HEL Jumper Chapter 3.2

"Alice?" MacGregor got her attention, waiting to see how the  situation would unfold. She seemed to understand his concerns. Asha and  Zolta looked on quietly with curious expressions.

"Russell is here too. I'll be alright. I think it's best we show some  trust, all things considered. I'll call for you when you come up?" She  proposed, trying desperately to tamp down the swarm of butterflies in  her chest and stomach while maintaining a composed outward appearance. 

"All the same I hope I don't come up. Center of attention seems to  get knives thrown at em," Lachlan reasoned. Alice chuckled shortly.

"I presume you'll be wanting a place to sleep?"

"Ah that's a fair point, lass. You go on then. I'll be here with these three furry companions," he offered. 

"Yeah, alright then!" Alice agreed, turning her back to the shuttle  and staring at the gates as she murmured to herself. "I'll just go meet  with the council of raptor cats that love my brother like...a brother  and could probably kill me with their toes. No sweat. What could go  wrong?! No, let's not answer that…"

Alice's private musings lasted the short trip to where her brother  stood before the priests of the village, her boots kicking up small  clouds of dust as she walked along the narrow strip of non-irrigated  land. The little cub Russell had been tending took flight at seeing so  many authority figures at once, leading his mother on a short chase past  Alice and towards the shuttle, where MacGregor sat himself in the dirt  and attempted to offer the little tyke a relatively nonthreatening  option. Between the Marine, Veera, Zolta, and Asha, he was soon  corralled and playing with Lachlan's impressive moustache, giving his  mother a chance to catch up with him. The assembled priests all watched  the proceedings closely while Russell shared a moment with his sister.

"You good?" He asked simply, feeling as close to her as he’d ever been. “Ready to be a part of whatever all this is?”

"Yeah, I'll be alright," she assured him, taking solace in his  presence. "This is literally everything I've ever dreamed of, since  first contact at least."

"Then I'll be at the shuttle if you need me. Io, is she good for translation?"

'Yes sir, we're in the clear,' the AI assured him excitedly,  projecting herself in an outfit to match Alice’s as a sign of  solidarity. It only lasted a instant however, the AI picking up on  Russell’s attitude and insistence that this be Alice’s time.

"Thanks, Io. Good luck sis."

"Love you, bro," Alice whispered, giving him a quick hug. He'd never  been the over the shoulder type, but he'd been looking out for her from  afar since they were teens. Her courage was bolstered as he turned from  the gates, making it clear to the Cauthan that they should deal with his  sister independently.

"Yeah, you too,” he called over his shoulder. “Don't keep them  waiting. Ratha's a bitch but the rest are good people. Hell even she is,  I guess."

With that confusing statement Russell walked off, letting Alice  initiate her own entrance to village life as the swell of chatter and  gossip grew behind the line of priests. Alice focused on the one that  she knew, approaching Antoth and bowing politely.

"Hmph, I guess this one has some manners," Ratha muttered, earning  herself Antoth's hand, and claws, on her shoulder. The towering Cauthan  spoke diplomatically while he reined in his mate as tactfully as  possible given the situation.

"Alice Winters, I have presented the treaty with your people to my  fellows here. We are tasked with the burden of guiding our people. And  while there is understandable nervousness among us…" Antoth held up a  hand as Alice made to speak. "We are cautiously optimistic that your  presence will be beneficial to our village. There is much in this  document that is…subject to interpretation. We open our gates to you as a  gesture of goodwill and as an expectation that our kindness shall be  returned."

"I...I see. Thank you all for your consideration," Alice spoke  clearly, allowing her A-MACS to translate for her. Relief spread through  her as most of the Cauthan present nodded or ruffled their feathers in a  similar fashion to what she'd seen from Veera once things had calmed on  the Event Horizon. "My name is Alice Winters and it's an honor to make  your acquaintance. I am Russell's older sister."

"Has he always been such an insufferable human?" Ratha demanded  haughtily, resting a hand on her hip as her mate growled quietly. "Oh  shut it, Antoth. You let him hug me."

"Would it surprise you to learn that he likes you more than most  humans?" Alice asked nervously, watching as the elderly couple among the  priests smiled widely and nodded to one another, their graying fur and  slightly drooping jowls shifting to display what Alice hoped was humor  and favor. That theory of cultural evolutionary convergence was already  churning in her head at their subtle movements. Ratha did not seem  pleased with her answer.

