Harried Ronda's trying to cope with high school, SETI's discovered aliens, and they want her help to save an important diplomat whose treaty will deliver 50 worlds from starvation. SETI's In The UN

"...the new treaty just went to the United Nations. SETI's discovery will change everything you and I know!"

I reached over and grabbed my phone! SETI found aliens? The UN! It took me a min or two to realize, oh, my alarm's going. This morning I had the Star Trek Red Alert klaxon. So, I'm a prophet, now!

Mary got in the cat box. My gray cat stands on the side to do things. Funny Mary! "You know, you really need to cover that up. Scared of getting those dainty paws dirty or something?"

She mewed and rubbed against my leg. I got a bag and dipped it out, then tied it and dropped it in the can for that purpose. Ugh. This afternoon, I'll be running that to the garbage can outside. Hand sanitizer from the big bottle on my desk is getting low.

Got dressed while I listened. Blue jeans and my most shapeless brown sweater. Bullies still feel me up at school. How I wished they'd just cancel it today! Atlanta Public Schools hasn't got anything on Twitter. Okay.

Why should bullies rule my life?! I picked out my bright green flowered dress. Today may be a cold day, but Wednesday, January 19 is going to live in history, forever! If I walk fast, I'll stay warm. That sweater gets too hot and my face goes red. Then they tease me about Vanderbilt Pounds until I want to scream. As if I'd ever let him kiss me. He gets sick jollies out of torturing me. That's not love. If I get to school early enough, he can't sit near me in the lunchroom. Yeah.

Mary tried to sink her claws into a ruffle. "Girl, leave my dress alone! Here's your toy." I took a min to wave her fishing rod toy around. Laughed at her antics. Later, I'll play longer. Stuck it back on its hooks in my wall so she can't choke on the feathers while I'm gone. Tucked those feathers in an old umbrella sleeve so they didn't show. One more hug for Mary. She purred when I picked her up. "Be good while I'm gone, okay? You still have your ball tower." When I put her down, I gave it a poke and she went for it.

Grabbed my backpack and stuck my phone in it with the earbuds hanging out so I can still listen. Ran downstairs.

Mama was hanging onto Daddy's arm. "Can't you stay home today, Ron?"

He laughed and swung her down for a steamy kiss. "Oh, I'd love to stay home, but my boss'll have a conniption! No, I'll have to fight the aliens off with a stick, arrive at my desk half-dead, and no one'll be brave enough to call an ambulance! You know how he is." Gently, he put Mama back on her feet. "Seriously, they're not anywhere near Earth. That treaty calls for remote trade, not ships. I don't think Atlanta Airport will be a spaceport anytime soon. Besides, any aliens'll go to New York where the UN is, not here!" Poor Daddy works on the 32nd floor of the Georgia Pacific Building. His boss doesn't appreciate him.

"I hope you're right! Maybe they don't like pizza, anyway." Mama manages a popular place near GSU where I hope to go. If I can decide what major--

"Be careful going to work, Daddy!" I kissed his cheek and he hugged me.

"Don't worry! I'm a good driver. Even on Wednesday, I won't get in a high-speed crash in this traffic." He made a face that got us laughing. His black hair always looks messy, despite all the times he whips out his comb.

Mama had her black hair in neat French braids and her hair net over her red uniform. "It still makes me nervous. Half my workers won't wear a mask properly, and I have to be cooped up with three of 'em in the restaurant. At least the other 8 are out for delivery most of the day. Drivers from 3 delivery services don't mask up when they come in—"

"We're still young! We survived COVID twice already. We're probably immune. Gotta go! Don't get snatched before I get home, now!" He laughed as he got his briefcase and furry Russian hat. Didn't wear a coat over his navy 3-piece suit.

I followed him out the door, and Mama locked it. "If aliens don't get us, I'll be home by 6:30, if Sheila makes it in. If not, I might be closing again."

