All That Glitters Ch. 54

Junelliya was using her powers to push love and contentment, worry and joy, to all those within the sound of her voice. Not a sound could be heard within the room as she sang. Finally, the song ended with the happiness of the mother greeting the new child, cuddling her within the embrace of her arms.

As Junelliya's voice faded, movement came to those around the room. Those that could cry, were shedding tears. Those that could not, were literally hugging themselves in sympathy for the new mother. Even the males were affected by the song.

A deep sigh escaped hundreds of lips as people took in a long awaited breath. Then, someone began to clap. Slowly at first, the ovation began to build until it became a thundering roar for the artist who had taken everyone's heart.

Katryanna was stunned as she looked at the laughter in Heyya's eyes. "I didn't want to spoil the surprise," Heyya said with a wink.

Katryanna, still too caught up in the song to say much, just nodded knowingly. "How could anyone spoil that surprise?" she asked in return, getting a grin from Heyya.

Junelliya put her instrument away and slowly made her way back to her group. As she approached, her nose began to wrinkle. Katryanna noticed it now too, a strange smell, not unpleasant, not strong, just significantly different.

Suddenly, a dozen female Pod-Drran rushed over and surrounded Kayl-Ur, pushing the males away. Hend-Ur was there and the females opened for him to enter the circle around his mate.

Smiling, the Kumaraie came to the circle. "Hend, take your mate and find the delightful cabin that has been given to you on this ship."

The females all cheered and moved as a protective group around Kayl and Hend as they made their way to the other hatch.

"Kumaraie?" Heyya asked, a little left behind.

"The Atohan's song set her mood. When she heard and felt the desire of Junelliya for new life, her heat blossomed fully. They will not be available for a couple of days," the Kumaraie explained. She turned to Junelliya and gave her a low bow, which brought a blush to the young woman's face.

"The Atohan?" Katryanna asked Katanya.

"Junelliya's title among the Pod-Drran," Katanya explained. "Atohan roughly translates as 'The Soul Vessel' or the 'Vessel of Souls'. She apparently became the voice of their Goddess Poda-La, and later met her face-to-face to bring back a warning and a prophecy, which has now been brought to fruition."

"You're kidding?" Katryanna said.

"Nope," Silliya answered. "Junelliya could barely speak Pod-Drran until she became the vessel of their God. After, she could speak as one born to the language, and not only modern Pod-Drran but also the ancient version of the language. It's how the Pod-Drran know that it wasn't a trick on Junelliya's part.

"There's a lot more to that story, but you will have to ask the Pod-Drran about it. They will be more than happy to tell you of the incident while the Piscium's will just shy away from it," Silliya finished.

Wow! Stories indeed, thought Katryanna.

Dinner was called and all the people found their tables, the Piscium family at a table near to the hospital staff. The Piscium's table was graced with the Kumar-Pair and their Brood, the Asoc, the Asost and their two older children, Martte Garnal, and Varren, the President, Angelique Aubuchon, the President's daughter and Fiona's civilian PA, Grace Elizabeth Holloway, Fiona Marsh, Fiona's Liaison Officer, Capt. Jane Fillertan, and Fiona's Aide-de-Camp, Capt. Émilia Pétillante. It made for a very high profile table.

Before he sat, the President came to take Junelliya's hands in his. "Thank you so much for another spectacular performance, Junelliya. You and the children never disappoint," he said, giving her hand a kiss.

Junelliya gave him a strange look. "When are you going to finally do it, Mr. President?"' she asked him pointedly.

"Do what, Daddy?" Grace asked.

"Go on..." Junelliya said, giving a slight push to the President's arm.

The President blushed, then took two steps to where Angelique sat and knelt in front of her taking her hand in his. Silence rent the room as those in attendance caught on to what might be happening. Everyone was looking at the couple.

"When Junelliya played the Song of Life, it stirred something in me, Angelique. I would like to know if you would like to have a child with me?" he asked.

"I cannot have any children, Wilford," she replied, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Not since I lost my only child in my womb, forty years ago."

"Things have changed in forty years, Angelique," Junelliya said.

Katryanna slipped out of her chair and came over to the couple. She held her mobile med scanner in her hand. It had cost her a small fortune to purchase it but it had made a significant difference in her practice for having done so.

