We've been invited to join the royal family for a dinner, and of course the Ambassador has graciously accepted. We arrive with a few minutes to spare and are greeted by the butler , if that's what they call him.
He leads us to the dining room, which is smaller than the dining hall. A sign of a more intimate setting; it's like being invited into the inner family circle. The King and his family consisting of Jahní, Zohan and Lahí are all present.
The Royal family stand to welcome us to the table "Please." The King Gestures for us to take our places at the table.
The Ambassador, The Gunny, my EXO and myself are the visiting party. "Thank you your Majesty. You are most gracious." Basha says. The King inclines his head, which we return and proceed to take our seats.
I look and notice the seating arrangements for the royal family. Lahí is on his left side; she is the youngest and most pampered of them. Zohan is on his right as crown prince it is now his place. But, my Jahní is two seats removed on the right.
I sit on the same side next to the Ambassador, who is seated next to Lahí. Putting Jahní right in front of me. I look across at her, with the sudden realization of what that means. Even here at a small, but official dinner she is shunned.
I feel my anger start to rise at the thought that she gets no reprieve, even now. This is absurd! I glance at the King sitting there laughing and carrying on with our Ambassador, having a grand old time. I turn my attention back to Jahní, and she's looking right at me.
She subtly shakes her head undetectable to most, but the King knows his children. "Is there anything wrong Captain?" He would ask me that of course.
I grin lopsidedly and I turn to the King. "No, what could possibly be wrong your Majesty?" I knew that she had been publicly disgraced, but even here she has to be made to feel pushed out.
"Very well, let us begin." He nods to the butler; who opens a door behind me to my left and servers bring in the dishes with the food. To be honest some of it looks appetizing and... some of it not so much. "Please enjoy the meal."
A plate is put in front of me and what's on the plate resembles a pheasant, but you can't be sure around here. I look up to Jahní and she nods, so I pick up the utensils and I begin to carve a small piece of it. I just want to at least try it. Putting the bit in my mouth I find that pleasantly tastefull, very savory in fact. The meat is tender and juicy; I have to admit that it's really good.
Some native vegetables and fruits are also on the the table, which I try as well. So far it's all been good, so I keep eating the meal comfortably. The conversation is light and enjoyable and I'm having a good time. As I look at Jahní I see someone approaching dressed in a black uniform, with all the medals and awards he's won. Decorated like a Christmas tree.
My smile fades quickly when I realize who this individual is. Fonahn bows greeting us, then he bows deeply to the King. He walks right up to the empty seat next to Jahní. "Jahlahín, how wonderful to see you." Jahlahín? I look at her she has the most uncomfortable expression I've ever seen on her face. Even her body language is stiff. Fonahn sees my questioning gaze and smiles at my confusion. "Did you not Know her full name Captain? Jahlahín-Jahní, in case you did not know."
I grind my back teeth; Jahní shyly glances down. This jerk off just made her feel self conscious, and with me of all people. I have to save her dignity. "Of course I knew, she just simply doesn't like to use the full version of her name." His smile diminishes a bit. he pulls out the chair and sits in it, and I can feel my blood boil, as he acts chummy with her.
She puts her fork down and takes a sip of the liquor from her cup and stands up. "May I be excused for a moment?" The King nods his assent to her and she walks away holding her abdomen. I turn to the King and he's looking right at me, nodding his head giving me the go sign.
"Gentlemen, if you will excuse me please." I look right at Fonahn; one day we'll have a reckoning. I step out of the dinning room heading in the direction Jahní took, and I know exactly where she is going. I find the small entrance to that narrow passage and I reach the door, putting my hand on the pad it unlocks and I step in.
I see her sitting looking out of the window seeming so lonely there. "Jahní?"
She turns to me looking sad, as I walk up to her taking her hand I help her to stand up. I put my arms around her. "I'm sorry that I've never told you about my name."
I smile at her because I'm not mad at all. "It's ok, really. I was taken by surprise by it that's all. Are you ok?"
"I'm fine, I just felt my stomach turn a little." She looks at me with sincerity. "I will share with you why I shortened my name, if you wish." I am curious as to why she doesn't use her whole name, so I agree to hear it.
We sit down on the bed and she looks at my uniform, and the medals I have to show off touching them with her finger. "My mother gave me my name, when I was born." She looks at me touching my face with the back of her fingers. "She named me Jahlahín-jahní and my father hated my name from the beginning." What?
"Why? I-I mean it's beautiful." I find things get stranger, as time goes by.
"Do you remember how my parents met and eventually got married?"
"Of course I do."
She smiles at me in that way... I know it's only me on her mind. "My Mother would take revenge on my Father in every little way she could." How is naming a child revenge. "She chose my name with the purpose to sting my Father every time he would call me."
"How? By naming you?" I just can't fathom it.