"That's ridiculous! You didn't have enough sleep last night—"

I slipped my other arm into my backpack strap and put my earbuds in. Our crazy lives are about to get crazier.

Why do boys have to bother me? Aren't there enough pretty girls for them, who want that kind of attention? No, they want to bother poor Ronda, who can't get a boyfriend. Daddy got me that self-defense course, and I can't use any of it 'cause I might get suspended if I slap 'em.

If I was 18 and had a job, I could go to Personnel and complain. I go to the office and complain, and my bullies' friends come after me. Students don't have any rights.

And my light blue eyes that weren't a pretty color, and light brown hair that wasn't the golden blond of the popular Michelle, and my pear-shaped figure. Nobody gives me a second glance. So, why do bullies want to make out with me? Why not all those girls chasing them?

I walked faster up the sidewalk and shivered. My GSU jacket's got a rip in the right shoulder from Vanderbilt's ring yesterday. Lets the cold air in.

"Hi, Ronda!" Great. Vanderbilt's buddy Jacob reached for my bottom, and I dodged.

Two other boys came to taunt me.

"Aren't you worried about being late to school?" A boy grabbed his shoulder and pushed.

Two others did the same to the first two. I thought about running!

"We're Vanderbilt's friends. You better leave us alone!"

This first boy laughed. "I am not afraid of you." His brown eyes opened wide, but his "I am Berai, Diplomat Of MarKu! My friends and I are in Atlanta to establish an embassy. Your Vanderbilt Pounds and many of his friends are in trouble with Atlanta Police. Perhaps this policeman is looking for you, eae?" He waved to a police car beside us, which stopped. Both policemen came over. "Jacob Riley, Cameron O'Nalley, and Roy Zachary, get in the car, please. You are all wanted for questioning."

They let the policemen load them into the car. No handcuffs, though. All three gave me stares. I'll have trouble when I get to school.

Berai took my hand. Mid-panic, the blue sky and bare trees along the sidewalk and all that traffic vanished!

Glimpse Of My Future

The cart rolled out, but the black-furred animals balked. Thunder got louder, more frequent. Animals howled. Wind matched them. People went into stone buildings and stayed.

I worried about Thanim and Ber. The Ulukai frowned at me, so I sang loudly. "Oh, DS men are brave and bold, they never get scared. They never get old! Dangerrrr Serrrvice! That's the life for me! I'll pilot my ship 'til she falls apart—and then I'll join a Team!" The theme song of a spoof vid made Kit smile. My companions noticed, and got the drivers to snatch a look when the animals behaved. I kept singing songs from Danger Service. "Leave the light on for me, honey! When my mission's done, I'll be home for supper." They didn't understand English. But, Kit seemed to enjoy it.

Finally, the bucking animals jerked the cart to a halt by the stone cistern. Men carried Ghil in, but touched Kit and stopped. "I will wash him," one said.

Kit reached for me. I hugged him. "Let me do it, so he won't get scared. Will you carry him for me?"

The others came back quickly. "Healer! They are frightened of us!" Thunder punctuated their pleas.

I jumped into the water and mumbled apologies as I rubbed grasses on Kit's tattered uniform. They foamed like soap and it smelled flowery. Finally, the yellow mud came clean and I let the man take him. "Kit, I'm coming with you. Don't be scared. Smile for me!" I sang loudly to make myself heard over the thunder. We ran in between the heavy doors, that one of the black-robed Ulukai had open.

Three terrified men looked up at me, then smiled. I walked with Kit as the biggest one put him in my bed. Then, I pulled dry blankets over him. "See, they have peace now."

The black robes bowed their dripping selves, then went out. I bolted both heavy wooden doors with the bluemetal rod. Leaned against the big one, shivering. My throat hurt. My knees shook.

"Ber!" Ghil screamed it. I ran to the bed and tried to help them comfort him.

"See, there's Ber, like I said!" Gently, I held his battered head and turned it. His eyes drifted shut. One arm jerked, then that leg, then his body spread-eagled.