"If you would permit me, Ms. Aubuchon, I can tell you if we can repair it now or not," she said.

Getting an encouraging nod from the President, Angelique allowed Katryanna to scan her stomach. A short time later, a smile burst forth on Katryanna's lips. She motioned Heyya over and showed her the results from the scanner. Heyya too smiled.

"Things have indeed changed in forty years, Madame Aubuchon. If you wish to have a child, we can correct this and allow for it. At fifty-eight, you are still more than young enough for children," Heyya said with a formal bow.

The President knelt once more. "Angelique, you have not answered my question...will you have a child with me?" As he asked the question, the President pulled out a small white box and squeezed his hand to force it open. The table saw a rather large diamond on a glittering ring.

Angelique slapped her hands over her mouth as she saw the ring. Her eyes sought out the President's. His eyes were smiling, his head nodding.

Angelique fell from her chair into the arms of the President, her mouth seeking out his as she clung to him in a fierce kiss. The room waited in baited breath as the tableau ran its course in front of them.

Tears were streaming down the faces of the couple as the kiss lingered. Finally, Angelique broke the kiss for a breath.

"I take it that is a yes?" the President asked.

Angelique giggled and kissed him again. He finally broke the kiss..."Let's make this official," he said pulling the ring from the box, gently sliding it over the finger of his Fiancée. She ignored the ring and kissed him again as the room exploded in pandemonium.

Well hell! Thought Katryanna. This is a story that no one will believe!

The Imperial Palace, Capital City, Pod-Saar, The Sharanas System , 109 Light Years from Terra

The President had been overwhelmed when he saw the injured from Maha-Oran. He had delivered the staff he was transporting for OP Oran and taken the time to see the wounded for himself.

He walked around in a daze as his staff pulled him one way or another. Angelique was his angel, allowing him to cling tightly to her as he took it all in.

They were brought into a room where the Pemipinae was. She looked so different than the last time he had seen her. Then, she had looked vibrant, full of life. Now...she had lost her left arm and both of her legs. She had also lost her mate and half of her personal staff. All killed in the quake. Many of those that had survived were themselves seriously injured.

"Mr. President. Asoc, Asost, I am sorry to have to greet you in such condition," the Pemipinae said in a quiet voice, her face pale.

"Do not be, Melda-Hetta," the Asoc reassured her. "Your planet took a massive hit, Melda. We are lucky that you are still with us. We will work to make you well again and have you leading your people once more.

"In the meantime, I have a proposal for you. I would give you one of our planets that are unsuitable for Asocans but would be more than suitable for the Maha-Rrin. It is a much more stable world geologically than the one that you currently claim as your own. Your people would have a world on which they could live on in happiness, rather than live in fear of.

"You do not have to answer me immediately, Melda, but we will make this planet available to both of your people. That is the clause for its acceptance, that both Pod-Drran and Maha-Rrin settle the planet.

"Think on it, Melda-Hetta. I still have to take back my realm before I can make this official. You will have time to discuss this with your people. However, I do have one thought for you...where would your people be if you didn't have to rebuild your civilization every hundred cycles or so?" the Asoc gave the Pemipinae a hard look, then turned and led her entourage away. She had seen too much in the look on the face of the Pemipinae. The female had lost everything. She hoped that she would come up to the challenge of moving her people to the new world.

"The Asoc is giving you and your people, both of your peoples, an unprecedented opportunity, Pemipinae, Kumaraie. From my point of view, it would be ludicrous to ignore this offer," the President said.

"Get well, Melda-Hetta. Guide your people once again. Bring them to a planet they can live on rather than live in fear of..." the President gave a small bow of his head and turned to follow the Asoc, leaving the two leaders to discuss what had just been proposed.

DA Ensch, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

The DA Ensch came into the system well out from the platform and made its way toward it, broadcasting its IFF signal.

"Liramor Control, this is Drall Asocan Ensch, Sostoc Murld Mutt Mattas commanding, requesting a parking orbit. We are returning with 1,100+ refugees for OP Sandcastle, over."

That sparked an explosion in Central Control when they heard that.

"Liramor Control, roger. We are sending a track now for your parking orbit. Please remain in your assigned parking orbit as this is an active mining platform and rocks are constantly being ejected at random intervals. Moving about can be dangerous.

