Spark the Runner Ch. 04

The additional further continuing adventures of...

Author's note: This is a continuation of previous years' Geek Pride event stories, Spark the Runner, Spark the Runner 2 and Spark the Runner 3. It isn't necessary to read the previous ones to enjoy this one, but you might find it entertaining...

In the spirit of fair warning, this continues the physical adventure, nonhuman relations and so forth, with more attention to the metaphysical and the dataplex.

The Geek Pride event isn't a contest. That being said, voting and comments are how I know how well I am pleasing you, the reader. Enjoy.

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Spark had no idea exactly how successful he, Tonya and Okami had been. He, and they, were therefore very surprised two days after the embassy party to get an invitation to a private meeting with the Crescian Ambassadors. An ambassadorial limo -- or what passed for a limo on Mars -- pulled up at street level below their apartment at precisely 1700 hours two days after that, and dressed in simple, business casual attire Spark, Tonya and Okami were whisked off to the embassy.

The embassy was quiet and subdued without the huge throngs of partygoers. The three were greeted by Erliss, Asslur and Ossran as they exited the limo.

Welcome, friends, Erliss' trilling alto filled their minds. We six are invited to dine with Saelass and Krisslum, and their daughter Leeanni. You have done well, since it is such an unusual honor.

Greetings, Erliss... Asslur... Ossran, Spark nodded in return, using telepathy. We hope you will be our guiding light for this soiree. Do you have any idea what will be happening?

I believe there will be 'good food and clever conversation' in your dialect, Erliss answered. The point of the conversation, of course, will be to discern precisely what you are looking for. We are cautious, to the point of suspicious, when it comes to dealing with those not of our race. To find someone -- in this case, a trio of someones -- who come imbued with those qualities our people most highly prize is unusual. It is particularly unusual among humans. Saelass and Krisslum will be most anxious to find out 'what your game is'.

I believe we have been perfectly forthright, Tonya interjected. We have nothing to hide about our motives or desires. I hope it will be a friendly, not adversarial, conversation.

It may be a bit of both, Erliss answered. I don't know. However, we are about to find out.

Um, Erliss... Spark began tentatively. If their daughter will be present, will there be any special etiquette we need to follow? I mean, she seemed somewhat, um... immature... when we met her. Is she considered a child? And therefore kept separate from the um... shenanigans... of her elders?

Ah, yes... the 'underage' conundrum, Erliss smiled. It looked a little strange on the Cresco, but Spark, Tonya and Okami were getting used to the various facial expressions and actually were somewhat reassured by them. Our progeny have what you would call an extended childhood, in that they don't physically mature to breeding status, and therefore become 'adults' in our society, until the Earth equivalent of twenty-six years. That is not to say they are ignorant of sex, nor of the important part it plays in our culture. In fact, part of the play in growing up includes learning about their sexuality and that of their families and friends. They are, in some respects, more knowledgeable than many human adults we have met.

In this case, Leeanni is two to three Solar years short of sexually maturing for procreation. She is, however, quite conversant with Crescian physiology and morphology, and there is little that would surprise or discomfit her. I do not believe you need worry about etiquette in her presence. This is a private dinner, and as a potential Ambassador herself, I am sure she was invited specifically to get to know you, politically and otherwise. We will simply have to see how the evening progresses.

It crossed Spark's mind that this could become the new standard definition of Wing It. No matter how he looked at it, the evening was going to be interesting. He also noted their preference to refer to themselves as Crescian, not Cresco. He decided he, Tonya and Okami should start using it.

The six guests were summarily passed through embassy security and a Crescian woman of about Erliss' size attached herself to them.

My name is Fealniss, she addressed the group, your escort for this evening. I have been informed our human guests are conversant with Crescian communications -- telepathy, specifically -- and have no issue with using that as our primary tool. She pronounced her name like Real-ness, but with the 'F'.

