Nova (17 page)

The Vosaia found herself wondering if Serros was using her
full name to mute attention to the fact of recent change in how she should be
addressed. “Greetings, Captain Serros; I am pleased to meet you.”

“Are you hungry or do you want a drink? It is my
understanding that the Sonata serves both Vitani and a number of liquors
pleasing to the Vosaia palette.”

Now K’llan
was
certain; another small, yet
appreciated gesture. “A drink. I have already consumed my requisite Vitani.”

“I’ve also recently eaten, so drinks it is.”

As if summoned, a thick–set, long–haired Human man appeared
a moment later to take their order and the two submitted their choices.

Finding suddenly that she craved conversation with another
whom she felt safe with, a true rarity given the last weeks, K’llan asked
“Kylosian Honeywater?”

The Human woman smiled in response. “From my homeworld. It is
fermented and distilled honey mixed with local fruits and spices. Its flavor derives
from the large bees the honey is farmed from, about the size of my closed fist,”
she held up one hand to demonstrate, “that inhabit Kylos.”

“Would you tell me a little about Kylos? I have traveled to
few Human governed worlds.”

The Captain regarded K’llan for a moment with a casual
intensity the Shield Operative was probably not even aware she carried herself
with, then nodded in acquiescence as if she knew why K’llan was asking; to
speak for a time of another’s unknown home. As if such distraction would
somehow lessen the pain she felt by being banned from returning to her own.

“Of course. Kylos, located in the Myradon System, is the
furthest of all the Aligned Human Colony worlds from our Capital planet of Pax.
Actually,” she began after delivering a nod of thanks to their server who
placed their two drinks on their table. “Kylos is close to Voss where we met,
which is why, despite its relative distance from Pax, my homeworld is quite
developed.”

Serros raised her glass to K’llan, who, recognizing it as
some Human ritual, repeated the gesture then took a sip of her drink just as
Serros did. “It’s a fairly settled if not overly populous planet, though we’ve
more than enough people to hold a Ministry seat. Three main distinct Old–Terran
ethnic groups and cultures settled Kylos and then blended to create an entirely
unique culture: Cuban, Chinese and Welsh.”

“I have noticed that Humans seem to hold fast to specific
ancestral traditions even while adhering to a Human meta–culture that is
comprised of each subset.” K’llan remarked, her brows knitting in
consideration. “It is… different from the Vosaia model of civilization.”

“How so?” Serros asked, genuine interest rippling across the
space between them as she leaned back against the balustrade on the opposite
side of the table.

“Vosaia culture is much more homogenized. One major
language, one major belief system, no regional genetic variation resulting in
predictable physical appearance, etc. I suppose that due to our long lifespan,
the emphasis in Vosaia society is instead focused upon lineage and merit that
contributes to the wellbeing and honor of the Vosaia people as a whole, rather
than individuality. The Vosaia also make it a habit to embrace positive aspects
of other alien civilizations and combine them with our own traditions.”

“The willingness to add foreign practices to their own
explains the Vosaia reputation as galactic diplomats.” Serros commented thoughtfully,
toying with the slender glass of her drink.

“Yes, I suppose it does.” K’llan responded.  “It is
interesting. Vosaia are encouraged to interact with those of other species so
as to enrich our own, yet at the same time, we are very… certain of our value,
shall I say.”

“I definitely picked up on that aspect of Vosaia culture
when working with Operative Hadarr on this last mission.” Serros remarked dryly.

With a smile of her own, K’llan also leaned back against the
railing. “Well, some Vosaia do tend towards a sense of… lofty self–satisfaction,
shall we say. That is not true for all.”

Serros shook her head a bit ruefully. “As it is with some
Humans. We are a particularly individualistic species, and that emphasis on the
individual has, throughout Human history, manifested numerous times in an ugly
rather than celebratory manner. Now, when such unsavory expression occurs, it
is rarely directed towards other Humans but instead reserved for aliens.
Fortunately, such reactions tend to be a minority, in part because Humans too
feel the need to adopt and then rapidly improve upon any useful or intriguing
facet of other cultures.”

“Vosaia have studied the Human capacity and drive for
expansion, especially technologically and territorially.” K’llan remarked,
choosing her words carefully so as not to cause offense.