"We have informed the administration on the numbers you are carrying. We are getting ready to accept them. Can they remain on your ship for a little longer? Over."

"Ensch, roger. That will not be an issue, some have been on this ship now for more than a week and are more or less comfortable here. However, we wish to return to our fleet as soon as possible, over."

"Control understood. We ask that you hold them only for a few more hours as we make ready to take them onboard and move them further into Union space, over."

"Ensch, that is good. We can make that work. We see the track and are following it into our assigned parking orbit. Out."

Fiona came into Control. "Comms, get me Navy One and send it to my office," she ordered.

Fiona sat behind her desk and waited for the connection, her two aides with her. "We need to prepare these people for re-introduction to the Union," Fiona told both of them.

"I have no personal experience with this other than with Lindsay Briller. There are people amongst my staff that were part of OP Sandcastle." Fiona paused to think for a moment, then snapped her finger.

"Grace, contact Junelliya, she was part of that OP. She will know who on the staff participated," Fiona ordered, just as the call she had been anticipating came through.

"Franz Muller, how can I assist you?" said a disembodied voice.

"This is Vice-Admiral Fiona Marsh; I need to inform the President and his staff that DA Ensch has returned from Asocan space with more than 1,100 OP Sandcastle refugees on board. We will need to move them further into Union Space, ideally to Terra, however, someone on the President's staff will know where best to send them. Can you get back to me as quickly as possible?" Fiona asked.

"Yes, ma'am. I will inform the appropriate people and have them contact you soonest. Be advised that most of the President's senior staff are currently on the planet with him as they observe OP Oran."

"So noted," Fiona replied. "I will await their call and advice." She was a little disappointed as she hadn't even seen the face of the voice.

"Five minutes, ma'am," Émilia said.

"Sorry?" Fiona replied, giving her a look.

"When they get the numbers on Sandcastle, the staff will have the President return your call within five minutes if possible," Émilia answered.

A little over four minutes later, Comms was indicating they had a call from Navy One. She opened the call immediately.

"Fiona?" said the President as his face appeared on the holo monitor.

"Mr. President. The DA Ensch has returned from Asocan space with over 1,100 hundred refugees for OP Sandcastle. I do not know their circumstances; however, we cannot treat them here, there are just too many for our staff. Can I impose on your good nature to bring these people further into Union space, say, to Terra?" Fiona suggested.

"I must find the Asoc and return with her to Liramor-23. She will want to personally thank the Sostoc of the Ensch. My staff will look into where best to take the refugees. I will see you as soon as I can," the President replied, gave her a nod and signed off.

Fiona stepped out into Control "Navy One will be returning soon. Make sure they have a parking orbit near to the Ensch. We could be transferring the refugees to the Navy One for further transportation into the Union. Make sure we have plenty of shuttles available for the transfer. The numbers are likely to overwhelm the combined shuttle capacity of the Ensch and the Muller."

A chorus of 'Aye, Ma'am,' came from around the room.

An hour later Navy One winked into existence in the military lane, along with its escort of four Whippet Class ships.

"Liramor Control, this is Navy One, Capt. James Marsden commanding. We are returning for the refugees for OP Sandcastle, over."

"Control, you are expected, Navy One. We are placing you in co-orbit with the Ensch to facilitate transfer of the refugees, track is being sent now. As normal, please remain in place once you have arrived as this is an active mining platform and rocks can be ejected at odd times and without warning.

"We are making an additional thirty shuttles available from the platform to ease the transfer of refugees. Let us know when you need them. Vice Admiral Marsh is currently on the Ensch, over."

"Navy One, roger. We see the track and are moving to our parking orbit now, out."

Navy One slipped into its parking orbit and almost immediately a shuttle departed to the Ensch.

The shuttle landed within the shuttle bay and the President, his Fiancée, the Asoc, and the Asost, and their combined entourage entered the ship and moved directly to the large gymnasium which had been set up as a temporary sleeping area.

