Three Square Meals Ch. 025

"Did you hear that too?" John said, looking up at Dana, Calara and Jade, who nodded, their faces registering their astonishment.

John looked around him at the aliens, who had begun to back away in fear. To see such strong emotions in normally expressionless creatures was all the more jarring and he watched transfixed as the Greys began to flee in panic.

"Honey, what happened? Are you ok?" he asked the blonde girl, who was crouching on the ground, her eyes tightly closed.

He scooped Alyssa up in his arms and she seemed to relax against him peacefully. "We better get back to the ship." John said, looking around and seeing that the mezzanine was now completely deserted.

"I heard her scream in my mind!" Calara said with wide eyes as she looked at the blonde girl. "But I was standing right next to her and her lips never moved!" she exclaimed.

"We'll figure out what happened later." John said, as he led them towards the exit. "Let's get out of here for now."

They took the anti-grav tube down to the boulevard level and began to retrace their path back to the docking bay.

"John we seem to have company." Jade said, pointing to a group of Ashanath wearing silver uniforms who were approaching them down the street.

"They also appear to be armed." she noted, spotting the elaborate looking rifles slung over their shoulders with her sharp eyes.

"Can you carry Alyssa for me please." John asked, turning to the green skinned Nymph and remembering how Jade had carried Alyssa easily before.

He carefully passed the unconscious blonde girl over to Jade and then stepped in front of their group, his hand moving inside his jacket to feel the comfortable grip of his heavy pistol in his hand.

"We don't want any trouble." John said to the approaching Ashanath guards. "We're just returning to our ship." he said in a calm voice.

The leader of the five uniformed Greys stepped forward. His enormous black eyes stared at John unemotionally and then his face twitched into an annoyed frown and stared at the computer wrapped around his wrist. His hand moved over to the device and pressed a button that caused a panel to fold out with a quiet hum. John could almost sense the alien's frustration as its fingers rapidly moved across the panel of strange alien symbols.

"Please... be... at... peace..." The whispery voice said haltingly. "We... request... that... you... follow... us."

Dana moved up to John's side and looked at the irritated alien curiously. "John, you said their machines read their thoughts. Did Alyssa do something to break them?" she asked in wonder.

The Grey leader paused and then nodded awkwardly.

"Why do you want us to follow you?" John asked guardedly. "Are we in trouble?"

The Ashanath shook it's head and then looked back at the panel on its arm again, its fingers tapping away at the alien symbols.

"The... high... council... wishes... an... audience... " The murmuring voice from the computer said, filling the hushed silence of the street.

John glanced at his companions before making a decision. "Ok lead on." he said decisively.

The Ashanath turned and walked back the way they had come, with John and the girls following behind.

"Do you want me to carry her again?" John offered, looking at Jade.

"No, I'm quite comfortable with her weight John." the Nymph replied confidently, looking down at the blonde girl she carried in her arms.

"Ok, just let me know if you want me to take over." John said, looking at Alyssa with concern.

They followed the Grey's for several hundred metres before they stopped at a large silvery saucer, that was parked on one of a series of glowing landing pads. The disc shaped vehicle was the same silvery grey as the rest of the saucers they had seen, but this one had a transparent bubble shaped canopy instead of being completely enclosed. The leader turned to face the parked ship and a section of it unfolded, dropping down to provide stairs into the vessel. It climbed in, followed by three of his men and they moved to the seats at the front. One of the guards started up the vehicle, while the last one ushered in the Invictus crew, indicating for them to sit down on the comfortable seats at the back of the craft.

John and the girls stepped in cautiously and sat in comfortable seats around the disc shaped transport. Jade placed Alyssa on the seat next to John and the blonde girl leaned back, resting her head against his shoulder. There wasn't enough room for the last alien to fit in too, so it simply sealed the door behind Dana and watched them depart, as the saucer smoothly left the ground and soared away.

They had been flying for a short while when John heard the Ashanath breath audible sighs of relief. The leader turned in its chair to face him and the whispery voice from the computer on its wrist echoed around the transport.

"I am Constable Jarnus." the Grey Leader's wrist computer said, but this time without the alien having to tap away at the symbols on the panel.

"Please identify yourself and state your business on Ashana." the alien asked John with its unemotional voice.

