"They’d grown in strength, in number, and in star systems. The no longer fought for freedom, but for revenge. They sought no peace – only annihilation.”
Lord
Kaschlin Ruhual, "Mutant War Memoirs"
Chronicles
of the Visitor, 2382 TS
CHAPTER VII
Neila slept very hard that night. That deep, dream filled sleep of a mind loaded with new and unassimilated data, the kind of sleep that borders on coma and offers no refreshment when it’s over. The morning found her fatigued, but anxious to continue with her new assignment.
Good morning," She smiled to everyone as she passed through to the alien S room.
David had been examining the vital reports on a woman patient suffering with abdominal pains. He looked up from the patient to Neila walking toward him through the rows of Life Support Units lining the walls of the medical ward. He excused himself from the woman patient to meet Neila in the middle of the ward. "Morning, Neila." He said.
"Good morning, David, how is Bedall? Did he get any rest?"
"Excellent He slept for a while after you Left1 then he spoke with the programmer and used the computer to complete the language bank program Afterwards, we took him to his craft so he could check on the damage and collect a few personal items for his meeting with the Galactic Council." David informed her
"Is that all?'1 She laughed. "It's only been eight hours."
“I
know, I told the Council it would be at least twice that. He did request
permission to contact the
"Did you tell the Council?"
"Yes, they want to meet with him as soon as possible. You are to take Bedall to Security Central and contact Commander Decker as soon as you arrive." He said as he ushered her to the ICI and opened the portal. "I don't know if they re going to allow him to contact his people first or not." Neila turned a quick look at David's eyes. They held the same concern En them as hers did.
When they entered the room Bedall was seated on a stool eating his breakfast. "Good mommy, Bedall," she said to him with a smile. "You are looking much better today."
He stood up and smiled as soon as he saw Neila. With the sandy hair brushed straight bask she could see that his face was no longer pale, and his crystal blue eyes were very clear, alert and gentle. He had shed the white flight suit he arrived in for a more formal uniform. The short brown jacket, decorated with various colorful ribbons and medals at the left shoulder and brass colored fasteners down the front and at the wrists, covered a plain tan shirt and a brilliant red sash around his waist. A pair of close fitting, solid brown trousers were tucked into knee-high boots that were fastened up the lateral sides with the same type of fasteners as the jacket. Around his neck, a large medallion on a heavy gold chain hung high on his chest. "Good morning." he said shyly. "Will you join rite for breakfast?"
"Oh, thank you, but I've had breakfast already." She declined, and indicated he should continue eating. The news David had just delivered was disturbing. She was not sure how Bedall would react if he were denied a chance to contact his people. He could conceivably view it as hostile and distrustful. So she set about an attempt to prepare him for the possibility. "Bedall, you said yesterday that your being here was unauthorized and forbidden. What will happen to you when The Alliance finds out that you have broken the law?"
"I
don't know. When it was discovered that the Obolids had been doing autopsies,
impregnations and other experiments they were exiled from the
"Can your father help you? Perhaps he could explain how the contact was unintentional. It was an emergency after all."
"It
would be unwise. He is the prefect. He must remain objective and impartial in
all things. It would jeopardize the
"Do you mean that an entire species can be judged by the actions of one individual?”
"Of course. When the violation is of a galactic matter, it affects the all. It is the responsibility of a species house to maintain order. Any species unable to comply with this is judged accordingly."
A kaleidoscope of disturbing thoughts flashed through her mind. Not just for Bedall, but for Terra as well. "Do you think it would be in your best interest to delay telling them about this meeting?" She carefully suggested.
He looked at her with is blank, expressionless eyes. She wondered if the thought of deception was beyond his comprehension. In fear she may be treading in a forbidden realm, she searched her mind for a way to retract the suggestion.
“I’m not sure I understand your question. Failing to report would bring investigators who would discover the contact. Of what use would this be?”
"None. But if you don’t tell them you've made contact with us right away, it would give you time to sort things out, so to speak.”
He smiled broadly at her. “Are you afraid for me, Neila?"
Now
Neila was confused. She wondered if he could read her thoughts. "Shouldn't
I be?" She asked. “Should I not be afraid for Terra if the
"You have a political mind. You see beyond and back again.” He wiped his mouth and pushed aside his tray. “I have finished my breakfast.”