I'm finally in my utilities after a good shower, and picking up the note pad that I've been using. Stepping outside of my quarters I run into Lahí-míahnah who is Jah-jahí's sister; she seems to be waiting for me. She's wearing the black uniform of theirs. Walking towards me she circles around studying me, giving a look of disapproval; she resembles Jah-jahní, but there are differences in her compared Jah-jahní. "So, you are the human Captain of that ship in our space dock?" She says arrogantly.
I nod. "Yes, that is correct." She comes close to me inspecting, even sniffing me, which I find irritating. "Princess, is there something I can do for you?" I ask expressing my annoyance.
She looks at me intently and she backs off smiling a bit. "You don't smell of fear." Now I'm confused at her remark. "I'm sorry," She bows. "But, I'm certain you've herd that Fonahn-tehmahun is here, and he has heard the rumors about you and Jah-jahní." Oh, I see why she was acting strangely. "He has sworn to take your head at the most convenient moment." She looks at me again, only more carefully. "You have kind but sad eyes, I can see why my sister is in love with you."
I smile at her looking at my watch. "Princess, it was a pleasure to meet you today unfortunately duty calls me else where." I incline my head and start heading out, to inspect the new building that will hopefully serve as our Embassy. However, the Princess starts to follow me. This was going to be a good day, though now I'm not so sure about that. I see the Gunny directing the equipment that was brought down from the Helios out in the large landing pad on the side of the palace.
He looks in my direction and then he spots Lahí, and the annoyed look on my face. He smile broadly. I'm sure this must be amusing to him, as my unwanted follower stays near me. "Morning Gunny, what's the sitrep." I ask and Lahí seems to be hanging on every word.
"What is this sitrep?" I look at her and just roll my eyes.
"That's short for situation report." Answers the Gunny smiling Kindly to her, which she returns. "Well sir the initial gear is hear, but we have a problem with shuttle two. Which means it will take longer to get things planet side." this is not the start of a smooth operation, not at all.
"How long till it's up and running?" This'll put a hamper on things, and make us look bad in front of our new friends. Lahí just stays near without disturbing the work, and I appreciate that.
"It seems you have a new fan there Captain." He chuckles to himself. Just a regular comedian. Turning I see a rather imposing Majah-tu male walking in our direction, this has to be what's his face Fona - something or other. He closes in and I move a bit to the side and he come right into my face and I drop my note pad. It becomes a staring contest, as he is trying to assess who is his rival.
"I assume you are this Great Captain I've heard about, since even before coming home." His eyes are yellow almost like blazing suns, but I'm not backing down. Just then four Marines aim their plas rifles at him. He takes the situation in and backs off knowing that here he's out numbered and out gunned, even so he looks at me like I'm some piece of meat. "I challenge you Captain to a battle to find out who is worthy of Jah-jahní!" I grind my teeth thanking God that Mandy is at the Embassy building and Jah-jahní is busy with issues of state. this could also be a ploy intended for me to accept the challenge, and get me killed or get him killed. I feel like I'm being played and so is he.
"I'm not one of your people and we are here to set up an alliance between us, so I will not accept this dual." I respond. Stepping forward the Gunny pulls me back positioning himself between the two of us.
"Well you heard the man, He's not interested in your traditions so please get going." The Majah-tu moves fast knocking the Gunny down and he reaches for me, but I turn into the attack striking him in the throat then instantly throwing him over my shoulder, as I follow up with an arm lock. Damn! This guy is strong! I have no doubt if he had grabbed me he would've broken my neck! Now I thank my father for all those years Jujitsu he taught me! The other Marines move in and quickly and zip tie him. He screams in his language what I can only assume are curses, but he is now restrained. The Gunny is on his feet quickly sitting on the Majah-tu's hip effectively pinning him to the ground. The gunny looks at me with a sheepish grin, but I pat his shoulder. "Sorry Skipper." I nod.
Skipper! He's never used that before I guess he's glad that I can fight. Turning I see Lahí looking at me with new found respect; she bows deeply showing me great respect. Just then I see Jah-jahní running towards us with a few palace guards in tow. She's in the same type of uniform except for the silver rope on her right shoulder. Arriving she stops looking at the other guy then she looks me over from head to toe, and the relief in her face is visible for everyone to see.
