All That Glitters Ch. 54

"Would you like to come over to the ship with us?" Junelliya asked as they told Katryanna that her dress was ready. "We will use the airlock by the Interspecies Embassy, which is not far from here."

"I would like that. What time do I need to be ready at?" Katryanna demanded.

"The shuttle has been arranged for 19:00 hrs. We're leaving as one group." Sylvie Kinlo, Hanalei's PA told her.

************

Katryanna arrived at the Piscium apartment to find the door open and a dozen or more people, other than the Piscium family, inside.

"OK, we have Katryanna now, we are ready to depart," Sylvie advised as soon as she saw Katryanna at the door. Everyone smiled and moved to follow Sylvie who led them all down the corridor to the airlock.

Katryanna was introduced to a number of other people, including Lindsey Briller, who was a patient at the hospital.

"Lindsey is a recent rescue from OP Sandcastle," Heyya explained to Katryanna. "She will be with us for a little while longer before we let her go back to the real universe. As you are a recent graduate of the Malihan Hospital, you might look in on her from time to time as she wishes to go back to university for her medical degree."

Katryanna smiled at the woman, who she saw was still rather thin and whose skin was pale and not in a healthy way.

"I am much better than when I arrived. I was legally dead when I got here," Lindsey informed her with a wink.

Lindsey was wearing a very nice dress that seemed to be a little loose on her, which made sense to Katryanna as Lindsey still had some filling out to do.

Katryanna noted the miniature medals and other bling that many of the group wore, including those of Fayad, and his wives. She noted the presence of the President's Gold Medal for Distinguished Service on all three, the Medal of Bravery on Hanalei and the pin of the Counsel of Empaths that Junelliya and the children wore. The three also wore a strange looking armband that she remembered seeing on Malnad and Tougrate. She would have to ask about that later.

Heyya appeared. Katryanna was shocked when she saw that she was sporting miniature versions of the Military Cross of Valour, the Distinguished Service Cross for Medical Services, and the Military Medal of Bravery! It was quite obvious that this station had stories to tell.

The shuttle arrived and the group slipped onto it. While it was a VIP shuttle, there was plenty of room for everyone. It was a good thing too, as the shuttle filled up quickly.

The group arrived at NS Franz Muller and moved down the corridor to the area now set up as a ballroom. As they approached the door, Katryanna could hear someone calling out the names of the people entering the room. She looked around surprised, until Sylvie Kinlo gave her a small card.

"Give that to the Major Domo," she instructed with a wink. Katryanna saw a small card with her name on it and all of her titles behind it. Sylvie was nothing if not thorough, she realized, giving the woman a smile of thanks.

Katryanna listened to the names of people and their titles as they arrived in the room, the steward having to speak loudly as there was a live band playing classical pieces. The Piscium family in particular was very impressive. Even their nanny, Takebayashi Urano, held the Medal of Bravery!

She came to the door and passed the card to the steward and heard herself introduced: "Dr, Katryanna Sokolova, Medical Doctor, Surgeon," and she moved through the hatch into the large room as people turned and clapped as she entered. That brought a blush to Katryanna's face as she had not heard anyone else clapping for the previous announcements. She quickly moved down onto the floor and rejoined the group around the Pisciums.

"There are so many aliens here," Katryanna murmured to Heyya.

"We do not refer to them as aliens, Katryanna," Heyya told her. "We call them non-humans or we call them by their species name. An alien is something foreign to us, and the member races of the Greater Community are no longer foreign to us, nor are we to them."

Before she could reply, Katryanna heard a name called out by the Major Domo she recognized and had not heard for some time.

"Dr. Ayesha Seito, Medical Doctor for The Wanderer, and her husband, Sean Murphy."

Ayesha had been a senior nurse while Katryanna was an intern and then during her surgical residency at Malihan Hospital. She remembered the feisty little woman. She also remembered her husband, Sean. Seriously, who could forget Sean after having met him once? He was such a kind man despite his scary large size, a true gentle giant.

Katryanna turned with a smile on her face and saw the pair coming in her direction. They were actually coming to the group of people from the Liramor Hospital that were hanging around the Piscium Family, but Ayesha's face suddenly showed surprise when she saw Katryanna.

"Dr. Sokolova!" she called out and gave Katryanna a hug. "So good to see you again. Are you now on the Muller?" she asked, referring to the President's ship.

