I sit by myself in the room we are using noting down some of my thoughts, about this visit. Jahní's family are all basically nice, but they are Majah-tu in the end. Pride can be good, though it can also lead to problems down the road with others.
My comm unit chirps and I pick it up. "Go ahead Helios."
"Captain we have received a message from the Embassy at Majah Prime, that's marked urgent."
What could be the problem over there?
This means we'll have to cut the visit shorter than it already was. "Ok, we're on our way back up." I wish it didn't have to be, but duty calls. I go down to the main hall again and I find Jahní surrounded by some of her female family members.
I study them. Twelve women all told sitting and talking, laughing amongst themselves. The women of her family are beautiful; I can't take that away from them, but Jahní stands out from them like a shining star among lesser ones.
I can see why her people react the way they do, when they find out that we're pledged. The one with the Duster, who's name is Bahlínah-suahn and is one of her Aunts is not happy. She notices me and says something to the rest, and they all turn to me. Making me uncomfortable.
Jahní turns her gaze in my direction and suddenly my nervousness dissipates, and I walk into the room. Jahní stands up and they all rise. "Good evening ladies."
They incline their heads to me, which I return in kind. An older woman walks up to me smiling. "If only I would've known." She leaves.
I watch her leave the room; what the hell... I turn to Jahní and she smiles looking down. I shake my head as I now understand what she meant. "Well I can see that all of you have been so well entertained."
Jahní bites her lower lip. "Oh come now don't be so hard on her; we pushed her a bit to hard to talk." Her Aunt is trying to get Jahní off the hook, but she could've said nothing.
I glance at Jahní and I relent smiling. "Is this the most entertainment you have out here? I mean really."
The women chuckle, but Jahní comes to me her eyes down. I pick her chin up raising her eyes. "I should be stronger, but when they all inquired I was overwhelmed." I can feel that she really is sad at her lack of discretion.
"Hey, forget about it. Let's get back on track." I look at all the women all of whom have an expectant expression on their faces. "We need to head back to the Helios; something's about a going down back on Majah Prime that the Embassy is trying to get a hold of me."
She turns around and relays the news to them and they all seem to be worried for Jahní, they touch her affectionately bowing as they leave. "They still love me, even after all these years."
I put my arm around her waist. "They will always be your family and they will always support you."
We walk back to our room hand in hand, and I can't help wondering what would prompt the Ambassador to contact us. We enter our room packing up everything we brought down, which wasn't a lot to begin with.
I contact the duty officer of the Marines that came with us, and they dispatch the shuttle directly here. The shuttle lands in the open area behind the house where we board; leaving behind a sad group of people that bow to us, as a goodbye.
We land in the Helios's bay and have Jahní escorted to our quarters, while I head to the bridge. "Captain on the bridge."
"As you were." I walk over to the comm station. "Lieutenant I'll take it in my office."
He looks up at me nodding. "Aye Sir." I walk into my office sitting at my desk turning on my screen. It's a written message not verbal. I open it and after reading it I sit back; Damn it!
I pull out my comm unit. "Lieutenant Commander Meyers, please report to my office."
With minutes my Exo is knocking at my door. "Come in please." The door slides open and Sam enters. "Take a seat Sam." He does so, as do I.
"I just read the urgent message from our Embassy in Majah prime and it's not good for us."
He has questioning look on his face. "May I read it Sir?" I turn the screen to him and he puts his hand over his mouth, as he reads. "Is this authenticated?"
I take in a breath and let it out slowly. "Wether it is or not we have to assume it's accurate." He nods at this. "The ships weapons have already been tested, so we will have to be on combat alert from this point forward."
Sam sit back on the chair rubbing the short hair of his head. "So, these Barhalmahní have issued the threat to fire upon and destroy any Terran vessel they encounter outside, of what they consider Terran space."
"I don't think they will do that in Majah-tu space, or risk starting a war with them." I pop up a map of Majah-tu territories, which Earth actually falls within its boundaries. "The Majah-tu could technically engage any enemy vessel that fires on one of ours, which is only this one. Unfortunately, they won't."
Sam is incredulous and throws up his hands. "Politics is everywhere in the galaxy!"
I nod in Agreement. "You got that right."
"Sam, I need you take the com while speak to my wife." He nods. Sam is a good man and an excellent officer; I'll be sure to recommend him to be given command of the Helios when we return to Earth.
I stand as does he and we both step out. I watch him go to the bridge, as I turn towards our quarters. Once there I hesitate. I truly feel sad that we need to cut this shakedown short, but it will be leaving Jahní behind that will be the hard.
I step into our quarters and she sitting on the bed, and I can feel her emotional state. She turns to me with a sad expression. "Your taking me home aren't you?"
I look away from her. "It will be safer for you and the baby to be home."
I turn back to her. "I don't want to go home. I want to face whatever it is with you."
Walking to her I kneel down talking her hand. "My love. If I thought that it would be safe for you to come I would leave you here at my side." She looks away. "Please, don't be mad at me, for considering your safety and that of our child." I put my hand on her belly.
She puts hers over mine. "I know that it would the correct thing to do, especially having to put yourselves in a war footing."
How did she know. "Who told you about this?"
She picks up a small device; I've seen it before. It's a type of comm. "I received a recorded message from my Aunt just before we left. I know what's going on."
I smile nodding at how this family looks out for one another. "I would've thought less of your family if they hadn't informed you."
She laughs softly putting her hand on my face. "You are so clever and bright, like a young star. But, you must be careful and not let your cleverness get the better of you."
I understand what she means by that. I have to be on the ball. The lives of everyone ride on my decisions, and I can accept that. "I will lead them to the best of my ability and knowledge, that's my promise."
She pulls me in hugging me tightly. "Please come back to me! Please..." the tears roll down her face.
I bury my face in her bosom. "I'll come back to you
My Love. Count on it." I hold on to her tighter feeling her softness, and she cries softly. "Have faith in me, in my crew, in this ship."
"I will believe in you Ant." I stay there with her for a while. We lie together in each other's arms quietly feeling each other's heart beats, as time passes.
I need to get back to the bridge, and relieve Sam. "My love, I need to get back to work." Jahní holds me tight with her arms and she wraps her legs around me as well. "You don't want me to go?"
She shakes her head making me chuckle. "I will not let go of you Captain; you will not escape my trap."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"That means I'm going to have to use my secret weapon against you." I start to tickle her causing her to laugh and pull away, but I won't let her get away so easily. We keep playing until I wind up holding her down on the bed.
I look at her and she has that look on her eye, I kiss her like when we first made love. We hold on loving each other gently due to her pregnancy I have to be careful. I won't lose to these people who want to destroy us. No way I'm I going to lose.