"Why me?" Ratha demanded of the sky, tilting her head to regard the clouds above. 

"You've become dramatic now that you're with cub...more dramatic,"  Antoth declared, swiftly moving his hand from Ratha's shoulder to her  belt. "This is not a hunt, my mate. It is diplomacy. Keep your knife at  your side and give this one a chance. She tore into Winters when he  asked about her courtship. You would have approved. Now introduce  yourself and do not dishonor our word."

Alice watched cautiously, playing with the sleeve of her jumpsuit as  Ratha simmered in silent frustration. To her marginal relief it seemed  more directed at Antoth than her. Eventually Ratha shoved his hand away  from her knife and stared Alice down. "My name is Ratha, servant of  Valta and mate of the priest of Seil...such as he is," she simpered with  a coy glance Antoth's way. "So long as you respect the authority of the  Huntress and don't go on any crazed hunts like your...brother...you and  I will not have problems."

Alice nodded, knowing that said brother would absolutely escalate the  situation if he were her. She opted to tilt her head deferentially  instead, hoping to placate the grumpiest of the priests. "I should like  to learn of Valta and your traditions; if you have time, of course," she  offered. Ratha looked her over keenly, as if searching for deception or  weakness. Alice was reminded of a hawk. 

"Maybe later," was all she would say on the matter, feeling the eyes  of her fellows, her people, and Winters upon her. "Let's get on with  this already. Seil is annoyingly warm today."

"Well if you would stop acting like she's her brother we'd be done by  now!" Staroth boomed, stepping forward as Ratha shot him a death glare.  "Alice Winters, it's a pleasure to meet you. Name's Staroth, village  Guardian. Your brother was welcome among us under Antoth, and he remains  so now that I've taken up the mantle of Uthos. You're welcome in the  barracks at any time. If you’re his kin, there’s a place for you."

Alice glanced around in stunned silence, temporarily shaken by the  abrupt reversal in mood. "I…thank you very much, Staroth. I suppose I  shouldn't be surprised that my brother found his way into your world,  should I? Can I ask you a question?" Alice ventured, sensing an ease and  casual friendliness about the Guardian that she did not feel around the  impenetrable bulwark that was Antoth. 

"Yeah, course! That's why you're here isn't it? You don’t seem like  the conquering type," Staroth laughed before turning on his heel with  surprising speed. "Gael, Rakis, save it for the festival you stone for  brains! Pardon me, Alice. You didn't hear that, did you?"

"Uhh…I'm sorry?" Alice responded with a shrug, guessing that her  hearing, the language barrier, or both had led to her missing something.  Staroth shook his head like a father watching his sons do something  incredibly stupid that he nevertheless intended to allow them to see  through.

"Nah, probably for the best. Bunch of young boys with mating on the  brain, wanting to know if your fur is soft. I'll drill them hard  tonight, don’t you fret. So Alice, you had a question?" Staroth  continued, seemingly unconcerned with most anything.

"Yes, actually. Is there a prescribed manner in which a female should  greet a male in public? I wouldn't want to offend you and I wasn't sure  if it would be proper to shake your hand," Alice explained her  hesitation. Staroth brought his hand to his chin as Gentia chuckled and  cooed about 'how polite the sister was'.

"Well you don't really have feathers, do you? All that fur up top,  can you move it?" Staroth asked curiously. Alice laughed and shook her  head back and forth, kicking her loosely tied ponytail about. A handful  of Cauthan behind them spoke animatedly about the length of Alice’s  black mane of hair.

"No sir, not intentionally."

"Ha! Don't ever call me sir again. Reminds me of being old. So show  me a handshake then, eh? Don't think I've ever done such a thing with  your brother. He enjoys scale bashing far too much!" The guard said with  overbearing friendliness. Alice held out her hand, palm rotated  slightly upward. Staroth measured her closely for a moment, eventually  holding out his own paw and looking Alice in the eye for confirmation.  He was only a couple inches taller than her and his brown eyes were  quite amicable. She nodded, prompting the captain to turn his head and  regard two of his younger charges. "Ha ha."

Uproarious joviality rose from the assembled guardsmen as Staroth  took Alice's hand in a strong shake, the two of them squeezing harder  until a firm pressure was established and the gesture explained. Alice  flashed her teeth in a wide smile as her brother laughed from a  distance. "A pleasure to meet you, Staroth. I will certainly be taking  you up on that offer to visit the barracks and learn more about your  ways."