We are quite comfortable with Crescian customs, Spark jumped in. He figured he'd establish himself as the dominant human before Fealniss began making assumptions about Tonya. We are honored by your esteem. Although you may have been informed otherwise, I choose to go by the name Jamie while on Mars, and these are my companions, Lizzie and Okami. We are excited by the thought of breaking bread with the Ambassadors and family.

Fealniss smiled with that odd Crescian smile as she turned to Erliss.

Welcome Erliss, she nodded deeply. It is an honor to meet you and your pod once more.

Thank you, Fealniss, Erliss responded so that Spark, Tonya and Okami could hear. It is definitely a pleasure to have your company this evening.

Would you please follow me? Fealniss asked the group as a whole. She turned and began to walk down a corridor and the others fell in behind. Spark noted that they had defaulted to him walking beside Erliss, Tonya walking beside Asslur and Okami beside Ossran.

Fealniss led them to a corridor near the rear of the embassy where -- after a turn to the right -- they faced double doors, flanked by Crescian guards. No communication was necessary between Spark, Tonya and Okami about the significance of the guards. Caution -- Ambassadors Ahead would have covered it nicely. Fealniss approached one of the guards and showed him some form of ID while -- Spark presumed using telepathy -- identifying the others in the party. Moments later, the doors were opened and Fealniss guided them into a sort of dining hall. Much smaller than the ballroom used for the earlier embassy party, but still large by human standards. The central table, for example, could easily accommodate a dozen.

Sitting at one end of the table was Krisslum, the male Crescian ambassador and at the other, Saelass, the female ambassador and incidentally, his wife. About midway down one side sat the young Crescian girl Spark and team had met after sating the ambassadors at the embassy ball. Leeanni was the daughter of Saelass and Krisslum, and at the moment watching the humans intently.

As they entered, Krisslum rose while Saelass and Leeanni remained seated.

Welcome, friends! he addressed them, as I hope you all will be... Greetings, Erliss... Asslur... Ossran... thank you for joining us this evening. And Jamie, Lizzie and Okami, if I remember correctly. Or are you going by Patrator, Venus and Lupa this evening?

We are using our informal, human names, Spark thought back to him. While here on Mars, it seems easiest. We are greatly honored by your invitation to dine with you and your family. I will admit, our knowledge of Crescian customs is a bit thin. I hope we do not offend while we develop our friendship.

Then Jamie, Lizzie and Okami it shall be, Krisslum nodded. We have reserved spaces for you at the table. I will ask Fealniss to get you seated.

It worked out that the Crescians appeared to have some ploy in mind, because on the side of the table to Krisslum's right were Tonya, Asslur, Leeanni and Ossran. To his left were Okami, Erliss, Spark and Fealniss. That placed Tonya and Okami closest to Krisslum and Spark directly across from Leeanni, who was continuing to watch him with intense regard.

When you are comfortably seated, he continued as they settled into their places, I will make a couple of perfunctory introductions... When the general motion stopped, he went on.

I know we are all aware of who each other are, but I do not believe my daughter has been formally introduced to our human guests. So, Jamie, Lizzie, Okami... I would like to present my daughter Leeanni. She has completed her academic rigors and is now on our staff in an intern position. She is currently being exposed to the various races and cultures with whom we do business. You are the first meta-enabled humans she has met and I can tell her curiosity is overflowing.

Leeanni, our human guests are Jamie -- the human male, Lizzie -- the human female, and Okami -- the Canilupe female. They are native to Earth and are here in the hopes of establishing relations, trade and otherwise, with we Crescians. They are familiar with some of our customs, particularly in telepathic communications, and are quite intriguing in their own right.

Spark was not surprised at Krisslum's candor in explaining their mission and capabilities. His group had been exposed to the Crescian belief that honesty in all things was paramount, or no trust could be given. He figured omitting Tonya's status as a construct wasn't all that big a deal, letting the Crescians think of her as a metahuman.

I am glad you have accepted my parents' invitation to dine with us, Leeanni's melodic soprano voice filled Spark's mind... and from the looks of it, Tonya's and Okami's as well. I was hoping to meet some interesting people soon... I am finding the inhabitants of your planet Mars to be rather... well, um... dull.

