Alien Romance: Star Light Pilot (Sci-Fi Alien Invasion Abduction Fantasy Warrior Hero Space Opera Romance) (Science Fiction Mystery Dragon Shifter Paranormal Urban Short Stories) (4 page)

Chapter Six - Churlish Being Churlish

The engineering and protocol people had done a great job on arranging the formal gathering on Powar. Pavilions built to standards the Jarban would respect and appreciate. The food selection was varied enough to keep everyone happy. Since we were not in actual negotiations I had been advised to keep the conversation neutral. I was not in the mood for much conversation anyway. I hated formal attire and having to wear what was essentially a skimpy gown. Having to keep company with Churlish at the same time had me on edge. Fortunately after we had eaten he was called away by the Mucusto ambassador. His constant advances were becoming boring. I sipped the drink I had and watched everyone else.

All of the Star Light officers were in attendance as well as junior officers. Mucosto were mingling uncharacteristically congenially. They were a tall people. Almost seven feet with human features if you did not count that both genders had long beards and dressed identical so it was difficult to tell male from female. The Jarban were more humanoid than the Mucusto.

The Jarban looked like short, stout humans except their hair was a variety of bright greens, blues and pink. They were a humble people and seemed on edge. Not that I blamed them. Tara came over smiling at those she passed with a charm and wit I do not possess.

“You should have got this assignment. You would have had everything done by now.” She laughed and clinked a glass with mine.

“Damn right, I don't know what Churlish was thinking. Have you hit him yet?” she asked.

“Not yet. Timing is everything you know.” I said.

“Nice dress,” she commented straight-faced. I almost hit her.

The outfit I was wearing was essentially a white body suit with red silk wrappings that covered my breasts, then tied around my waist with an ankle length red skirt slit up both sides to the hips. Even a clothes fiend like me thought it was ridiculous, but Churlish had insisted it was necessary. Something to do with cultural factors of the Jarban, so he said. It also got me many stares from friends who were trying their best not to laugh at me. I had fortunately been allowed to keep my hair down.

“You too. A little conservative.” Tara smiled. Her dress was a blue affair covering from ankle to throat to waist and just snug enough to show off her figure without being obvious. One of her better choices. Before she could respond two Jarban approached hesitantly. I gave them my best smile and encouraged them. They had translators around their neck which made things easier.

“You are diplomat Jayne Loneway?” I nodded and raised my hands in greeting as they did. It was returned with a formal bow. An exchange of greetings was protocol.

“Yes I am. This is Lieutenant Talkner, the
Star Light
’s navigator and my best friend. May I have the privilege of your name?” Despite the bright green hair and shining blue hair their clothes were clean but worn. They had made an effort but it showed they were not a rich people.

“You honor us by asking, Miss Loneway, as well as by introducing such a close friend.” They both bowed again seemingly startled by my gesture. The green-haired one spoke.

“I am Tenty and this is my sister Lenty. We are Jarban as you can see. We would like to thank you for your courtesy in helping us establish a home. In honoring us as you have just done, you make us feel secure that you are the one who can help us. We are running out of most things and have begun getting desperate. There are those amongst us who believe in desperate measures, so are turning to greed. You could not have arrived with your
Star Light
at a better time.” The blue-haired one nodded vigorously. They were both very nervous but seemed to be conveying something they did not want to say out loud. At least not here. I was going to suggest us going someplace more private for a conversation when Churlish approached with the two Jarban leaders and two Mucusto who always seemed to be with the leaders.

“Ah, Jayne. The Jarban have an interesting idea for the first day of the summit tomorrow.” I wanted to point out he was interrupting but Tara stepped in.

“Then we will not distract you from your duties any longer Diplomat Loneway. Come my friends, our cooks have concocted the perfect dessert that matches your requirements and I believe you will be delighted by it.”

She escorted Tenty and Lenty away. I gave them a formal parting gesture before turning my attention to Churlish and his group with a forced smile.

I accompanied the Churlish back to his office after the diplomatic reception. We went over the arrangements for the next day but as we were talking I began getting a little light-headed. I felt like I had drunk some of the Chief’s brew. I shook my head and that just made me dizzier, so I held onto the table for a moment to get my bearings.

“Are you alright my dear?” the Diplomat asked coming closer to stand next to me. His hand went around my waist and then down to my ass. I was getting very fuzzy and staring at the water glass I had drank from previously. His hand moved up and down my backside and I realized what might have happened and stumbled over to the dispenser.

“We need a drink to celebrate I said, hardly recognizing my voice, but I managed to dial up what I needed.