"No. I am actually a surgeon at the Liramor Hospital now," Katryanna told her. She looked up into the eyes and friendly smile of Sean Murphy.

"Hello, Katryanna. Do you still need a step stool to get up to the operating table?" he asked, with a smile and a wink to show that he was only joking.

"Sean, even Dr. Holdar needed a step stool to work on you!" Katryanna returned much to the amusement of the group.

They chatted as the room swiftly filled up, Katryanna anticipating the end of the announcements and the entrance of the President himself.

"Introducing Vice Admiral Dr. Fiona Marsh, Doctor of Public Administration, Director of Operations for Liramor-23, Vice Admiral in charge of Sector Fifty-Nine, Civilian Cross of Valour."

"All rise!" called out the Major Domo. "Introducing the Speaker of the Palace of Pod-Saar, the Kumar-Pair, the Supreme Rulers of the Pod-Drran and..."

"God-Ma!" called out Ikekiya to laughter from throughout the room as the Kumar-Pair and their brood waved to the two children.

"The Kumaraie Na-Maj Se-Lam Pod-Raie, the Kumaroe Jarl Se-Lam Pod-Sai-Roe, God-Parents to the Piscium children," that brought more laughter as the Major Domo paused to let it go by. "Their Brood, Prakeshya Se-Lam-Raie, Nal-Jarl Se-Lam-Roe, and Sun-Jarl Se-Lam-Roe." The family got polite applause as they entered the room and headed directly for the Pisciums so that the children could chat with each other.

"All rise! Introducing the Supreme Ruler of the Asocan People and Dusar-Rai to the Kumir-Pair's Brood, the Asoc <Catal Mutt Herrtt, her Mate the Asost Kome Mutt Goult, Dusar-Roe to the Kumar-Pair's Brood, and Martte Garnal Mutt Herrtt and Varren Mutt Herrtt é Salalta Semt."

"Varren!" Zarreniya called out and Varren moved directly to the small group, a pleased look her face, as the Asoc and Asost made their way to the same.

The President's fanfare sounded and the man appeared in the door with two ladies at his side.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Gentle Beings, your host, the President of the Union, Wilford J. Holloway, with special guests Angelique Aubuchon and Miss Grace Elizabeth Holloway."

The applause was genuine as the people greeted the President. He moved down to the floor and came over to the group around the Piscium family.

"Mr. President, it is a pleasure to see you again," Fayad spoke for the family.

"It is always a joy to see these two little ones, Fayad," the President rejoined, smiling at the children as he came down on one knee for hugs from the two, which quickly grew to five then six when the Kumar-Pair's Brood and Varren got in on the hug.

He stood up and nodded to the Kumar-Pair and to the Asoc and Asost.

"I actually came out here to see for myself the situation at Maha-Orin, but I have been told that now is not a good time to go there. I have been recommended instead to go to Pod-Saar and see the wounded there."

"You will be welcome at any time on Pod-Saar, Mr. President," the Kumaroe spoke for the pair. "We are grateful for all that you have done for our people and their integration into the Greater Community. Had it not been for the Union's efforts, we might now be at war with you and we would not have fared well in that war."

"My mate is correct, Mr. President," the Kumaraie interposed. "The Pod-Drran were, and still are, severely outmatched by the Union Navy. We would have gone down to a historical defeat. I am pleased that such a confrontation was avoided, due principally to the efforts of so many of the people now in this room."

"The benefit from not engaging in that conflict was to allow us to become the God-parents of these two lovely young children," the Kumaraie finished as she got leg hugs from Ikekiya and Zarreniya.

The children took that time to say hello to all the adults then went into a corner by themselves, minus Varren, who stayed with the Asoc and her elder cousin, Garnal (Note: in Asocan custom, brothers and sisters are from the same clutch. Those from another clutch, but the same mother, are always referred to as elder or younger cousins. Those from clutches of aunts or uncles would become second or third cousins). Varren had much to learn now that she was Shamot (a child of school age) and officially numbered amongst the Asocans.

"As always, Asoc, Asost, it is a pleasure to be in your company. I hope the next time, it will be at the >Clot<, on AsocAR," the President said, speaking to the Asoc specifically.

"Consider it a standing invitation, Mr. President. One that I will happily send forth when the time is right," the Asoc replied.

