Diverse Demands Read online

  She rested her chin on her interlocked fingers, her eyes moist. Such beautiful eyes—green, hinting at aqua, and slightly tilted. Oh, it had been far too long!

  “Those eyes—” Antony murmured. “I’m guessing they came from England. You’re part elf.”

  “I never expected,” Hrndl said, “that Humans would be so difficult to follow when they were together. What does elf mean?”

  Antony angled his head. “A mythical being with uncanny abilities.”

  “Must you blow my cover?” Kena said. “They think I’m quick because I’m Human.”

  “Ah! And do they know of an elf’s capacity to enthrall?”

  “No, no, Antony. Enthrall implies the Viking myths. We elves are from the British Isles.”

  He laughed. “Enchant, then, if you must be so precise.”

  Hrndl spread her hands and looked at Dhgnr. “Can you follow this?”

  He shook his head.

  Kena straightened. “We’re just playing with words. Thank you for giving me a moment to feel Human again, but we’ll stop, now.”

  “Not just yet,” Hrndl said.” I still don’t understand your greeting. Are Humans expected to know the origins of those they meet?”

  Kena’s lips quivered. “I just added irony to the greeting because his name is distinctly Italian, but his appearance is not. An unusual combination. Few Humans would recognize where my name derives from. It was never common, and little of the family survived the infamous Seven Years.”

  “Do you mean that cataclysmic period?” Dhgnr asked.

  Kena nodded as she took another bite.

  “Are you first generation?” Antony asked.

  She shook her head. “Second. My parents were born shortly after the restoration began. You?”

  “Same for my mother, but my father is last generation. Endured the Seven Years during adolescence. Twenty-two years separate them.”

  “Is that…common?” Hrndl asked.

  Kena glanced at her. “Nothing was common, then. Society was wholly disrupted.” Kena sipped her water. “People avoided reproducing during the Seven Years. Providing for children was virtually impossible. Those who survived were…well…relieved by the restoration but traumatized to varying degrees and uncertain about the future. Some hurried to have children, producing what we call the first generation. Others thought the damaged land couldn’t yield enough food. They waited longer. The diminished population made for some odd pairings. It took a few decades for society to re-converge on its new normal.”

  “I’ve heard that Earth is lush and beautiful,” Frdn said. “It must not have been as badly damaged as Humans thought.”

  Kena’s lashes dipped. “Oh, it was! Our new leader is skilled at diversifying species. A master gardener on a grand scale. Earth is again covered with forests and orchards, grains and flowers. Its waters teem with life, and its air is sweet.”

  “If it’s so wonderful,” Rnl asked, “why must you expound your sordid history? As though you deserve some commendation for overcoming something you should never have caused.”

  Antony clenched his teeth, but Kena kept her expression pleasant. She must be used to this.

  “Even though we prosper now,” she said, “the knowledge of what can go wrong is valuable. It enables empathy toward other races who ignorantly tread a dangerous path or those already in difficulties.”

  Rnl sneered. “Of which there are none.”

  “In this, you err,” Kena said. “How was your trip, Antony?”

  Chapter Eight

  Antony jumped on the subject change. “A little excitement, but not too much.”

  Dhgnr turned to him. “Your comments on fixing the power failure were brief.”

  “I didn’t want to give unnecessary information to the PitKreelaundun. Their offer to help may have been a nice gesture, but…it also felt ominous. I rigged a clamp to keep the power coupling snug.”

  “Kena has mentioned that Humans pursue dual lines of study. What is your secondary?”

  “Maintenance, focus on small craft.”

  Dhgnr nodded. “Stop by the bay sometime, when you’re not flying missions.”

  Hrndl stared at Dhgnr. “Just for clarity, Antony, you report to me, not the chief engineer.”

  Dhgnr uttered the bizarre Grfdn laugh that sounded like gargling. “Beyond doubt, stealing personnel from my mate is unacceptable.”

  Interesting. Antony pulled his computer from his belt and extended the input pad. “Speaking of command structure,” he said, tapping the pad, “I return my commission and temporary rank to you, ma’am.”