"My name is John Blake and I'm here with my crew to purchase a new power core and FTL drive." John explained patiently.

The Ashanath policeman studied him with its unblinking black eyes, but it's unemotional face suddenly looked pensive as Alyssa began to stir at John's side.

"Alyssa!" John exclaimed. "Are you ok?" he asked her, his voice sounding worried.

"There were so many voices..." The beautiful blonde girl said groggily. "I just had to make them stop." she said with a frown.

"Any headaches or pain?" John asked her, checking to make sure she was ok.

"No, nothing like that, I just feel a bit drowsy." Alyssa said, as she stretched and yawned.

"You gave us quite a fright." John said with relieved smile and gave her a hug. Alyssa nestled into his chest, enjoying his touch.

"Where are we going?" she asked curiously as she took in her surroundings and looked curiously out at the vista of the Ashanath shipyard as it whizzed by at high speed.

"We seem to have gained the attention of the 'High Council', whoever they are?" Dana said, leaning over the seat from behind Alyssa and throwing a questioning glance at John.

"The High Council rule the Ashanath Collective I believe." John said tentatively, looking at Constable Jarnus for confirmation.

"You are correct JohnBlake." Jarnus said in his strange quiet voice. "We will arrive at the council chambers in moments."

They looked out of the windows of the hover transport and saw that they were rapidly approaching a tall spindly spire, that curved out into a dais with a spherical building in the centre and a number of landing pads surrounding the dome. The Ashanath policeman who was flying the transport brought them down for a smooth landing in the centre of one of the pads and the leader activated the unfolding saucer section. He climbed out accompanied by two of his fellow Greys, before turning towards John and the girls, beckoning them out with his hand palm upwards in a clear invitation to disembark.

Alyssa was a little unsteady on her feet and John helped her out of the vehicle, with Dana, Jade and Calara waiting close by in case he needed any assistance. Two of the Greys who had accompanied them darted off towards the nearby building, while the leader and the pilot waited patiently for their guests to exit the disc shaped transport.

"We may proceed this way JohnBlake." Constable Jarnus murmured, pointing towards the curved building with an open hand.

The alien led the way and the Invictus crew followed after him, leaving the last Grey who had piloted the hover transport to wait by the vehicle. Jarnus led them up to some ornate double doors with strange alien glyphs inscribed on the silvery metal of the frame. John looked up at the domed building that towered above them and noticed more of the ornate scripting covering every inch of its metallic surface.

The doors slid open silently in front of them, allowing them access to the large foyer within. The light red dusting that covered the ground stopped abruptly at the entrance, light gusts from some kind of filter set in the floor blowing the dust backward in tiny little swirls. Constable Jarnus guided them over to the back of the spotlessly clean room, where an Ashanath wearing flowing white robes stood patiently by an open door.

The robed alien bowed towards them and then spoke in a quiet voice. "Thank you Constable, that will be all."

Constable Jarnus turned on the spot and walked away quickly, seemingly more than happy to be on his way. The robed Ashanath turned to face them, studying each of the members of their group. Finally it looked at John and began to speak

"Greetings JohnBlake. My name is Councillor Talari. The Ashanath High Council requests an audience with you." it said, with its eerie voice echoing around the foyer.

"Ok Councillor, I'd be happy to meet with the High Council." John said politely.

Councillor Talari bowed again and then led them into a comfortable looking waiting area that had a number of plush seats and tables.

"Please be seated while we wait for the High Council to assemble. Help yourselves to refreshments." The robed Ashanath whispered cordially, gesturing to the rounded vase of light pink liquid and the crystalline cups adjacent to it.

*Who amongst you is able to speak?* Councillor Talari asked tentatively while looking at the four girls, the thought sounding clearly in Alyssa's mind.

Alyssa looked at the Grey with a start and the alien turned to study her with its huge black eyes.

*I would very much like to talk with you for a moment, if you would permit it beautiful Terran. May I be so bold as to ask your name?* the robed alien asked, it's voice sounding wary.

Alyssa was astonished at how articulate and emotive the Ashanath was, now that it was communicating by telepathy rather than conventional speech.

She frowned with concentration, having never tried to have a telepathic conversation before. *MY NAME IS ALYSSA, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SPEAK TO YOU.* she thought at Councillor Talari.