"I have heard that you have made serious inroads against the enemy forces?" the President stated more than asked.

"That is correct, Mr. President. We have managed to split their forces and take some of them before we have to go into combat. While we have newer, more capable ships, our people are still basically in training to crew those ships. I do not think that we will do that well against the seasoned crews of their warships. We need to do anything we can to give ourselves the advantage in the upcoming attack," the Asoc answered.

"I have been studying the history of human war at Raymond's suggestion, Mr. President, things like Sun Tzu's The Art of War. He wants me to understand the concept of human strategy and tactics, which are considerably different from the Asocan counterparts. I am reminded of Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, where Antonius says 'Cry Havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!'. We are soon to do just that, Mr. President. I can only hope that my people have trained to a level that will allow our success as we will only get one opportunity to defeat Unaayel.

"I have faith in your people's ability to train my people, Mr. President. I fervently hope that my faith is well placed," the Asoc stated with conviction.

"You will not find any better people than Vice Admiral Fiona Marsh and Commodore Raymond Clark, Asoc. They have vetted those who are doing the training. I place my faith in those two. Those they have personally selected tend to perform exceptionally well," the President assured the Asoc, getting a quick nod in return.

"Mr. Pwesident, why no news peoples?" Zarreniya asked, suddenly showing up at the President's knee.

"Ah, you noticed did you?" the President asked. "Well, I asked the news people to allow us to use their cabins for transporting medical people.

"Fiona, I have 500+ participants for OP Oran on board from Terra. We will put them down at Pod-Saar tomorrow when we get there. Ah, I see that they have been let into the ballroom," the President noted a group of people, all wearing medical white jumpsuits, moving into the room from a different hatch than his current guests had made use of.

Several of them moved over to the President when they saw him.

"Mr. President," said an older woman with a bow of her head.

"Dr. Ligne. How are your people doing?" the President asked.

"We have finished the orientation, Mr. President. Thank you for bringing in Dr. Kayl-Ur and Nurse Hend-Ur. They have been most informative. It is, for most of us, the first time that we have met members of the Greater Community, other than on the entertainment and science channels," Dr. Ligne replied.

"I must mingle with others, Dr. Ligne. We will be going to Pod-Saar tomorrow, where I will drop off your people. This amazing lady is the Kumaraie, the supreme ruler of the Pod-Drran people. She will be the one that you will answer to at Pod-Saar," the President said, smiled at the group and turned with Angelique and his daughter, and began to mingle with other groups.

"Your Majesty," Dr. Linge said with a low bow.

"No, Dr. Linge. I am the Kumaraie. This is my mate, the Kumaroe. Together, we are the Kumar-Pair. You need not bow so low for me, though my people will be a little upset if you do not bow a little," the Kumaraie smiled.

"I should be the one to bow to you, Dr. Linge," the Kumaraie continued. "The Union has been swift in delivering people to help our sister race, the Maha-Rrin, in their time of need. Many of the cities of the south part of the major continent have been badly damaged. The numbers of injured and dead are staggering. Without the assistance of the Union, the Maha-Rrin would have been in a terrible state. We are grateful for your aide," the Kumaraie said.

"It is good to know that we will be of aide, Kumaraie. We will do our best to help where we can," Dr. Linge assured her.

"Good," said another voice. "That is the kind of attitude we need over the next few weeks."

"Kayl-Ur, it is always a delight to see you," the Kumaraie said. "Where is your mate?"

"Running around looking at all the big-breasted human women, Kumaraie," Kayl said with a smile.

"I heard that!" said a voice from a little further off, to the giggles of the others standing around.

Kayl kept fidgeting until the Kumaraie gave her a sharp look.

"My heat is nearly upon me, Kumaraie," Kayl admitted, blushing as she said so.

The Kumaraie gave out a cry and clutched Kayl's hands in hers. "May your pleasures render fruit, Kayl! May Poda-La grace you with her bounty!"

"Please forgive me if my mate and I suddenly leave this evening," Kayl said conspiratorially to the Kumaraie. "Because we are helping orient this group of medical specialists, we have a cabin on the Muller."

The Kumaraie gave a predatory smile to Kayl. "Make good use of it," she told Kayl in her own conspiratorial tone.

The ladies, of course, were all excited when they heard the news.

Dr. Ligne looked over to a familiar face and jumped when she recognized who it was. "You're Junelliya Herlan!"

