Читать книгу Seeking Peace - Tiera Harding - Страница 4

At breakfast the next morning Liam couldn’t eat.

Clara smiled gently, placing her hand on top of her husband’s where it lay on the table, “Today’s the day,”

Liam nodded tensely, “I still feel like this is all some crazy dream. Half the time I’m overwhelmed by joy at the thought of speaking with aliens; the other half I’m terrified I’ll say something that will offend them so much they'll declare war on us.”

“Hey,” Clara said softly, “Look at me.” Liam looked up into his wife’s eyes.

“It’s going to be fine. You’re going to do great.”

Liam took a deep breath, “How do you know that?”

“Because I know you. You’re a wonderful captain and a better man, if these aliens know as much about humans as they seem to from what you’ve told me, they’ll see that too.”

Up until this point Esther had been unusually quiet; now she spoke up, “Mummy’s right, Daddy, you’ll do great. You’re the best!”

Liam ruffled his daughter’s hair, “I’m very lucky to have you and your mummy to encourage me.” Esther beamed.

Clara got up, kissing her husband’s cheek and then taking their daughter’s hand, “Come on Esther, time for school, even if aliens are coming to see us later we still have to learn.”

“Bye, Daddy!” Esther tugged her hand out of her mother’s and skipped off, calling back over her shoulder, “Don’t forget to bring the aliens to meet me!”

Clara laughed affectionately, “Good luck, Liam, we’ll see you later.” She hurried after Esther.

The rest of the time until the aliens were scheduled to come aboard passed with both excruciating slowness and astonishing speed. Each minute seemed to last an eternity, and yet every time Liam looked at the clock it seemed impossible how much time had elapsed.

Twenty-three hours and forty-five minutes after the first contact with the other ship Liam stood with several security officers in the bay where they kept the escape pods. All eyes were fixed on the doors to the airlock. Precisely fifteen minutes later, fifteen of the longest minutes of Liam’s life, his personal communicator beeped and one of the officers in the security room informed him that a small spacecraft had arrived. Liam pressed a button, opening the outer airlock doors. He waited a few minutes after closing them again for the oxygen level in the air lock to return to normal, then pressed another button. The doors in front of him slid open and a sleek shuttle rolled into the bay, coming to a halt next to the escape pods.

The shuttle doors slid open, a small ramp extended down, and four beings stepped out.

Liam recognized Elina, the leader. With her were another female and two males.

Liam stepped forward, “Welcome to Amity.”

Elina smiled, “Thank you, Captain Hawthorn. My companions are Marek, Antina, and Keltan.” She touched the arm of one of the men, a tall figure whose hair shifted through shades of yellow and gold. His wings were silver, with blue patterns that matched his skin. “Marek is my Emal-Velus, in your language that translates to my Life’s-Companion, what you would call my husband.”

Liam gave the names of his companions.

“Would you four join me for supper?” he asked, “I’ve arranged for food to be provided for us in my private quarters.”

He smiled, “My own Life’s-Companion will be there, and our daughter.”

Elina nodded, “That sounds wonderful, Captain, thank you.”

Liam hesitated, “Please understand that I don’t mean to indicate distrust, but I would like two of my security officers to come with us and remain stationed outside the door to my quarters. If nothing else they can keep people from coming by to gawk at you.”

Elina nodded once more, “Of course, Captain, we understand.”

Liam led the small group to his quarters. Inside, Clara and Esther sat at a table. Esther jumped up when the group came in, staring at the aliens with wide eyes.

“You’re so pretty” she breathed. The little girl’s words brought smiles to all four alien faces.

Elina bent and lightly tugged one of Esther’s curls, “Thank you, little one, I could say the same to you.” Esther beamed, not at all perturbed by Elina’s nearness.

“Will you sit next to me?” she asked eagerly.

