Nerin snorted. “A little amusing.”
“Why doesn’t anyone do as I tell them?” Belor asked in a deeply aggravated voice, reminding them that a link to Ardent was still open. “Get Nova back and don’t start a war.” Then the link ended.
“Collect the human and don’t get everyone killed,” Miran muttered. “Easy.”
Nerin snorted again, Lazil grumbled, and Miran prayed to the moons for help. They were going to need it.
***
The moment they opened the hatch, there was a Diniki waiting there.
“Hurry,” he said. “Husbands must hurry.”
His space standard was so bad that it took Miran a moment to understand. When he didn’t move right away, the Diniki clapped his boney hands together impatiently.
“Hurry!”
The moment they were all off, the Diniki turned and jogged away.
Miran wasn’t expecting that and had to sprint to catch up, his team right behind him. The Diniki didn’t slow down and weaved his way through the confusing floorplan of the station without hesitation. If they didn’t stay close to the Diniki, they could’ve easily gotten lost.
When the Diniki came to an abrupt stop, Miran almost plowed into him. Nerin and Lazil came to a stop on either side of him. They were in a small room with no furniture, decoration, or even control consoles. For a brief moment, Miran worried this was a trap, but then an entire back wall moved to reveal a lush space decorated in pastels.
Against one wall was Nova, Hisum, and Cifon. Nova was in the center with Hisum and Cifon kneeling on either side. On the opposite wall were four Diniki standing shoulder to shoulder.
Miran wasn’t sure what to do until Nova looked over. “It’s about time you got here,” she said, her voice was annoyed, but she was smiling.
“I’m sorry, um, Ambassador Nova?” He didn’t mean it to come out as a question, but it didn’t seem to bother anyone.
“Over here,” she said, pointing with both hands to either side of her. He and his team moved to stand against the wall. When he felt a tug on his pants from Hisum, he sank to his knees. Nerin and Lazil followed his lead.
“No!” Nova said. “How many times do I have to go over this? Miran is the primary husband, he should be at my left hand. I shouldn’t have to remind any of you.”
They all mumbled “sorry” and quickly shuffled around until Miran was at Nova’s left.
She rested her hand on his head and whispered, “Thank you.”
He grunted in response because he wasn’t sure he was even allowed to look up at her.
Sliding his eyes to the side, he was relieved that she wasn’t touching Cifon who was at her right.
“Now that your husbands are all here, can we begin?” the Diniki standing in the center of their line up asked.
“Of course,” she agreed. Keeping her hand on him, she began. “Tell me about your soul’s journey.”
That was the start of a back and forth between Nova and the Diniki who must be in charge because he was the only one talking. They spoke in Space Standard so he should’ve been able to follow the conversation, but he was lost within the first few volleys. They spoke in nothing but flowery language and euphemisms.
After several hours, it became more about enduring than anything else. This position was making his knees hurt, and it was becoming harder and harder to ignore the aches and pains. He felt Nerin sway a little next to him but then steady himself.
The only indication that Nova knew they were uncomfortable was that she started petting his head. At least that’s how he interpreted her touch.
“Then we will consider this as a day well finished,” Nova said.
“It’s been satisfactory interacting with you,” the Diniki said. Miran wouldn’t have realized that those words meant that anything was coming to an end except all the Diniki turned and filed out of the room. The moment they were entirely out of sight, Nova jumped forward and turned.
“You guys can move,” she said.
Everyone groaned with relief as they stood up. Except for Hisum who fell forward with a thud.
