Sholan Alliance - AU Bk 04 Ch. 14

The Brother couldn't help but smile slightly. He'd heard about some of the things Billy had done in the last year or two and he could appreciate his taking care of family, "I've heard of a few of the things he's done and you are right. It is a good thing he isn't here. I have a feeling a slow roast and tanning of hides wouldn't be approved of." He picked up a sandwich and started eating.

They talked while they were eating and the Brother was enjoying getting to know his charges. They were good people in a bad spot. Once they were done eating he stood, dusted his robes off, "Let me know when you are ready to go back. I'll ensure you aren't disturbed. Take this time to relax and not think about the company or what happened." He flicked his ears before leaving the clearing. The privacy flag didn't need to be set since he was going to be near the entrance to the path.

~~~

Human Telepaths and families

The five telepaths identified had been called for and brought to the Barque. The two who had families had been sent for as well since if their parent or parents had talents the children probably would as well. All five were grade four or five which was the weakest of the trainable talents. A second ship had been dropped to the surface for this since it was going to take some time to get everyone to Switzerland. It had taken a week and a half to get them to the base and settled in.

Once they were there Anddar had taken the time to speak to each person and family as they arrived. He had greeted them and shown them around the small ship they were going to be bunking on for the moment. He had to smile as they were shown around. He could feel their disbelief that they were going to be going to an Alien world. The children were the best since they were all almost slack jawed at the tech of the ship. Of the children was close to eighteen and her reaction was as good as or better than everyone else's. She hit the comm unit and was quickly learning how it worked.

Once everyone had arrived the ship headed to the Fijishi. Everyone was glued to the view ports since only one of them had been off planet before. Even now with hyper and the colonies only a portion of people went further than the moon or one of the space stations. It wasn't horribly expensive but tended to be reserved for special occasions such as honeymoons, certain anniversaries, and other major occasions.

As they were approaching the ship the Warrior going up with them couldn't help but smile at the gasps of shock. He knew the size had been reported on but this was reality and not some news report. Eventually they landed and he stood, "Come with me and I'll show you to your quarters. It is somewhat cold on the flight deck but once inside the ship itself you will be far more comfortable." He waited for everyone to stand and led them off the small transport.

Outside was one of the mentors, "Welcome to the Fijishi. I'll be going with you to your quarters and verify the language transfer. I'm going to be giving out some psychic damper units as well. It will give you mental privacy as well as keep you from broadcasting while you are learning shielding." He turned and led them and their warrior to the section selected for them.

When they arrived, she let the warrior set their palm prints on the various rooms. Once that was done she called them to a small nearby lounge, "Please have a seat and I'll call the telepaths up one at a time and set the damper for you. It has a built in comm unit as well. The Warrior will explain how to use that aspect to you." He started calling the five up one at a time. Once he was done he explained how to use the damper bracelet.

"Tomorrow you are going to start an indoc class to teach you about the Sholan culture. Some aspects are similar to human culture but others are vastly different. This is to get you comfortable with our culture. We aren't asking or demanding you act the way we do. We just want you to understand aspects which might cause you problems. As an example, our females can control their fertility. Getting pregnant out of a bonding contract or life mating is vanishingly rare and carries heavy cultural punishment. Due our female's ability to control their fertility monogamy isn't something we have an issue with. Some chose to only be with their bondmate, companion, or life mate but as long as pregnancies are with the bondmate or life mate there isn't a stigma for having an outside relationship. This is what the indoc is to cover. What and where our culture is different than yours and especially when it comes to relationships."

One woman looked at her husband, "No, don't ask, not happening." She didn't have any plans on sharing him with anyone even if it was for a night or two, "How do we say no if someone indicates interest?"

The mentor gave her a slight smile, "It's easy, just say no thank you and please don't ask again. When it comes to sex and sharing beds we take both yes and no very seriously. If someone keeps pushing to spend time there are heavy cultural penalties as well. More will be explained during the indoc classes. It has almost been passed to the crew not to ask right now. If you do want to spend time with someone wait until you are done with the indoc. Once done you will understand more of the connotations and how to ask and what is expected. Now I'm going to turn you back over to the Warrior. He is going to take you to the dining area and see about getting you food. If any of you have questions ask him and he will deal with them as he can." He stood and after straightening his robe he left the lounge.

The warrior stood, "Your luggage will be here shortly. Shall we go to get something to eat? I'll show you the concourse and the view port there. It is massive and all the humans who have come aboard have loved looking down at your lovely world. Do me a favor and try not to walk through anyone. Ambassador Madlax almost did that the first time he saw it. His entire focus was on the view." He grinned when he said that.

The others laughed and followed him out of the lounge. It didn't take long to reach the concourse. When they did they did receive a number of looks. One male came over, "Evening Warrior. I just wanted to say hello and see if I might be able to cuddle with a young kit. I miss my kitten big time." He looked at the woman holding the little girl's hand, "Would you mind? It has been over six months since I have seen her. She is getting so big."

She glanced at the warrior and he didn't look concerned, "Only if she is willing. If she is willing then please do. I remember my father being gone for extended cruises. He is in the military and as proud of him as I am, I missed him so when he was deployed."

"Good for him for serving." The male knelt down and held a hand out, "Can I give you a hug little one? I have a girl about your age back home. If you go to Shola I'll see about asking my bondmate to introduce her to you. Her name is J'Killian." When the girl grabbed his hand, and started petting it he reached over with his other hand and stroked her face, "Such a pretty little girl. Give me a hug?"

She held her arms out and he scooped her up before standing and held her close. His eyes were closed and his expression showed how much it meant to him.

"Come eat with us if you have time." She kept a close eye on the male and it was obvious he was enjoying holding her little girl. She was a single mother with two children. Her youngest was four and the oldest was ten. When her other daughter collected the male's hand and held on she couldn't help but smile. She was petting the fur on his hand as well.

The Warrior looked very pleased with the interaction, "Before that I want to show you the view port. It's over there." He pointed in the direction and they headed that way. Everyone looked down at Earth and several couldn't help but cry at the beauty of their world. Several other Sholan's came over and started talking with them. Eventually the group headed towards the dining area. When they got their food, and settled down some of the Sholan's who had been talking to them joined them.

When they were done eating the three single humans had been invited to one of the dance areas. The rest headed back to the rooms. The Sholan who had asked to hold the little girl walked with them and he was still holding her on one hip and the hand of the other girl. When they reached the rooms, he handed them over, "I've sent my contact information to the Warrior. While you are here if you would like to be shown around I'd be pleased to do that. Thank you for letting me hold your girls. It really helped." With a flick of his ears he left since he had a watch to get to.

She watched him leave before going into the rooms. For a moment, she had to wonder how old he was since he was a very nice person. She hoped to see him again even if it was just to wander around. Since she was single she could consider seeing him while they were there.

Her oldest girl had given him a hug before he left. Once they were in the rooms she gave her mom a good hug, "I like him. He's funny. Can we have him show us around?" His fur was really soft and her little sister seemed to like him as well.

"Well see later. I don't have any idea what sort of work schedule he has and I'm sure he has watch's as well. Now time for a shower and then bed time." They went to get ready for bed.