Ber cried. "Nae! My friend dies, and we have nae herbs!"

I reached by the bed and showed him his yellow pyramid. "Tell me what he needs! You said nesfa was for hurt heads—"

"Eae! For me it is five, but I know nae for him!" Ber cried.

I took five leaves and dropped them delicately in Ghil's open mouth. Touched his forehead, and the back of his head. "Ghil, you're safe here. Ber is holding you. Kit and Thanim, they want you to feel better, too. Go to sleep, Ghil. We'll stay right here with you." Softly, I sang to him. None of the silly ones. On the counter, sloppy approximations of rom sagged in a plate. I sang as I dragged myself to it. Stopped to cough. My hoarse voice cleared, and I kept singing. Brought the warm food to the bed. As I sang, I broke off bites for each man. Thanim shook his head, but I frowned, and he ate. Ber gobbled his. So did Kit. Ghil's eyes didn't close all the way. Crumbled rom sat on his tongue a long time before it slowly absorbed. Zheien can't choke.

The cart of rough wood and the rocky landscape under a red sun vanished, and I held Ber's head in my hands. "Oh, my--" I let go. "Where was that?"

Ghil cried. Ber hugged him. Two purple men in blue shuddered. Ber looked at me, brown eyes wide. "Jenica. Our team went there, but we failed our mission. You saved us. All four of us. Ulukai are the law there. They have caring hearts but they believe if one is sad, the memories that make him sad must leave him. For Ulukai, their bodies are very strong. Their treatment, perhaps, is well for their kind. But for a Zheien, or a Thordes, we die or become very disabled. Ghil, my friend, eat of bis tia. Your herb terminal."

He didn't reach in his pocket. Ber did, popped the yellow pyramid open, and took out three tiny green leaves. Showed him. When he breathed in, the leaves went in with his breath. He still cried.

People walked around us, as if we hadn't been talking about another planet! But diplomats can do things to hide people with their telepathy.

I was a legal assistant and a trader for a company back on Earth. They sent me to Jenica to establish a trade contract. But, they didn't tell me how dangerous that position was! Or how many people died there, from that same company, before they sent me.

Memories kept coming. I shook with it!

"Ronda, please, come to our ship. Is a shock, to see our futures, for all of us!"

I held onto his arm and a green swirl left us on a red-violet ship, in a crowd of people in uniforms! Outside, a sidewalk in Inman Park. We didn't port far.

They all smiled at me. "O, Miss Kelsey! Ber, your maiden!"

Maiden? We came back from Jenica disabled, and got married. But I was a lot older. All of us!

Ghil was school bus yellow! He had two wide, flat fingers on each hand. Wore a blue uniform. But, Ber now had orange skin and wore his diplomat's his blue uniform that had a sash. I clung to his arm.

"If you had an Earthan husband—"

I hugged Ber gently. "I don't need an Earthan husband. Nobody else but you, Ber."

He didn't smile. "O, for meeting you when I had strength!"

"Love isn't measured by physical strength, or skills, or whatever. If it was, I wouldn't pass. We've been married several months, and we love each other. Don't feel bad, my dear. I'm happy here. We can work together, we're safe, and we have time to go hug each other when we want a break. That's all I want. Time with you, Ber. I'm glad my days as a Ulukai renegade are over."

He stroked my hair lethargically. Chuckled. "My love. O, my hands sleep."

"I'm sleepy, too. Let's take a nap before we go congratulate Ghil."

"Eae?"

"Eae." We cuddled, and took our smiles into our dreams.

That place! We had a giant bed, and—I barely moved, and wheezed! Gravity wasn't as much there, and I was--

Ber's face was a striking orange! All of him was, but his face was darker. My face was burning. "O, I meant nae to shock you! One of our team sees futures--

An orange man in white robes ran to us. "My son, let me see him."

"My friend fears healers. He is of K'hasa Zha."

