Journal of Toosalee

 

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Introduction

Lea Tam leads a colony of travel weary humans to an alien planet in the hopes of establishing a firm foothold and providing Earth with much needed relief from an overgrown population. Along the way she must overcome her own illness, an alien race intent on harvesting the same land and materials, and stress of being the leader of any large group. 

The Journal of Toosalee gives us personal insight into the overtaxed mind of a daughter, a wife, a scientist trying to make her make in the universe while ensuring the survival of her family and her species. 

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Resurrection Day

Day 1 December 25, 2150 E.S.D.

    Some of the colonist have dubbed today Resurrection Day. I didn't really find it amusing, but whatever keeps morale high can't be a bad thing. As an engineer and a leader the revival of the rest of the colonists gives me nightmares. The logistics of dealing with so many people, The strain on the system. All of it was enough to give me a headache. 

    As a sister, and a daughter the idea of being reunited with my family gave me more joy than could be explained. They may call it Resurrection Day but that was too abstract, to grand. To me it was family day. No longer would our little group be a collection of engineers, scientists, and metal workers. Today Osiris habitat became a true colony as families were reunited and filled the new planet with life.

    Of course reanimating two thousand people was to much for one day. The plan was to take nine days. Family members of the council and medical personnel were at the top of the list. Everyone else was chosen by lottery. At thirty years in suspended animation what were a few more days. 

    I've only been awake myself for two weeks yet it feels like a lifetime since I've seen my family. There are others who have been working hard on the habitat for five years. I couldn't imagine how they must feel. I would have lost my mind.

    Good thing for me, my expertise as aerospace engineer ceased to be in need after the ships hit open space. My day job as chairwomen of the council wouldn't be necessary until everyone was up and running.  The only reason I wasn't still  suspended was because I managed to convince someone  they needed my help testing load stresses once the habitat was in its final configuration. 

    Walking along the curved hallway to the med-center a painting caught my eye. It wasn't particularly beautiful or thought-provoking. The fact that some psychiatrist convinced already weight-obsessed engineers that wall paintings were important enough to sacrifice some other component.

Thing that struck me was its resemblance to a picture I stood before on the last day I felt this excited. The frame was a thin plastic job painted to look like and old, tarnished gold masterpiece. It held an Asian-style still-life of a black bird surrounded by lovely blossoms.  

    When they announced Osiris and her little sister ship Isis would make the journey into deep space and reporter who's name I've forgotten took a picture of me and my family in front of a picture just like that in my mother's living room. Besides mission briefings and medical checks that was the last time we were all in a room together for more than ten minutes.  

Our life after that became a hectic mess. Today would be different. Today was just for them. It was Family Day and nothing would stop me from making the most of it. I told my assistant to spread the word, contact me at your own risk.

    Standing before the med-center door I twisted my wedding ring nervously. I wish Bailen could have been there with me but there was some glitch in the defense systems computer that he had to attend to. I should have married someone less important, less intelligent then I could spend more time with him.

    Pushing the heavy airlock doors open a rush of air and a soft hiss broke the silence of the hall. Inside the med-center dozens of people clad in white buzzed around like angry bees in a chaotic dance. Somehow they managed to keep there eyes focused on some screen or medical vial and move about without colliding into each other. Whoever the coordinator was he had a touch of genius about him. 

    Despite my hesitation at the door I was still nearly an hour ahead of schedule. I did it not only to avoid a line of people waiting to reconnect with family but also to bypass anyone planning to ignore the warning and ambush me with some question they figured was more important than my privacy.

    The second I spotted Cato, Director of Medicine , I found a line through the chaos straight to him. As usual his face held the picture perfect example of kind acceptance. How he maintained his calm. Five hundred workers were already living and working and only thirty of them were medical personnel. In the high-risk work they were doing that was a bare-bones ratio.

Lucky for everyone in five years there were only three serious injuries and Cato took care of them with skill and calm that only he could manage. The full day of reanimating ones would tax the staff to their limits. By tomorrow their number would be nearly doubled. 

    Cato smiled when our eyes met. "Ah Lea my dearest I expected you ten minutes ago. You wouldn't be nervous would you?"

    "You know me too well. Stay out of my head."