Spark saw the smiles break out on Tonya and Okami, and didn't have time to react before Tonya was telling her, I can appreciate that... in general, so do I. There are, however, the occasional bright spots. I am hoping you and I will have an extended opportunity to get to know one another.

Oh, boy... Spark thought to himself. Good thing the girl's legal, if Tonya's going to have her way. I really would rather not piss off her parents.

I hope that, also, Leeanni responded to Tonya and seemed ready to add more, but Krisslum cut her off.

I believe we're all hoping for an evolving friendship, he interjected. However, before we go galloping down that path, I believe drinks and appetizers are in order. You will find that we have ordered a mix of Solarian and Crescian foods. As part of a little cross-cultural sharing. I will tell you that anything on a red paper or with a red sticker in it will be spicy. Forewarned and all...

As soon as he stopped "speaking" a number of wait staff appeared with platters, goblets and pitchers which were place about quickly and efficiently. A quick look by Spark, Tonya and Okami confirmed the variety of appetizers. They looked sort of like a cross between tapas, sushi and hushpuppies. Spark waited until Leeanni reached for one before he tentatively took one.

In the meantime, Saelass was explaining the different beverages available and asking for preferences. Apparently "synthesized" was not nearly as acceptable as "imported" and the extent of the Crescian's reach when it came to trade was remarkable. In addition to real Earth coffee and black tea, they had imported apple and orange juices. After that, it got weird.

Saelass was explaining a couple of Crescian juices imported from their home planet of Recensere, similar to guava and prickly pear, but then began describing beverages native to Altair, Deneb, Rigel and Callisto. That got Spark's attention.

Are you referring to the stars systems of Altair, Deneb, Rigel and Callisto? he asked. That is some serious distance away. Saelass smiled at him.

Yes, she answered him, we have trade relations with all of those, and many others. Our ability to travel enormous distances in short amounts of time is one of our most closely guarded technological secrets. We do not mind the races we trade with knowing we can... we simply do not divulge the how. As a result, we are able to marry many demands with many supplies. Since you had previously stated that your desire was to influence our trade agreements, we thought it appropriate that you see the size of your endeavor.

And by the way, the Altairian ka'amod'deepak fruit can have a very strong effect on human physiology. Very much like a mixture of an intoxicant and an aphrodisiac. Moderation is generally recommended.

Is it the same for Canilupe physiology? Okami asked, surprising Spark.

We're not sure, Saelass responded. We have not had any Canilupes desire to try it and tell us.

Perhaps later, when not at dinner, I could try a little and let you know the results, Okami offered.

That is one brave bitch, Spark thought to himself. She's going to impress the Crescians no end.

How strong is that Callistian one you mentioned, Spark broke in. I think I'd like to try that, if it isn't going to get me drunk off my ass and making a fool out of myself.

It is not inebriating to humans, Krisslum interjected. It is, however, very strong to the taste. Very sweet and very tart at the same time.

May I, then? Spark asked and a goblet of a bluish liquid was placed before him.

Similarly, beverages and appetizers were selected by the hosts and guests, and conversation fell off briefly while new and different foods were sampled. Leeanni was delighted to discover deep-fried cornmeal balls from Earth, while Tonya was intrigued by a Crescian creation, a lot like sashimi. It had the texture of squid or octopus with a sauce like a curry made with ginger and jalapeño. Moderately hot and chewy, she found it delightful. After a bit, Krisslum started up the conversation again.

Since you have been honest with us about your motivations, I feel you should know more about who we are and what you are dealing with.

We are, essentially, interstellar merchants. Long ago in Solarian years, our people discovered a way to fold time and space in such a way as to make travel among the stars practical. After several false starts meeting new peoples and civilizations, some involving severe conflict and even war, we learned how to research the most profitable contacts from afar, and therefore how to approach them. We currently have ten major trading relationships among a wide variety of people, along with several minor ones. We find it better to refer to them as people, rather than creatures or races, because we are all, after all, sentient beings.