"I bring Pas. He knows how to help him."

Another orange healer ran to us. Put his hands in front of Ghil's eyes. "My son, I am Pas, a healer. May I touch you? Your friends worry."

"Pas? My friend Jefans cried for you. I held him. We were at Sigan Mas. I tried to help him, in his Challenge, and he died in it!"

"May I touch your head? I will be gentle. Wish you for a friend to hold you, while I do?" The old healer had tears in his eyes.

"Kit is my Biome Engineer. I carry biomes. I should hold him." He let go of Ber.

Kit lifted him. "Ghil, I can hold you. Where should I take him, Healer?" His purple skin was light.

Pas waved up a bed! "Since he is fearful, let us stay here. Would all of you come?"

Ber held out an arm to me. I put my hand on it. We all climbed up on the bed. I worried about my flowered dress, but it just stretched.

It felt natural to lie down with these fellas. I took care of them, and went to a healer colony with them. And, married Ber. Zheien share memories—but those were my memories. More kept coming. All of us were disabled after that disaster mission! I had years of memories. We often took naps together, because when Zheien or Thordes are sick, they sleep in groups.

A Bisillip came running. I'd traded with them in school. Takes all day to click and whistle a greeting, and you check what they heard against an Elshar-Bisillip dictionary--

"Pas, let me dim these memories for them. I can help them more if Miss Kelsey marries Berai--"

"Pirad, I nae but met her! She had trouble, and I brought her to the ship. Ghil was with us, and we all had injury in our futures, from Ulukai!" His brown eyes, past wide, stared at him.

He clicked his face into frozen dismay. "All of you surely you know once a couple shares Adia's prophecy, they must marry! Did any of you see a healer on this ship?"

Ber looked down. "Nae, because Ghil had such fear of them." His chest heaved. A MarKuan should be a deep, rich orange. His color was nearly Ghil's yellow.

I took his hand, and his color paled even more. "Ber, I love you. I want to marry you, 'cause I feel all that love in those memories! I'll go with you to Jenica!" I felt half-insane, to go there—but this time, I have an aandat. A white one, like they gave all us Earthans. I won't catch space germs.

Ber wept. "Ron, I wish you to stay on MarKu, in safety! I can nae take you to Rhaech! Is worse than Jenica! My dear friend Kenneph negotiates for foods for 50 worlds, and I fear for him! I fear for us!"

"My son, you must calm, or I can ne help you--"

The younger healer with red curls put his hands on my fella. "My friend, Ber knows me more well--"

"Pie! O, help me! I nae ever recited to a maiden!"

"Be calm, and take three bis tia--"

"I nae ever needed more than one--"

Pie held out three, and Ber inhaled. The—master healers—Tessite trim down the open white robes, smiled at each other. Pas held Ghil. I took his hand with my other one. Two Thordes hands covered it. Five-fingered hands.

Pirad held his hands on Ber's and my foreheads. Cold! But we stood in orange sand under a green sky with a red sun.

Kids near us stopped playing and ran over!

I wore a beautiful, modest white wedding dress! Had a sparkly necklace with all colors of stones that sparkled, a lot bigger than on any necklace short of British royalty!

Musicians played The Wedding March! Couples dressed in bright green danced. I giggled.

Ber knelt and it all got quiet. "I, Berai, Diplomat Of MarKu, by the Ancient Protocols of MarKu and Zhea~, and of Earth, United States Of America and Fulton County, as well as those of Atlanta, wish to recite this Petition of Marriage Without Courtship, because my health limits us. Forgive me, Ronda Lilian Kelsey, Trader Of Earth, for my hasty plea. Will you marry me?

I took a deep breath. It didn't do much. "Berai, Diplomat of MarKu, I want to marry you! I, Ronda Lilian Kelsey, Trader of Earth, answer your Marriage Petition with Eae! I will walk where you walk, on our path to Elohaia." That's Zheien Heaven!