    We embraced, as old friends will no matter how short a time they've been apart. Cato's emerald eyes and olive skin glowed in the bright LED lights. His eyes held such weight you would guess him to be in his eighties yet his face told you mid-thirties. I knew they both lied. Cato was an experienced forty-eight year old master of neurology. 

    I met him my first day at Harvard some twelve years ago. He was teaching a physics class I couldn't pass up. He soon became my mentor then a close friend. The fact that he agreed to come on this trip, dragging his family with him showed how deep a relationship  they shared. His words to me when I offered him the position were, " Like I would let you leave without me."

    "Before you ask your mother and sister are in tank one and your brother is being moved into three shortly." Cato retained some of his Japanese accent even after being in the US more than twenty years. Hearing him talk always reminded me of the old movies with the stern samurai. I could picture Cato sitting at the feet of his grandfather learning ancient art of swordplay.

After that, they will go through the basic medical screenings and mental security checks to ensure that they came through the process unharmed. The procedure isn't as long as it once was, but it will be an hour before they're ready for visitors."

    I nodded. The routine was familiar to me. We had enough briefings on it before being put into suspension I felt like an expert. Now I even had my own experience with the process to fall back on. Many of the details are sketchy but I remembered the  feeling of disorientation. The metallic taste of the precisely calibrated nutrients pumped into my body through a tube lingered on my tongue for days afterwards. Bailen was there for me I would be there for them.

    "Can I observe. I promise to be as unobtrusive as humanly possible. I need to be there with them."

    Cato gave me a knowing smile. He just shook his head and nodded. "I understand. For the last two weeks I've buried myself in work trying not to think about my children not a hundred yards away from me, frozen and sleeping. Now I'll see them for the first time in too long. The few hours it takes to warm them up seems like a lifetime. I've been almost useless all day."

    When the five of us agreed to venture on this deep space mission, we didn't take time to consider the strain of being separated from family." I started to tell him," all we had in mind for the grand scientific discoveries we would make in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that couldn't be passed up. A month or more passed before I realized the consequences to my family. The project left them with two choices, join a dangerous mission, and leave earth behind or say goodbye to the ones they love never to see them again. Putting that question to them was the hardest thing I've ever done. Cliff diving, spaceflight, even trying my husbands cooking for the first time was nothing compared to the stress I felt. The possibility that they might say no, they might say I wasn't a worth the risk, tore me up inside. It took me three days and a bottle of vodka, to summon up the courage to talk to them. I waited until they were almost through with dinner, which I had painstakingly prepared, before blurting out the whole thing. I gave them two weeks without me in their face to think it over. Then I came back braced for  whatever their answer was."

"My case was a little bit different but held much the same fear. I laid the facts of clearly; answering every question they had as truthfully as possible, even the ones I wish they didn't ask. We talked for about three hours that first night another hour the next day. There was some yelling, crying, and some soul-searching. My wife and daughter were thrilled. My son was appalled. No matter how much I wanted to go. I knew if he decided not to the dream was over for me. I couldn't leave him behind. When Ando found a position with Dr. Sutter, I almost cried. Once my son has a goal he doesn't give up and I knew that job would keep him anchored to the project and therefore give me and my wife the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream."

Were the lucky ones who have such understanding, patient family members. I know some had to leave people behind and it's our job to fill in as best we can. We have to make them feel like they're part of our family."

"My case was a little bit different but held much the same fear. I laid the facts of clearly; answering every question they have truthfully as possible, even the ones I wished they'd never ask. We talked for about three hours that first night another hour to the next day. There was some yelling, crying, and some soul-searching. My wife was thrilled. My son was appalled. No matter how much I wanted to go. I knew he decided not to the dream was over for me. I couldn't leave him behind. When Ando found a position with Dr. Sutter, I almost cried. Once my son has a goal doesn't give up and I knew that job would keep him anchor to the project and therefore give me my wife is chance to fulfill a lifelong dream."

“Despite all the tension were the lucky ones to have such understanding, and patient family members," I said, following Cato deeper into the facility. "I know some had to leave people behind and it's our job to fill in as best we can. We have to make them feel like they're part of our family."

    "Speaking of which how is Bailen doing?" Cato asked.