Elina laughed softly, “If you would like that, little one.” Liam watched with a kind of affectionate amazement as his daughter took Elina’s hand and led her over to the table, pointing out a seat to her before sitting down between the seat that would be Elina’s and her mother. Marek sat next to Elina, while Antina and Keltan sat across from them. Liam took a place at the head of the table, next to Clara.

Clara gave the aliens a nervous smile, “I’m Clara, and this is Esther.” Elina introduced herself and her people.

Clara smiled again, a mischievous smile, “I have to admit that I’m kind of relieved that the beautiful woman from another world my husband has been talking to is already married.” The others laughed as she began serving the food.

“I hope you all like chicken pot pie.”

“I’m sure it will be wonderful,” Elina said.

She turned to Liam, “I am interested to know why your people are seeking a new home”.

Liam sighed, “There’s a war back on Earth. A terrible war, worse than any we’ve ever had. Many people are afraid we will wipe ourselves out.”

Elina nodded in understanding, “And that’s why your ship exists, so even if life on Earth is wiped out your race will still exist somewhere in the universe.”

Liam nodded grimly, “That’s right, that’s our mission.”

He looked at Elina curiously, “You said that your people have been aware of Earth for a long time.”

Elina nodded, “Yes, we have observed you and learned about you. We have thought about making contact, but it was always deemed too great a risk, not knowing how your race would react to the realization that you are not alone in the universe. We did not know of your war though.” She smiled ruefully, “Well, our government may well have, but it was not public knowledge.”

“Do your people have wars?” Clara asked.

“The last time the inhabitants of our planet were at war with each other was a hundred of your years ago,” Marek answered. He smiled a little, “I am a historian.”

“The last time you were at war with each other was a hundred years ago,” Liam repeated softly, “Have you been at war with other races more recently?”

Elina’s smile this time was grim, “You are quick-minded, Captain. We are even now at war with a race known as the Hok-Kar. They are a very violent race with little tolerance for anyone who is not Hok-Kar.”

Liam attempted to keep his tone light, “I guess if we run into them they won’t accept an invitation for chicken pot pie, then.”

“I’m afraid not.”

The mood around the table had turned grim.

Clara shook her head, “Well, it will do no good to worry about it now.” She glanced over at Esther and Liam knew she was worried the conversation would frighten her. Elina seemed to sense this too. She turned to the little girl with a smile, “So, tell me little one, how do you like living on a spaceship?”

Esther smiled, “It’s cool. I like looking at the stars. They’re so pretty. I miss my friends back home, but I have new friends here. And Amy says she’ll teach me to hoverboard when I’m a little bit bigger!”

She looked at Elina thoughtfully and tilted her head, “Do you have a little girl like me?”

Elina exchanged a glance with Marek, “Actually we are expecting a little one soon.”

She lightly tapped Esther’s nose, “I hope the child will be as sweet as you.”

Clara smiled, “Congratulations. When is the child due?”

“It should be no more than two weeks now.” Clara’s gaze went to Elina’s stomach.

Elina laughed, noticing the look, “Not all species carry children the way you do.”

Clara blushed, “Of course. I’m sorry.”

“It’s quite alright.”

“So how do you have babies?” Esther asked.

“Esther!” Clara’s face reddened further.

Elina laughed gently, “It’s quite alright," she repeated.

She smiled at Esther, “When a baby is going to come a big sphere, a ball of light, appears between the parents.”

“Light?” Esther’s eyes were wide.

Elina nodded, “It’s like light that has become partly solid. The sphere detaches itself from the parents and the baby grows inside it until it’s ready to be born, but even when they’re far away the parents are connected to the baby. We carry our connection in here,” she tapped Esther’s head, “and even more importantly in here.” She placed her hand gently over Esther’s heart.

Esther’ eyes were wide and Liam could see a similar look of wonder and fascination on Clara’s face. He imagined his own looked the same.

“It’s fascinating to learn about your race,” Liam paused, “I just realized you haven’t told us what you call your race.”

Antina spoke up, “We call ourselves Lemarians; our world is called Lemara.”

