Knaleg: A Terraneu Novel (Book 3) (6 page)

Knaleg was happy that they were creating a council
for the females. Although he wasn’t sure how he felt about Catherine being one
of the members. She had the skills to be a good leader, if what Kneus had told
them was accurate. Her abilities in Earth military tactics and training might
be helpful to the women. He wasn’t sure how she felt about being here on
Terraneu yet. All of the other women had come willingly, choosing the change
and all that came with being here. Catherine had not come of her own free will.
Would she be able to adjust and be happy was the question.

He had to hope that the fact she had agreed to be on the council was a
good step forward. When she had requested someone to take her to her living
quarters and arrange for access to the systems he had almost volunteered. Just
before he opened his mouth to say he would do it, something held him back. He
wasn’t sure about the conflict he was experiencing and until he figured out his
feelings maybe it would be best to keep his distance from Catherine.

He found her physically attractive and he knew the other males of
Terraneu would as well. She would make an excellent mate for someone. If not
for his fear of her small size compared to his large one, he might try to court
her himself. There was the residual panic he felt whenever he remembered
Kniam’s nightmare. Until they made pregnancy safer for the women, how would a
tiny female like Catherine survive having a baby? If she even wanted children,
which he knew he did. When he chose a mate he would feel the same pain if he
were to lose her. He was trying to work through his fear, but admitted to
himself that maybe he would have to talk with someone. Maybe Gwen would be able
to help him get perspective. He just wasn’t sure if he wanted to take that step
right now.

With the meeting called and everyone shooed out by Gwen, he decided to go
to the training dome. A good workout was always helpful to clear his mind. When
he arrived he was greeted by some of the other males. There was the usual small
talk until one of them asked if he knew anything about Catherine.

They had taken an interest in her a lot faster than he had anticipated,
“I don’t know that much about her.” He hedged. This statement was technically
true. “I know she has a military background and is very stubborn.” That should
make her less appealing he thought to himself.

“So she has the same training in battle and tactics as we do?” Another
male inquired, sounding very interested.

Knaleg paused for a moment. This was not going exactly as he had thought
it would. “No I wouldn’t say that she has the
same
training. I’m not
sure how effective Earth military forces are.” If dropping his brother like a
bad habit in two seconds was any indication, Earth tactics were very effective.
In Kniams defense however it had been a complete surprise attack.

“We should ask her to train with us. That would give her a chance to get
to know more males, and we could see how skilled she is.”

Damn, what they suggested was a good idea. If he didn’t want to spend
less time with her until he talked with Gwen.

“Uh. I don’t know if that would be a good idea. She might be intimidated
by our size, or feel pressure…” he didn’t get a chance to finish his protests,
the males were too excited at the thought of a female willing and able to train
in battle tactics with them.

“We will go ask her and let her know that we would not harm her with our
superior skills.”

“I really don’t think…” before he could offer any further objections the
males had run off to ask Catherine to join them. Knaleg cursed under his
breath. Getting away from the tiny female was going to be a little harder than
he had originally anticipated. Maybe he would do a jaunt into the wilds of
Terraneu for a few days. That would work to keep his skills sharp, and get him
away from any temptations at the same time. With his mind made up, he let his
brothers and the council know he was going to be gone for a few days and went
to pack.

Catherine gasped in surprise and jumped back just in time to avoid the
blow aimed at her head. Spinning around she was able to land a kick to the male
in front of her, catching him in the stomach. He staggered and she used the
momentum carrying him backward to keep him on the defensive. She spun and
landed a well-placed hit to his right ear. Hoping that had his head ringing she
did a running jump onto his back, using her momentum to drag him to the mat. He
would have to spin and go down, or risk injury to his neck. With him down on
his back, and her straddling his chest he was “out”. Since it was the rules
they had come up with. If she could get a male down on the mat, flat on his
back, she was considered the “winner”.

“You lasted much longer that time! Good job, Jax.” Catherine smiled as
she took off the helmet that she wore to guard against too much damage. Her
hair was growing out at an incredible rate. It was almost to her shoulders, so
she shook it out so her helmet head wasn’t so obvious. She rolled to the side and
then stood up, holding out her hand to help her friend to his feet.

