer than Craig and the other Terrans of the embassy have been here."

Khyan continued to look through the records, which showed the other colony worlds that Aama-Ael'an had been on, making a steady progression towards the homeworld, stopping on a few protectorate worlds along the way. Other than that, Aama-Ael'an's career and life seemed normal and uneventful.

“But where are the images of her?" Khy'an wondered.

Searching again, Khy'an eventually found an image taken in a classroom where several younglings were working together on a project. One was looking right at the imaging device in such a way that Khy'an did not doubt that most adults would find it at least a little disconcerting—violet colored eyes that had an almost unnatural intensity.

When Khy'an returned to the embassy, she found Craig sitting at his desk working on his book, “The Traveler's Guide to Mûr Zhæn and its Customs", that he was trying to finish before he had to return to Terra.

“Hey, Khy'an," Craig said when he looked up when she walked into his little study. “Did ya find out anything interesting?"

Khy'an's expression, however subtle, told Craig that she was annoyed.

“Only that our mystery gen-tech is still a mystery." Khy'an handed Craig her hand-held portable data device, already keyed to display what she had found. “Since you perceive things differently than my people do, what do you make of this?"

Craig took the device and scrolled through the information that Khy'an had gathered. He went through it two more times just to be sure of what he was reading.

“Geez, Khy'an, for someone who is supposedly that knowledgeable in the field of genetics, she sure doesn't have much of a background. Is it possible that it has been faked, like maybe in case someone tried to do a background check, there would be just enough info to not immediately draw attention?"

Khy'an arched an eyebrow slightly after considering Craig's words.

“I did not wish to think that, as it should be nearly impossible for any but the most adept computer experts among our people."

“I remember Fey telling me something once about her sister, Moira. Fey said that Moira had quite a knack for digging up all sorts of things on computers, and that she's really good at covering her tracks, too, so nobody could figure out how she did it. I bet if Nightwing was here, Moira might be able to figure out how to find out if this was real info or not," Craig said, remembering back to when Darkfire was still on Mûr Zhæn.

Khy'an considered the idea of having such a sentient, nearly hyper-intelligent, “machine entity" digging through available data with the speed and determination such a being was surely capable of.

“It would be most interesting to see what she could discover," Khy'an agreed. “However, we must make do with what we have for the time being. If this Aama-Ael'an calls as agreed, and we return for another visit, I have sufficient cause to examine her more closely."

Craig felt a shiver run through his body—he had an idea what Khy'an's formidable mental abilities were capable of. The Mûr Tua'ansa, as a whole, were powerful telepaths that could dig deeply into the minds of anyone not able to block such mental probing. Khy'an, however, had received additional training in interrogation techniques, as well as psionic attack and defense measures. Craig did not want to imagine what Khy'an could truly do if she had justifiable reason.

“Geezers, Khy'an, if this gal turns out to be the only hope of Saa'an and I having a kid of our own, don't turn her mind to slush, okay?"

Khy'an looked down at Craig with a little smile on her face.

“I do have some experience at this, Craig. I am certain that I can discover if she is being truthful or not, without causing any permanent harm."

“I hope I never get you really mad at me for some reason…"

Khy'an grinned and put a hand on Craig's shoulder and sent in a humorous tone, “While I would not hesitate to end your path if you were attempting to harm the Empress, for anything less…," Khy'an hesitated a bit and then sent more tenderly, “…I have other ways of dealing with you." Khy'an leaned close, nearly nose-to-nose with Craig.

“Bite me," he nearly whispered with playful sarcasm.

Khy'an smiled slyly.

“Do not tempt me…I just might."

Later, during the over-day hours while Saa'an and Craig were lying together in bed, she asked, “Was Khy'an successful in finding anything out about Aama-Ael'an?"

“Not really. She showed me what she did find, but it was just usual boring stuff," Craig replied.

Saa'an rolled to her side so that she could face her mate.

“Does that trouble you, beloved?"

“I'm not really sure what to think of it, though Khy'an is annoyed."

Saa'an grinned and asked, “When is Khy'an not annoyed with something?"

Craig chuckled quietly and replied, “Yeah, really." He thought a few moments and then asked, “Hey, in case this all works out, have you thought of any names yet?"

Saa'an kissed Craig and then stroked his face tenderly.

