Chapter 12
Teagan headed to her quarters but was stopped a few times by some of the crew who wanted to ask her a hundred questions about the Morinians.
“There has to be something you can tell me. What did the females look like? Were they bald?” Lt. ComEY practically begged her to tell him anything.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t even get off the shuttle.”
“Is it true that we’re going to help them?”
“We’re aiding the Morinians, who are different from the Morins.”
“How could the commander approve that, after all the Morins did to our people?”
Teagan shook her head but decided not to try to argue with him. There was distrust and in most there would be deep hatred for the Morins. That would not be easily overcome with a few words.
“I trust that Commander LemAN knows what he is doing.”
“I guess I have to follow orders.”
She didn’t like his tone, like he doubted LemAN. “I need to go.” She moved past him and headed toward her quarters. LemAN had his work cut out for him if this was going to be the typical reaction from his people.
*****
LemAN felt the loss of Teagan by his side, but he had to report to his leaders first. This was an unpredictable and potentially volatile situation. He headed to his ready room. First he needed to check with the Balar leader.
Using his comm link, he said, “Lieutenant, set up a secure call with Balar Leader Toro.”
“Yes, sir.”
He sat down and waited for the monitor on the wall across from him to come up. The image of the Balar leader appeared before him.
“Commander LemAN, what have you found?”
“There are two transport ships. One that is definitely Morin, and it was firing on the other transport. They got away and the other transport hailed us, requesting assistance.”
“I didn’t realize your people had another transport in this area.”
“We don’t. The transport belongs to the Morinians, a descendant race from the Morins.”
“Did you capture them or destroy them?”
“Neither. We’re helping them with repairs to their ship. Before you jump on this, this ship is full of mostly females and children with very few males.”
“That you know of. Did you happen to meet everyone on board?”
He hadn’t; there had been no time. “I have a crew there helping to repair their ship now who will report anything out of the ordinary. They are clearly being hunted by the Morins.”
“The sooner their ship is repaired, the sooner they can leave this area.”
“The problem is their ship is in really bad shape. What we are doing now will only help for so long. Eventually they will lose power to all their systems, including life support. They need to find a planet that will sustain life.”
There was a pause as Toro looked away. When he glanced back, LemAN knew what he was going to say.
“I’m sorry, Commander. I will be happy to offer supplies but my people will not accept them here on our planet. It’s too soon after the Morin attack and my people are fearful and angry. It would be dangerous to offer them a place here.”
LemAN frowned. “I can understand your reasoning, but I ask that you talk to your people, see if they would allow a temporary placement until transportation can be provided to take the Morinians to a new home world.”
“I will ask but—”