    I waited to reply as a nurse handed him a chart which he scanned over and signed. "He's doing well, as busy as someone else I know."

Cato nodded and thanked the nurse. 

    "I thought it might be weird being together after such a large gap but it's like we picked up where we left off. He has more stories to tell over the dinner table but nothing else has changed, which worries me a bit."

    "I would expect nothing less from a chronic paranoid. And how are you feeling?"

    I glanced around self-consciously, making sure no one was within earshot. "I'm fine. No need to keep asking." 

    "Its my job to ensure the health of everyone here."

"Well this particular person is stable enough said."

Cato shrugged. We'd reached the door to the reanimation section. 

He depressed the intercom, " Mirian, Mrs.Tam is here to observe her family."

"Yes of course Dr. Parks. Its clear."

The light above the door flashed green and the seal released. Cato pulled the door wide letting me in first. The observation port drew so much of my attention I missed the nurse's introduction. 

My mother and sister lay on side-by-side medical tables attended by several mechanical arms. monitors flashed and beeped around them monitoring everything for heart rate and pulse to brain activity, muscle mass and electrolyte levels. They were bare skinned except for the sterile sheets covering their still bodies.

Panic beset my heart as the worse scenarios ran wild through my brain.  Whatever the process damaged their brains? Whatever the people reanimated weren’t the ones I knew and love. What if their bodies couldn’t be restarted and they were trapped, aware, in a lifeless shell.

“Lea? Lea.”

I turned forcing my breathing to slow. “Yes. Sorry the view caught my eye.”

“As I was saying,” the nurse started. “So far everything looks good. Vitals signs are returning to normal. Core temperature and brain activity is at the proper levels and they are both responding well to muscle stimulation. Shortly we’ll begin testing their digestive and immune responses and then they will be revived and you can speak to them. They will haowever have to remain in quarantine for another half hour to insure their bodies are coping with stresses of normal activity.”

“And it will be up to you to monitor them for the next few days for any signs of ill effects,” Cato finished.

“Yes of course, no problem,” I said, forcing a smile.  They seemed calm so I could pretend to be.

“I’m going to leave you in Mirian’s capable hands. I have other matters to attend to. I will catch up with you later.”

“Thanks Cato.  Tell Ando and Sumi I say hi when the wake.”

Cato left, leaving me alone with Mirian who seemed none too pleased to have me invading her space. I couldn’t blame her after the first impression I gave her. I picked the furthest corner that still allowed me a clear view, and parked my behind swallowing any questions I may have had.  The less I distracted her, the better off my family would be.

Mirian poured over the computer console in front of her apparently satisfied with our unspoken arrangement. Her eyes darted back and forth with such focus just watching her gave me a headache. The mechanical attendants were mostly automated but it took a warm body to make small adjustments personalizing the treatment to each patient. Increase potassium for one patient because their body is resistant to absorption, decrease stimulation to the legs and focus more on the abdomen.

Whatever the need Mirian reacted quickly. She had at least six different feeds per patient yet she showed no signs of being overwhelmed. I was able to relax knowing mom and baby sister were in good hands. There was no reason to think my baby brother, Taylor wasn't receiving the same level of care where he was. 

"Lea, it's time." 

I jumped at the sound of my name. I had let my mind wander, amused by the dexterity of the six robots arms moving along the crisscrossing tracks along the ceiling and walls.  I always found solace in the solid and unchangeable nature of mechanical problems over the messiness of flesh.

Mirian smiled at me for the first time since I entered the room. The look in her wide brown eyes said she understood my apprehension. And why shouldn't she. Doubtless she had love ones waiting the same procedure. they would face the same risks. Safety and certainty were words left back on an Earth to far away to point out in the night sky.  "They're ready to be woken up," she said before turning back to her screen. 

I stretched in an attempt to ease the tension and got as close to the observation window as I could and still maintain and air of dignity. All but two of the mechanical arms retreated to their berths along the wall. The ones still in play introduced the stimulant to mom and Trina's IVs. The world slowed until i heard them both inhale sharply. 

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Shared Space

"What the? Where am I? Why is it cold? Am I naked?" Trina asked, her voice sounding rather hoarse.