"You let go of her this instant, you lech!" A female Cauthan called from the crowd.

"Now now, fluff of my life, I'm just conducting diplomacy with this human!" Staroth called with overemphasized innocence.

"Diplomacy my tail! I know she's female!"

"Did I mention I love my mate very much? Go on now, Alice. I'm sure  we'll meet again," Staroth encouraged, incapable of fearing a smooth and  soft being like a female human when he had arms and armor. The male  that Alice had brought with her was another story, but he'd deal with  that later. The next priest stepped forward.

"I guess it's my turn then? A pleasure to meet you, Alice. I can see  you've already met one of my charges." Alice took a couple paces down  the line from Staroth to greet an elegant, blonde furred Cauthan who  reminded her of an ermine. She had radiant blue eyes and sandy colored  feathers, and was dressed easily the best of all the assembled priests.  Unlike most of her fellow villagers who wore leather or fur, the Cauthan  before her sported a fetching woven garment that Alice assumed was made  of some sort of plant fiber. She'd not seen any animals that could be  sheared since landing. The dress was not particularly detailed, but the  dull white fabric was expertly tailored to her body. It lent the  priestess an air of sophistication that was rather unique. "My name is  Alyra, and I serve the Twins."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Alyra. I love your dress; it's quite  beautiful. So Asha is one of yours? I've only seen a dress like that on  her so far!" Alice deduced, holding out her hand tentatively to the  other female. 

"Hmm, a keen eye on you as well? We'll have to have you stop by  sometime and change out of whatever...that is," Alyra turned up her nose  at Alice's jumpsuit, marveling at how the human's cheeks suddenly  flushed red.

"Look we all have to wear them on board the ship, alright?" Alice  muttered, still awkwardly holding out her hand as her outfit was  scrutinized. Alyra waved her off. 

"Well you're not on the...boat? Is that it? You're not there anymore,  are you?" Alyra insisted, using the closest word she had. "So there.  We'll have you looking the part in no time. Oh, and save your hand for  the males. You have no feathers but there's nothing preventing us from  using the customary human greeting your brother partakes in."

"Wait, he does wha-!?" Alice yelped as Alyra stepped forward and  embraced her, eliciting a hoot from Staroth as she tried to figure out  how much of the Cauthan she was allowed to touch. In the end Alice opted  to not rock the boat any further, gently applying pressure with her  arms to Alyra's upper back. She signified that she accepted the hug,  while indulging in the brief contact of the priestess' fur on her cheek.

"Is something the matter, Alice? You appear to be changing colors,"  Alyra observed with genuine concern as Alice’s blush deepened. The human  shook her head vigorously, wondering how to explain a flush of the  cheek to an alien with no visible cheeks to flush.

'If I may, my friends?' Io suddenly cut in, appearing at Alice's  wrist. 'If she had feathers it would look something like this, Alyra.'  The Cauthan and human watched closely as Io shifted forms and waved the  feathers of her avatar in a pattern that implied both embarrassment and  excitement.

"Ah, I see now. How very strange. And yet here I am wishing I could  change my fur color!" Alyra replied animatedly. "I do apologize, Alice.  You just have no feathers...or tail for that matter." The human smiled  bashfully as Alyra flicked her slim, white tipped tail back and forth  for emphasis.

"That's quite alright. I was just surprised to be greeted in such a  friendly manner! And why don't you just dye your fur?" Alice suggested.  "Surely you have pigments?"

"Oh Alice, you do not want that fat, oil, and dirt all over your fur.  You'd look a mess. The Twins might enjoy such a scene though," Alyra  considered with a twinkle in her eyes. 

"And who are the Twins, if I may ask?"

"Eiur and Auril, the two moons that scamper about the night skies and  play among the stars. They are tricksters and patrons of the arts,"  Alyra explained, bringing a claw to her chin. "Now Alice, what is with  that look, hmm? You have so many little movements on your face it's hard  to keep track of."

"They like pranks and tricks?" Alice asked eagerly.

"Why, did you have something in mind?" Alyra whispered with a flaring of her feathers. Alice leaned closer with her suggestion.

"You find me something that looks better than this accursed jumpsuit  and I'll see what I can do about changing your fur color! Temporarily of  course." 

"You jest!" 

