“Centuries ago, maybe some Coalition ships acted unethically,” Cota admitted. “That was a long time ago.”
“Now is an inappropriate time,” Regi said. Dante leaned back against the desk, his arms crossed and his gaze locked on the screen. He radiated disapproval. Regi regretted the loss of contact.
Seconds ticked past, but still no communication and no weapons fire. The static finally vanished, and for the first time in years, Regi looked on the face of another Kowri. This one's gray streaks were almost white, making his face stern and harsh in its contrast. He was a da-male, wider and heavier than Regi ever would be.
He scowled at the screen. “How dare you invoke the name of the gods when you abandoned your temple and your gods.”
That was a less than auspicious start. “I was led by my goddess to this ship, and when a pirate damaged the radiation seals, I went into the mechanics and I killed the pirate, yet neither I nor the huuman who followed me were touched by the radiation. Do you have an explanation other than Poque chose to shield me?”
Regi waited, uncomfortable with the delayed communication required when ships had to rely on transmissions. He knew the moment his words reached the other ship because the captain’s face vanished under static. No doubt Regi's words had caused great consternation among the Kowri officers. A large ship would have at least one exalted on board, and that meant some Kowri on the other side was Gavd’s favorite. That Kowri might be getting pushed either towards Regi's destruction or towards his return home. Regi wondered if the gods ever disagreed, and if they did, which would prevail. That was an impious thought, and Regi put it out of his mind.
After impossibly long minutes, the screen turned on again. “What do you hope to gain by such a claim?” the Kowri captain demanded.
“My goddess has led me to seek the temple; therefore, I hope to gain the temple. I also require a place for my comrades to wait while I seek such assistance. The ship is damaged and the others will die if I cannot get help either repairing the ship or permission to land the ship somewhere so that the engines might be vented and the mechanics tended.”
The captain radiated arrogance. “Even if I give you entrance, your ship and companions will be destroyed when you fail the cold season challenge.”
Cota made a choking sound.
Regi schooled his features into a matching mask of arrogance. “You only need to scan me or this huuman to know that the gods have touched us. That is enough to earn us the right to request the temple’s assistance.”
The Kowri captain had his ears flat against his head. “You believe a god has touched an alien?”
If Regi was dragged into a theological debate, he would lose. However, he had the advantage of ignorance. “I do not understand the gods, but when he followed to assist me in what I believed to be a suicidal attempt to save my ship, Poque shielded him as much as I. And he does not deny her as these others would.” Regi smiled at Dante. “Do you?”
Dante raised his hands to show the palms. “I can't say I like the attention of ladies, but I have found that being polite to them is the best strategy.”
That was a far more proper answer than even Regi had anticipated.
Ten seconds later, Dante’s words reached the other captain, and ten more seconds until the Kowri’s face shifted to shock. Regi did not wait for him to speak. “Send a crew member over to scan us, and you will see that we have the right to seek the temple. If you do not wish to send a crew here, we will send Dante to you.”
The screen turned to static and then black as the Kowri ship sent a disconnect notice.
“That was less violent than I anticipated.” Cota turned off their own cameras and the lights flicked off.
Dante put a hand on Regi’s arm, and Regi had to control a shiver. “Why did you offer to send me over and not go yourself?” Dante asked.
Regi had expected the question. It was a tribute to the strength of Dante's character that despite his capture and enslavement, he still demanded answers. “If I travel to their ship, that captain will be tempted to destroy this ship and take me and me alone to the temple. He will not want evidence that the gods may see a species other than the Kowri. However, if I send you, he will have immediate evidence that the goddess has taken an interest in our actions. And if a Kowri watched by the gods is on this ship, to open fire would be a crime that no follower of Gavd would dare. And if one did, Gavd himself must intervene.”
Cota knotted his fingers again. “I can't believe I am betting the lives of my crew on Kowri superstition.”
“If the Kowri allow us into the Empire, please do not refer to our beliefs as superstition,” Regi asked.
Cota gave him a weary look. “Should I feign belief in these ridiculous gods of yours?”
“I would prefer you refrain from commenting on the gods at all.”
“I will attempt to avoid offending the invisible beings ,” Cota said with a dismissive tone. Difficulties made him unpleasant.
“I doubt you could offend the gods. They don't care to look on you, so what you say in no way affects them. However, you could offend the Kowri who possess very large weapons,” Regi countered.
Cota winced and much of the aggression on his face faded.
The screen came to life again. “Regi, your ship may follow,” the captain said, his words stripping Regi of his affiliations to gods or family. “If your ship actively scans the area, it will be destroyed. If you deviate from our flight plan, you will be destroyed. If you broadcast information, you will be destroyed. If those terms are acceptable, match our speed and direction. If they are not, leave Kowri space immediately.” Without waiting for any reply, the captain disconnected again, and the screen returned to black.
“Your people are dicks,” Dante whispered.
Regi frowned. “Is that a compliment or an insult? I do not know how you view male genitalia.”