  “Thank you for not making me ask for it,” Hrndl said. “What did you think of the scans the PitKreelaundun sent you?”

  “Similar to ours, although they identified more objects as tra-pentazine.”

  “Theirs are more accurate,” Kena said.

  Antony returned his computer to his belt, then took another bite of steak. Should he ask her about her time with the PitKreelaundun or wait until they were alone?

  Kena pushed her empty plate away and leaned forward against the table. “What did you think of your contact with the PitKreelaundun?”

  “That was interesting.” Antony speared another wedge of potato. Too much salt, but the texture was a good imitation. She waited as he washed the food down, draining his glass. “The captain, Sairminnaton, sounded…unwilling to be convinced. At first, anyway. I got him to play their recording from when you sang to them, so I was able to repeat the first half.”

  She nodded.

  “What made you choose that song?”

  Kena shrugged. “I had to come up with something quick. Something others could repeat. I was exhausted and just discovering they were on the verge of civil war. That song just…” She waved a hand. “…came out of my mouth.”

  Antony let his arm fall, and his fork clanked on his plate. “Civil war?”

  Kena nodded, murmuring, “Sairminnaton.” She licked her lips. “You spoke with a Laundun. They are actually two races, who now share a planet because the PitKree’s original home-world was destroyed.”

  Antony stared.

  “How do you know his race from only his name?” Hrndl asked.

  “The PitKree have shorter names,” Kena said, “with equal stress on each syllable. Such as TarKeen, VanDar, and ShenLee. The Laundun prefer longer names, accenting one or two syllables. Names like Frayunomen, Pernanyen, Travannesal, Leonfir, and Jennellee.” She drew a breath through tight lips. “By the way, Antony, they—particularly the Laundun—don’t separate the race names. Call them PitKreelaundun.”

  “Okay, but what’s this about civil war? What are they fighting over?”

  “I don’t really know. I only realized it at the very end of the trial, and we left right afterward.”

  “Trial!” Antony braced his hands against the table’s edge. “They charged you with a crime?”

  “No. Pernanyen was on trial.”

  “For what?”

  Kena stared into her glass, twirling the last of her water. “Uh, forcing me to stay longer when I asked to leave.”

  Hrndl frowned, straightening her back. Antony’s eyebrows lowered as he watched Kena.

  She met his gaze again. “Well, there was more to it than that, but—” Kena’s voice perked up. “Opyera!” She gestured as a Prednian approached the table. “This is Antony Galliano, one of our new navigators. Antony, Opyera works in communications.”

  Antony blinked. She was awfully happy to be interrupted. He turned to acknowledge the introduction.

  “It’s a pleasure to welcome another Human to our crew,” Opyera said, his eyes widening almost to circles. “I just heard something that awakened my interest. A friend noticed your belongings being delivered to your quarters. Atop the cart, lay a case of unusual shape. One end long and narrow, the other oddly curved.”

  Ah, Prednian curiosity in full force. The merriment in Kena’s eyes made it that much harder for Antony to keep a straight face.

/>   Hrndl’s voice ground. “Who assumes they have the right to inspect Antony’s belongings?”

  Opyera’s words quickened. “She only saw it in passing. We just couldn’t help but wonder if it contains a musical instrument.”

  “Perhaps,” Kena said, with only a faint tremor in her voice, “I should have mentioned that Opyera is also a musician and often organizes entertainments for the crew.”

  Antony leaned back to smile up at him. “Your friend must have seen my guitar case…and, yes, it is a musical instrument.”

  Opyera’s eyes returned to a less-circular shape. “Delightful! Will you play for us?”

  “I’m sure we can arrange that, sometime in the future.”

  “Yes, the future, of course. I’ll let you enjoy your meal and company.” Opyera turned and hurried to another table.

  Antony’s shoulders shook. “You’re no help, Kena. You almost had me laughing out loud!”