"Maybe!" Alice replied coyly, hopping back a pace and standing fully  upright. Her guts were practically turning inside out with nerves. I don’t want to overstep anything, but they’re all so friendly! "Maybe not. Wouldn't want to offend the Twins by being so blunt?" Alice ventured. "Sorry, Antoth."

"Oh brother, she's got you dead to rights!" The burly Cauthan who had  been waiting patiently next to Alyra finally piped up, reaching to clap  Antoth on the shoulder. "I think the two of you ladies have had enough  fun; and unlike your brother you'll probably be making more visits to  Alyra's temple than mine. Name's Nerazek, forge master and high priest  of Tyrdus, the Smith. We're the ones who make all the useful things around town," Zolta's master added with a terribly unsubtle look at Alyra. The priestess took it in stride.

"Were it not for our trading you would have no metal to work with, Nerazek. Try not to get too big for your scales now."

"Big words from the pretty girl," he laughed.

"I am a pretty girl," Alyra agreed, holding her head high  and preening her feathers. Alice nodded with wide eyes, hoping not to  offend anyone as she injected herself into what sounded like playful  inter-temple banter. The details would have to be teased out at a later  time.

"I think you're quite pretty," she whispered.

"See, forge master? The human agrees!"

"And how many times has her brother stepped foot in your temple,  hmm?" Nerazek countered. "That's what I thought! Alice, pleasure to meet  you and if you need anything fixed up, carved, forged or otherwise  made, my temple's the place to go. You pay in metal like that," he  proposed, pointing to the shuttle. "And we won't have any problems at  all."

"Ah...I'm a bit short on Grizzly class shuttles at the moment and I  don't think pilot Cromwell is selling hers. Do you accept other  payment?" Alice requested with a warm tone.

"Anything of value!" The forge master assured her. She nodded and held her hand out, analysis continuing within her mind. So a barter system...

"Then I look forward to visiting your temple!"

"Quite so! Yes I believe we should do this shaking thing. Alyra has a mind of her own."

"We are both female. There is no problem," the priestess insisted.

"Yeah yeah, as you say. And don't worry Alice, the scales don't  hurt!" Nerazek chortled as she took his hand. Alice hadn't considered it  much in her interactions with Staroth or Antoth, but she took some time  to get acquainted with the fine, small scales on the top of the smith's  paw and fingers. Many of them were actually smoother than his calloused  pads, and they blended seamlessly with the fine fur on the sides and  bottoms of his digits. 

Oh I could spend a day just looking at their hands! Alice exclaimed internally. Ok  that's really weird now that I say it out loud…well not really out  loud. Anyway, time to meet the last two. You're almost there, Alice!

"No, they don't. Thank you for the kind welcome, sir," Alice concluded.

"It's my pleasure. Welcome to our village. And watch out for her,"  Nerazek insisted, pointing not to Alyra, as Alice expected, but to the  short, elderly female next to him. He received a whap of her cane to the  back of his leg in reply. "See what I mean?"

"Don't listen to him, dear. He's breathed in too many fumes at that  forge lately. My name is Gentia. I serve Meylith, the Mother and patron  of hearth and home. It is so good to meet you. Could you ask your  brother to come here a moment, please?"

Alice was briefly taken aback by the elder's request but she  certainly wasn't about to deny something so reasonable. "Hey Russell,  Gentia wants to speak to you!" She called, watching as her armored  sibling shrugged his shoulders and ambled over. 

"What's going on Genti- hey! Cut that out!" He ordered as Gentia lit into him with her walking stick the moment he was in range.

"And when were you planning on telling me about your family, hmm?  About this wonderful sister of yours who's polite and easy to look at?"  Gentia demanded, the customary light in her eyes as Alice utterly failed  at keeping her mirth contained within her chest.

"Mercy for my brother, please! He was never trained to fight off angry old women with canes!"

"Hmph, if you insist young one. Go on now, Winters. You go play while  I speak with your sister," Gentia advised happily as though she'd not  just assaulted him. He looked down at her seriously.

"You're gonna need a longer cane next time," he advised before  tearing off for the shuttle and out of Gentia's range. The old priestess  looked up at Alice

"He's a good lad, saved many lives. Hers most of all," Gentia told  the human as she pointed at Veera. The weight of emotion in Gentia's  voice was such that the smile was wiped from Alice's face, leaving her  to contemplate the many unknowns in the tale of her brother and his  mate. "You will be welcome in my temple as his family, and I hope you  can aid us as he has. We aren't out of the woods yet, so to speak."