I stiffed a laugh. Trust her to come out swinging. Mom turned silently to look at her youngest daughter. The sheet moved as her hand reached out, reducing the clinical distance between them. Even though they didn't touch I could tell the gesture calmed Trina.

"Don't worry Miss Cole everything is as it should be," Mirian explained. "You have just woken you from a thirty year sleep aboard the Osiris. Do you remember?"

Trina frowned. "Oh crap, are you serious? We actually made it. We're actually on another planet. I was sure we'd all die in our sleep."

"Trina," mom scolded.

"Hey Trina Cole welcome to Toosalee," I said over the intercom. "the last, best hope for mankind."

"Ah, Lea, and here I was hoping they lost your pod out in deep space."

"Your forgetting I'm the important one. I could have jettisoned your frozen body out the main airlock and nobody would have blinked an eye. Because I'm nice I decided to keep you around find some use for you."

Mirian looked over at me appalled.

I shook my head, embarrassed. "Its a running joke between us." I tired to explain away from the intercom. 

Mirian raised an disapproving eyebrow but said nothing.

"Mom you alright," I asked, realized she hadn't said much.

"I'm fine, just taking it all in. This old brain takes a little longer to process things. Where's Taylor?"

"He's in bay three he'll be fine." 

"Go check on him. Make sure he's fine."

"Cato's with him nothing will..."

"Please go check on my baby."

"Yes mom," I turned to Mirian.

"Two doors to your left," she said anticipating my question. "I'll let them know you're coming."

"Thank you." I took one last long look at my mother before searching out my brother.

Cato was at the computer console with a young man beside him ready to help. They smiled when I entered then went back to their work. Taylor was in bed two with Cato's son, Ando in bed one. They were still unconscious. There wasn't anything for me to see or do. I couldn't understand why my mother insisted I come check on him.

"Ok, we're ready to wake them," Cato said. 

I nodded.

The arms did their job. Ando sat bolt upright proving that there was no damage to his reflexes, before calming. Taylor yawned. Then burped. I laughed.

"Sorry about that, Ando," I apologized on my brother's behalf. 

Ando replied with a burp of his own. 

Males.

"How are you two feeling?" Cato asked.

"Stiff," said Ando.

"Hungry," replied Taylor. 

"Any nausea, headache, weakness in your extremities?"

"Nope," they both said. 

"Okay, good. You can sit up, slowly. Then after a few minutes if you feel alright you can walk around the room. I'm going to ask you a few questions to check for mental acuity," Cato explained. 

The boys nodded. They sat up starring at each other. They didn't seem bother by the fact that all the separated their goods were two thin white sheets. The first thing I did when I was given permission to move was reach for the sterile scrubs in the tray at the head of the bed. 

A sharp beep echoed in the small room. I grabbed my chest fearing something had gone wrong. 

"Cato, here."

"Uhm, there's an urgent conference call..."

"I'm busy," Cato interrupted.

"...for Mrs Tam."

"No. No way. I said no calls," I said, shaking my head.

"...from the Waa' Tall."

My jaw dropped. "What? Why would they? Not now for goodness sake." I twisted my wedding band trying to decide what to do. I wanted one day with my family but an urgent call from them meant serious trouble. 

"Go," Cato said. "I'll explain things. Don't worry."

Thank you, I mouthed. "Hey, Tay gotta run. Will see you later. Oh, and mom and Trina are doing fine in bay one. Behave." I didn't catch his reply because I ran out as fast as my legs could carry me almost running into Adriana, my assistant. "Sorry. Did they say what they wanted." 

Adriana had that puppy-dog sad look in her pale grey eyes that she always got when she had bad news to relate. Every time I saw that look I braced myself. My heart beat faster and my palms started to sweat.

"They weren't specific, but something about the terms of cohabitation not being met. The ambassador had a definite orange tint to his fur," Adriana said leading me out of med-center and toward the main bank of elevators.

"Why today?" I complained.

"Bad timing I know. I'm sorry."

I waved her apology off. "Not your fault."

"Josh, and Dr. Connor are already in the telecom room discussing the issue, but they swore not to make any promises until you got there."

