All That Glitters Ch. 59

"Once we have it, we can broadcast to all about the ship."

Everyone agreed to the plan...

NS Dewfall, In Orbit of Pallanders-4, HD-115153 The Punarjanm System, 132 Light Years from Terra

The Dewfall arrived in its parking orbit around Pallanders-4 for the Commissioning Ceremony of the Byandi warships. A few VIP Shuttles brought the Mylatrin, her mate, their daughter, and several senior members of their government to the shipyard and were greeted by the President of Pallanders Shipyards and the President of the Union, Wilford J. Holloway and his wife, the First Lady Angelique Aubuchon. In the lineup of dignitaries were two ladies and two little girls.

"Ikekiya, Zarreniya, it is good to see you two again," Mylatrin Adriné said as she came up to them. Hanalei, Junelliya, and both the girls, gave a deep curtsey with a low bow of the heads at the end of it, thoroughly impressing Mylat Alafka, who had never seen anyone do that before.

*May (the Goddess) Layalle give her blessings to you (this) Grandné Aless (morning) to Mylatrin Adriné, her mate Caltan, and her daughter Mylat Alafka* both little girls intoned together as twins were want to do in very passable Byandi, thoroughly impressing the Mylatrin, her mate, and their daughter.

The foursome rose, to stand tall over them (Byandi were some of the shortest members of the Greater Community), with the exception of the children who were still knee high to the Byandi. Once they had made their grand speech, the children rushed the Mylatrin's legs and gave her fierce hugs much to her delight.

"You have not met her yet because she was standing in for me while I was away, but this is my eldest daughter Mylat Alafka," Adriné told the children and their parents.

"We know, we see pictures," Zarreniya told them with a saucy grin that captured the heart of Alafka.

How can they do that? she asked herself. I have never seen children hold such sway over adults before...

"Hi Porra," Ikekiya greeted the Ambassador with a wave of her hand from around the legs of the Mylatrin.

"Good morning, Ikekiya. I think you had better let go of the Mylatrin's legs, she has other people she must meet," Porra suggested.

"We sorry," the girls said in unison as they let go and went back to their mothers.

"Palda Junelliya, Gurn Piscium, it is good to see you once again, though rather unexpected for this location," Adriné greeted them.

"The children wanted to see the new ships when they discovered that they were being commissioned today," Hanalei explained. "We received permission so came on the Trine."

That got a smile and from Adriné as she moved off down the receiving line.

Not long after, the group was escorted into the massive hangar where the ship was being held for the Commissioning Ceremony. The Mylatrin, her mate, and their daughter, moved to a platform not far from the bow of the ship.

"This is the first ship of the Byandi fleet. Its construction was delayed because of the recent problems within the Asocan Realm but she is now finally finished and certified space ready. Byandi tradition means that she is not named until she is commissioned, thus our purpose here.

"This ship will be named after the Byandi Goddess of the home and hearth. Every home has a statue of her in them and all Byandi call upon the Goddess for protection for their homes. Thus the name of this ship and this class of ship.

The Mylatrin, her mate, and their daughter, put their hands on the lever. "We name this ship the Byandi Nawit Layalle, first of her name and first of her class." The trio pulled the lever and the bottle swung over and crashed against the bow spritzing the ship with its contents to the cheers of the crowd.

The trio look up to see the name on the ship BN Layalle with the designator BNF 100001 emblazoned on the bow (Byandi Nawit Frigitta - Byandi Navy Ship Frigate. Nawit means ship of the line so a Navy vessel of the Byandi). They smiled as the platform moved to bring them to the now open hatch. The trio stepped from the platform and into the ship to be greeted by its Keneta (the Byandi word for ship's Captain) Maareen, who bowed low to them.

"Welcome to the BN Layalle, Mylatrin Adriné, Caltan, and Mylat Alafka." The Keneta led them into the ship to the receiving line where they were introduced to the ships senior officers as dignitaries from the different races came abord behind them.

The President of the Union and his wife joined the Mylatrin and her party as the Keneta brought them around the ship. The remainder of the dignitaries, mostly ambassadors from the different races, were escorted by the ships senior officers.

"She is a beautiful ship, Adriné," the President stated at the end of the tour as they entered the combined mess. The President picked up glasses of drinks safe for humans while Caltan did the same for himself and his mate.