"Is there something you need help with?" Alice asked, opening her hands in offering.

"Another time, my dear. That sort of talk is not for such an occasion. This should be a festive moment."

"Yes, well in that case thank you very much for meeting me. The sun is not too bad? We could move into the shade or-"

"Oh perish the thought, dear. Felen has blessed us with ample clouds today and neither my mate nor I are pregnant."

"Gentia…" Ratha growled.

"Meylith bless you, Ratha. You have yet to visit me regarding your  cub," Gentia raised her voice, completing the image in Alice's mind of a  pint sized midwife with a full sized attitude.

"I'm fine!"

"This cycle or I'll come visit you and make sure Antoth watches!"  Gentia sang, her words spurring Ratha to face Antoth and slam her fist  against his solid chest.

"You did this to me!" She screeched before kissing Antoth the way  only she could, leaving Alice rooted to the spot and Antoth looking at  his wife with exasperation.

"Ratha-"

"I said hello. I'll kill her if she hurts anyone. I'm going home!"  The Huntress declared, spinning on her heel and departing the gate. No  one dared block her path.

"She will be a wonderful mother someday," Gentia declared, watching as Ratha's proud tail finally disappeared past the crowds. 

"I'll take you word for it. You've probably seen many more mothers than I have," Alice said.

"Such is my joy and my duty," Gentia agreed, hugging Alice briefly  around the waist due to her short stature. "One that I share with my  mate. Thantis?"

"Oh, of course, yes. Why I remember just under a year ago speaking  with your brother at this very gate," the wizened priest informed her,  gazing up into the skies. "Who are you, I asked him. Where did you come  from? What is your purpose? Ah, so many questions there were and so many  left unanswered. But I am forever grateful to have seen him in my  twilight years. Such a momentous end to a long life."

"Oh stop it, you. We have many years left," Gentia insisted with love  in her voice born of decades shared. "Now introduce yourself, priest of  Kel."

"Indeed! Where are my manners? I do apologize," Thantis said,  suddenly aware and alert instead of wistful and distant. He adjusted his  cane and looked up at Alice. "Miss Alice, my name is Thantis. I serve  Kel, lord of winter, death, knowledge, and He who keeps the balance. It  is a pleasure to meet you."

"You're him, the death priest?!" Alice demanded excitedly as she  extended her hand, shaking Thantis' gently. "My brother told me you're a  scholar and keeper of knowledge. I am too! Will you teach me of you  people and history?!"

"Well what do you know? She likes you best!" Gentia provided with a smirk.

"I do have one condition Alice...well technically two," Thantis  replied warmly, taking a moment to contemplate her hand in his palm. "On  second thought, can I make it three?"

"Start with one, my love," Gentia advised with a flutter of her aging feathers.

"Sure, Thantis. Give and take right?" Alice suggested in reply. The  priests assembled nodded in agreement. The human didn't miss the  gesture. 

"Yes well, first could I study your hand?" Thantis requested. Gentia  tittered delightfully while Antoth groaned and wondered how  introductions had somehow turned into anatomy lessons. He blamed their  familiarity with Alice's brother and her similarities to him.

"Sure. Humans are quite comfortable with such things. What else?"

"Will you join me for tea so that I might finally satisfy my  curiosity with these...Egyptians of yours? Is that the word? I wrote it  down somewhere…

"Gods with animal heads, mummification, stone tombs?" Alice asked,  wondering if she's heard right. The upturn of Thantis' lips made it  clear she had.

"Yes yes, that's them!" He exclaimed. Alice beamed at him.

"I'd love to, Thantis. Just wait until you hear about the Greeks. And  the last?" She inquired, her brows furrowing as Thantis suddenly  adopted a serious expression and posture.

"I would ask that you make an effort to befriend my young apprentice.  Much light has been stolen from his life. I hope that new knowledge  might rekindle it."

"I…" Alice paused, looking left to Antoth and the others. All of them  seemed to understand what Thantis was speaking of. "I am here to learn  and to listen. I would be happy to speak with him," she agreed, feeling a  cool breeze pass over her head as a cloud rolled past the sun above.

"Then you have my thanks. Please visit soon! We are at the other end  of the village by the east gate," the death priest explained. "Oh Ratha,  I thought you were leaving us?"

