Hesparia's Tears (19 page)

She applied the impromptu cold packs and once she was satisfied that she had undone as much of the damage as she could she applied her makeup. It was a little heavier than usual and she frowned at herself in the mirror. Then she hunted out her best clothes before scurrying into the living area where she grabbed her bag and key card.

Opening the door to the corridor, she gazed at Danni, who’d pulled up a chair and waited. “Never thought you were coming out.” Danni peered closely. “Are you okay?”

Jessa nodded smiling then she let loose a small laugh. “Of course I am.” But Jessa was sure Danni could tell that inside she was falling apart.

They hurried into the elevator and when they emerged the manager scurried forward, before escorting them to the waiting car. As they strapped themselves in, Danni’s phone rang.

“Hello?”

Jessa watched her eyes and saw them widen. Apprehension crawled over her body. What had happened? “They’re ready?” The words were an excited squeak. “Okay… Yes, we’re on our way.”

As Danni hung up, Jessa urged her silently to tell her. “So? Who was that?”

“It was Seth.” Jessa waited. “They are ready to make a formal announcement.” Danni turned and rapped on the window. “Go as fast as you can.”

The driver nodded, and made a quick call. Then the car shot forward.

* * * *

Galan paced. He’d known something was wrong with Jessa and he couldn’t understand what it was. He knew both Seth and Joras wondered what he was about. The last few days she had withdrawn, in subtle ways. But he was sure she understood. He had to resolve the situation with the people of Earth. Then they could be together. And now, just moments ago, they had received a notification that a decision had been reached. His skin crawled as if thousands of insects had invaded his clothes.

He reminded himself that he would focus on their relationship once this was out of the way. The days of to-ing and fro-ing had been endless. But his father had instructed him that any such meetings would be necessary to achieve the desired outcome. So he’d listened to their short sighted arguments. How would they pick the women? How could he guarantee their safety? He’d wanted to laugh in their faces at that. Safety? These women were in more danger of being smothered with affection by the men who desired life partners.

Then they had started trading for technologies, physician training and finally weaponry. He’d assured them that the technology was something the Hesparians were more than happy to supply and teach the humans to understand. The physician training could be handled by an exchange program. But the weaponry had caused him more than one concerned moment. They were a pacific culture, he had reminded them. Weaponry was something they had little interest in. After seeing the newscasts, he had already come to the conclusion that they might only use it to increase their territories. Something he knew his father would not entertain. So he’d put them off.

He’d also noted the way they’d eyed off Jessa. He’d been quite uncomfortable and angered with the dismissive way some people had treated her. But he’d kept his feelings on those matters to himself.

Lost in his own ruminations, he reacted with surprise as the door opened. Danni and Jessa entered together. He smiled. Not only would Jessa have Seth with her on Hesparia, but now she would also have Danni. He watched as the two women had forged a strong friendship. It pleased him that she would have a friend and confidante.

“Have they made the announcement yet?” Jessa asked the words in a rush. He gazed at her. She might be impulsive and impetuous, but she was also truly beautiful all the way through.

He reached for her hand. “Not yet.”

She accepted his touch and that pleased him. He had a good feeling about today. After all, he had offered the people of Earth a range of things that would’ve taken them generations on their own to achieve. And this morning’s meetings had ended on what he would consider to be a positive note. He had made it clear they could not have their alliance without the agreement of the women migrating to Hesparia.

His people milled around, Joras waited silently on the seat reviewing notes and Seth and Danni sat together, their hands entwined. Seth would be invaluable to them when they got home to Hesparia. He would push for him to be absorbed into their Foreign Relations department. Danni could either take up a position in the same department or he could see if there was a suitable position for her in the guardian unit. He was sure that should the announcement go the way he envisaged it would be easier for all from this point on.

A knock came and he stood as the door opened. “Captain Galan? Could you and your people please join us in the Assembly Hall?” The young man who made the announcement indicated the room at the furthest point from where they had waited.

