“Hi, I’m Teagan White.”
“You are not Katieran?”
“No, I’m from Earth.”
LemAN wrapped his arm around Teagan’s shoulders. “Leader Lidia and councilmen Vickti and Choy, Teagan is my mate and an expert in communications and engineering. She has actually been instrumental in decloaking the Morin transports.”
“Really? That is most impressive. How do you do that?”
Everyone turned to look at her. She felt like a bug under a microscope. “Um…it’s nothing really, just frequency waves.”
“I would like to learn more about your frequency waves,” Councilman Choy said.
“Perhaps you and councilman Vickti could show Teagan your ship. I need to speak privately with Commander Kayley and Leader Lidia.”
Lidia nodded at the councilmen who stood and led Teagan and Lt. ComEY out of the room. Teagan glanced once more at LemAN, curious why he would want them to leave but not wanting to question him in front of people. She was trying to be more careful about showing her support of LemAN in front of his men. It was even more important to show her support in front of a different species like the Morinians. The door shut so she turned her attention to the two councilmen who looked extremely interested in what she had to say.
“So…what does your engine room look like?”
*****
“Commander LemAN, what was so important that you didn’t want your mate or my councilmen to hear?” Leader Lidia asked with suspicion.
“I spoke to the leaders of Katiera, Kiljor, Colonial Planet, and even Balar which is a planet in this solar system.”
“They all refused to offer sanctuary because we are descended from the Morins,” Commander Kayley said before he could.
“They have legitimate reasons to refuse.” LemAN felt the need to defend their decisions, even if he didn’t completely agree with them.
“What happened with the Katieran people and the virus the Morins unleashed was many decades ago.”
“The Morins returned recently and attacked our people and the people on Kiljor directly. Many died because of them and there are still hard feelings involved.”
“We didn’t know that. Of course I can’t blame them for feeling that way,” Leader Lidia said.
“Prime Leader RendEL and the other leaders are sympathetic to your situation. Leader LarIS of the Colonial Planet offered use of a mountain village for your people to stay temporarily until a suitable planet could be located.”
“Our transport may make it to this Colonial Planet but how will we relocate everyone when our ship dies?” Commander Kayley asked angrily.
“Commander! Mind yourself!” Leader Lidia ordered.
“My apologies. We’re grateful for your assistance.”
LemAN understood their concerns and didn’t blame Commander Kayley for her reaction. “Katieran Prime Leader RendEL will supply a transport to relocate your people when the time comes.”
“That is indeed very generous, don’t you think, Commander Kayley?”
“It is. I just wonder what they will want in return.”
LemAN was insulted but held his tongue. He might react the way Commander Kayley was if their situations were reversed. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be hunted for years and never have a real home. Never knowing if the enemy would find them or when.
“When do we leave?” Commander Kayley asked.
“Tomorrow morning at oh-seven-hundred. We will have to travel through the wormhole but before that I want to make sure that you have enough supplies before we leave. I have several shuttles bringing food and medical supplies.”
“We appreciate that but why wait until tomorrow? It would make more sense to leave immediately to avoid encountering the Morins again,” Leader Lidia asked.
Before he could answer, Commander Kayley spoke.