With an astuteness that K’llan was growing accustomed to,
Captain Serros quirked her lips in response. “Yes. Well, with the Human
entrance into inter–species interaction several millennia ago, Humans rapidly pressed
exploration initiatives to totally new levels, pooling resources to support the
venture. So as to not lose the sense of being ‘human’ from Human culture, there
was a renewed interest and push in preserving ancient Terran custom and
tradition, even while embracing alien civilization.”

There server returned then and asked if they wished for a
second round of drinks. The Captain nodded her willingness to K’llan and then
to the pale skinned server who quickly refilled their glasses. Picking up the
thread of their earlier conversation, K’llan asked “Do you often return home to
Kylos?”

Much as K’llan had done before the Captain’s arrival, Serros
leaned over the railway and gazed at the view of the Sollex Level, the movement
causing her position to actually shift slightly closer to K’llan. Running well
formed fingers through her slightly curling black hair, Serros shook her head
in the negative. “Not as often as I’d like, though I always carry it in my
heart. It’s a beautiful place.”

Sensing the surge of joy, longing, and a brush of poignant
sadness she could not quite trace, K’llan said simply “Tell me.”

With an inclusive warmth rippling towards her like the
strings of a skillfully bowed firanelle, K’llan submerged herself in the gentle
reverberations of the Human’s
nya
as she listened to the Captain’s
words. “For the most part, Kylos is a tropical planet, covered with the warmest
waters you can imagine and verdant green. An amazing number of plant and animal
species inhabit its lands and seas. When I was a kid, I used to love nothing
more than swimming and sailing those blue waters, feeling life swell around me,
yet I felt totally at peace, untouchable by any grief.”

Studying the Shield’s profile, K’llan was struck by the
Human’s compelling beauty. It was a beauty that was less outwardly delicate
than a Vosaia’s yet when coupled with the woman’s soul, would draw any Vosaia
more surely than a moth to flame. The lines of her features were clean and
strong, yet simultaneously held undeniable grace. Her finely formed lips were
less full than most Vosaia yet were an appealing, naturally rouged hue that no
Vosaia was genetically graced with. The Captain’s long frame was lean and,
knowing from the very personal experience of having engaged in combat with her,
powerful, yet at the same time, she was sleek in build.

Turning her own body so as to match the Captain’s lounging
posture, she noted the Human’s long, curling lashes and found herself wondering
if the blue waters of Serros’s world matched the dark azure of her eyes. “Your
home sounds lovely.” K’llan could not help but hear the note of wistful sadness
in her own voice.

As if shaking herself out of a reverie, the Captain shrugged
and turned her attention fully to K’llan. “It is. Yet for me, my truest home is
aboard the
Excalibur
, with my crew and my Squad.”

Reluctantly, K’llan forced herself to say aloud the
troubling thoughts she had been attempting to escape while enjoying the
Shield’s presence. “I do not have a homeworld or a home right now. I feel most…
uncertain. It is a new experience.”

Leaning slightly closer, eyes intent, Captain Serros announced,
“That’s actually the reason why I most wished to meet with you.”

Placing her now empty glass on the table and folding her
hands together with one elbow propped on the balustrade, Serros asked quite
seriously, “K’llan Z’arr, would you like to join Nova Squad and become part of
the crew of the
QS Excalibur
?

Taken off–guard at Captain Serros’s proclamation, K’llan’s
thoughts swirled like a hummingbird flying madly to and fro.

With a somewhat daring smile, the Human continued with, “Nova
Squad is my personal experiment, you could say. We tackle special operations on
behalf of the Quorum and all of the Quorum Aligned Systems and worlds that
others cannot, as befits my status as a Shield Operative. I will tell you now
that our range of assignments goes
far
beyond the borders of Vosaia
interest, as your work as a Strategic Task Forces Agent did not. Meaning,
missions are always tied to the collective good of the Quorum races. By
definition, our work is extremely engaging but it
also
means that the demands
of the job and our responsibilities are equally high. Though the crew is
mostly,
note not entirely
, Human and comprised of Ministry Naval
personnel, Nova Squad itself is, as you’ve seen, quite diverse. If you accept
the position, you would be the only Vosaia currently on–board, but that
situation could easily change.”