He picked me up, but his arms shook. Pie walked beside us to a room with a tapestry like our Wedding in MarKu. His parents walked with us. "Ber, will you be well? We are very happy for both of you!"

"O, Fa, I fear for my wife!" He sobbed.

Fa rubbed both our heads. "Nae this sorrow, dear bae! We can comfort your friends. Go to privacy, and be happy, Children!" They both had light brown curls like Ber. The same bright blue eyes.

I smiled at them. "Thank you, Fa, Mea!" I worried how my parents would react! They just took it in stride. I'm 16! My parents will have a conniption!

We walked through our picture, and we had a nine-post bed in the neon green. I loved it! Waved for my beautiful wedding gown to become a long, green one.

Ber carried me to the bed and nodded. His leiwege unfolded and he got into it holding me. Like a very soft mattress to hold us up. I had one in Rainbow—well, it was his. This one, beautifully embroidered.

A lady put a basket of pastries on the bed, giggled and ran out!

My husband shivered. Laid back. "If you wish to undress me, Love--"

I hugged him. "I wouldn't do that! I know Zheien don't do that. I'm a virgin, Love. Let's just hug!" Reached up and kissed his forehead.

Bells rang on our skins! We laughed and hummed with it. Ber was always disappointed that—but we laughed and it went on! Every time my sides got sore, Ber sent healing so I felt fresh!

But, as happened every time in Rainbow, we got sleepy.

Salla's Plea

Trader Asha leaned on his knees and stared at his feet. "Novas! I thought Earthan corporations had better sense than to send someone into a 'hornet's nest', as you would put it! Without an aandat, how can you get telepathy? No protection against sickness—"

"I traded for a good doctor—"

"The rainy season's half the year, and animal excrement gets all over you. Tech is expensive. Jenica hasn't learned the value of their Hub yet. Their backward customs! Because they didn't have je ne ni, the Elospui went blind, and they made malnutrition a religion. Your reports didn't tell you that, did they?"

I thought over my reading. Elospui, who lived in rural areas and occasionally attacked the Ulukai settlements. My shoes stunk so, my eyes watered. "No."

"Your doctor won't do you much good against the plagues here. You're Earthan. Elshars are tougher; that's why I never took an aandat. And, if you get sick and look it, they'll take you to an Ulukai healer. Their 'treatment' is to hurt your head until you forget whatever they think made you sad! For the Ulukai, it's part of the culture. They're bred for strong bones and Cleansing isn't hard on them. A few days, and they go back to normal life. An Elshar loses skills. Other species die, for the most part. You wouldn't live, Ron! I can't leave you here to die!"

I waved up my contract. If I didn't show by sunset to company reps, I'd never set foot on Earth again, and lose TS status. The Hub registered our landing.

Asha didn't say anything. He waved the hatch open, then pressed a jeweled terminal into my hands. "This has what I know about Jenica. There's a temple two streets over. Go and pray to Kishan, who loves women. Pray for her to lead you through this." Asha hugged me. Then he turned away. His shoulders shook.

I felt bad for him and terrified for myself! Quickly, I stepped into the muck and saw an Ulukai in black robes staring at me. I laughed aloud and skipped down the slimy street. Sang at the top of my lungs, in English. "Yellow sky and pie in my eye / I'm ready for a brand new scene!"

Beside me, four men in DS blue stared at me, too. Two Thordes with purple skin and eyes; a droopy-looking Zheien with pale yellow skin and rolled-up hands. His twin-toed feet curled in the mud. And, the Team Leader from his deep blue sash, a dignified Zheien with orange skin. He rubbed the back of the other Zheien's head. I smiled at all of them with a wave and kept on sliding down the street. Animal-drawn carts of all descriptions splattered me. Rain washed it off—it burned as it hit skin—but, I made it to the Company Office. Pushed on the heavy wooden door.

I stood dripping on the dirt floor as a Ulukai came to bow to me. "Who do you wish to see?"