The Ashanath shrank back, visibly wincing.

*I beg you to speak more quietly, if it pleases you mighty one.* Councillor Talari pleaded in her mind.

Alyssa flushed with embarrassment. *Oh! I'm sorry!* she thought at the creature, trying to only form soft, light thoughts.

The robed Grey seemed to sigh with relief and then turned to John, who was watching the creature suspiciously, wondering why it had flinched and why it had been staring at Alyssa.

"JohnBlake, I would like to speak to Alyssa if you give your permission." It asked in its unemotional whispery voice.

John glanced at Alyssa, who nodded at him reassuringly.

"Ok it's fine by me." John said cautiously.

He and the girls sat down and watched curiously as Councillor Talari gestured for Alyssa to sit at a nearby table. Alyssa sat down and watched the Ashanath as it sat rigidly on a chair opposite.

*Firstly I would like to humbly apologise for my people. I greatly regret any offence they might have caused.* The councillor thought to her obsequiously.

*We have never before encountered a Terran who is able to speak.* the creature continued, putting particular emphasis on the word 'speak'. Alyssa guessed this was how the Greys referred to their telepathic ability.

*It's ok, I wasn't offended. There were just so many voices I felt like I was going mad.* Alyssa explained. *I just shouted to try and make the voices stop.* she thought apologetically.

*I would not wish to rouse your Ire, but would you be so generous as to release the null zone you have created in the trader's emporium. It is proving somewhat disruptive.* The robed Ashanath thought, and Alyssa could feel its desperation not to offend her.

*Oh sorry about that!* she apologised. *But what's a null zone?*

*You have blocked all ability to speak in a sphere 2000 metres wide.* Councillor Talari explained hesitatingly.

*Oh god! I'm so sorry! How do I get rid of it?* Alyssa thought, looking shocked.

"Is everything ok there honey?" John asked warily, seeing her perplexed expression.

"Err yeah, everything's fine." The beautiful blonde girl said distractedly.

*Just will it out of existence.* Councillor Talari thought to her, puzzlement in its voice.

*Any tips on how to do that?* Alyssa thought, feeling embarrassed.

*You are untrained?!* The robed Ashanath thought with a shocked gasp, before managing to get control of itself.

*Yeah I am, sorry...* Alyssa thought, feeling increasingly self conscious.

*I would be honoured to assist!* The councillor thought in a fawning rush.

The creature tilted its head to the side, studying her for a moment.

*Consider your mind as being filled with compartments. Each compartment can be used to maintain a separate power, such as a conversation with another person who can speak, or your null zone for example.* the Grey explained carefully.

*The more you train your mind, the more compartments you will unlock* it said intriguingly.

*Just locate the part of your mind that is maintaining the null zone and then will it out of existence.* The Ashanath thought, as if such metaphysical activity were as easy as breathing.

Alyssa took a deep breath and then closed her eyes, thinking about her mind as being separate compartments. By consciously compartmentalising her thoughts that way, a softly glowing orb became apparent in her mind, where she had been unaware of it before. Alyssa studied the orb closely and became suddenly aware of its vast size and where it sat, centred on the trader's emporium.

Her brows furrowed as she concentrated and the sphere seemed to pop, dissipating in an instant. A slight tension in her head that she hadn't been aware of before disappeared simultaneously.

*It's gone now I think.* Alyssa thought to the Ashanath councillor who was waiting pensively.

*You are very kind, your benevolence is greatly appreciated!* Councillor Talari replied, overjoyed.

*How many things can I keep going like that at any one time?* Alyssa asked curiously.

*It depends entirely on the mind-strength of the individual.* Talari explained helpfully. *However, maintaining a null zone of that size must have been a considerable mental burden!*

*Very interesting, thank you!* Alyssa said, masking her surprise. She hadn't even been aware that she was keeping the sphere going.

*If you should be troubled by intrusions into your mind again in the future, I would greatly appreciate it if you were to block them out, instead of creating another null-zone.* Talari requested politely. *Just as your leader JohnBlake does.* the councillor clarified.

"He does?" Alyssa thought to herself in confusion. She had no problem reading his mind like it was an open book. She quickly masked her surprise and addressed the Ashanath Councillor.

*Sure! How do I do that exactly?* Alyssa asked, intrigued that was even possible.