  “He wouldn’t have minded.” She angled her head, emphasizing the elfin tilt of her eyes. “He’s a good sport if someone teases about Prednian curiosity. He gets shockingly firm with his own kind when they stray into endless questions, and he took your not now hint rather quickly.”

  “I will grant him that.” Antony swallowed another mouthful.

  “But now my curiosity is up,” Kena said. Her enchanting smile had returned, drawing him in again. “Tell me about this guitar.”

  “Lovingly crafted by Human hands from our native wood.” He reached for his glass, but it was empty.

  “Oh, my! Is it entirely natural?”

  “Let’s not go to extremes. It has re-formable strings, and I can opt for six or twelve of them.”

  She uttered a soft moan. “That will be delightful!”

  Oh, that smile and the glint in her eyes. But he had to get something to drink. “Are these water?” he asked, grabbing one of the pouches from the central tray.

  Dhgnr murmured, “Yes.”

  Antony quenched his thirst. They may not look the best, but this wasn’t so different than drinking from the flexi-bottle he used in zero G.

  Kena’s only response was a slight lift to her arched brows. She was a beauty! And her smile so welcoming, despite what he drank from. He withdrew the nipple slowly from his puckered lips, ending with a kissing sound.

  Her smile froze. A new light burned in her eyes, and her nostrils widened.

  Oops. Too far. He set the pouch down and whispered in English. “Just kidding.”

  Kena remained silent for several long seconds. “How was the rest of your trip?” Her voice, though still smooth, had lost all emotion.

  “Uneventful,” Antony said. “Several routine contacts from the PitKreelaundun ships.”

  Dhgnr stood while Antony spoke. He placed the used pouches onto the tray with the full ones and carried it off.

  Kena’s frozen smile began to fade, so Antony hurried to fill the silence. “They just exchanged information, including their latest scans. The emphasis they give to tra-pentazine seems excessive, particularly considering how far away some of it was.”

  “Their concern is not surprising,” Hrndl said. “The planet PitKreel was destroyed by tra-pentazine. Don’t underestimate the danger. Those volatile elements can breach our energy shields. We’ll discuss that more when I meet with the new navigators tomorrow.” Her eyes followed movement behind him, Dhgnr perhaps. “How did things go between you and Tevd?”

  “Excellent. We had no issues with rank, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Dhgnr returned with a large pitcher of water and four glasses.

  Kena’s strained smile made its final exit as he set them down. She turned her cold eyes to Antony’s. “A short-term luxury, to set aside rank. I hope you can adjust to the fact that I outrank you in the Collaborative.”

  Her meaning sounded loud and clear. “I have no problem with your senior rank, ma’am.”

  Hrndl frowned. “Do you outrank Kena in the Earth Space Consortium?”

  He shook his head. “We have equal rank. Major, to use the English word.”

  “Don’t be shy of giving her a full answer,” Kena said. “You have two more years of experience than I, and my rank on Earth is only granted to maintain consistency with the Collaborative. On Earth, you do outrank me.”

  Hrndl looked between them. “I need to understand this dynamic. Kena, are you obligated to defer to him?”

  Antony shook his head, holding Hrndl’s gaze. “No. And that is clearly stated in Earth’s regulations.” He turned back to Kena. “I wouldn’t use the word only. I’ve seen your public records, and your rank is deserved, both on Earth and in the Collaborative. I fully respect that you are senior navigator.” That better be enough. Sure, he’d gone too far, a moment ago, but she didn’t need to stir up non-existent trouble with their officer.

  Kena gave him a single nod.

  Dhgnr’s deep voice ended the tense silence, “We’ll start breaking down the supply vessel and perform maintenance while it’s open. Were there any other issues we should know about?”

  “None.”

  Tevd and Delf came to the table, with Theshain and Farian soon following. Kena and Hrndl stood for introductions, and Antony stepped back to allow them access. Kena’s welcoming smile returned, and Hrndl managed conversation better than most Grfdn. Ghent, the Plynteth captain, also joined them. On Earth, he would be considered short, but his manner and broad, muscular shoulders suggested innate strength. Other navigators drew near, and Antony responded to more introductions, almost missing Kena’s subtle exit.