I smiled. Big. "I'm Ronda Kelsey of Earth, Trader of TS. Have a contract to establish trade for the Harrison Conglomerate."

He pressed a terminal into my hand. "I am Persai. You will work for me."

"Glad to meet you, Persai." I bowed low, and my hair dragged in the yellow dust. Made a mental note to cut it. "Uh, where's John Thomson?"

"I am most sorry. He became ill, and I am his replacement."

I named seven others, and they each had a story that required his replacement. Supposedly I had four men coming to help me this week, and ten more by the end of July on Earth. Persai had plenty on that terminal to keep me busy, so I got to work. My apartment turned out to be a huge, four room house at the end of the street near the ships.

The work made me happy. Contacts with pleasant people and easy negotiations. This late in the day, I found most of them at home. Stone huts with one room, in this part of town.

I startled awake. Cried. Some brave trader, me! Ber held me. "Love, I was also frightened, every mission! Kenneph, as experienced as he is, told me he has fears! His wife is dying!"

"Did they get her, too?"

"Nae! She has an unwell heart, from her birth. Kenn worries for her, o, he worries! At times, Shu, his healer, keeps him a week in his chambers so he can appear more well for her, after missions. Our family home is next his."

"Bless her heart! Teach me how to keep my thoughts to myself, so I don't--"

Ber looked towards the portal, and a lady came in. A very thin lady. "O, I apologize! Ber, I nae realized—Lady, I am Kenn's wife, Salla, Healer Of MarKu." She put out her hand. I felt her triple heartbeats in it!"

"Salla, is Shu near?"

"He asked me nae to contact you. How shall I call you?" Her blue eyes looked at me.

I smiled. "Please, call me Ronda. Very pleased to meet you. Won't you sit down? I mean, will you?" Gotta try not to use--

She sat close and held my hand with both of hers. "I fear to ask of you, but I pressed King Herda until he told me of you. How was my husband when you left Rhaech?"

"He is well--"

"I wish your honesty. All cease thought of Kenn when I walk in Shu's Chambers. Fa Sung has nightmares of Kenn. All his friends worry. I hear parts of memories in which I die and he marries Gince, Butres Nu's daughter! Many in Para have dreams of Zbbat and slavery! I hear them. What happened, that I am nae as heavy?"

An old healer ran to her. "Salla, my child, you must rest!"

"I can nae rest! What happened to give greater health to me, Shu? I can yet see my points! I wish to know--"

And, she looked at me. Kenneph. In that moment, I remembered seeing him signing to people on the beds while I learned to be a healer helper. He was one of my teachers. Pirad came to Rainbow, and helped him to talk again.

Salla kind of held my mind open and watched him. "He was Cleansed? Did I die then, when he—he came back to me?" Her heart thumped, in triples that skipped, often.

Ber sighed. "Salla, I nae know of this. My wife, we had to marry suddenly because Adia, Queen of Ye~ sees futures! All who see wife or husband in these futures must marry! Ry'nao saw how Kenn will be taken and he sent many operatives to try to protect him. I must leave soon to help him."

Another man, a green Zheien, came in.

"Butres, you know more than I, what can we tell Salla?"

Butres Nu, 8th Galaxy Minister! Oh, my! He wore a red-violet uniform with a blue sash, filled with pins.

He sat on her other side. "Lady, there is much we could nae tell you, because you had healing from a Bisillip Elder, and he warned this healing can come undone!"

Her blue eyes opened very wide. "A Bisillip? I saw none."

"He came to you as you slept, and his cloned ba is here. I wish Pirad to see you now. Can you abide? When Kenn comes to MarKu, I wish to name both of you Elders. He can make both of you young again. I nae know if he can heal you completely."

"A Bisillip? Then, I will let him touch me."

From behind her, he came. "I did not expect you to ask of Earth!" Bisillips are deep green with shiny skin. Half my width, but as tall as I am. I had to learn to trade with them, in school. Clicking out hello takes an hour! To hear him speak Zheien to her shocked me!

