They followed us. I don’t know why they aren’t attacking, instead choosing to lurk in the void between galaxies. Are they sleeping? Waiting? Are they satisfied with the destruction of our previous galaxy? Or is there something here that’s holding them at bay?
-Log A-348
“It looks like brain trauma, although the S’il Vala aren’t sure how it happened.” Ux’thu poured himself and Theo each a cup of tea, adding sweet cubes and cream. They couldn’t make sugar like could be found on Earth, but the fruit of the Asni tree created a potent type of sweetener with just a hint of berry to it which went well with the tea cultivated on Silva Prime. “They believe the mindscape device malfunctioned. They’re running tests on it now.”
Theo took the teacup, his forehead creased with a worried frown. “It left welts all over Maggie too, I know that some discoloration at the sensor sight is to be expected, but they aren’t usually that bad, are they?”
Ux’thu pondered the question as he climbed into his own nest-like chair, curling up comfortably with his tea. “Not usually, no. Although the device has undergone some recent changes. From what Reshka’i’s assistant said, she had modified it to allow herself to enter the mindscape of the Keyholder as well. I have no reason to believe the experiments went anything other than well for her to have taken the risk of hooking herself up into the thing.”
“Unless she was desperate for information she didn’t think she would be able to get any other way.” Theo said. “You know as well as I do that she doesn’t- didn’t, care much for human life. We were just research subjects to her. Ones that happened to be more likely able to accept a Key than most other races.”
“I’ll not deny she had her prejudices, but even if you believe she would harm Maggie, would she have done something to displease me?” Ux’thu raised one furry eyebrow, steam wafting up gently from the tea. “Even if I were not an ambassador, I was her friend.”
It was Theo’s time to sit silently for a moment, staring into the cloudy pink depths of his tea. Who was he to say what the woman might have done? He had never known Reshka’i personally, only meeting her on a couple occasions, and even then, only briefly. He had trusted Ux’thu to make sure she didn’t hurt Maggie. “I don’t know.” Theodrakis finally said, and took a sip of his tea.
“Well I trust that she wouldn’t have. Reshka’i was many things, but a fool was not one of them.” Ux’thu sipped his own tea, taking care not to spill any. “I want to send Maggie to the research center, where they are better equipped to help her.”
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Theo’s head came up, eyes widening slightly. “No. I said I don’t want to send her there, I know what they do in that place and I won’t have Maggie subjected to that type of treatement.”
The long tendrils on either side of Ux’thu’s snout drooped slightly, and he looked at Theo with a touch of pity. “Ah, I believe I misspoke. I am sending her to the research center. She will be leaving in the morning.”
“She’s my daughter, and I said no.” Theo’s grip tightened on his teacup as his voice rose, anger seeping into his voice.
“And I am her grandfather, more than that, I am a Silvarian Ambassador. This is in Maggie’s best interests, and in the best interest of the Alliance. She can get the training she needs and we can better find her ship, before someone else does. I will be sending Nora there as well, and of course you’ll be able to visit.”
“Visit? Ux’thu, she belongs here, if people want to train her they can come here to do so. Where I can make sure she’s safe and well cared for.”
“Do you think I would let my granddaughter go if I thought she would not be well cared for?” Ux’thu asked gently.
Theo clenched his jaw, staring at Ux’thu for a long moment before saying anything. “No. No I suppose not.” What else could he say? If he wanted to keep Maggie safe, he had to lie. If he was completely honest, he would say that if it were for the good of the Alliance, Ux’thu would do what he deemed necessary. And having a Key Holder and their ship was always considered good for the Alliance. They didn’t want to lose their lead in technology, or let a potential weapon fall into enemy hands.
“Of course not.” Ux’thu corrected, taking another sip of his tea. “We can go there together with them, and you will see where they will be living.”
“That would help, yes.” Theo downed the last of his tea, setting the empty cup on the table with a clink. “I’ll go tell them, give them some time to pack.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary. Why not just go spend some time with them? I know Maggie was already quite stressed by the events of today, let her relax before going off to the research center. They’ll have time to pack in the morning, and I know that Maggie doesn’t have much to pack at least.”
Theo frowned, but nodded. To not even give them any warning, what was Ux’thu thinking? Was he really thinking of Maggie’s well being? Or simply the advancement of the Alliance’s power? Did it even matter? He wasn’t going to let Nora and Maggie go to the research center. “I’ll do that, I’ll see you in the morning.”
Ux’thu smiled gently at Theo, giving a slight nod. “See you in the morning, try to get some rest tonight as well, we’ll likely be spending most of tomorrow at the research center getting them settled. Then hopefully it won’t be long before we travel to get Maggie’s ship.”
“Of course.” Theo bowed slightly to Ux’thu, before turning on his heel and striding out the door. It was possible Ux’thu really did think it was best for Nora and Maggie to go to the research center. After all, Ux’thu was one of the few people that wanted more rights for the humans in Alliance territory. But what they did to people there, the experiments, and the inability for people to leave... no, Theo wasn’t going to allow it. He didn’t want them to be trapped there. He had helped Nora run away before to avoid such a situation, he would just have to help her again. But perhaps this time, he could go with her.
