“That’s right.”Rorix had thought his people were beneath Clajak’s notice.The Coydidak were something of an embarrassment to most Kalquorians, a subject best not spoken of.“You speak of future generations.You’re unaware the women among us are mostly elders themselves, unable to bear children at this part of their lives?”
“I’m aware.Which is where the big catch lies.”
Understanding broke over Rorix.His heart stuttered in his chest.“Earther women?”
“How else to continue our culture, but through crossbreeding?How can we guarantee the Earther species’ survival unless we add their men and women to your collection of travelers?”Clajak met his gaze squarely.“You’re our one true hope for two peoples if the All can’t be stopped.You’re our only real prospect of continued existence.”
Rorix looked at Signis, knowing the expression he’d see.As he’d expected, his Nobek appeared incensed.Rorix nudged him, getting his attention.His demeanor didn’t change as his clanmate met his regard, but Signis brought his own features under control.
The Dramok brought his focus to the emperor again.“I can’t say I’m enthusiastic about adding new people unused to constant travel or our way of life.I’m especially reluctant about Earthers.My few interactions involving them haven’t been...productive.”
He kept it at that.Clajak’s Matara, Empress Jessica, was human.Although she was an impressive woman, he feared she was in the minority of the seemingly soft, spoiled creatures so different from his own kind.
“They’re weak,” Signis snapped, powerless to contain himself.“They think technology can fix their shortcomings.They’re closeminded extremists afraid of anything remotely different from themselves.”
“I wasn’t aware you’d had so many dealings with our ancestral cousins,” was Clajak’s mild rebuke.
“Enough to form opinions,” Rorix put in, his tone equally as calm after shooting Signis a pointed glare.“Why just Earthers?Why not any of our other allies?”
“It’s up to you and what you think the support we give you will allow,” Clajak shrugged.“Depending on your route, you could recruit Joshadans, Plasians, Beonids...it’s your show, Rorix.But to gain the empire’s support, which you must have to make this journey possible, you’ll have to agree to enlist Earthers.”
“A few ships and supplies are hardly worth having to take care of such lesser beings,” Signis muttered.
“Hardly a few.”Clajak’s gaze and tone spoke a clear warning to the Nobek to shut up.For a wonder, Signis did.
The emperor’s regard swung to Rorix again.“You’re welcome to petition whomever guarantees your journey’s success, as will I.You’ll need top medical and scientific personnel.Engineers.Trained crews to man the marauders and small fighters.Horticulturists and nutritionists.Experts in every field.Except for a few key people we need to keep us in the fight against the All, you can have your pick of Kalquorian and Earther personnel willing to face such a momentous journey.”
His offer was more than Rorix had dared to hope for.Autonomy.The means to keep his people healthy and strong.And happy, since they wouldn’t have to bow to anyone but themselves once they left known space.Absolute freedom, the Coydidak dream for hundreds of years.
How could he possibly refuse?
* * * *
Signis hated to venthis dismay at his clanmate, but he couldn’t deny his unhappiness at the situation.
He and Rorix stood on a cliff overlooking the green-tinged ocean following their meeting with Emperor Clajak.They were in a park setting, and though a few people were in the area, they had space to speak privately.
“Humans don’t belong among the Coydidak.Technologically, they’re decades behind us.They’re also unpredictable.Needy.Weak.Self-absorbed.They’ll complicate everything.”
His boyishly handsome Dramok stared at the horizon, where clear blue skies met the glass-smooth sea.“Consider the ships he’s offering, my Nobek.Ours are barely holding together after so many years.We’d have marauders, no less, the latest in fighting craft!We’ll be truly independent of Kalquor.The Coydidak can at last be a separate entity, which doesn’t answer to the empire.”
“Who says we answer to it now?”
“You know to some extent we do.We have to follow their laws though we have no representation in the Royal Council.We must obey summons to fight their enemies if they tell us to.We pay duties on items we import from other planets to sell.All the regulations that don’t benefit us in any way...we’re still bound to abide by them.”
Rorix’s face was alight, making him appear younger than his already youthful forty-seven years.He was Coydidak through and through, led by his heart, dedicated to his people living life on their terms.
Signis knew the decision was made, though Rorix had yet to bring it to the Council of Elders.The old men and women were content to let the leader they’d elected run the show, so long as they had ample means to brew pitchers ofenomiand plenty of time to gossip as they drank it.
“The humans,” he said again.He relaxed as Rorix turned his gaze to him.His clan leader’s enthusiasm quieted in consideration of his concerns.Their few disagreements never resulted from the Dramok failing to take him seriously, which Signis was grateful for.
“They’re a difficult bunch,” Rorix admitted.“A necessary evil for the empire to continue as a society.It’s the same for us if we wish the Coydidak to exist past our generation.When we leave known space, there’ll be no more restless Kalquorians to add to our ranks.There aren’t unclanned fertile Kalquorian females left to do so anyway.Earther women are needed if we aren’t to die out.”
“Would it be so bad if we did?”Signis hadn’t been born Coydidak.He’d joined them after they’d found him broken and dying near their camp.Rorix’s people had healed his injuries, then saved his life again when they’d refused to surrender him to those who’d tried to kill him in the first place.His loyalty had been to them ever since.
“We can’t have the ships, supplies, and funds unless we bring along Earthers.”Rorix grinned, his boyishness increased by the mischievous smile.“We don’t have to clan a woman.None will be on our bridge crew.Our interactions with the humans can be limited.”
“I’m in charge of our security.I’ll have to handle them on some level.”Signis scowled.“You know how many Coydidak men enjoy visiting Earther women at the brothels.How many requests to bring a few along did you fend off the last time we docked at Dantovon?”