"Yeah I forgot something," the Huntress replied without care. "You  lot seem done, finally. Antoth, where the heck are you going to put  her?"

"We were just getting to that," Antoth said accusingly. "Which you  would know if you'd not stomped off. Alice, if you could summon your  companion please? We must discuss your lodgings so long as none among us  have objections?"

"A moment if you would?" Staroth requested, much to Antoth's  surprise. The sun priest quickly hummed in understanding once the  Guardian explained himself. "Alice, can we trust the other human? The  warrior, who is he to you?"

Alice had anticipated such a question. She didn't hold the weapons.  "He's a dear friend and someone who volunteered to come down here with  me to keep me safe and assist with my work. We promised your people  protection in the treaty. You can consider him a first line of defense,  so to speak. His armor has the ability to communicate with our home ship  high above us, and he's well trained in the art of war. Most  importantly, I've been around him for about half a year now and I've  never known him to be anything but a kind man with a strong sense of  duty. I guess he's a bit like my brother in that way, but with less  edge."

"Good, I almost cut myself on Winters'," Ratha chuckled under her breath. "Satisfied, Staroth?"

"I'd like him to train with my men at some point, get him used to  them if he's going to fight with us. But yes, regarding admittance to  the village I am in favor. Alice, if you would?"

With greetings completed and her mind positively humming with ideas,  Alice turned and walked over to the shuttle, briefly explaining to  Lachlan and the others what had been discussed to that point. The  Scotsman, eager to show a comforting side to the villagers, stood with  Sentaura's son in his arms. He let the young, curious boy continue to  tap against his armor and run his claws along the ballistic fiber  protecting his joints. "You're a curious little guy, aren't ye?" He  asked as the cub’s mother followed at his side.

'You will find that curiosity is a defining trait of the species at  large,' Io opined using their various earpieces. 'Splendid job so far,  Alice. You've gotten into none of the fights your brother did on his  first day!'

"Io, you can't just dangle that out in front of us and not deliver!"  Alice insisted hotly as the young Cauthan noticed her hair and reached  for it instead, pulling on her ponytail and forcing Alice to suddenly  bump into Lachlan or suffer. "Oh no no no no! Please stop, little guy!"

"Woah, hey there young man! Ya can't be touching a lass like that.  You gotta be gentle with beautiful things," the Marine insisted, slowly  prying the Cauthan’s fingers away from Alice’s hair.

"Oh stow it, Lachlan! They already saw me blushing!" She squealed.

"Begging your pardon, Alice," the Marine winked at her as Sentaura reprimanded her son.

"Ursol, what have I told you about feathers?" She asked in a stern voice.

"Aaah...don't pull?" Little Ursol replied.

"That's right, sweetheart. This human's fur is like feathers. Do you understand?"

"So…no pull fur?" 

"Very good," his mother praised him as he refocused on Lachlan's equipment. The Marine met her eyes.

"He's a wee, sharp lad, isn't he?"

"He gets it from his father," was all she would say. Their time was  up anyway, with Lachlan suddenly feeling sweat on the back of his neck  as every Cauthan high priest scrutinized him as he held one of their  treasured young.

"Ah...top o' the morning to y'all! It is morning still...isn't it?" He asked, gauging the position of the star above. 

"Afternoon," Antoth clarified.

"Huh, well is that right?"

"Another time, Private. We must discuss where you two will be staying  when you are with us. There are some complications that must be  considered," the sun priest continued. "Last winter our village suffered  a...great fire."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Alice replied without inquiring further. Antoth nodded curtly her way.

"Thank you. As things stand several families remain without homes, and others have had to relocate to…"

"The blockhouses. They're poor now. It sucks. At least we have enough  food. Just get on with it," Ratha urged with acid in her voice. 

"I suppose my mate is right. It's not like we can hide the situation  and perhaps you humans will have a solution? In any case, I cannot in  good conscience place you in one of the newly constructed homes in the  temple district while my own people still recover."

"I don't think that's a problem," Alice offered tentatively. "I'm  sure that anywhere you have available will be more than enough. I can  request any furnishings or gear I need from the Event Horizon. Same with  Lachlan."