"To the Layalle! May she serve the Byandi well during her time," he toasted and took a sip of what turned out to be a delicious sparkling wine.

The Mylatrin was pleased. The ship was perfect and had easily completed her certification trials. She and her family had three more ships to name and commission that day, but this one would be her favourite.

David Sprawl came into the mess and approached the two pair.

"Mr. Sprawl, can you tell me when my own ship will be ready?" the Mylatrin asked.

"Yes, Mylatrin Adriné, she should be ready by June of next year in our calendar. However, you will be pleased to note that your Trine Class personal yacht will be available in one month. You will have a fast ship of your own to move about on your own for the first time," David told the Mylatrin, much to her delight.

More people came into the mess and soon the Mylatrin felt someone hanging on her leg. She looked down with a smile knowing who it had to be as there were only two little ones on this shipyard.

"We like this ship, Aunty Adriné," Zarreniya told the Mylatrin.

"Aunty Adriné?" Mylat Alafka asked, giving her mother a curious look.

"Hush, you. If they want to refer to me as 'Aunty' I will allow that," the Mylatrin beamed, getting a bark of a laugh from her mate.

"You not sing for ship," Ikekiya noted.

"No, Ikekiya, we did not. We did not bring singers with us," the Mylatrin admitted.

"OK," said the pair and moved over to a empty spot near the wall. They then began to sing a Byandi religious prayer which was used for such events, surprising all the Byandi now in the mess. Each time they came to the refrain, the Byandi joined in.

The pair sang for several minutes before giving a low bow and moving back to the Mylatrin and her party.

"Now ship naming right," Zarreniya said with a nod getting laughter from the President and the First Lady.

"Those two never cease to amaze me," Angelique noted to the agreement of the others in their group.

"Fleet Admiral Marsh, Mr. Sprawl tells me that my Trine class ship will be ready next month. May I impose on you for another lift for myself and my mate? We will not need a lift back," she said with a smile.

"Let me know when, Mylatrin, and my staff will make it happen," Fiona assured them.

"Will you be staying for the other commissionings?" Caltan asked Junelliya and Hanalei.

"No, sorry, we need to be returning to Liramor-23," she replied.

"But we need your children to sing for us!" the Mylatrin pouted.

"It Okay, Aunty Adriné. We tape," Zarreniya told them, then clicked her comp to that of the Mylatrin's. She heard and felt the rumble that told her she had received something and opened it to find a copy of the song the children had just sung.

"Oh, my! Can we adopt them?" Adriné asked their mothers.

"Sorry, Mylatrin, they already have Godparents," Hanalei replied with a laugh.

"Yes, the Kumar-Pair along with their Dusar, Asoc >Catal and her mate, the Asost. They are so lucky," Adriné sighed, getting laughter from all.

Before the family left, the Mylatrin took Junelliya aside and had a private word with her. Junelliya was not pleased with what she was told...

VIP Reception, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

The Ambassadors had arrived first at the VIP Shuttle Bay ahead of Mylatrin Adriné, her mate, and their daughter. They were all ready as the three and their entourage entered Liramor-23.

"Welcome to Liramor-23, Mylatrin Adriné," Fayad greeted her as she came into the reception area.

"Fayad, it is good to see you once more, this time in your proper function," the Mylatrin smiled.

"What? My function as husband and father was not proper, Mylatrin?" Fayad asked, a look of curious dismay on his face. That got giggles from his two children who were holding Junelliya's hands.

"Point taken, Fayad, however, this is your place, here on Liramor-23," Adriné replied with a smile of her own.

Fayad gave her a bow of acknowledgment.

Fayad turned to introduce her to all of the dignitaries from the Interspecies Embassy, some of whom she knew from her recent visit to AsocAR. Others she had recently met during the commissioning ceremonies of her new ships.

"And finally, Mylatrin, I am pleased to introduce the most senior member of the Asocan delegation on Liramor-23, Gurn Piscium," Fayad quipped as he introduced his wife, Hanalei.

"With both Asocan Ambassadors on AsocAR for their diplomatic conference, I am the senior Asocan due to my rank," Hanalei explained. "Ambassadorial work is still conducted by the embassy staff, though I do have a say in some issues."