Josh Tanner was our linguistics expert and head of the Waa' Tall liaison committee. He knew more about our alien partners than anyone else in the colony, with Adriana coming a close second. Dr. Selena Connor was Earth's first xeno-anthropologist and had a skill for negotiation that ensure she got first at at discussions with the Waa' Tall.  Around those two I didn't feel very effective, but my job was to ensure the needs of our colony were represented in all talks. 

As usual the elevators were running slow making me even later to the party. The moment I stepped through the door, the large image of three Waa' Tall males filling the room,  I knew things were going wrong. 

Josh's voice was elevated. I wouldn't call it yelling. Josh didn't yell. He was a very soft-spoken man, not one to get emotion or agitated. Very careful and deliberate. in that room he was talking fast and gesturing with angry hands.  He spoke in the Waa' Tall language of Soreth so I had no clue what was being said but knew there was an argument.

Selena sat on the edge of her chair, arms folded across her chest as if she was trying to hold herself back. her jaw was clenched but her eyes screamed.

"Excuse me. Sorry for my tardiness," I said, interrupting. Everyone turned to stare. I felt naked and exposed. I cleared my throat and pushed forward. "Would someone be kind enough to bring me up to speed?"

"Mrs. Tam, welcome. We discuss a failure to leave up to our...agreement. Yes that is the word. Agreement," Naa' Sald, Waa' Tall ambassador said is his surprisingly proper English.

"And what part have we not fulfilled?" I asked, trying to cut through the political politeness and get to the root of the problem. 

"We are to live unitedly. How can we do this in isolated com...communities. Yes, communities."

"And as I've tried to explain," Josh started. "Are community is not even awake yet how can we be expected to integrate it at this early stage."

"Humans have been here three years. We have waited long enough," Naa' Sald countered. 

"Our operations were made clear to you before our ships left Earth's orbit. Those first three years were dedicated to building the habitat and making the area safe for the rest of the colonists. During that time you all were kept abreast of our activities. Now we are just starting to revive the rest of our expedition. We need time to acclimate them to the new world before we can successfully mingle with a new race," I said.

"Our elder does not understand this acclimation you speak of. You have been here, we have waited patiently, your time has ended."

"But we need...," I started.

"It's no use Lea," Selena said. "Once there elder weighs in his decision is final. We've tried to explain the logistics to them but to no avail."

My wedding band was off my finger and pressed between my lips as my mind spun trying to work out a dozen different scenarios. Introducing the Waa' Tall into our day to day at this delicate stage in our development was likely to throw the whole habitat into chaos. Ignoring the Waa' Tall when they clearly had the advantage in technology and numbers meant risking the safety of every member of our colony.

"Okay, so you want integration. We have to start small. How about an exchange. You have a team come over, discuss matters, get the grand tour. We do the same a few days later and go from there."

Naa' Sald's fur ruffled and if my knowledge of Waa' Tall physiology is correct that meant he was confused. He turned to Josh who translated. 

Once the exchange finished Naa’ Sald’s fur returned to its natural rich chestnut brown.

“Tomorrow we will visit.”

“No I was thinking more like next week, maybe two weeks from now.”

“Yes, tomorrow. Thank you for your co…cooperation.” Naa’ Sald spread his two sets of hands in a gesture of thanksgiving before the feed went dark.

“No, no the pleasure was all mine,” I said to the blue screen.

Selena shook her head at me. “And I thought dealing with foreign countries was hard. The Waa’ Tall have raised the art of bullying to a whole other level.”

“Sorry Lea, I tried my best to explain things, but there was no changing their minds.”

“It’s okay, Josh. This was going to happen sooner or later. Why not go ahead and get the process rolling.”

“Sorry for having to tear you away from your family,” he added. “How are they doing?”

“Just fine when I left. They’re probably just getting out of quarantine so I didn’t miss much.”

“I guess if we’re going to be having guests tomorrow I have some work to do,” Selena said heading for the door. “You know where I’ll be when you need me,” she said, waving as she left.

“As soon as you get an itinerary together I’ll work on getting it translated,” Josh said before following Selena.

I turned to Adriana at a loss for what to say next. “So my day is shot.”

“Yes.”

“And we have a day t do a week’s worth of work.”

“Yup.”

“My family is going to kill me. The council’s going to kill me. Am I forgetting anything?”

“Collins is going to kill you.”