“I would love to learn more about Lemara and your people.” Liam said. He rose to his feet. "It’s getting late. Will you stay on our ship tonight? I’ve had quarters set up for you if you accept.”

Elina glanced at her companions then nodded, “Thank you, Captain Hawthorn, we would like that very much.”

“Come on, Esther” Clara said, “It’s time for bed.”

Esther stuck out her lip in a pout, “But I’m not tired.” She gave a huge yawn.

Clara smiled affectionately, “Bedtime, little star.”

Esther relented. She came around the table and reached up to give Liam a hug. He hugged her and kissed her cheek, “Goodnight, Esther.”

“Night, Daddy.” She waved sleepily at the aliens, “Good night, sleep tight.” All four responded with their own good nights.

Liam led the aliens to the quarters he had had prepared for them, thankful that they didn’t run into anyone along the way, then returned to his own quarters, dismissing the security officers before he did.

--------

Early the next morning Liam knocked on the door to the Lemarian’s quarters. Elina answered.

“Good morning,” Liam greeted her, “Did you all sleep well?”

“Excellently, thank you.”

Liam paused, “I was wondering if the four of you would agree to speak to the rest of Amity’s passengers. Everyone is very curious about you, naturally.”

Elina nodded, “I’m sure they are. We will do as you ask, Captain.”

“Thank you,” Liam said quietly, “When would you like to do it?”

Elina considered, “Why don’t we say an hour from now?”

Liam nodded, “I’ll make an announcement.”

An hour later the auditorium was once more filled with everyone on the ship except a few security officers who were on duty. Liam led the four Lemarians in and up onto the stage. He looked out at the faces of the crowd, seeing their wonder and shock as they took in the aliens.

He stepped forward, picking up the microphone to address the crowd, “Shipmates, I know you must be feeling a lot of different things right now. I’m feeling them too. I also know you must have a lot of questions. Our guests have agreed to answer your questions. Please treat them with the same respect with which you treat me.”

He handed the microphone to Elina and stepped down from the stage, taking a seat with Esther and Clara in the front row.

Elina did most of the talking for the group, but the other three participated too, Marek answering most of the questions that had to do with the history of Lemara. No mention was made of the Hok-Kar and Liam was grateful. He knew a time might come when the people of Amity would know the Hok-Kar far too well, but for now the knowledge of them would only cause fear and panic to spread.

Finally the flood of questions ceased. Liam walked back up on stage and Elina handed him the microphone. He thanked the crowd for behaving respectfully and dismissed them. The room emptied out until only Liam, Clara, Esther, and the Lemarians remained.

“I’m afraid the time has come for us to part ways,” Elina said softly, “We must return to our ship and resume our course, and you must resume yours.”

Liam was surprised by how much the thought of saying goodbye to the Lemarians saddened him.

“Let us escort you to your shuttle,” he offered.

Elina nodded, “Of course.”

As they left the auditorium Esther put her hand in Elina’s. Liam and Clara walked just behind them and Liam watched them as they walked. Esther was babbling away to Elina. It should have looked strange, the little human girl with her blonde curls walking hand in hand with the pale blue alien with her shifting hair color and her wings, but it didn’t, and Liam realized how quickly the alien features of the Lemarians had stopped looking foreign and started to simply look like the faces of friends.

Too soon, they reached the escape pod bay and the Lemarian shuttle. Esther hugged all four of the Lemarians and Clara and Liam shook their hands.

“I hope someday we meet again,” Liam said sincerely.

He looked at Elina and Marek, “Good luck with your little one.”

Elina gave him a smile that was tinged with sadness, “I hope you and your people find a wonderful new home, Captain Hawthorn, and I have every confidence that you will.”

The Lemarians filed into their shuttle. At the door they turned and lifted their hands in farewell. Liam and Clara lifted their own hands in response and Esther waved furiously. Then the shuttle doors closed and Liam pressed the button to open the doors to the airlock.