"Are you... Are you alright?" She ask breathlessly.
Nodding to her She smiles at me, then she turn her attention to the other guy again and now I can see the anger in her face. I've never seen her angry before; let me tell you I'm glad not to be the recipient of it. He's now on his knees. "You there!" She stalks up to him. "You dare attack a guest of your King on the Palace grounds!" walking right up to him she launches a vicious kick right to his face. he falls back grunting, but he sits back up smiling cruelly. He shoots me a look that would kill if they were lasers.
"Fear not human, I will have my revenge for this insult." Jah-jahní orders her men to grab him picking him up she stands before him. She punches him in the gut and he buckles forward falling on his knees, just coughing up a storm. "Mahton tehsol mah!" He shouts at her, and she is visibly shocked. Her guards now start to beat the living crap out him. Lahí stands next to her sister putting a hand on her arm as tears well up in Jah-jahní's eyes. Lahí give a command and the beating ceases, but Jah-jahní is definitely shaken. Lahí leads her away. the urge to go after her is almost overpowering.
"Sir, don't you have some business to take care of right now." turning I see the Gunny's face and he winks at me then leans closer. "Sir, weren't you taught to help a damsel in distress by your father?" I smile at his suggestion. "We got this here Skipper, you go on now and handle what needs handling." I put a hand on his shoulder and I take off at a sprint, in the general direction Jah-jahní and her sister went.
Stepping through an alcove of a small building in the garden I see them both sitting, and Jah-jahní is really crying. An ache settles over my heart because somehow this is my fault. I walk to where they are and Lahí is looking at me with non to friendly eyes. I turn my attention Jah-jahní kneeling before her she looks at me trying to smile. I gently touch her face causing her sister to gasp; I've come to figure out that this is a sign of intimacy for them. Jah-jahní closes her eyes putting her hand over mine and Lahí turns red from the embarrassment of what she is witnessing. "What is going on here?" I glance over to her, then back to Jah-jahní. "Just how far has this relationship gone?"
"It's not that way, at least not yet." Jah-jahní blushes at my remark and smiles.
"You need to more respectful for my younger sister sake." Jah-jahní says.
looking away Lahí seems lost in some memory turning to us, there is a look of compassion for her sister. "You truly love each other; I thought it was some kind of joke or rumor running through the palace halls." Jah-jahní is calmer now and Lahí is surprised at how her sisters spirits has risen, with my presence next to her.
"What did he say to you that made you so upset?" Jah-jahní looks away not wanting to deal with it now, But I want to know what he said. She stays silent not wanting to speak of it.
"She who lowers herself." Lahí translates it for me. I give her a questioning look. "He Called her... a whore." My blood begins to boil, who does that guy think he is! "You don't understand. My sister is warrior cast and she is the crown princess next in line to the throne." Her eyes are filled with tenderness for Jah-jahní, as well as for me. "If only you two did not love each other so. I can see that you truly do, but this will not be acceptable to our people much less she as queen."
"What." I state. "She would have to abdicate the throne in order to be joined to me?" That seems so unreasonable to me. Royal families are so stuck in their ways... even way out here. "So what now?" I ask. "After that guys display many people will begin to suspect our relationship." I get up pacing back and forth realizing the position Jah-jahní is in, which is not good. "I will not leave you no matter what happens."
I look at my watch Jah-jahní stands up as does Lahí. "You must have many things that need your attention right now, so go and do your duty for your people." I completely forgot that Lahí was there and I kiss her and she touches my face as I leave. Heading back I find that the shuttles are both working, Thank God for small miracles.
The Gunny sees me and nods. "So is everything on the up n' up?" He inquires.
"Gunny why did you do that for me?" I have to know.
"I saw the way she looked at you when she first got here and I knew then."
"Knew what Gunny?" I ask him.
"Well... that she loves you and it's real." He says. "Besides, I can't stand to see a girl cry."
"Roger that Gunny."