“You almost had me there for a second.” She hated to admit that he had
just about landed a hit on her today. Usually her speed and reflexes kept her
out of the way. It wasn’t that the males weren’t fast, they were exceptionally
so. She was just a bit faster.

“Did you have to strike the same ear as last time Cat?” Jax grumbled, “I
swear it was ringing for days. I don’t know how many “
mind
”
conversations I missed out on. Now you have gone and done it again!”

Catherine laughed not showing any sympathy, “Oh poor baby! Did you show
any consideration for me when you almost broke my ribs?” She paused thinking
back on their first sparring session. “Oh wait. You did help me around that
day…well sorry then. This padding doesn’t keep everything from hurting.”

Jax got over his sour mood at getting beat again and laughed. “Imagine
what we would feel without it.”

Catherine groaned, “I don’t even want to think about it.”

They had been walking to the edge of the mat. Jax suddenly got a serious
look on his face. Catherine studied his features and sighed to herself. Why
didn’t she feel any kind of spark when she was with Jax? She had been getting
to know different males, had even sparred with a few of them. Jax was her
favorite since he didn’t hold back with her, he just treated her like another
male on the mat. She enjoyed his company, they talked a lot about life and
different missions they had been on. He was tall like all the males of Terraneu
seemed to be and just as fit. His features were handsome, strong and appealing.
So why didn’t her heart flutter when she was near him? Why didn’t her palms
sweat because of attraction and not exertion? She sighed, your chemistry
reacted to who it reacted to…you couldn’t make your body feel what was not
there she supposed.

“Cat…” he cleared his throat, “I think we have become close friends, and
I would like to speak freely with you.”

Here it comes Catherine grimaced. Was he going to ask her out on a date?
Would he tell her he was attracted to her and wanted more than friendship? She
would have to let him down easy.

“Yes we are friends.” Catherine stressed the word, hoping it would stall
any proclamations of affection. “I hope you feel comfortable talking with me.”
Before she could expand on her statement he hurried to say.

“I would like to ask Lacey, the hair stylist on a date, and I was
wondering if you could tell me what you think is acceptable for a first
outing.” Jax blurted out.

Catherine was struck speechless. Her ego had just taken a direct hit!
Well, so much for having to let him down easy. She burst out laughing at her
own arrogance. When Jax looked at her as if she had taken a blow to the head
that he missed somehow she just shrugged off her humor.

“I’m sorry Jax. I’m not laughing at the thought of you asking Lacey out
on a date.” Catherine hurried to placate him, “I think it is a great idea. Now
what to do on your first date…hmmmm.” Catherine thought about it as she took
off and replaced the protective padding in its drawer. Just like the ones in
the living quarters, this drawer would do a UV cleaning of any material and
leave it spotless.

“Do you have any ideas of what she is interested in?” Catherine asked. On
Earth maybe you would go to a movie, or out to dinner. Perhaps take a walk on
the beach or have a picnic. She frowned to herself. The more she thought about
it, a lot of human interaction on Earth revolved around food. Here there would
be no breaking the ice over cooking or eating.

Jax thought for a minute, then rattled off the things he knew about
Lacey. Which was a surprisingly long list. He had really done his homework.
Catherine jumped on one particular thing, “That one…the horticulture hobby.
Maybe you could take her to the dome where the new flowers are being produced
and let her create one? Then she could plant it in her living quarters or
walkway, and would always think of you when she saw it?” Catherine hoped that
didn’t sound lame to him, because she was having her doubts.

“Cat that is brilliant. I knew you would have a good idea for our first
date.” Jax grabbed her into a bear hug. Spinning her around until she was
dizzy.

“Am I interrupting something?” A harsh voice bit out.

Jax stopped turning and put her on her feet next to him. The room kept
going around for a few more seconds then she was able to focus on the unsmiling
countenance of Knaleg. Returned from the wilds of Terraneu it would seem.