“Are you sure I shouldn't help you lay down here?” he asked. I tossed back the drink and waited. My guess had been correct as I felt the fuzziness recede and my focus return. I turned.

“I am sure Churlish. I just detoxed whatever you put in my water. I am going to give you a piece of advice.” I walked toward him with my balance returned and my anger on full blast. I tapped his knee with my foot and he flinched.

“If you try that again I will break both of those.” I tapped his chest. “Several ribs and...” I quickly tapped his throat causing him to jump. “I will also crush your larynx so you will not be able to speak. I have hit superior officers in the past so a diplomat would not matter to me in the slightest. Now I am going to tell you how this is going to play out. We are going to help the Jarban and get them what they need and then you will never approach or speak to me again. Trust me when I say what would happen to you if you did will be less pleasant than what I just described.” I turned and walked out of the room and stormed down the hall.

The son of a bitch had tried to drug me! How stupid did someone have to be to do that to a Fleet officer on her ship with her crew within reach! I imagined what would happen if I told someone about it. Every friend I had would cheerfully go to the brig to beat him senseless. I felt the sudden drag of the detox drug. It worked fast but drained the system in the process. Once back to my cabin I undressed out of the silly clothes, locked the door and collapsed into the bed. I had a wish I could cuddle up with Jake but he was busy being the Captain so I let myself drift off and had a wonderful dream about cuddling with the Jake.

Chapter Seven - Hungover Revelations

The next morning I awoke with the feeling of a hangover. I considered checking with the Doctor to see what the Ambassador had drugged me with, but did not have time. I dressed and began going over the day’s duties and the inconsistencies involved with what we were being told. I was not sure how to approach the problem with Churlish. My message bell rang and I got up to check it.

“Lieutenant, continue with your diplomatic duties but feel free to improvise if you feel it is necessary. The crew and I are researching a few interesting snippets of information and the Mucusto are looking less and less like the benevolent people they are trying to portray themselves as. I have to go down to the planet.....Captain Merlock out.”

Interesting. I did not see what I was supposed to do, not to mention how vague it was. I was about to message him back when my door chimed. Seriously! I thought to myself as I went to answer. It was Tara.

“Morning sunshine. Come on, I want to show you something amazing. You will not believe it.” She took my hand and dragged me down the hall to her room.

“Not know Tara really, I do not have time. After last night I will be lucky to make it through the day without doing damage to everyone around me.”

She looked startled, and said, “You can tell me later about last night. You have to see this.” Her voice had a false cheerfulness I found strange as she dragged me into her quarters and locked the door behind us. I turned and saw a Jarban sitting in a chair nervously.

“Hello and greetings,” said the Jarban. I bowed and raised my hands. It was returned.

“You are Diplomat Loneway, I am Jenty of the Royal House of Jarban. You have met my cousins Lenty and Tenty. They informed me of the great honor you bestowed on them by introducing your best friend. Such a thing is considered sacred in our culture. I needed to speak with you so I approached the Lovely Tara and she said she would help.”

My jaw dropped open in surprise.

“Yes, Tara is truly a lovely person,” I said. “Would you mind if I have a word with her for just a moment, then you can have as many words with me as you need.”

The pink haired Jarban bowed in response and I went with Tara to the next room.

“Is she supposed to be on the ship?” I said. Tara looked scared now.

“No, but I did not know what to do. The story she has to tell is a bad one and she is in danger from the Mucusto and a few of her own race.” I opened my mouth to protest, but Tara cut me off. “Jayne, the leaders you have been dealing with are not the Jarban leaders. This woman’s leaders and relatives are captives. The Mucusto are using paid-off puppets to manipulate the process for their own needs.” That got my attention.

“Then let us not keep the good woman waiting.” We went back into the main room and heard a frightening story. I decided the Captain had given me room to improvise, so that was what I was going to do.

Chapter Eight- Fun Confrontation

I sat in the giant shuttle hangar on a conference table. My greatest hope was that after this while fiasco was over I could get out of these stupid diplomatic suits and get some alone time with Jake. Not the Captain, but Jake! I whistled as I watched the shuttle arrive and heard the hiss as it passed through the atmosphere shield. It landed in front of the red carpet that lead to the other conference tables in front of me. The doors opened and out came Churlish, the two Mucusto, eight bodyguards for them and the two Jarban “leaders”. Following them was Captain Merlock. He had had duties on the surface so he did not know what was going on. I was warmed by his trust as he sat on the ramp of the shuttle to watch.

“What is going on Loneway? You sent the Mucusto messages saying it was a done deal? By whose authority?” said Churlish.