The Mylatrin shook her head in wonder. "It is amazing that other races are so trusting of you and your family, Fayad."

"We have worked hard to make ourselves trustworthy, Mylatrin," said Fayad.

Fayad took them around the station, in particular the new additions. He explained that when the work ovens were removed, many of the new spaces would be re-worked for the Greater Community, including a large amphitheatre like structure for debates, conferences, and lectures provided by the different races.

He showed the addition to the university, which was much needed now that many of the other races were coming to Liramor-23 to learn from humans, especially in medicine where humans were taking the lead in comparative anatomy and medicine. Many of the other race's lecturers were well known now in human space.

They came to the space that would become the new pool section. Fayad, the Mylatrin and her entourages entrance surprised the workers that were completing the three pools in the area with many of the Byandi workers running over to greet their leader, some for the very first time.

The Byandi Foreman (woman actually) gave the Mylatrin a tour of the facilities informing their leader of the capacities of the two Byandi style pools and of the 'Olympic' style human freshwater pool. This area also contained some swamp water that had been added at the request of the Asocans now that Asocan families were coming to the station.

"What is left to do?" Alafka asked for her mother.

"The salt pools are ready for swimming but we must still put the plant life and some fish into them to assure they stay do not sour (a Byandi term for still water that has no life). We shall be able to supply fish on a regular basis to the messes on the station," the Foreman replied.

"There will be a much larger and deeper saltwater pool when one of the ore ovens becomes available but that will not be until the summer of next year some eight human months from now, Mylatrin," the Foreman finished.

"How many Byandi families will be arriving?" the Mylatrin asked.

"We will have four families arriving next week, with twelve children between them," the foreman replied. "By the end of next year, there will be several hundred Byandi and their families on the station."

"It is good to see our people are beginning to integrate within Ard Mheydeh," the Mylatrin said with a smile to Fayad.

"Would you like to see the new daycare/school area, Mylatrin?" Fayad asked. "It is not quite ready but I am sure that Urano will make an exception seeing as how you will not be here next Monday for the official unveiling."

Fayad took them to the door next to the pool while he called Urano on his comp. "We have the Mylatrin and her party here, Urano. They would like to see how the daycare is coming as they will not be here next week."

Urano opened the door and bowed to the Mylatrin, beside her was the much taller Clarrisiya.

"You are the same Urano who saved the children at Denders Resort?" the Mylatrin asked.

"I am, Mylatrin," Urano confirmed.

"I am pleased that you will be the one who is running this place," the Mylatrin stated. While she was indeed pleased her statement was more for her daughter, Alafka.

Urano took them around the new setup. "We took over one of the old construction bays and partitioned it. Because of its size, we are able to put three levels in here, even if we make modifications for the larger members of the Greater Community.

"There will be two doors open at all times for the entrance and exit of our children. Those who are old enough, can come and go as they need to, the other children can only be picked up by a family member or a designated friend of the family. We do have people that can 'walk' our children home if required.

"This level is the daycare. It is divided into four distinctive parts; the first is the greeting area where children arrive and leave the facility. The second is the play area where children can participate in games and learn how to make things. The third is the study area where children are systematically taught, this is for the older children who are not quite of school age but are showing above average intelligence and are keen on learning. The last area is the quiet area where children can sleep when they need to.

"We will have childcare specialists from all the races that will bring families to the station, including the Byandi," Urano stated as she pointed to two Byandi females who were suddenly quite shocked to see the Mylatrin and her family in the daycare.

"Mylatrin Adriné, if I may present to you some of our Byandi daycare workers, the Malotvi Meera and Teera," Urano introduced them. (Malotvi twins have a special ability similar to that of empaths; they know were there twin is at all times and they know when their twin's emotions). The two workers were left completely flustered to be so unexpectedly introduced to the Mylatrin herself!!

The Mylatrin was used to this kind of thing happening and quickly put the pair at ease, getting them to calm down by having them show her the parts of the daycare dedicated to the Byandi.

The pair showed her the small pool that had been built into the daycare for the smaller Byandi children. While the pool was deemed small, it was anything but. However, by Byandi standards, it was tiny, just large enough for children to swim and comfortably have fun in.