Mit Collins was our security chief. Former SAS then Scotland Yard. He was smart, cunning, hard. I just agreed to let unknowns stroll through our half built halls giving him no lead-time to prepare, with half his staff still in deep freeze. I’d be lucky if he killed me quick.

“Oh, crap. I’m so not making that call. Adriana as your boss I order you to inform Chief Collins as to our current situation.” Adriana didn’t even bother to look up at me. “As your good friend I ask you, very politely, to please tell Mit the situation?”

Adriana picked at her lip, presumably think the situation over. “And if I do you will owe me a big, no, two big favors.”

“Yes of course, anything. Well within reason.”

“Okay boss lady, I’ll spread the word while you squeeze in time with the family.”

“Thank you, thank you. You’re the best.” I gave her a quick hug and turned toward the door. A thought struck me. “Uhm, on the other hand how about you go talk to my brother and sister and I take Mit.”

“Ha, I’m not that stupid,” she said pushing me toward the door. “Go. Now.”

Standing before a cleared and dressed Trina and Taylor I felt more like I stood before a firing squad. The look twisting up Trina’s face was on unadulterated distaste. Taylor was angry. He paced like a cage tiger.

“Is it going to be like this all the time?” Trina asked. “You brought us here, to live in this converted ship for the rest of our lives, on the alien planet, and yet we can’t even make it a whole day before you abandon us for something more important. Just tell me is it always going to be like this. I want to know now so I can accept it and get on with my life, or whatever you call what we’ll have here.”

“Trina come on. You think I want to ditch you guys and go work my butt off. If I had any choice I would tell everyone else to stuff it and hand out with you guys until you’re begging me to leave. Why can’t you understand that and give me a break just this once.”

“Once today. Twice tomorrow. Five times next week. When does it end.”

“Mom,” I pleaded searching for support.

“Listen Lea I get that your job is important and we all agreed to come knowing their would be risks and problems, but I have to say I would like to come first once. Just once. Is that to much to ask?”

The look in my mom’s big brown eyes was heartbreaking. Her face was so round and soft she often reminded me of a kitten. She had an inherent innocence and honesty to her that it was impossible to stay mad at her.

“Fine. Fine. Ya’ll win. I can’t give you all day but I can feed you like queens and kings.”

Taylor looked skeptical. “Not those tasteless nutrition packets we ate while on the space station?”

“No real, and proper food. Prepare to be amazed.”

Osiris is unique in human history in several ways. One of the most astounding to me in that it comes equipped with its own forest. Okay so it may not be acres of hundred year old trees but who ever heard of a forest on a spaceship anyway.

When I say trees I mean actual planets from earth rooted and growing on Osiris. The technology that made it possible came from the Waa’ Tall as part of the exchange program set up between our species. They travel in generational ships through the darkest depths of space searching for new planets and new civilizations. In order for that to be possible they needed a renewable source of food. According to some of the information packets they sent seventy percent of their ship is covered in organic material.

For us we are served with a hundred by eight-five foot plot with several fruit trees, rows of herbs and vegetables and some medicinal flowers. There was a recent harvest and a big feast was planned for when all of the colonist were revived. I also knew the chefs were doing a limited test run to warm up their skills and taste test the supplies. I managed to convince them to let us be the guinea pigs.

By the time we reached the open air cafeteria nestled against the group of banana trees tables were laid out in the finest dinnerware our meager supply had to offer. Fresh berries were in a bowl next to a plate of brownies. Pitchers of cold water stood as center pieces to the whole affair. They out did themselves.

“Now this is what I call a feast.”

I turned to find my husband, Bailen coming in with his brother, Solen in tow.

“I’m so glad you could make it,” I said, wrapping him in a tight hug. I didn’t want to let him go, savoring the oaky smell of him.

“Yeah, well Adriana can be convincing,” he said planting a kiss on my cheek.

“Solen, is that you,” mom exclaimed. She grabbed his wrist pulling him closer. She spun him around in disbelief. “What happened to you.” 

“Those three years of hard work agreed with me,” Solen said, with a smile.  

I remembered reacting the same way when I first saw him. Back on Earth Solen was tall, like his brother, at six foot four, but thin as a rail and shaggy brown hair. He followed his brother on Isis, arriving on planet three years earlier than the the rest to lay the foundations of what would become our new how.