We are in the process of establishing an eleventh primary trading relationship and have run into an embarrassment. Apparently, you Solarians are much more complicated than our research indicated, before we made contact. We did realize your Martian population was much simpler than the one on Earth, so we chose to start here, which is a bit odd, since the most desired of your commodities is ocean water. Your oceans contain so much more than simple sodium chloride and dihydrogen monoxide. It is a veritable delicatessen of trace elements other peoples covet.

Since contacting Governor Reynolds, we have discovered that there are several factions with control of the resources we seek and no common point for negotiations. Your timing, for your purposes, is very good. I am sure your capabilities will influence our decisions.

Spark's attention was interrupted by Tonya on their implanted transceivers.

Jamie, he heard her say in his mind, this is going to get a lot more complicated than simply influencing one race with sex. I think we need to know who else will be involved and what their desires are. You remember Maya, from the embassy party? She was from the star system Cygnus, which would make her a Denebite and one of the races with whom they trade. She was very exotic, and sex may be a factor in the relations between the Crescians and the Denebites.

Agreed, he responded. Let's see what we can get.

Krisslum, Spark started, how difficult do you think it will be, accepting and adjusting to these other races with whom you trade? Given that humans, to the best of my knowledge, have never traveled to another star system. Xeno-visitors have always come to us, I believe.

That, Jamie, is one of our conundrums, Krisslum nodded. You three are the first Solarians we have met who have both the advanced meta talent and the expansive libido to traffic in our worlds. Saelass and I have been considering exactly how we might evaluate your... suitability? Your fit, in terms of our trade world. And we believe we have a solution. But before we delve into that, shall we enjoy our main course? We are keeping it simple tonight... a mix of appetizers, a mix of entrees and a mix of desserts. A chance to sample our variety.

The main course would be excellent, Tonya jumped in. These appetizers are so intriguing, I am very curious as to your selection of entrees.

Krisslum nodded and servers began consolidating the appetizers and laying out large bowls and trays of foods obviously meant to be representative of many different interstellar races.

I think I could get used to the Ambassadorial lifestyle, Okami opined as she watched the heaping platters, pungent with tantalizing scents, being laid down along the table.

Father, what is that? Leeanni queried, indicating a platter heaped with steaks which Spark recognized as Ribeyes... now a delicacy on Earth, since beef cattle had become too difficult to maintain and most meats were now synthesized. Somehow he suspected these were not synthesized.

Hold that thought, Krisslum told Okami as he turned to his daughter.

It is a cut of meat from an Earth animal once common and now rare, Krisslum answered her. I believe they are called Steaks.

Ribeyes, Spark jumped in. That particular cut of beef is called a Ribeye Steak. It is tender and flavorful, and the marbling of the fat helps keep it juicy when cooked. They are very difficult to get anymore, on Earth but especially on Mars. Even synthesized, they tend to lack something. You, sir, must have a lot of pull.

Yes, Jamie, we do have a lot of influence, Krisslum smiled. Recognizing Crescian facial expressions was beginning to become second nature for Spark.

Leeanni, I think you should try at least a bit of one of those, Spark suggested. I don't know what you are used to, and... based on the appetizers, I think you will enjoy it.

What she is used to, Saelass spoke up, would be that selection off to your left, slightly. They are mach'halee from our home planet. The animal would most closely translate to one of your fish, so it would be a fish cutlet in your terms. They are tender and without bones.

Spark looked at the pink discs which closely resembled salmon and decided he'd try some.

The white sauce to the right of the platter is saphed-andee, equivalent to your tartar sauce, but much more tart, Saelass added as Spark reached to serve himself. He had noted that the other Crescians had begun indulging in "Boarding House Reach" and asking for platters to be passed if they were too far away. Eventually, Spark, Tonya and Okami had managed to snag a little bit of everything and again, conversation quieted down as everyone tucked in.