~~~

Ni-uzu strikes again

The next morning when the Warrior checked on everyone he found several weren't feeling good. Having been warned that the humans seemed susceptible to ni-uzu he called medical and informed them. It was a very short time later when a number of the medical staff were there. They weren't taking any chances and were gowned up before they went into the rooms. One room was the single mother and her girls were looking scared.

"Is mama going to be okay? She is hot and moaning in bed." The older girl was holding her sister as she was talking.

One of the medical staff gave the girls a light hug, "We need to get her to medical to have her checked out. Is there anyone who can keep an eye on you? Your father?"

Grace shook her head, "Daddy died several years ago. We only have mama." She thought for a moment, "Last night a Sholan named I'Malon was getting to know mama and us. Could he maybe be with us until you know what is going on? He was nice and my sister likes him." He had felt trustworthy and like a nice person.

She had to run her claws through her whiskers, "I'll see if he might be available. For now, why don't you go to the other family and be with them. Their father is sick as well. We are taking everyone who is sick to medical to check them. I'm sure your mom will be fine though this might take a few days for her to get better." The sealed floater was taken out of the room as the Warrior showed them to the other room.

I'Malon was surprised to be called to his senior warrior's office. When he was informed why he had been called he looked horrified, "If it isn't a problem Senior I would be happy to watch the girls as my time permits. I met them last night and they are a really nice family." Their mother was rather attractive as well which didn't hurt.

His Senior looked at him, "In that case you are being assigned to take care of the two girls until their mother is recovered. Go to their section and take them to Indoc. They need it and eventually their mother will be going to it as well. I expect the best from you Warrior. Do us proud." He dismissed the male so he could go and take charge of the girls.

I'Malon saluted his Senior, "Will do sir. They seem to be good girls and the little one reminds me of mine." He left the office and hurried up to the guest section. When he arrived, he was directed to the rooms they were in. He pinged for admittance and walked in both girls ran over and grabbed on, "Careful girls, I'm in uniform and didn't stop to drop my weapons off." He urged them away and removed his energy pistol and sword before he settled down, "Now come and let me hug you."

"Mama is sick and in medical. We don't know what is wrong with her." It brought back remembering losing their father and both were shivering even as he was holding them.

"I'm sure she'll be fine. I will contact medical soon and see what is going on. Later we should be able to go and see her even if you can't give her a hug. You can talk to her and let her know you are there for her. Until then would you like me to take you to the nature preserve? It is a massive garden area with all kinds of plants and water features. If you know how to swim we can do that as well."

"Want to see mama!" The little girl said, "Playing in water fun." They had packed their swimsuits and it sounded like fun.

"Then why don't we go? It is going to take some time for medical to do their thing. Swimming will give you something to do until they are done examining your mom." He gave both girls a good hug before the older girl wiggled free.

She grabbed the hand of her sister, "Well go and get our swimsuits on and get ready to see the gardens." Both hurried out and he had to scratch his hair. What was a swimsuit and why did they need one? Was it to help them float since they didn't know how to swim? It sounded so confusing to him.

The other Warrior couldn't help but smile at the confused look on I'Malon's face, "They should be going to indoc but with all the telepath's sick it's on hold. I'm going to see about getting you to an indoc on human's. To them nudity isn't part of many of their cultures. I think it is the no fur thing and obvious indicators of their genders. Females have breasts even though not pregnant. Males don't have the internal genetallia we do." He shrugged since he had been dealing with them for over a week and had learned a fair amount.

The girls were back a short time later. They had some shorts and shirts on, "Let's go and I hope you like the nature reserve." They left the rooms.