The Seneschal stepped forward and stamped his Staff of Office, a heavy rod which reached from the deck to his shoulders and carried the seal of the Asoc at the top, twice on the deck. "Presenting, the supreme ruler of the Asocan people, the Asoc >Catal Mutt Herrtt, her mate, the Asost <Korme Mutt Goult, Martte Garnal Mutt Herrtt and Varren Mutt Herrtt é Salalta Semt." The Seneschal turned and bowed to the Asoc as did everyone else in the great room except the former slaves, who all fell to their knees and buried their faces in the deck.

The Asoc let out a loud roar, frightening the former slaves. "Raise your heads!" she shouted. All the former slaves raised their heads, fearful that they had done something wrong and that punishment would be met upon them...

"Asocans do not make slaves of other Asocans nor do they make slaves of other races. The moment your ships surrendered to my authority; you became free citizens. As you are humans, you became free citizens of the Union.

"You are all free, in body, YET YOU ARE STILL SLAVES IN MIND!" The last came out as a roaring growl.

"Stand up, all of you," an angry Seneschal called out, stamping his rod of office on the deck. The former slaves all jumped up and stood at attention as best as they could as some of them were still recovering from the effects of long term deprivation.

The Asoc looked around at the mostly female refugees. None of them looked healthy to her eyes. She stepped up to the female in front of her, putting her great head down to her level as she was much taller. She opened her mouth to show all of her teeth, clearly frightening the female.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"T-T-T-Terry, Asoc, the woman stammered.

"That is a name, not who you are," the Asoc replied. "I am >Catal Mutt Herrtt, the Asoc of the Asocan people. Now, who are you?"

The woman squared her shoulders and looked into the eyes of the Asoc. "I am Terry Bradshaw, free citizen of the Union," she stated firmly.

"Was that so difficult, Terry Mutt Bradshaw?" the Asoc demanded, much more gently.

A look of pure anguish crossed the woman's face and she broke down, almost falling to the deck, but the Asoc reached out and pulled her into her embrace, patting her back as she had seen other humans doing.

The Asoc looked around at the other refugees. "Who are you?" she demanded of them. One by one, the refugees gave their names and stated they were free citizens.

"I am beginning to believe you," the Asoc said with a nod at the end of all the introductions. She pulled Terry away from her and looked down into her eyes. "Better?" she asked, getting a smile and a nod from the woman.

"Sit. I know that you are not healthy. If you need to sit, then do so," she told them all. The Asoc turned to her Seneschal and nodded to him. He struck his Staff on the deck twice.

A human Aide stepped forward..."Presenting, the President of the Union, Wilford J. Holloway. His Fiancée and First Lady, Angelique Aubuchon."

The refugees all made to rise, but the President indicated with his hands that they should remain seated. "Please do not rise and bow to me," he told them. "I know that you are recovering from your ordeal.

"I am here to tell you that you will be transferred to my ship, The Franz Muller, designated Navy One while I am on board it, to be brought to Terra later today. By this evening, you will be in a place where you can be given medical and psychiatric help to overcome what you have all been going through. We will look into finding your families and helping you contact them and, when you are ready, to have face-to-face contact with them.

"Much has changed in the Union over the last few years, including new ship types that allow for much cheaper flights between planets, making space travel affordable. You have much to learn about those changes.

"But a fund will be set up for each you to help you to get back to your former lives, or to strike out on new ones. Those funds will include an education package to allow you to gain back what you have lost or to change your trades as you desire. You will learn more about that over the next few days."

The President stepped forward with Angelique by his side and mingled with the refugees. Speaking to as many of them as they could, the pair reassured them of their place in the Union.

They stayed with the refugees until all were transferred to the Franz Muller.

"Thank you for everything, Mr. President," Fiona said at the end of the day.

"Not at all, Fiona. I truly enjoyed myself doing what I did today. We will get them to Terra and have them down to an appropriate hospital based on their needs," he told her.

The President turned to the Asoc. "Asoc, on behalf of my people, I am truly grateful for all that you have done for these refugees."

"Think nothing of it, Mr. President. Your people have done much more for my people and will continue to do so for many years to come. Because of you, my people will truly become a space faring race. I look forward to that future," the Asoc stated.

"Sostoc Murld, you have acquitted yourself in an exemplary manner. I am pleased with you and your crew," the Asoc said. "I think I will adopt the Union habit of the Presidential Unit Citation to provide for those ships who have excelled. Your ship is deserving of this..."