Straightening her posture as if to emphasize the import of
her next words, Serros stated “Given the great latitude we Shields are granted
in order to not only fulfill our missions but also to determine
what
our
missions are and what they
should
be
, I tell you now that this
offer is never made lightly. I accept only the very best, most accomplished
individuals in their respective specialties as members of my Squad, and only the
most promising as crew.”

K’llan felt a fresh splash of shock at the Captain’s words.
She did not need to be directly told by Serros that being named a member of
Nova Squad held great prestige and honor throughout Quorum Systems; a youth on
any populated Quorum world would know it to be true. It was the very closest
one could get to becoming one of the rare, elite members of the Strategic High
Risk, Intelligence and Enforcement arm of the Quorum, after all. And, Shields
were granted vast liberty and almost unlimited resources to fulfill their given
role and successfully complete their missions.

“You offer this in spite of my disgrace?”

Serros made a scoffing sound low in her throat that was part
laugh and part growl. “You are innocent of all charges; there is no disgrace.”

“Not all charges. That the data is now held by the Karukai Imperium
means that I did err.” K’llan responded, and despite her best efforts, she knew
her sense of shame was evident.

“K’llan Z’arr, a traitor within the STF and perhaps the Vosaia
Consulate or Quorum itself, was responsible for the loss of data, not you. You
did
all
that any could have to prevent its theft. You did your duty. That’s
all that can be asked.”

“I… I thank you for your words, and your confidence, Captain
Serros.” Emotion running high, K’llan found that the words were difficult to
pronounce.

“No thanks are necessary.” She responded with a grin that
was both slightly mischievous and apologetic. “After all, I hope that their
shortsightedness is going to lead to my benefit.”

Losing the playful cast to her features, Serros added more gravely
“I don’t want to push you, but I did want to extend the offer as soon as
possible as we are not scheduled to be docked at Sigil beyond a few more days.
Plus… I thought it would better for you to make a decision before the media
obtains and broadcasts copies of the Tribunal records now that the proceedings
are no longer closed and will be released within a couple of days. Please,
think seriously about the offer. I can give you three days before we ship out;
after, you would have to reach me by Vid or Net.”

Looking into the clear eyed gaze of the Human Shield
Operative, K’llan felt an almost overwhelming rush of emotion. Gratitude and relief
at such unfailing support and compassion, deep sadness for what she had lost,
excitement and intrigue for the opportunity now open before her. More than any
other sentiment, however, K’llan felt the warmth of this Human woman who stood
before her, and the undeniable bond that had somehow formed between them.

“I do not need three days, Captain Serros; I already have an
answer to give you.
Yes
.”  

 The Human Shield’s smile stretched across her entire face
as she released a small laugh of pleasure at K’llan’s answer, her
nya
flaring with the surge of her feelings. “Very good, then; I am most pleased.
And we’re off duty right now, K’llan Z’arr, so please, my friends call me
Avara.”

In response, K’llan surprised herself with the release of
her own pure laugh, the first she had issued in what seemed like years. “Very
well, Avara. And I am known as K’llan to my friends.”

Captain Avara Serros extended her right forearm to K’llan,
Vosaia fashion. Reciprocating the gesture, K’llan found her arm caught in a
firm grip, the play of the Human’s sleek muscles evident to her fingers even as
the reality of their link amplified ten–fold with the contact.

Eyes expanding slightly at the bloom of their connection which
in that moment, K’llan held
no
doubt the Human felt but chose not to overtly
react to, Avara greeted “Welcome to Nova Squad and the
QS Excalibur
, K’llan.”

 * * * * *

In a very different part of Sigil than Aesir Plaza, where
the white and onyx glass facades stood unwashed and the durexium bands and
supports were shadowed like once treasured silver charms left to tarnish in an
unmarked grave, a lone figure traversed the crowded slums of Amberion. Despite
the press of sentients, most inhabitants ignored one another unless they had
direct business to attend to, heads of the many races downcast and attire thread–worn
from overuse. Amberion Level, often called the “Lost Level,” was the lowest of
the great wheels of Sigil City, where those who had either fled their homeworld
with little to their name in desperate search for new opportunities, or those
who were born in–level into destitution, dwelt.