“Knaleg! Good to see you.” Jax called out cheerfully. “No you are not
interrupting. Cat has just helped me figure out the perfect first date.”

Catherine watched as color rose into Knaleg’s face, her eyes hungrily
drinking in his appearance. His hair had grown out and like hers had almost
reached his shoulders. Why did he appear so much more rugged and handsome to
her than she remembered? He was wearing the same clothing she had seen on
countless males, yet on him it made her mouth water. Now she felt fluttering in
her stomach?! Now she got sweaty palms and heart palpitations?! Why did it have
to be Knaleg? He was one of the most elusive and unyielding males she had met
so far on Terraneu. Even if she could get his attention, which he had to be
around for her to try…wait a minute! He was here now wasn’t he? There was no
time like the present she always said. If it was Knaleg that made her heart go
pitter-patter she might as well go for it. First things first, she needed to
know if the color creeping up his neck was due to the little green monster. She
knew how it had looked when he had asked if he was “interrupting” and Jax had
said, “First date” but not with who.

She put her arm around Jax’s waist. “I suggested the horticulture dome.
Making a new species of flower so it can be planted in the living quarters as a
memento of the date.” She had purposely kept her answer vague as to who was
going on the date to see how Knaleg reacted.

His hands fisted at his sides, and the color darkened in his face. His
eyes moved over her arm around Jax’s waist, then back to their happy faces.
“Congratulations on your dating status.” His voice was rough, and the smile he
tried to show didn’t quite reach his eyes. If her training meant anything she
would bet her seat on the council that Knaleg was jealous.

“What?” Jax was flummoxed for a second. “You think I asked Cat out on
date?” His eyes went from Knaleg’s to hers, “I am interested in Lacey as a
partner not Cat!”

It was Catherine’s turn to be offended. She punched Jax in the arm, “And
what is wrong with me?”

Knaleg’s humor had returned and he smiled, “Yes, Jax what is wrong with
Cat
as a partner?”

On the spot like he was made Jax break out in a sweat, “Well nothing.” He
looked between Knaleg and her apprehensively. “You know I am very fond of you
Cat. You are very attractive, have a great sense of humor, are great to talk
to, and are a very impressive fighter…” Catherine was appeased as he kept going
with the list of things he liked about her. Knaleg however had heard enough.

“We get it Jax.” He snapped out, “If she has such great qualities why
have you not asked her to partner you?”

Jax opened his mouth to answer, but Catherine stopped him. “Jax doesn’t
have to answer that. It is none of your business.”

Jax just stood there watching her then got a distant look on his face.
Catherine threw her hands in the air. “Fine ‘talk’ to each other telepathically
all you want. I have a meeting to get to anyways!” She needed to go to her
living quarters to shower and change since they didn’t have accommodations here
in the training dome. Maybe because they never smelled after exercise and never
felt the need to clean off the sweat. No matter how hard she worked out she
didn’t put off an offensive odor. Old habits were hard to break though so she
went home and got “clean” anyway.

As she made her way to the council dome she thought about ways she might
get under Knaleg’s skin. She needed to find out if he was attracted to her
because she refused to pursue a relationship with him if he wasn’t. Other
issues he may have could be dealt with or worked on. She knew that his first
impression of her wasn’t the best, and she hoped he could be brought around.
Getting jealous about her non-existent date with Jax was a good start.

 
“I am painfully aware that Cat
is not attracted to me in a sexual way, which is why I have not asked her out
on a date.”
Jax spoke in mind to Knaleg as he watched Catherine march out
of the training dome.

Knaleg frowned at Jax, “
I have only been gone for a week! How much
time could you have spent together that you would know she isn’t sexually
attracted to you?”

“We have spent every day sparring together here and talking during the
off time.”
Jax shrugged then yelped in surprise when he was tossed across
the room to land with a grunt on the mat.

“Are you telling me that
you
spar with Cat in physical combat?”
Knaleg was moving quickly toward where he had thrown the male.
 
Jax hurriedly jumped up and put his fists up
in self-defense.

“What are you angry about? Cat wears all of the protective gear and
enjoys the physical fighting.”