  “Excuse me,” he murmured, and hurried to the door that had closed behind her.

  By the time he reached the hallway, she’d covered many meters. He lengthened his stride to close the distance, but she didn’t slow. She must be able to hear him, but she turned down an intersecting corridor.

  No, he wasn’t that easily dissuaded. He followed her around the corner. “Kena, wait,” he said in English. “Do you really need to run away from me?”

  “Not at all. Just trying to get clear of the crowd before you force this conversation on me.”

  At least she’d responded in English. They’d have some privacy. He caught up to her and softened his voice as he touched her shoulder. “Kena—”

  She jerked away and spun to face him. “How dare you?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you’d be so upset that I used a drinking pouch. You didn’t seem to mind when the others drank from them.”

  “Of course not.” She hissed her words between clenched teeth. “They are Grfdn. That lingering kiss wouldn’t even occur to them.”

  “It will never happen again. I—”

  “How could it? You’ll never see another pouch.” Her eyes sparked.

  “I mean, it won’t happen in any way. I’m sorry I misinterpreted you, but I—”

  Her pitch rose. “Misinterpreted? Are you implying—”

  “No! Kena, please, give me a chance. I’m trying to apologize. You must realize that I’m alive, and you’re—” He clamped his lips just in time, groping for different words. “I admit, I got carried away and went too far. I am sorry. It won’t happen again. And I’m not apologizing just because you pulled rank or stirred up trouble with Hrndl. It’s because I’m not the sort to…to force myself on… I’m just not that way.”

  She shook her head. “You don’t get it at all.”

  “Come on, Kena.” He extended his hands, though he didn’t dare touch her. “Isn’t it hard enough with all these races? Do you think it will help either of us to let them see bad feelings between us?”

  She folded her arms, and her voice purred. “Oh! You’re going to lecture me on how to get along with other races. This, from the man who just robbed the Grfdn of their right to follow their own customs at their own table?”

  “Wh…” Questions and red flags halted him.

  “Don’t lecture me about culture,” she snapped. “If you run into difficulties, it won’t be my fault.”r />
  “Really? You already caused trouble for me with Hrndl.”

  “Oh?” Her pitch rose. “I started that?”

  Her reaction was so far beyond what this deserved, but he’d diffused out-of-hand situations before. He drew his voice down to quiet authority. “I’ve admitted fault, apologized, and assured you it won’t happen again. Let’s get this into perspective. We don’t need all this anger between us.”

  “Do you think I’m angry because you made a pass at me?” She paused for a second. “You have no idea what you have done.”

  How could he get through to her?

  Her lithe body swayed as she leaned nearer. “When I arrived here,” she said, “every Grfdn treated me like Humans were a species of slime that infested the galaxy. No pouches made an appearance in the dining hall. The Grfdn drank awkwardly from those squat Prednian cylinders, hating me for it, as though I forced it upon them.” She shook her head. “Silly, of course, so I gave a pouch to Hrndl. Another Grfdn took offense over this and created a grand scene, believing that my help insulted her. Do you know how they react to offers of help?”

  “I saw that once. Not good.”

  “It became a matter of pride to refuse pouches,” Kena said. “Even after I gained Hrndl’s friendship and the respect of others, they wouldn’t drink from them. I spent months getting them to relax with their own customs.”

  A sneer lifted her upper lip. “Then, you come along…” She flung her hands wide. “…and toss it all away. And you have the audacity to lecture me about how I ought to behave among all these races?”

  The sound of footsteps approached, along with Prednian, Tenelli, and Veet emfrel.

  “Fine, Antony,” she snapped. “You’re so good, then show me how it’s done.” She strode away.

  Tevd and Delf rounded the corner, staring after Kena as they neared Antony. A few others continued past, frowning at him.

  Once Kena was out of earshot, Tevd said, “Wow, she has a temper.”