"Yes, I know that," Junelliya replied with a smile.

"Oh my! Are you here to play for the President this evening?" Dr. Ligne asked.

"No, I actually live on Liramor-23. So I am a guest of the President. I don't have to 'sing for my supper'," Junelliya replied.

Sylvie cleared her throat. Junelliya raised an eyebrow at her.

"The Children asked me to bring their instruments, Junelliya. Of course, I couldn't leave your Luttrell behind."

Junelliya let out an exaggerated sigh to giggles from the others.

The band chose that moment to give a long note of introduction.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Gentle beings. We have a special request this evening, three little children wish to play for you," the conductor said as Ikekiya, Zarreniya, and Prakeshya came up to the stage with their instruments.

"I believe that the accompaniment of an adult is necessary, Lady Junelliya," the conductor said, pointing to the Luttrell case.

"Oh bother," Junelliya huffed under her breath but Hanalei just giggled and pushed her toward the stage.

Junelliya took a moment to set herself up while the children tuned their instruments.

"Are they any good?" Katryanna asked, Heyya.

"Oh, yes," Heyya nodded. "The children are little musical geniuses and they get it from their mommy."

"You've never heard of Junelliya Herlan?" Dr. Ligne asked at the look of uncertainty from Katryanna.

"I have been rather busy completing my surgical residence of late," Katryanna admitted, getting a nod of understanding from Dr. Linge. "You are in for a treat then."

The children began to play an interesting piece of something that Katryanna had never heard before. She gave Heyya a questioning look.

"It's a current popular song with the Byandi," Heyya told her.

The children began to sing in an odd language. While it was not unpleasant to the ear, it was definitely a non-human language and the beat and meter of the music was vastly different to anything that Katryanna had heard before.

She noticed that the Byandi were cheering and clapping along to the music the children were playing, some even sang along with them, though under their breath so as not to disturb the children.

As the song came to a close, the Byandi gave out a cheer.

The children began another song in a language that Katryanna did not understand. The music sounded disjointed to her ears as it seemed to be in a five beat downbeat that oddly skipped to a seventh beat every so often at a time that Katryanna could not predict. She noted that the Umick were spinning around in a kind of flowing dance. Every time that the children skipped to a seven beat they would leap gracefully into the air. They never seemed to be at a loss as to predicting the seventh beat.

"Why does my translator not translate the words?" she whispered to Heyya at the end of the song.

"Most translators are set up for dialogue, not singing. I can help you set it up later," Heyya told her. "Just enjoy for now."

And Katryanna did enjoy the show. The children went from song to song, each one different than the last, their mother frequently joining them on her chosen instrument. Katryanna noted that Junelliya was quite good with her instruments. Though the children song with immature voices, they rendered each of the songs to a level that the audience very much enjoyed, including herself.

Finally, the children began to sing an Anuuran festival song in which their parents, Hanalei, Fayad, and Junelliya, joined their voices to. Katryanna was amazed at the quality of their voices and even more so when Fayad pulled out his Courdra and began to play the flute-like instrument. Katryanna was not a musician but she recognized a skilled talent when she heard it and both Fayad, Junelliya, and the children were skilled with their chosen instruments, while Hanalei had a beautiful voice much different than the bell-like operatic voice of Junelliya's.

Then the family backed off the stage, leaving Junelliya alone with her Luttrell. As soon as she began to strum the next song, a hushed breath entered the entire audience. Katryanna caught the mood and gave Heyya a significant look, which she just shook her head and cautioned Katryanna to wait.

The melody was slow. It gave Katryanna time to set herself within it as it gently built up to just shy of a crescendo and then the sweetest voice that Katryanna had ever heard trickled forth into the room. From the first sound of that voice, Katryanna was hooked.

Junelliya had begun the Pod-Drran Song of Life. It told the story of a mother's expectation for new life, of finally greeting that life, of the joy of motherhood and the pleasure brought forth by a young woman as she gave birth for the first time. The song had its highs and lows but the highs never reached a booming voice, nor did the lows ever leave the sounds of a woman's range.

Katryanna was enthralled as she listened to the voice of Junelliya singing the song. With her voice alone, she sang of new expectations, of the worries of a new mother, and the joys of new life. Her heart was torn as the words washed over her. But something else was washing over her too...