Galan nodded. The moment they had all been working towards had come. They rose, and took positions, calmly traversing the corridor towards the big doors which opened for them. They moved in silence down the steps towards the podium in the great hall. The Secretary General smiled in welcome and behind him the Prime Ministers of Australia, Great Britain and the President of the United States waited.

He could feel the trembling of Jessa’s hand in his but right now, he was focused. His escorts indicated the position he had taken the first time he had addressed the assembly.

The Secretary General cleared his throat and opened with remarks about the enormity of the decisions they had been discussing. How they had never expected in their life to make any form of contact, let alone that it would be a diplomatic mission. Jessa squirmed slightly in her seat. Galen smiled, hoping that the talkfest would soon be over.

The Prime Minister of Australia then took over, telling about her first meeting and the things the Hesparian Envoy people had already done for those in the small town where they had made their first contact. The healing that had occurred and the chance they could grasp to make leaps in health care. After she’d finished, she smiled almost benignly and Galan wanted to laugh at the attitude of motherly caring that sat so oddly on her face.

Then the Prime Minister of Great Britain took over. “We have taken every care to address the issues raised by members of the Assembly. In each and every meeting, we have carried your queries and questions to the Hesparian delegation.” He stopped and scanned the assembly room. “We have taken your concerns on board and have sought ways to mitigate your concerns.”

“To that end…” The President of the United States took up the lead. “It has been resolved that we, the people of Earth enter into a diplomatic agreement with Hesparia. As an act of good faith, we give permission for three hundred women to migrate to Hesparia. They will be offered training, housing and if…” He stopped and Galan leant forward, eagerly waiting the full pronouncement. “If they choose, they can then enter into a marriage like agreement.”

The speaker for Great Britain took over again. “We will also set up a diplomatic headquarters on Hesparia. Captain Galan has assured us that the requirements of transport will be made available to us and one will be placed in each of the continents of our planet. In return, Earth will enter into an exchange where our doctors and physicians learn from theirs and return home with that knowledge and skill. Technicians will travel to Earth and train our best and brightest so that within seven years, we should have the capability and expertise to undertake interstellar travel on our own.”

As the woman’s words died away the room erupted into cheers and shouts. Not all in total agreement he noted, but the majority found the declaration to be positive he saw with satisfaction.

“The process…” The American held up his hands, silently requesting the members to cease their noise and resume their seats, many having risen during the announcement. “The process of choosing the women will be undertaken by each country. Each of our member countries will be allotted a share of the positions.”

Galan looked at Jessa, she was smiling but he detected a hint of sadness too.

“Why are you sad?” He spoke quietly to her, but she shook her head. This was a moment of triumph, not sadness. He wanted to grab her but she looked away.

“Captain Galan?” The words surprised him and he looked up. “Will you address the assembly?”

He stood and made his way to the lectern, looking for some way to concentrate when he was both frustrated and concerned at Jessa’s attitude. He looked out. The sea of expectant faces waited.

“On behalf of Hesparia. On behalf of my people, I thank you. And I thank your people.” He inhaled deeply. “It is on this momentous occasion that we can take pride in the fact that our two races can once more be together. Learning to co-exist peacefully and enhancing each other’s great civilisations. That together, united we can grow and develop safe in the knowledge that this is but the first of such diplomatic alliances that we shall form together.” He bowed deeply and stepped away.

Jessa stood and smiled, but he could tell it wasn’t a real one and his sense of disquiet grew again.

And in time to the beating of feet and clapping of hands, they followed the dignitaries up the stairs and out of the room.

They proceeded together to an office she had not previously entered and were invited to sit. Jessa took the seat farthest from Galan and the officials, checking out the heavy woods and reds of the décor. It was comfortably furnished but to her mind quite soulless. She much preferred Galan’s office on the Princess Gospah. The way the ship reacted to her emotions.