When the Marine bobbed his head in affirmation of Alice's  perspective, Antoth bowed to them both. "Meylith forgive me for treating  you in such a way but thank you, Alice. There is a single unit  available in the blockhouses. It was built for one, and rests adjacent  to the east gate. Thantis and Gentia have their temples just to the  south and the young couple you already met, Zolta and Asha, live in that  quarter. I will personally ensure that you have what you need to remain  here comfortably."

"Well that's mighty kind of ye, Antoth. Thank you. What is it?"  Lachlan asked as many eyes suddenly turned his way with suspicion.

"Are you mated to Alice, young man?" Gentia asked like a cat eyeing a canary.

"No, no I'm not," the Marine replied unconcernedly, wondering where  the conversation was headed as Alice mouthed 'I'm sorry' at him.

"Then I'm afraid we must insist that you stay elsewhere," Gentia  informed him. "It would be most improper for a man and woman, unmated,  to share a roof and bed in such a way."

Neither Lachlan nor Alice were about to argue with Gentia on that  point. Such customs were not so alien to human history and they both  knew well that breaking taboo around relationships was not something  that would behoove them on their first day. Instead the humans looked at  one another curiously, questioning silently what they were going to do.  There didn't seem to be room at the inn.

"Then he will stay with me."

"Sentaura, I forbid it!" Ratha replied strongly. "Such a thing is-"

"Ratha," the hunter's widow stopped her. "You have done more for me and my son than I can ever repay you for."

"Nonsense! I know you're working the fields this year. You shouldn't!  I take care of my own!" The Huntress insisted. Sentaura waved her  feathers in understanding but carried on politely.

"That home is too large for just a female and cub. It would dishonor me and Lady Meylith if such space were wasted."

"But-!"

Sentaura looked sadly at the forest. "I have had my time, Ratha. I  knew love, courtship, motherhood. I was bonded in the sight of the  Mother. I am not like this young human maiden, and he and I are not even  of the same species. There is no shame in what I have suggested. If  they are here to help us then let me help them."

Ratha looked first to her husband, then to Gentia. Her face was  contorted in worry and sorrow. "Sentaura...you don't have to do this."

"I know, Huntress. It would be an honor to aid our people in such a way. High priest, please allow this human to stay with us."

"Antoth, you cannot! Look at what Winters did to Veera!"

"Ooh...was that concern for the 'mutt' I heard in your voice?" Antoth growled pleasingly, his voice like velvet. 

"You are a vile, unrepentant-"

"Father of your cub...indeed," Antoth cut her off softly. "Ratha,  there is no suitable alternative. What else would you have me do? Have  him sleep with the shen? Sentaura remains mated in the eyes of the  goddess until she chooses otherwise. We stand to gain from their  presence here. When more homes are rebuilt this will not be an issue."

Outnumbered and failing, Ratha approached the wife of one of her  missing and took her by the shoulders. "He touches you, even one  feather, you come to me. Understand?" She pleaded.

"As you say, Huntress. Thank you for this chance to serve the village."

With that Ratha made for her temple, unwilling and unable to play at  diplomacy and tact any longer. Antoth sighed as she left but refused to  speak poorly of his mate outside of her presence. "I suppose that  settles it then. Private MacGregor, is this arrangement suitable to you?  I know you humans are a bit more...flexible regarding the mixing of the  sexes."

MacGregor took a moment to regard the tyke in his arms as well as his  mother. “If that’s the arrangement you all think is best, I’ll be  lodging no complaints. Just try and go easy on my moustache, would ya  little guy?”

“Stache! Strache!” Ursol repeated the word, reaching for the Marine’s facial hair again.

“No no, dear. We do not use our claws with friends. Fingers only for  touching and only in good places. Do you understand me?” Sentaura  scolded him politely.

“Yes mamma!”

“Well would ya look at him? Well behaved lad and speakin’ English  already! Gotta say Alice, I like these aliens a bit better’n the  Ghaelen. Don’t tell yer buddy I said so,” Mac made a show of sharing  secrets to try to break the tension. “Miss Sentaura, I thank ya kindly  for your hospitality.”

“Mmm, resolution at last,” Antoth murmured. “Any further concerns?”  He demanded of his fellows. When there were none the various priests  bowed and returned to the village, resulting in the dispersal of the  crowd as word immediately began to skip from lip to lip about the newest  aliens who had come in peace. Each spiritual leader soon found  themselves surrounded by curious villagers. “Kaha, if you would?”