“I think I am becoming fond of this form of hri'fal, this 'kissing' as you call it." Saa'an looked into Craig's eyes and added, “Ami'an and I have toyed with some possible name choices, but it has not been easy to find one that fits with both our cultures."

“Hmm, we might have to get a little creative. If it's a girl, how about something like, Ilen-Khy'an Nicolini, or if it's a boy, how about Dnan-Jon'ta Nicolini?"

“Jon'ta? I have never heard of such a name. Where did you find that one at?"

“Um, my grandpa's name is Jonathan, so I thought that might not sound too strange if we used the first three letters of his first name, and then add the 'ta' onto it so it would work here. On my world, it could be Jonathan Dnan-Nicolini," Craig explained, showing how it would be spelled using his PAD. “Same way if we have a girl, it would be…Khy'an Ilen-Nicolini. See? It might be a little confusing, but those would be workable, don't you think?"

Saa'an looked at Craig's PAD and thought about his suggestions.

“It is strange, but…since your people place their names in a different order that my own do, it might work. If you do not mind, beloved, I would like to show this to Ami'an."

“Sure thing, babe. Hey, has Khy'an some up with any ideas…that she's willing to mention?"

“No, though she seemed quite pleased that we would name a daughter after her. I believe she has finally accepted your idea of making her a…'godmother'. That is very strange to us, but if it is a custom among your people, then it seems acceptable," Saa'an replied thoughtfully.

Craig smiled and leaned over to kiss Saa'an.

“So, you like that now, eh?"

“Yes, that and…other things you have surprised me with," Saa'an sent with a sly smile.

Craig had discovered one spot on Saa'an's body where she was ticklish at—a difficult thing to do since Mûr Tua'ansa skin is somewhat thicker and less sensitive than a human's. Pulling the covers over his head, it wasn't long before…

“CRAIG! Noooo! Stoooop! AI!!!"

* * * * *

“Ah, I have finally hit upon the proper sequence! This will result in a viable—and fertile—hybrid child for the Terran and his mate. New blood for the old, old abilities for the new…yes, this will help both worlds in the longrun," A'amahi Afer-ael'ena thought to herself, happy that her project would be a success. All she needed now was the approval of the Council of the Elders, and then she could “plant the seed", as it were. She went ahead and combined the genetic material from the young couple in the proper sequence, and made all preparations that would be necessary.

When all was ready, A'amahi Afer-ael'ena contacted U'ensa Hren-cha'ena to tell her the news. The Elders agreed to the plan, which would be carefully watched and reported on. The Mûr Tua'ansa had great abilities to be sure, though the Terrans had a potential to become far more than they knew. Some aspects of that potential were already becoming apparent, and the introduction of the psionic abilities of the older race into the Terrans would ensure both races would one day stand with those who have guided many such worlds towards their own Great Awakening.

* * * * *

Craig, Saa'an, and Khy'an were ushered into the same exam room as before. When Aama-Ael'an entered the room with a healer carrying a covered tray, Craig and Saa'an felt a rush of excitement. Khy'an, on the other hand, watched Aama-Ael'an carefully.

“Are you ready to have a child?" the geneticist asked cheerfully.

Craig and Saa'an exchanged surprised looks.

“You are certain that this will work?" Khy'an asked with a hint of skepticism in her sending.

When Aama-Ael'an looked Khy'an in the eye and sent with a sly smile, “Quite certain," the violet color of her eyes was, for a moment, as intense as they were in the one image Khy'an had found of her as a youngling.

“Now then, the implantation procedure will not take long, and you should refrain from doing anything too energetic for a few nights, just to give the sy'iw[1] time to bond thoroughly. You will likely undergo the usual changes, though should there be any unforeseen troubles, help will not be far away.
 “But, what about when we're on my world? Will our medical people be able to help if there should be a problem?" Craig asked with concern.

Aama-Ael'an smiled and reached into a pocket of her smock.

“This contains all of the information your own healers would need to know to treat a Mûr Tua'ansa female and her child," she said, handing a datachip to Craig.

“That is a Terran datachip…where did you obtain that?" Khy'an demanded, narrowing her eyes in annoyance.

Aama-Ael'an smiled slightly and replied, “The trade agreement between the Empire and the Sol Federation…surely you know that new items are arriving from Terra. One may purchase these at the main starport, of course, along with converter units so that they will work with systems here on Mûr Zhæn."