She watched the dignitaries smile socially while refreshments were offered and she accepted a cup of tea. Galan had, during his time on earth, professed that he had enjoyed the taste of coffee so he accepted his and sipped. She drank in his mannerisms knowing their time together was coming to an end and trying hard not to let it show just how deeply that knowledge cut.

The Prime Minister of Australia sat down opposite him. “So, let’s nut out how many each country should provide towards your target. I’d like to know just how you intend to transport them, of course.” She smiled once more but as always, it never reached her eyes.

Galan inclined his head. “Of course. I have a ship waiting just beyond your moon. It has berthing facilities for six hundred, but with its crew of nearly ninety I feel that we can make the situation adequately comfortable on the six week journey.”

The Prime Minister looked shocked. “You were so sure of our determinations?”

“No. But we wanted to be prepared in case you gave agreement. We will transfer them over a period of about a week in your time. My ship is capable of planetary travel, unlike the one awaiting us in Australia.”

He smiled blandly. “Of course, we will send Seth and Jessa ahead of us to facilitate the comfort of the women.”

“Oh dear. You do seem to be under some misapprehension. Neither should have an automatic entry into the ballot for migration.” The President sat forward in his chair. “You see, with Miss Bankia’s history and Mr Bock’s skills, neither would be what we would consider appropriate.”

Galan tensed and Jessa watched nervously. “And you seem to be under some misapprehension, Miss Bankia and Mr Bock have both become members of my crew in the last few weeks. They are upstanding and honest as well as loyal. I will not leave either behind.” His face was set and his lips thinned. Jessa gulped as her stomach churned. She was not going to buy into this argument, because she knew she wasn’t going with him.

“Captain Galan…”

He stretched forward smiling. “Actually in your terms, it’s High Prince Galan. Jessa will be my consort. It is my intention that Seth will act as our technical advisor. I will not leave either behind.” They sat back, their faces white with shock. Neither had seen his true position coming. As Jessa sneaked a look, Agent Foley, Seth and Danni seemed to betray no surprise.

“I would also like to include both Agents Foley and McCall in advisory capacities for now. If you wish to draw from the three hundred to cover their inclusion, so be it.” He spread his hands expansively.

They huddled together and Galan sat back, obviously very sure of himself and his position.

“High Prince Galan… We do feel, quite strongly that neither would be able—” The Prime Minister once more began only to be cut off, mid-sentence.

“Unless that is acceded to, then our agreement is over. Then you will need to propose to your world an alternative plan. This has already been announced. Amidst great fanfare. It will also leave our alliance in tatters. It’s both or nothing.” His eyes glinted and she saw their reactions to his comments and the air of determination. “Is it really worth the angst and embarrassment?” He smiled, easing back in his chair and Jessa was reminded of a childhood song, reminding her to never smile at a crocodile. He looked to be all gnashing teeth and shining eyes, and she knew instinctively he was ready to argue with them. It was a side of Galan she had never seen before and she nearly inched away in reaction.

They huddled again for a moment, chattering urgently and there was shaking of heads, more quick talk followed by nods. The President now became their spokesperson. “Of course, we would be more than pleased to accede to your requests. How soon do you intend to begin the recruitment?” He was smooth, Jessa would give him that, watching as he switched gears from the vanquished diplomat to conciliatory conspirator.

Then they settled back, discussing the logistics of the ballot. Australia, England and America would each take fifty positions, leaving the remainder for other countries, allowing for those who conscientiously objected during the voting sessions. It would be based on a suitability matrix drawn up of those with the necessary abilities for an agrarian lifestyle, allowing for women between the ages of twenty-one to thirty.

The meeting drew to a close and they left once more in the motorcade for the hotel, Galan and Joras both smiling widely. While Jessa brooded over what had taken place.

Chapter Ten

Galan watched as Jessa lowered herself into the seat. After nearly two and a half…
weeks
—and he privately doubted he would ever easily get used to the human terms—in New York, he was ready to get back to the
Princess Gospah
.