“You have need of me, sir?” The sun guard called, marching up to  Antoth from where he’d been standing amongst the people of the village.

“I do. Kaha this is Alice, the sister of Winters. Well technically  they are both Winters, but I know you refer to him in that manner. This  other human is...if you wouldn’t mind, Private?” Antoth requested.

“Lachlan MacGregor, at your service. That’s some fine armor you’ve  got yerself there,” the Scotsman greeted Kaha, looking over the finely  crafted ornamental fixtures on the sun guard's mostly leather armor.

“I know not what to say about yours, human. I suspect it will prove more durable than mine. What orders, Antoth?”

“Please assist Miss Winters with any belongings or equipment that she  needs carried. We will be allowing her to stay in the open room near  the eastern gate,” Antoth explained. 

“Of course, sir! Alice Winters are you finished here?” Kaha  requested, eager to be of service to a sun priest who, by and large, was  the complete opposite of Vash and sought to do everything himself.

“Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kaha. Let me show you to my  things. It should only be a comms array or two…” As the human woman and  strapping Cauthan sun guard walked off to the shuttle, Lachlan finally  handed Ursol over to his mother.

“Would ya give me just a moment, please?” He requested. She flared  her feathers and responded affirmatively. “Thank you, miss. Antoth, I’ll  be informing the Admiral of the situation down here. He’ll probably be  wanting to set up a shuttle and orbital schedule once he knows we’re  settled in and not in any trouble.”

“I will request that Alice explain what you just said to me at a  later time,” Antoth replied with a hint of annoyance. “Sentaura, please  come find Ratha or myself if there are any issues at all. In the  meantime I’m sure half the Cauthan in the village wish to speak with me.  Good day to you, Private.”

“Oh...and you, Antoth!” Mac called after him, more than a bit stunned  to have been left at the gates with what amounted to an open  invitation. He shrugged his shoulders and activated the link between his  armor and the bridge of the Event Horizon. “Admiral, are ye there?”

A loud yawn greeted him. “I’m sure it must be quite exciting down  there, but do you have any idea what time it is up here?” Kaczynski  requested. “What news, Private?”

“Sir, Alice and I have secured a place to stay and admittance to the  village. Quaint little thing it is. We’ll be settin’ up comms and then  taking a nap if it’s all the same ta you? I’m sure we’ll need a couple  things from the fabricators here and there but that’ll take a bit of  time ta tease out.”

“Hmm, very good. And the First Lieutenant?” Natori inquired seriously.

“He looks right as rain now that he’s back planetside, sir.”

“I see,” was all Natori had to say on the matter. “Very well,  Private. In order to lessen the draws on the drive core we will  establish an orbital period of five hours and fifteen minutes or so.  That should ensure a shuttle window of close to an hour four times per  Maran day. As you establish yourselves down there we can adjust as  needed. We have already set up an orbital communications relay system,  so you should be able to reach us no matter where we are relative to the  village. Oh, and do send pilot Cromwell back up when you’re done, would  you? She could use a rest most of all, I presume.”

“Aye aye, sir. I’ll be doin’ that posthaste. Wouldn't want her usin’  more than one stim patch. Thank ya again for this opportunity. The  locals have been real friendly, sir.”

“That’s wonderful to hear, Private. We shall speak again soon. Kaczynski out.”

Having touched base with the Event Horizon, MacGregor turned and held  up a gloved finger, spinning it a couple times so that Cromwell knew  she could start preparing for her ascent. Russell and Veera had already  unloaded the spare components and batteries for Io’s operation as well  as much of the electronic gear brought by Alice. That left his couple of  duffels and bedroll. “Miss Sentaura, do ya think you could be showin’  me to your home? I…” Mac had to take a pause to yawn prominently into  the back of his hand. His helmet’s optics indicated it was almost four  in the morning aboard the ship. “As ya can see it’s been a while since I  last slept.”

When his words were translated, Ursol looked curiously at his mother,  wondering if he understood the situation. At the age of four, the idea  of an entertaining individual like MacGregor staying over at home was  quite intriguing. The boy’s mother signaled with her feathers again,  hoping that with time their new guests might pick up on Cauthan habits.  “Of course. Do gather your things and I’ll show you the way. And what  shall I call you, human?”

“Lachlan is just fine, miss.”

“I see. Very well, Lachlan,” Sentaura replied, her soft accent flowing around his name like a stream. “Welcome to our village.”