I smiled at the jerk.

“Have a seat everyone, it
is
a done deal. Everyone will be getting what they deserve I promise you.” They all declined to sit, and just stood staring at me. The bodyguards were huddled around their leaders looking nervous. The Mucusto leaders were glancing around the shuttle bay confused.

“I love this bay, then again I am a pilot. You all know I am a pilot right? This diplomatic thing will be over soon and I will not do it again because many of you are crazy.” Everyone I was facing started looking angry, good. Before they could get started I continued.

“Normally this bay is full of all sorts of different shuttles but they are off taking care of business. Or I should say they have finished the business. We have freed all of the captive commanders on the Jarban ships and released the true royalty of the Jarban people.” Captain Merlock raised his eyebrows in surprise. Churlish looked confused and the others became nervous and agitated.

“We are the leaders of the Jarban people,” they asserted.

“Really. Hm, that is not what I have been told.” I turned to the lone shuttle in the back of the bay. “Will the Lovely Tara please escort the true leaders of the Jarban people over?”

The shuttle doors opened and out came the true Jarban leaders with Tara. They refused to be on board without me or her. As they approached, the two false leaders began wailing and rushed forward, falling to their knees apologizing to the people they had been impersonating. The Mucusto leaped forward but I whipped out my small low charge blaster and hit the lead one in the chest. He staggered back into his bodyguards and they began drawing weapons.

“You have made a mistake Pilot!” I was told.

“No, you have,” said the voice of Commander Tello from the catwalk around the bay’s upper walls. The sound of many plasma rifles reaching charge echoed through the bay. Sensing their defeat the Mucusto all dropped their weapons. I let out a deep breath as I had not been sure they would give in that quick. I turned to the Royal Jarban and held up my hand and bowed. They returned the gesture pleased. There impersonators were kneeling face to the floor moaning in dismay. They were ignored for now.

“Did the Lovely Tara inform you of my people’s decision?” I said. They shook their heads.

“No I did not,” said Tara. “I believe the honor for that goes to Diplomat Jayne.”

I glared at her briefly for using that title but smiled at the Jarban.

“It has been decided that the planet is yours. The Mucusto will not be anywhere near you. It is yours and your people’s now. Our only hope is that when you are settled, if you are so inclined, you may wish to open trade negotiations. Or at least allow friendship delegations. Whatever you decide, if you need our help to get started we are there for you. If you do not need our help, we will back off. I was asked to advise you that we can and will eagerly make sure the Mucusto will not approach your planet until you are up to full strength. We feel it is the least we can do considering all you have been through to get here.” They bowed deeply, touched and moved, as was I actually. I heard muttering behind me and turned.

“As for you people. We will be watching you closely. You have tried to enslave these people to work in the mines for you! Yes, we know that was the plan. Many of your officers we captured are still telling us the plans. It was rather obvious when all of the demands for the treaty were based around the
heticia
mineral. The Jarban have no use for it at all, but you go through huge amounts of it for your engines. It was rather simple, I saw it right away.” I looked at Churlish who was not looking too happy. He knew how much trouble he was on the edge of. I decided to push him in.

“As for you Churlish. Your use of secret listening devices, and revealing us to hostile force by overriding silent running is now common knowledge back at HQ.” I turned to the Captain, handing him a tablet. “Captain, I would also like to lodge a formal complaint against Ambassador Churlish. He attempted to drug a Fleet officer on this ship. You will find evidence of the drug in his quarters.”

There was a growl from the surrounding security. Glowering, the Captain read the document on the tablet, then strode over to stand in front of Churlish, who had understandably drained white in fear. The Captain loomed over him.

“Tello, put him in the brig!” he said, his voice infused with rage. Churlish actually whimpered. “Place a guard so I don’t change my mind and deal with him myself! Also send a security detail with the Mucusto to escort them back to their ships. Once they are ready we will escort them home.”

Tello agreed. The Captain’s orders were carried out, and I could relax. After a little chat with the Royal Jarban they were escorted with an honor guard to the shuttle so they could rejoin their people. My shuttle bay emptied out until it was me, the Captain and Tara.

“Well Loneway, I will do what I can to keep you from a promotion, although you may not want to turn down better quarters. You too Tara, although I think Commander Talkner is appropriate.” She blushed prettily and thanked him.

“I can however guarantee you will like this. You are as of now off duty, Loneway.”

“Yes sir!” I said.

“I wonder if I can catch Churlish,” the Captain said, turning to depart.

Tara grinned. I we left the shuttle bay and headed down the corridor.