*Simply imagine your mind is surrounded by a sturdy fortress that bars entry.* the robed Ashanath explained helpfully.

The beautiful blonde girl closed her eyes and imagined her mind being surrounded by massive, impregnable stone walls, the cyclopean stones dozens of feet thick. She opened her eyes slowly and saw a perplexed expression on High Councillor Talari's face.

"You have blocked me from speaking to you as well." Councillor Talari's speech computer whispered in an eerie voice.

*Oh! oops!* Alyssa thought towards the Ashanath, as she imagined a passageway into her mind-citadel springing into existence.

*My thanks Alyssa.* Talari said, the alien's voice in her mind sounding relieved.

*You're welcome Talari!* Alyssa thought back to the Ashanath happily. *Thanks so much for teaching me these psychic tricks!* she thought with a grin.

The Ashanath nodded and then looked at her with its head tilted slightly to one side, in an unusually expressive quizzical motion.

*Alyssa, I would very much like to ask you a question about JohnBlake. Would that be permissible?* Councillor Talari asked her warily.

*Sure, fire away!* The exuberant young woman replied, feeling grateful for the impromptu psychic training session.

*Of the lovely curvaceous females in your group, three of you are Terrans and one is a Lenarran. We initially assumed JohnBlake was Terran too, but the angular protrusions from his head make us suspect we have erred in our classification. Xeno-fauna is a fascination of ours and we wondered if you would be so kind as to identify his species?* the robed Ashanath councillor asked inquisitively.

*His mother was Terran, but he doesn't know anything about his father. I'm afraid I don't know the answer Talari.* Alyssa thought apologetically.

*Think nothing of it beautiful one. You have been most helpful.* The Grey complimented and thanked her, as it rose to its feet turning to face John and the rest of his companions.

"The High council has now assembled. If you would please follow me." Councillor Talari requested in its unemotional whispery voice that emanated from the computer at its wrist.

The Grey glided away and headed to the big double doors at the other end of the chamber. Alyssa walked over to join John and the rest of the girls, as they rose from their chairs.

"What was that all about?" John asked curiously.

"I'll explain later." Alyssa whispered in reply. "It was mostly about me undoing my act of psychic vandalism though." she said with a smile.

"You're not in any trouble then?" Dana asked her, sounding worried.

"No I think everything is fine." The beautiful blonde said confidently.

They smiled at her, feeling reassured and followed the councillor into a large spherical room, with a curved dais at one end, where eight Ashanath in white robes were seated, the ninth high-backed chair currently empty. Councillor Talari bowed towards John and then glided over to the platform and sat in the ninth chair.

The Grey seated in the middle had an ornate silvery chain around its neck, that glinted in the light as it rose to its feet.

"We gratefully appreciate your willingness to meet with the High council, JohnBlake." the robed alien said in its quiet whispery voice. "My name is Senior Councillor Ularean."

"It's an honour to meet with the High council and with you Senior Councillor." John replied courteously.

"We wish to apologise for the disturbance at the trade emporium. It was an accident I assure you." he said glancing towards Alyssa, who smiled at him appreciatively.

"Think nothing of it JohnBlake. Your wonderful companion has been most helpful." Senior Councillor Ularean replied quietly, his eerie voice echoing around the circular room disconcertingly.

"Could I ask why you wished to meet with us?" John asked curiously, deciding to get right to the point.

"We wish to propose a treaty." The senior robed Ashanath murmured.

"I've retired from the Terran Federation military." John said apologetically. "I'm afraid I'm not in a position to sign any treaties between the Ashanath Collective and the Terran Federation." he explained carefully.

"I apologise for not being clear and causing a misunderstanding. We do not wish to sign a treaty with the Terran Federation. The Ashanath Collective formally requests an Alliance with you JohnBlake." Senior Councillor Ularean said softly.

"With me?" John said, shocked to the core.

"Yes, that is correct JohnBlake." the Grey said with certainty.

"We believe you arrived at Ashana intending to acquire a hyper-warp drive and a power core. In a gesture of good faith and to ensure good relations between us, we wish to furnish you with these items as a gift." Councillor Ularean continued unrelentingly.

"Should you agree to the alliance, we will supply you with the most powerful examples of each that we possess." the Ashanath whispered unemotionally.