Solen worked on the construction crew, putting his wielding and machining skills to good use. He packed on a good thirty pounds of muscle, kept his hair in a neat buzz cut and held himself with a confidence that commanded attention. Toosalee had changed Solen for the better and I couldn’t have been more proud of my little brother.

“Looking good,” Trina said, giving him a hug.

“So will I look like that when I grow up,” Taylor joked.

“Only if you grow up to be me,” Solen replied.

It was interesting to see the boys reunited. Before less than a year separated them. They had many of the same interests, same experiences. Now time and maturity were weighed in Solen’s favor. I worried how the relationship between Solen and Taylor would be effected. The two of them had already lost so much of what was normal I hated to see them lose each other.

“Okay, enough gawking how bout we eat.”

It didn’t take long for our family lunch to become a big deal. Cato as his family soon joined in. Adriana pulled up a seat allowing both of us to enjoy our time while working. Chefs Patterson and Walkins left the kitchen and joined in the conversation.

An hour passed an the food was gone and our talk turned away from praise of the meal to catching up on years passed, and the possibilities of the new world to be explored. With Bailen’s attention snatched up by mom and Adriana on the com with Josh reviewing some translations I had a moment to just sit back and take in the view.

I’m a big fan of people watching. A lot can be learned when people are too busy to notice they’re being observed. I saw happy, eager faces. Adriana may have had her brow furrowed in concentration and Ando looked a little apprehensive, probably due to amount of people around him, but the overall feeling was one of happiness.

Someone cleared their throat behind me. “Uhm excuse me Councilwoman, may I have a word.”

I shut my eyes tight wishing that voice, and the person behind it away. 

Adriana must have heard him too because she shrugged her shoulders at me to say, ‘I don’t know how he found us.”

I put my best smile on before turning around to face Dr. Mason Sutter, general bane of my existence. I stood to make myself look bigger as if I were facing off against a wolf. I’m sure he’s been called worse. In fact I’m certain I’ve called him worse.

“Yes, Dr. Sutter how may I help you?”

“Were you going to let me attend the meeting with the Waa’ Tall I deserve to be there. I bring more to the table than most of the others. You were going to let a delegation come here and you didn’t invite me. I consider that an epic failure or your part Councilwoman.”

I clenched my jaw, swallowing the string of expletives that wanted to come out. I looked at Adriana. She held the same look of surprise that crossed my face.

“What meeting,” Bailen asked.

Dang it. In all the excitement I’d forgotten to tell him about the Waa’ Tall.

“First of all that information is privileged,” I told Dr. Sutter. “This isn’t exactly the proper place to discuss it.”

“Oh come on they’re due here tomorrow, no ones knowledge is advanced on this one,” Sutter retorted.

“And second,” I continued, “nothing has been finalized so please don’t jump to conclusions about your exclusion.”

“So you’re saying I will be there. Well it would have been nice to get that information sooner. I need to time prepare.”

“Wait hold on the Waa’ Tall are coming here, tomorrow,” Taylor said, silencing all the other side conversations.

“Do we get to come?” Trina asked.

Well so much for secrets.

“Yeah, it’d be nice to see the aliens. I mean what do they even look like. I heard they have like eight eyes and huge fangs,” Taylor added.

“Now wait a minute,” I said, holding up my hands. “We are still working out the details. I cant promise anyone access…”

“Is nepotism going to cloud all of your decisions Councilwoman?” Sutter interrupted.

“I never agreed to let… We don’t even know if…” I took a deep breath giving me time to find the right words. “Dr. Sutter when I have decided on who to invite to the exchange you will be notified. Until then I suggest you go back to whatever you were doing and respect my privacy before I’m forced to get the Leo’s involved.”

“But I…”

“Goodbye Dr. Sutter.”

He left with a face redder than one of the fresh tomatoes we’d just consumed. 

“As for you guys,” I said facing my family. “If you wish to let in on privileged information you have to prove you can keep it to yourselves. And before you say anything else I will try to gt you a spot in the gallery when we do the tour, but I’m not promising anything.”

“Real food, strange planet, aliens, not a bad couple of days,” Taylor said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Negotiation

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