Khy'an made a mental note to check into that claim the first chance she could get.

“Let us begin the procedure, shall we? I am certain that you have other things to do than to sit in this room all night," Aama-Ael'an prodded.

Craig and Khy'an waited in a seating area while Saa'an was being implanted with the modified sy'iw. Craig looked at the data chip Aama-Ae'an had given him—it certainly looked like a standard Sol Federation datachip, and when he placed his thumb on the frosted square on one end, the chip's title glowed just as it should.

“I didn't know anyone was importing these yet," Craig commented as he looked closely at the chip.

“I have not seen them outside of your embassy, and even they use our own data crystals more often than their own."

Craig thought for a moment and then suggested, “Hey, maybe you might ask Asa'an—she's next to the main starport, and she knows pretty much everything that goes on around there. I'd think a former cargo handler would know who trades in what."

Khy'an slightly raised an eyebrow.

“You are beginning to think like me."

Craig smiled and smirked, “Now that is a scary thought!"

Khy'an chuckled softly and, giving a quick look up and down the hallway to make sure they were alone, briefly wrapped the end of her tail around Craig's wrist.

When the implantation procedure was finished, Craig and Khy'an were called back into the room. While Saa'an was finishing redressing behind a privacy screen, Khy'an inquired where the geneticist, Aaama-Ael'an went.

“She left during the procedure," the attending healer replied.

“We were just outside the door—we saw no one leave," Khy'an stated with annoyance. “I also did not sense anyone relocate themselves from our immediate vincinity."

The attending healer looked at Khy'an in surprise.

“Truly, I swear, she left while I was concentrating on the implantation procedure!"

Khy'an looked hard at the healer a few moments, probing for any hint of untruth.

“Ai! Please, I speak truly!" the healer cried out, holding her head.

“Geezers, Khy'an, take it easy, will ya?! There's no need to torture the poor gal just because someone slipped out on us! Maybe there's another way out of here or something," Craig pleaded, lightly putting a hand on Khy'an's arm.

“This Aama-Ael'an may not be what she seems, and I will find her even if I must dismantle the building itself!"

Khy'an was clearly peeved, and it was making Craig and Saa'an nervous.

Bringing her attention back to the healer, Khy'an asked, “Where is the office used by Aama-Ael'an?"

“I…I have not been in it, but…I will take you there, if you allow," the healer offered, her eyes clearly showing her fear of the Che'maht Sahn'rah guard.

With a nod of her head, Khy'an said simply, “Show me", and then she stepped back to allow the healer to go out through the one door into and out of the room. As she passed by Craig, he briefly touched the healer's arm and privately sent his sincere apology for the way Khy'an had treated her.

“I'm sorry Bren-Khy'an got rough with you. She's normally not like this."

The healer glanced at Craig as if he had lost his mind.

A short while later, the healer led them to the door behind which was the room that served as Aama-Ael'an's office.

“Open it," Khy'an ordered, placing her hand on the hilt of her weapon.

The healer tried, but she could not open the door.

“I don't understand, this should not be locked. I cannot open it."

With a disgruntled snort, Khy'an reached into her belt bag and withdrew a small device. She pressed an activator stud on the palm-sized device and held it over the control pad for the door. When the door did not open, Khy'an frowned.

“This should open any door, yet this does not respond."

Khy'an drew her weapon without activating it, and attempted to teleport into the room. Craig saw Khy'an's features blur slightly for just a blink of the eye, but she was still in the hallway. Again, she tried to teleport into the room, but to no avail.

“AH! This room has unauthorized protections! I must report this at once!"

Khy'an contacted her superior and quickly told her about the mysterious geneticist and the office space with the protections. Less than a minute later, Madam Commander General Anen-Rys'an appeared with three other members of the Che'maht Sahn'rah.

The healer shrank back in fearful respect, staying with Saa'an, though Craig stood next to Khy'an and greeted her superior with an appropriate bow.

Returning Craig's greeting with a nod, Madam Commander General Anen-Rys'an asked Khy'an, “This is the room with the unauthorized protections?"

Khy'an acknowledged by holding her device over the door's control surface with no response. Slightly raising an eyebrow, Anen-Rys'an had one of the other guards attempt to open the door. When that failed, she used a scanning device to examine it more closely.

