The humans in our care are growing restless. They see the opportunities and successes of the various species in the Alliance and wonder why they can’t enjoy the same opportunities, the same successes.

  I admit to wondering the same. Can a species largely regarded as primitive and violent succeed among the advanced species? Can they be captains, pilots, diplomats, even Si’l Vala? Or are they doomed to failure?

  -From the Journals of Ambassador Ux’thu

  ---------------------------

  By the time Theodrakis and Robin had stopped fighting, they were approaching a small island with glimmering iridescent sand buildings made of sweeping, flowing lines. They reminded Maggie of waves on the ocean, not that they had seen many of those. If it hadn’t been for the two men arguing, it would have been a nice trip. As it was though, Maggie was glad to see land. She stood up on the boat as it floated into an artificial cove and a dock that looked as if it had been made specifically for it.

  She was tempted to leave the tablet on the boat, but picked it up anyways. If they started arguing again maybe she could just shove it into her bag. “How far is it to where we’re going?” She wasn’t sure what to call it, Ux’thu’s place? Home? Apparently her father still lived with Ux’thu. Robin had said that humans couldn’t own homes on Silva Prime, or many other planets either.

  “We’re here.” Theodrakis said as he stepped out of the boat, holding out a hand to help her out. Maggie took it, stepping carefully onto the dock. “Ux’thu has the whole island, and some space beneath it as well. There’s some nice underground caves actually, I’ll show you your mother’s favorite one if you’d like.”

  Robin floated off the boat, remaining his full size. He looked over the island with its multiple buildings and gardens, but didn’t say anything. Maggie suspected he didn’t want to admit how nice the place was. She couldn’t help but gawk a little as she looked over the island. The whole place belonged to one person? Well, he was an ambassador, so he was probably rich. “The whole island? Jeeze, what does he do with it all?”

  “Well, there are gardens, swimming areas, the main house, and multiple smaller houses for the staff. Even most of the humans get their own house, unless they prefer to stay in communal housing. A lot of people your age prefer that, it gets them out of the family home and away from their parents.” Theodrakis smiled and headed up the short dock to a winding path that led to what had to be the main house. “We live in the main house. My status as Ux’thu’s adopted son grants us that right, and I never saw the point to having a house that I would hardly ever be in.”

  “How did that happen anyways? Did your human father die or something?” Maggie followed him, Robin floating along beside her, not even bothering to pretend to walk right now.

  “No, but he wanted a better life for me than that of a servant. So when Ux’thu started to test the children to see which ones showed promise, he had me take the test. There were five humans in all that Ux’thu sponsored, I was the youngest. Si’l Vala Tomas was the eldest and most recently-” Theodrakis paused a moment, glancing at Robin before continuing reluctantly. “Most recently abducted. He had been a doctor on Earth, and Ux’thu wanted to see if he could make it in Vala’ni’si’l.”

  “I remember hearing about that, the Council fought back hard to keep humans out of their precious institution.” Robin said.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “They did, but Ux’thu got us in anyways. He sponsored five of us, and most of us went on to do things they never thought humans could do. The only exception was Nora, who was selected to be a Key Holder instead. But even then, she was exceptional.” Theodrakis smiled, staring off into some distant past. “She fared far better than most Key Holders, and was able to do more with her gift.”

  Gift, right. Maggie looked down at her hand, the scars still there from where the Key had joined with her. The fact that it was scarred now instead of still an open wound still threw her for a loop. It had been such a deep wound! But considering she had also been shot through with a blaster, she supposed she shouldn’t let it surprise her.

  “I know you didn’t want it Maggie, but it truly is a gift. Without the Key, you would be dead now.” Theodrakis looked at her, smiling sadly.

  “Without the Key, I would still be on Earth.” Maggie said softly, but let it go. There was no point arguing about it, she just needed to accept it. And to be fair, she could do some really cool things now! She couldn’t wait to learn what else she could do.

  Starting to get into it now, eh? Te’chik’s voice whispered in her head, amused.

  Oh right. She couldn’t forget about the voices in her head. No. Privacy. She should really mention them to Robin at least, but by this point it had been so long that she was embarrassed to.

  Theodrakis set a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I know. But we can’t change the past, we can only work to build a better future. It may be selfish of me, but I’m glad you’re going to be a part of my future.” He said, smiling warmly at her.

  Maggie returned the smile and nodded. “Right. Let’s go check out-” She froze as she caught sight of two figures coming down the path towards them. Two impossibly familiar figures. “Mom? Aunt Electra?”

  Theodrakis followed her gaze, freezing as well, his eyes widening and mouth opening.

  Then he was moving at a run, all dignity forgotten as he scooped Nora up out of her wheelchair in a tight hug. Maggie was shocked to see him shaking, her mother letting out a laugh as she lightly hit him on the shoulder. “Put me down! I’m angry at ya!”

  “Nora...” Theodrakis buried his face in her curly red hair. “Nora what are you doing here?”

  “I came because someone stole our daughter! Were you behind it?” Nora demanded. But she was smiling, tears in her eyes. “So help me God, Theo if you are responsible for this!” She left the threat hanging, unfinished.

  “I’m not, I didn’t! The Freedom Coalition took her, it was a mistake. They didn’t mean to. What are you doing here?” Theodrakis set Nora down in the wheelchair, unable to take his eyes off her. “How are you here?”

  Electra smirked, her eyes sparkling, but there was a dangerous edge to her voice. “We’re resourceful. Maggie, are you alright?”

  “I’m fine. You- you’re really here?” Maggie stepped forward, clutching the tablet like a lifeline. It was impossible, even if she accepted that her mother had been from space, how the hell had they gotten out here? How had they gotten here of all places? How had they known where to find her?

  “Yes, we’re really here.” Electra’s look softened, and she wrapped Maggie in a tight hug. “There’s much to explain, but not out here.” She looked around, eyes lingering on the few people that were out wandering or tending to the gardens. “There’s too many eyes and ears.”

  “Theo, is our spot still secure?” Nora asked, looking up at Theo.

  “It is. Of course it is. I’ll take you there. But should you even be here? And you’re in a wheelchair... God, I didn’t want to believe it.” Theodrakis couldn’t take his eyes off Nora. He shook his head and straightened his jacket, standing up just a bit straighter, almost at attention. “I should get a doctor for you.”

  “Not now. You have a lot of explaining to do as well. I want to know how our daughter got here of all places. Especially if she was taken by the Freedom Coalition.” Nora looked past Theodrakis, her own expression softening when she met Maggie’s eyes. “Hello Maggie-my-love. I’ve missed you.”

  “Hi Momma....” Maggie said softly, and hurried forward to give Nora a tight hug, closing her eyes tightly as she inhaled the familiar scent of her perfume. It was impossible, but she wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Her mother was here, and if she was here, maybe they could fix her legs and she could walk again. It was what she had wanted to begin with after Robin had mentioned miracles.

  She was surprised to feel tears running down her face, her shoulders shaking as she started to sob. “I didn’t think I’d ever get to see you again.”