Urano then took them around the areas that would be dedicated to the older students and the school. "There are spaces here dedicated to each of the races and a learning centre that is open to all. Our special children will be making use of that part of the facility," Urano told her with a smile.

"Special children?" Mylat Alafka asked.

"She means those like Ikekiya and Zarreniya, who so advanced for their age," her mother indicated, getting a nod and a smile from Urano.

"We will also be teaching our gifted children here from all the races," Clarrisiya informed them. "We will be receiving two families that have empaths and telepaths from the Asocans.

We will also receive the occasional Pod-Drran families who will frequently pass through the station. While the adults are participating in trade et al, the children will be learning new techniques here under proper supervision."

"You openly show your gifted here?" Mylat Alafka asked, curious.

"Why shouldn't we, Mylat?" Clarrisiya wanted to know. "That we are empathic or telepathic is not a stigma among humans and other races."

"Unfortunately, it is among the Byandi. Malotvi twins are barely tolerated, and those who show more than the capability of such twins are often attacked on Byandi planets," the Mylatrin advised.

"That is truly a shame, Mylatrin," Urano replied. "It must be very difficult if a child suddenly becomes one of the gifted."

"It is a difficult thing indeed, Urano," the Mylatrin admitted. "We are using the recent incident with the Asocans to show that these people are gifted and not evil or otherwise to be shunned. However, we have centuries of prejudice to overcome."

Urano and Clarrisiya nodded their understanding to the Mylatrin but they noted the look that passed between mother and daughter. Clarrisiya would have to talk to Junelliya about that later.

"Speaking of our two gifted children, the Piscium family usually holds a dinner at their apartment. You will of course be welcome to attend, Mylat Alafka. It will give you an insight into how we do things on Ard Mheydeh," Urano explained.

Alafka indicated that she would indeed be attending the dinner that evening. She had heard much about these famous dinners of the Piscium family. That brought a smile to her mother's face.

"I will let my wives know that we will be having extra company. Yourself and your guards, Mylat Alafka?" Fayad asked.

"My guards?" Alafka asked, unsure.

"Well yes...I assume they must be with you at all times, so they will be eating with us. Don't worry, we have done such before when dignitaries arrive at our apartment," Fayad assured her, and her guards.

It was time for the Mylatrin to leave. Fayad escorted them back to VIP reception where he, Mylat Alafka, the Byandi Ambassadors, and some hangers on all bowed to the Mylatrin and her entourage as they walked down to the VIP shuttles.

Fayad turned to Alafka. "Mylat Alafka, this is Ariana Latour. She is with our Human Resources division. I suppose we should rename that now," Fayad mused.

"She will bring you around the station for your in clearances. She will show you all that you need to know about the platform and your apartment here. If you have any questions, she can answer them or direct you to the person who can.

"Please follow her and do as she indicates so that we can get you cleared onto the platform," Fayad instructed. He gave her a low bow and left her in the hands of Ariana.

L-1849 The Piscium Apartment, Lima Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

Alafka arrived at the Piscium family home several hours later, tired and worn down from all the walking, talking, prodding, and poking (from the medical staff). Her and her staff of five (three bodyguards, her PA and one general duty person) were ready for a quiet time. They didn't get it...

As soon as the door whisked open, the noise hit them. There had to be at least twelve guests in the apartment as well as the Piscium family and their staff of two. The were all jabbering while four children (Annagrace, Armando, Ikekiya, and Zarreniya) were playing instruments and singing. Alafka almost didn't enter the open door but was gently pushed through the opening by her smiling PA.

Alafka heard an excited squeal then four little ones were suddenly standing in front of her. The two Piscium children bowed, followed by the other two, and they made the Asocan movements of a young one greeting an adult, which the other two copied.

*Welcome to our humble home, Mylat Alafka and staff,* the two Piscium children said in Byandi, while the other two simply said "Welcome," in standard and followed the movements of their friends.

"This be Annagrace," Ikekiya introduced a little girl who was somewhat larger than she, "And Armando. They be fwends."

"Hello, little ones," Alafka offered as the adults came forward to great their guests.

"Welcome to our home, Mylat Alafka and staff. We are quite informal here at evening meals so you need not stand on ceremony," Hanalei informed the guests.