The implication was clear, Amina was as mad at his empire as she was at the Ossiso Civilization of Souls.
“Holian couldn’t have known Lorse would be so obsessed with me that he’d drug me into submission,” Myrum said.
“I might have had an indication that Lorse had an unhealthy preoccupation with you, but this turned out so much worse than I expected,” Holian said, his voice full of regret.
“What made you think that?” Myrum asked.
“When I first looked into making contact with Lorse, the Ossiso diplomatic interface was eager to put me in touch with him. He’d been making a pest of himself trying to get in touch with Myrum. The moment I suggested Myrum might like to visit but that it couldn’t be official, or even documented, he immediately agreed. I should’ve been more suspicious."
“It worked though,” Myrum said. “I was able to convince Lorse that our empire didn’t have good intentions toward the Ossisos. I know he sent a message to Jishorn. Unfortunately, I don’t know if that had any effect. Everything went wrong at the outpost before we could hear if there was a response.”
“It worked,” Holian said. “All the Talin generals and command working within Ossiso space were suddenly sent back to the Ossiso-Talin planet Wulnum. Any Talin unwilling to take orders from an Ossiso was shipped there as well. All our equipment was kept, and the Apogee Assembly is talking about trying to self-destruct everything if it isn’t returned. Any interest in further pacts or mutual military aid is over.”
“What about Standing General Jafinium?” He looked down at Amina to explain. “He was the one who left with a bunch of equipment and other commanders stationed on Wulnum to join in the Ossiso civil war without permission of the Apogee Assembly or our monarch. He knowingly and with premeditation broke the law but tried to excuse it all as necessary because the Ossisos were in crisis.”
“He seems to have disappeared. He didn’t show back up on Wulnum, and no one seems to know where he is.” Holian’s calm tone turned hard. “He can’t hide forever. I’ll search him out.”
As usual, Holian’s competence and determination was soothing for Myrum. “I know you will, Commandant Holian.”
“I’m sorry my eagerness to use your connection to Lorse made me blind to your struggle,” Holian said. “When I ran acrossthe fact that your rescuer had a parent close to the Ossiso high command, I thought it was a gift from the ancestors. I was determined to use any possible advantage.”
“You’ve been fighting an unacknowledged battle with the empire for many solars,” Myrum said. “Your dedication to stopping a civil war within our species humbles me, and I’m proud to have been able to contribute. But Amina is right, I’m leaving the empire. I’m going to become an Ilgorian citizen and Amina’s husband.”
“And we’ll be their children,” Gis said with a great deal of pride.
“Don’t object,” Helmen said. “Our family is strong. We look after each other, and Myrum will never go without anything.”
“You’re family?” Holian asked, looking over at Amina and back to Helmen.
“We’re cousins,” Helmen said. “All my crew are cousins. Our extended family might be large, but no one is ever sent off into a situation alone.”
Myrum could hear the rebuke in that statement. All Holian said was, “That’s admirable.”
Amina suddenly jumped off his lap. He wasn’t expecting it and let out a rattle of surprise. She gave him a reassuring smile then turned to face the other humans.
“I’d like to see the ship. Would you guys show me around? It’s a lot newer than ours,” Amina said.
Nalia was quick to stand. She was proud of Bountiful and loved to show it off, including all the upgrades they made a few solars ago when they went to work exclusively for the monarch and Prime Family.
Derani stood to join them, but Holian stopped him. “Please stay here, we have a little more to discuss. I’m sure Nalia will stay on board the ship.”
“I’ll join them,” Jinna said. “I want to ask Amina about that scarf Myrum is wearing.”
Amina gave her a genuine smile. “It’s made out of Jinjoo fiber. I’ve got one more on our ship that you can have.”
“I want to go with you,” Helmen said. “I’ve got questions about your cargo load capabilities.”
Gis was right behind her. There was no chance Gis was going to let Amina leave him behind.
The Talins watched the group leave, talking easily among themselves. Holian turned to face Myrum after they couldn’t hear them any longer.
“I have some message packets from the Council of Family Concerns,” Holian said.
Myrum braced himself. “Yes?”
“All your wealth has been reclaimed by your sibling,” Holian said. “She did a good job of making it appear that you’re non compos mentis. It bothers me, but I can’t stop the rumors about the Talins who settle on Kalor. She submitted all the required documentation and managed to keep us from hearing about it. I can try to fight this, if you want.”
Myrum sounded a negative rumble. “I don’t care. Amina assured me that there are jobs for me on Ineeko.”
