***Josephine***
Josephine stood before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She and Urim had been given the task of citizenship for aliens and their rights. This committee was involved with human rights, so they had decided it was the best place tostart.
For several hours, she had been explaining the ideal alien rights package for their consideration. In it, she spoke of equal pay for equal work, nondiscriminatory jobs and places to live, medical care, marriage between species, and citizenship. She had given the example of King Siefer's policy on Milisaria. Individuals there were given one year to prove they would be a productive addition to the planet. If they proved it, full citizenship and equal rights were granted. If they failed, they could leave withoutrepercussions.
Urim told the story of Josephine's journey to citizenship. He explained her new position on Milisaria and those of the other human females on the planet. He spoke of the mixed marriages and the children that theyproduced.
The committee gave them a standing ovation at the end of the day. They were asked to remain in town for now and aid the committee in writing a formal alien rightsdocument.
***Alexis***
Alexis and Nabvan left the White House. They had spent the entire day with the president, vice president, and secretary of state. The government officials had desired to hear every word of the negotiations with the other planets. King Siefer's discussions with the planet leaders had been discussed and analyzed at length. President Bolton knew she had little time to waste. She had to get everything aligned and moving forward for alien rights or the Reptilarians and their followers would attack. Interplanetary war was not anoption.
"Tomorrow, I will make the announcement that we have formed committees and are making great strides in restructuring this planet to include alien citizens and their rights as equals. I can only speak for America, but it's a start,” President Bolton had explained. “I would like all of your group to be with me so that I can introduce you to the world as my ambassadors for alien rights. I would also like to incorporate your guards, the Milisarian Knights, into my security detail. It will go a long way in showing that aliens and humans can work as oneunit."
Nabvan had replied, "The knights will be honored. They will protect you with their lives as they do ourking."
Now it was time to deal with their own troubles. Alexis was all set to confront Srath for staying outside the spaceship all night. He had broken curfew and jeopardized their mission. Then there was the matter of spending the night with her sister. If he intended to use her and leave her behind like he did his other conquests, she would make sure he waspunished.
***Srath***
Nancy needed to check on her mother, so Srath returned to the spaceship. His friends warned him that Alexis and Nabvan were back from the White House. He knew it was time to face them and he was finally ready forit.
Alexis was the first to see him enter the control room. She left her place at the ship's log station and confronted the warrior. "Do you think you can make your own rules? We aren't on Milisaria. The laws here are not so flexible. If you had been caught, it would have ruined everything we're working on. I don't care for you using my sister for a good timeeither."
Nabvan joined them before Srath had a chance to answer. "You are under my command while on this planet. If you intend to defy my orders, then I will have to lock youup."
Srath was confused. He should be angry at the reprimands, but he actually felt he deserved the harsh words. He stated, "I am sorry for breaking the law, though I was confined to a building at curfew and did not leave until morning. I did not take a chance on being caught for I have no wish to spoil the progress we are making. I should not have defied the orders to be on board each night. However, I did leave a message so you would be aware of where I was." He turned and spoke directly to Alexis. "I have been a user of females in the past. I understand your anger and the fear for your sister. You need not worry. Nancy is different in all aspects from the women in my past. She has grown to be very important and special to me. I am seeing no one except her and fully intend to keep it that way. I do not know what the future holds for either of us, but she is not the kind you leave behind without consequences. It will hurt me as much as her if we mustpart."
His words took the air out of Alexis's sails. Her anger fled. "Where is Nancynow?"
Srath went along with the change in subject and replied, "She has gone to check on your mother. She will be returning soon if you wish to admonish her,too."
Alexis blushed. "I'm all done admonishing anybody. Both of you are adults, and it's really not my right to get involved in your relationship. Nancy already told me that. I just can't seem to think of her as all grownup."
"If that is an apology, then I accept,” Srath said. He turned to Nabvan and requested, "May I stay at the hotel with Nancy until we leave for Milisaria? I swear we will be in the room every night beforecurfew."
Nabvan answered, "I will trust you, but if you break your word, a very harsh punishment will follow. You must report to the ship by eight. President Bolton will be making a public announcement tomorrow, and all of the knights are to join her security team. I expect you to protect her as you would KingSiefer."
Srath replied, "She is a good leader, and she has given me a unique chance. She saw more in me than I did in myself. I vow to protect her from all evil. I will be here ontime."
Alexis conceded, "There's no reason to spend money on a hotel. Nancy is welcome to stay here. She can share your quarters if you so desire. I won't stand in your way any longer. You both deserve to behappy.”