"I worry for my—husband!" She wept.

I held her. "It's okay. I'll go to Rhaech with Ber! I'll try to convince the Ulukai not to hurt him. If I show him memories of you, he'll smile, and they won't--"

"Dear wife! You had much fright, on Jenica! Rhaech is--"

Butres Nu sighed, and it rumbled on me. "I spoke with Ry'nao. Moeh's brother Dachsah is suspicious of all the help we sent your husband. He is leader of the world while his brother is away, and the Ulukai control much of it. They have conflict, yet Moeh sent his enemies to the Ulukai for help, and pretended to be their concerned friends. He sent Kenn to them. With much healing, he was able to return, with you at his side."

The Signing was arranged in a large public plaza with historical significance. Jonnev opened the hatch. "Quickly now. Walk to the table and give your greeting speech, Kenn." The hatch closed behind them.

The four, dressed in white diplomatic formals with leather pauldrons and wrist braces, stepped into view of the wide plaza, onto dry, hard ground. Their boots were decorated leather, all black in Ulukai designs. People waved and shouted, which slowed Kenneph. He held Salla's arm. But, Jonnev secretly nudged them to walk faster. He gave peace signs to the people as they passed; the crowd cheered and threw presents. Three factions competed to throw more gifts than the others. Jonnev gathered them; to miss even one could start a riot. When his arms filled, he opened a dimportal and carefully funneled them to the ship. Many people gasped as the gifts seemed to vanish into swirling green. Only high officials had dimportal tech. Then he gathered more. Most were fruits and pastries made for visiting diplomats.

Gince's heart pounded, but since she was supposedly very old, no one seemed to notice. It pounded faster when she saw many strong men with leather armor and knobbed clubs hanging off their belts. All the diplomats had decorated, ceremonial versions.

Moeh walked to the table, blond hair scattered in the light breeze. Jonnev held tightly to Gince's arm. His light curls dripped yellow sparkles of sweat. Their party reached the table, Kenneph gave the long greeting speech—and perfectly!—then they sat at it. Kenneph's dark curls dripped green sparkles that stained his neck. Moeh moved closer, blue eyes black with anger. Kenneph raised his twin-fingered hand to take the old ceremonial chalk from the stone holder. Dachsah also moved closer, Moeh's council leader. Then, Kenneph's eyes found Moeh as both his enemies stood beside him. He froze. Orange skin turned yellow.

My brother, nae falter. I am here to protect you. Jonnev nervously fingered the ceremonial weapon in his hand as they sat by Salla, on Kenneph's other side. The diplomats' white uniforms had rough, white homespun tunics and pants over them, to represent the common peoples of these Elshar worlds.

Ulukai dress simply, for their worlds do not have trade for the tech Zheien worlds enjoy. Elshar leaders have great wealth, but common Elshar traders could enjoy running hygiene once daily. Water is scarce on most Elshar worlds, and Ulukai Elshars have less of all resources, including food for their people. They export most of what they grow for the survival of their people.

Kenneph grasped the chalk. All he had to do was sign the large copy of the treaty carved in the stone table. He bent and painstakingly drew it.

Then a man Gince knew well stepped between the two and Kenneph. A Zheien with green skin, like hers. "Moeh. Dahseh. I am eager to stand with you to watch this signing. It has been delayed too long, has it nae?" The older man continued to talk, and patted the diplomat's shoulder, as Kenneph drew his complicated namesign in a shaking hand. Jonnev sweated profusely. Gince poured healing into him. Moeh and Dahseh stared at the newcomer's white uniform and many decorations under the grayish homespun. So did Gince.

Moeh pushed the dignified one aside. "I challenge the identity of this man! If you are truly Kenneph, recite your treaty by heart! And then, tell us where you have been these two years!"

The crowd hushed. Kenneph shook badly. But, Jonnev pushed at his mind, his weary mind that approached the limits of endurance now, and opened his mouth for him.