Knaleg tried to pull himself together. When Jax had said he trained with
Cat his first thought was of the harm that could come to her. She was so small
and the male across from him almost equaled him in size, it was unthinkable
that they would physically spar with each other. When he had left a week ago he
had assumed the smaller, less physical males would be matched up to spar with
Catherine. His second thought had been that Jax spoke of spending time
“talking” with her. Both of those statements had put him in a foul mood.

“There will be no more sparring with Cat, it is too dangerous for her.”
Knaleg stated emphatically. Turning to leave thinking the conversation was over
he was surprised when Jax began laughing. “What is so funny?” He glared at the
other male over his shoulder.

“I am just glad I am not the one who will be trying to tell Cat what she
can and cannot do.”

Knaleg wasn’t in the mood to deal with the male or try to make sense of
his words. Of course Catherine would do what was asked and not spar with the
males. He hurried out of the training dome before the other male could irritate
him any further.

When he entered the council chambers for their meeting he was surprised
to find Callum McPherson along with the regular members standing around. He
walked over and did the forearm shake that the council members used, and then
shook Callum’s hand like Earth humans seemed to like.

“Callum! It is good to see you.” The other council members all greeted
each other, then Kniam handed the meeting over to Knollig.

“Mairi is at the females council meeting next door, telling them all what
I am about to tell you.” Knollig had a huge grin on his face and Knaleg had a
pretty good idea what the information might be. “We had the scan done today to
make sure Mairi’s pregnancy is advancing normally, and to find out the gender
of our baby.”

His chest puffed up with pride and excitement. “We are having twin girls!
They are not identical like Knadyn and Knacayn, Gwen said something about
fraternal.”

Congratulations broke out around the room. Not only for Knollig who was
going to be the proud father but also for Callum who was going to be the proud
great-grandfather! Once the excitement died down, Knaleg asked for the floor to
see about setting a new rule.

“I would like to request that the females not be allowed to spar in the
training dome with the males.” Knaleg stated, “It is just too dangerous and
Caa…I mean the women could get hurt.”

Kniam’s eyebrow rose and Knaleg felt the color rise in his face over the
slip.

“I didn’t realize there were many females even
interested in sparring and are they not wearing protective gear to guard
against damage?” Ailech asked.

“They are.” Knaleg admitted, “But the risk of a break or other injury is
still there.” He insisted.

“I don’t know. That sport that the women showed the men how to play, what
is it called?” Thian searched for the word, “Oh yes…football! That game is
going to get someone hurt long before sparring in the training dome will.”

Asteen agreed, “I have also watched the females play against each other,
it is a very fast paced, physical game. I agree you are going to see a female
hurt on that field long before a male would hurt one in sparring.”

Knaleg wasn’t about to give up. Catherine was dainty and fragile dammit,
he was determined to save her from herself. “I have not watched that sport much
I admit, but I still think the females should be made to refrain from sparring
with the males.”

Kniam stepped in seeing that Knaleg was like Cebat with one of the
babies’ toys. “I will bring it up to the women’s council and ask them to vote
on it.”

Knaleg’s resolve stiffened, he knew that the women would more than likely
veto his idea. There was more than one way to get what he wanted though, and he
was already working out the details in his mind.

He only half listened as the council members went on about the business
of Terraneu. The swimming pool was coming along. The osmosis cleaning system
was in need of some tweaking. Kneus was given the task of attempting to get the
swimming pool up and running by the next celebration. Along with programming
the medical units with all the information they had so far on pregnancies,
birth and babies. Knadyn, Knacayn and Brennae would be scanned frequently to
get as much information as possible into the units.

Knaleg snapped out of his musings enough to offer, “I would be willing to
help in any way I can Kneus. Let me know what assistance I can be.”

Kneus smiled at him, “Thank you Knaleg. I know that you are busy with
McPhersonville preparations, and security measures. I will let you know if I
need your assistance.”

Kniam called the council meeting in recess for a few minutes. He would
bring the request that the females not train with the males to Amber and the
female council.