"Well," she looks to the window. "My name, as I'm sure your names have meanings as well." Ok, this is true. "The first part of my name Jahlahín means Beautiful flower." That's real nice, at least I think so. "Jahní has two meanings, in modern day it means the Anchor or to be steady." That's still good. "However, in the old meaning it's the Sharp point; that is the way my Mother meant it for my Father."
So, her Mother chose to castigate her Husband through Jahní. I mean Beautiful flower with sharp Points, I can see why she would want to shorten her name. It would serve only to remind her Father of the Queens hate for him, what a plight for Jahní.
"You know I've never told you what my name means." She looks at me tilting her head in curiosity. "Well, it means Highly Praiseworthy. If you look further back Anthony is based on the Greek word Anthos, which means Flower."
Her eyes open wide in wonder and she puts her head on my chest. "I would never heave thought that your names root means flower." She giggles a bit. "It might be silly to think such a thing, but we seem to be tied by many different strings in the grand scheme of things."
"Yeah, it sure seems that way." My mind wanders back to the image of her in a red robe holding one of our children in her arms. "Yeah, I think we are being given clear confirmation of our belonging together." Why do things always try to pull us apart? "Hey, we need to head back to the dinner before your Father sends men to look for us."
She takes my hand and leads the way back to the main hallway. We both get back to the dinning room and there's quite the conversation going on, about the helios. Fonahn Looks at us and his expression changes when he sees us holding hands, which gives me a lot of pleasure.
"Welcome back Captain." I look to the King inclining my head to him. Jahní retakes her seat, as do I. All the while Fonahn doesn't take his eyes off of me, but I just ignore him knowing that there is nothing he can do. "It has come to my attention that your ship is damaged in a way that can not be fixed here."
"It's true. The Helios is down and we are still trying to get her back up." The King sits back in his chair folding his hands, as I explain our status. "Our technology is far behind yours and that of our enemies."
The King now leans forward looking at Zohan, Lahí and Jahní, which seems to mean to that they are in with the King on something. "Captain, Ambassador if you would be interested in a proposition that I have to offer."
I glance at him and Jahní; she smiles at me, so it has to be a good deal. "So, what are you offering your majesty?"
He stands up and walks to the picture of a ship that hangs on the wall. He stays there for a moment then turning he actually has faint smile on his face. "We would like to share our technology with you and help to repair you ship." My people and I-we just all look at each other, not quite comprehending what the King just said.
"Allow me to understand correctly." Ambassador Ahmadi manages articulate. "You are going to share your advanced technology with us to repair the Helios."
"That is precisely what we are offering to you." Lahí confirms. MY God this would be a game changer for Earth, and her people. This is almost to good to be true! I remember something my Father once said and it has stuck with me since. Nothing is for free.
No matter how good the offer is, it will come with strings attached. "Ambassador if I may." Basha turns acknowledging me. "Thank you. Now, I'll be honest this is beyond what we expected from you. But, what do you want in return for this gracious offer?"
The King smiles cunningly at me. "As always Captain you are a shrewd man. Always looking ahead; you are a good strategist."
I smile at this. "Well, I'm a good tactician if anything."
He looks at us with a serious expression on his face, and I wonder why he wants to do this. His brow is knitted and his eyes are focused on us. "Your people have displayed the ability to discern a situation and to act accordingly, as you said Captain good tactics." He returns to his seat.
"Captain, the truth is that the galaxy is at the brink of war." I already suspected this. "The Balharmahní are building alliances with many underdeveloped peoples across the galaxy." He looks at me in particular. "Then they arm them, train them and send them out to fight for them."
"Is this what your looking for from us? Some kind of primitive fighting force, that you buy with technology?" This won't happen if this is his plan for us! NO WAY!
His displeasure at my question is evident by his scowl, but it doesn't change my opinion or my reaction. "Captain." He keeps his tone even so his emotions don't show, but we can all see that I've irritated him. "I would never use your people as cannon fodder, this goes against our Warrior code to so." Well, now that I put a bit of a strain on our relationship and made clear that we are not going to be used we can talk.
"I apologize your Majesty if I have offended you, however we must represent the interests of the United Earth Alliance." I have to be the diplomat here and smooth things over with the King. Also, Jahní's almost in a panic and I can feel her heart beat very fast, and I want her to relax. "Now, if you want us to fight with you side by side as allies, then this is what we want as well."
The King's whole demeanor changes at my statement, and he nods his approval. "This is exactly what we seek with your government. True friendship is our intent, but we wish to help you reach your potential so we may fight side by side."
I just wanted to hear him say it because, I know the history of Earth really well. Many times our people have stabbed each other in the back more than once. So, this is at least going in the right direction. "Yes, this is our idea, so please let us know how soon we can start."
"Fonahn, please give the Captain the necessary security clearance for him to begin to move his people forward." Fonahn inclines his head to he king, though he shoots me a murderous gaze. I smile at him and incline my head to him in thanks.