Kenneph stood on shaky legs but recited perfectly, though he shook harder during the second hour. The crowd shouted deafeningly after the last line.

"Wait! I say, wait! Where were you this past two years? Why did you not come forward before this?" Moeh leaned over the table and smudged Kenneph's namesign. The onlookers fell silent.

Jonnev trembled. Tell them, Ba. Tell them what you know.

A slow, deep, racking breath shook Kenneph. His deep blue eyes looked up at the crowd. "Moeh. Injured me. Only now am I—recovered enough—to sign—"

The older Zheien caught his head above the stone table. Then pulled the fallen diplomat under it; chaos broke loose! A mob dragged Moeh, Dahseh, and many others away. Hordes of soldiers hurling polished wooden balls with slings fought a bloody battle.

The five Zheien sat under the table, two with green skin, three with orange. Until a group of heavily armored soldiers came to escort them to their ship. They shielded them with great frames covered in leather. The dignified one signaled his entourage to leave, and he carried Kenneph to the ship. Jonnev closed the hatch. Then he helped Gince lay Salla in the sleeping compartment, before sitting at the console. Gince's older companion sat on the edge beside her. He held Kenneph, who trembled badly. With his signature, 50 worlds had trade for food to save their people.

Salla wept and got cold in my arms. Shu brought his ennead, but Pirad in the holo put a hand on her forehead and white light flashed. Orange came back into her skin. Then Shu held three bis tia at her mouth.

She sobbed and they went in. "My poor husband! Will I die before I can--"

"Lady Salla, you are nae to die! Pirad was able to give you his healing before you would injure yourself with trying to save a dying one! Osgoe had the same treatment Pirad gave, and will nae be so unwell now. Progs give herbs. Now that you are well for it, I can show you all." The old healer showed her memories. Then, looked to Butres Nu and Salla watched his face. Her long, light brown hair trembled.

"I dread to send one into danger, but Pirad can give her the telepathy of a Zbbat, and traits to help her husband. His knowledge and training will help--"

"Let me go to him! I always wished to go with him on missions--"

Butres Nu looked scared! "Lady, Pirad can only save you if you are on MarKu, where he can run progs to heal you! On Rhaech, use of tech is monitored. Nae can use much energy."

She hugged me. "O, if you die, I shall go to Purrip--"

"No! I want to save your husband! If I can, I will, but if I die trying, diplomatic work's dangerous. Ber knows that, I know it, and Kenneph does, too. I will do my best, to convince Kenneph that it's gonna be all right. I wanna see him sign that treaty! Ber wants it! We can do this!" I hugged her.

"O, you are brave!"

"You were very brave, to go with your husband for that signing." I kissed her forehead. "Kenneph is a very lucky man, to have you. I wish both of you long life."

Shu convinced her to come stay in his chambers. That's kind of like a hospital. She nodded and they vanished. Holos?

Butres Nu hugged both of us! "I wish there was another way! Kenn is overdue for his respite. I asked Ber to come, and he arrived yesterday. Dachsah is aware that treaty diplomats usually come alone, unless their wives also come. We sent Ber to him, and Dachsah asks for more private meetings, where he intoxicates him."

I started to say something dumb like, 'Can't he just stay on his ship?' but Ber explained, telepathically. Diplomats have to eat with Elshars by treaty, and all the factions are Elshars of diff cultures. Elshars helped start the Alliance, and it's a rule all diplomats have to follow. Elshars usually slip herbs in the food they serve, too.

"We have almost enough evidence to bring Dachsah to TS, but if we also depose him, by Rhaecho law, they must select a new ruler and Kenn must begin negotiations again. He can nae last, and there is nae who can take up his work. Ber, I apologize, but you have nae Kenn's skill. If we can retrieve him, his clone could work, but 480 decillion live on those 50 worlds, and most will starve without the treaty. I will go with you. And, we take Kenn's clone."