“This is no control that I have ever seen—whatever it is, it is not of our making," the guard reported.

That elicited a frown on Anen-Rys'an's face.

Turning back to Khy'an, she asked, “And you say that you were unable to relocate into the room?"

“I tried twice to no avail," Khy'an replied.

The guard with the portable scanner checked the door itself as well as the walls.

“There will be only one way into this room, Madam Commander General," the guard reported with a hand gesture that meant force would be necessary.

Anen-Rys'an instructed the healer to get the administrator of the facility—this was only as a courtesy, since the Che'maht Sahn'rah have broad discretion in their legal powers. When the administrator arrived, and was filled in on what was going on and why, she said, “Do what you need to do."

Everyone stepped away when Khy'an activated her weapon at a low intensity with the intent of cutting through the edges of the door. As soon as she touched her weapon to the door, there was a shimmer and a crackle of energy…but the door remained untouched.

“It is force shielded," Khy'an said in disgust.

“Then overpower the shield," her superior ordered.

“It may be wise if everyone removed themselves from the immediate area," Khy'an cautioned.

“Geezers, Khy'an…be careful, okay? This is just a door, not the spooks at nir-Tha'es," Craig sent privately with growing concern.

Khy'an glanced sideways at Craig, recalling the incident.

“I do not know who or what you are, Aama-Ael'an, but if you have done anything to harm Craig and Saa'an, by the All Mother I swear I will…" she thought to herself, and then the feelings she experienced at nir-Tha'es flooded back over her.

Khy'an held her weapon up with both hands and it flared into life with an intensity so bright that all had to shield their eyes from it. With a dreadful hiss, Khy'an plunged her weapon at the center of the door. With a deafening thunderclap and an explosion of sparks and blasted bits of rapidly disintegrating material, the door vanished along with part of the wall around it. Khy'an was thrown violently backwards into the opposite wall of the hallway. The only thing that saved her from injury was the automatic activation of her body shield. Craig immediately rushed to Khy'an's side after the blast's effects began to subside. 

“Khy'an, are you okay?! Talk to me!" Craig fervently hoped that she was not harmed.

Slightly dazed, Khy'an shook her head as if to clear it, and allowed Craig to help her up into a sitting position. They both looked at the gaping hole in the wall where the door used to be.

“Geezers, Khy'an…!" Craig sent in dumbfounded awe.

“You had to remind me of nir-Tha'es, didn't you?" Khy'an quipped, raising an eyebrow, and getting a bit of a smirk on her face.

“Geezers…definitely remind me to never piss you off!"

Khy'an patted Craig's shoulder.

“As I said on nus-Sava'en, you are no fool," Khy'an said with a chuckle.

“I'd kiss you right now if I could, but not with all these people around," Craig sent to Khy'an privately.

As Craig helped her up, Khy'an noticed that besides her superior and the other guards examining the destroyed door and wall, there were others approaching, including maintenance and emergency personnel.

“As you say, 'hold that thought'," Khy'an sent with a bit of amusement.

Madam Commander General Anen-Rys'an inspected the damage done by Bren-Khy'an's weapon, and was surprised by the devastation.

“It should not be possible, not with a standard issue weapon, unless, perhaps there was something we missed that was hidden," she thought to herself. Turning to the guard with the scanner she asked, “Are you certain there were no power conduits behind this wall?"

Holding out the scanner, the guard offered, “You may see for yourself, if you wish."

Anen-Rys'an took the offered device and replayed the scan. It seemed normal enough, no unusual energy readings, not even anything that would show the force shielding that was obviously in place. They all saw the response to Bren-Khy'an's weapon at low intensity—the force shielding was obvious.

“But why did it not show up on the scan?"

Anen-Rys'an handed the scanner back to the guard, and instructed her to scan the room. Khy'an went in with the other guard to take a look for herself. There was little in the room, and no other way in or out, not even a window.

“Are you detecting anything?" Khy'an asked as she passed her hand over the inside edge of the charred opening.

“Only confused readings that I cannot understand," the guard replied.

Khy'an watched the display on the scanner as the other guard moved it about.

“That is very strange…wait, try adjusting for different phases in the energy pattern," Khy'an suggested.

While the other guard slowly adjusted the phase detection, something flickered on the screen.

“There…back a little…," Khy'an sent as she watched closely. “Slowly…slowly…there!" Khy'an's eyes widened when the image became clear.

“We found something…," Khy'an said aloud, drawing the attention of her superior, the facility's administrator, and Craig.

The guard held up the scanner so that the others could see as she made a slow sweep of the room.

“Oh…geezers…," Craig said quietly as he watched the display.

“Indeed," Khy'an agreed in wide-eyed wonder.

Instead of a room, the scanner showed the starry vastness of open space.

In the early morning, when Craig, Saa'an, and Khy'an were relaxing together on the couch, having their customary tea before bed, Craig asked Khy'an, “Have you heard anything else about that bizzare room?"

“Only that it has been sealed off while a science team is put together to study it."

“I cannot imagine how anything could be like that," Saa'an commented.

“Whatever tech was used to create that room, if that is what it truly is, it definitely is not ours nor that of any other species we know of," Khy'an said with a little frown.

“Yeah, it's like…it's not there, but it is. If it really is out in space somewhere, I wonder where the heck it is," Craig added.

“I did not recognize any view of the stars that I am familiar with, but then again, I have not ventured far from our world," Khy'an said after taking another sip of her tea.

“Another mystery uncovered, no doubt. Speaking of covers, I am going to bed…will you be joining me soon, beloved?" Saa'an asked Craig.

“Yeah, I'll be in shortly, babe. It's been a long, strange night."

“Indeed so. I will see you at chu'anso, Saa'an. Sleep well," Khy'an said.

“And you as well, Khy'an."

After Saa'an disappeared into the bedroom, Khy'an eyed her cup and polished off its contents in one gulp. After setting her cup down, Khy'an adjusted her position on the couch so that she could face Craig better.

“So, what do you think of that gal now?" Craig asked quietly.

“Aama-Ael'an?"

Craig nodded his head.

Khy'an thought for a moment and then sent, “I do not believe she is one of us."

Craig thought on that and said, “Yeah, I think so, too. Just too much that is bizarre about the whole thing."

“Has Saa'an mentioned anything about if she will go through with the pregnancy?"

“She hasn't said yet."

Khy'an fiddled with a lock of Craig's hair while she thought about the possible consequences of Saa'an having a child that was created by a possible off-worlder of unknown abilities and motives.

Craig watched Khy'an's face while she was thinking, and asked, “Are you worried about what might happen?"

“For a number of reasons, yes."

The look on Craig's face told Khy'an that he, too, was worried.

“Well, I guess we'll discuss it after a good day's rest."

“That may be wise; it has, as you said, been a strange night. I should get my rest…,"

“Khy'an…?" Craig asked quietly.

“Yes?"

“I'm still holding that thought…"

Khy'an cocked her head slightly to one side for a moment, and then she smiled.

It was the most passionate kiss Craig had received from Khy'an yet.

Craig and Saa'an fell asleep quickly and soundly, after he joined her in bed. The embassy was quiet except for the usual faint sounds of the environmental system and the sounds of the city during the over-day hours outside the window. On the top of the dresser unit that Craig and Saa'an shared was a crystal vial that was decorated with intricate vines made of pure silver, and inside the vial was water from the Mûr thel-Raleen. The couple had accepted the vial as a token of their visit to the sacred spring at the heart of the birth forest of the Mûr Tua'ansa people. Sometime while Craig and Saa'an slept during this particular day, the vial began to glow from within, and a thin wisp of softly glowing vapor began to rise from it. The vapor seemed to have a will of its own as it gathered itself into a more substantial wisp of fog, and then it began to move. Just as at the Mûr thel-Raleen, the wisp flowed through the air towards the sleeping couple. It stopped first before Craig's face, extending a tiny tendril of vapor that touched his cheek for only a moment before moving on to Saa'an. When it touched her cheek in the same manner as it had Craig's, the wisp seemed to do a little dance above Saa'an, and then arced over and dove downward, disappearing into the covers.

The corners of Saa'an's lips turned up ever so slightly into a smile while she slept.

[1] Sy'iw – the equivalent of a fertilized egg in Mûr Tua'ansa biology.

(On to chapter 16 https://www.sofurry.com/view/1219617)