Lake, Ciara - Xihirah [Xihiran Shifters 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) (3 page)

“I see,” Kael shot a quick glance at the other four men before focusing on his father.

“Kael, you may delegate meeting the other dignitaries who will be arriving much later, after today’s setting of our suns, to your subordinates. My assistant will give you a list of the dignitaries with their estimated arrival times to distribute.” Sovereign Braeden turned to face the gathered men. “However, I prefer you and you alone to deal directly with the Kriton’s Minister and his staff. We can’t afford to alienate or offend the Kriton world. They hold too much power and wealth in the Fiaxe Galaxy to slight them in any way. I don’t want nor need any problems with the Kriton government. We need to solidify our relationship by being as agreeable as is possible to their proposals regarding the Realmist. Do you understand?”

Kael nodded in agreement.

“Greet them hospitably, escort them to their quarters. Make sure they’re refreshed, rested prior to the midday meal and upcoming meetings of the Council. We will be suitable hosts for the Council’s requirements.” Kliven pointed his finger at Kael. “Don’t distress or scare them with your inherent mannerisms. Try to act more like an Earthen human. Recall that Minister Vitalion is slightly skittish of us Xihirians. I’m certain his staff members are like he is, weak, puny, and frail. Do all you can to prevent the good Minister from fainting in the heat yet again.”

“All right, Father. I recall Minister Vitalion is a rather weak male and cowardly. He reeks of dishonesty. His very presence raises my hackles,” Kael snarled. “Why have they asked us, of all planets, to host this Council meeting?” Kael asked in an irritated tone. “We’re not like them. We’re strong warriors, not weaklings.”

“Take it easy, Kael. I can smell the tension rolling off of you.” His father paused and moved to sit behind his desk. With a quick dismissive glance at the others in the room, he turned back to Kael. “By the way, I hear you’re beating your officers to a pulp during training,” his father censured and tapped the desk impatiently.

“I’ve been training hard to maintain my fitness to better serve your Royal Lordship,” Kael replied quickly.

“Is that your asinine excuse for beating your men to a pulp? Your mother is troubled by all the rumors that you’re increasingly difficult in polite society,” his father complained.

“Tell her not to worry about stupid rumors,” Kael snapped back.

“Don’t be disrespectful to me, Kael,”

“Yes, Father, I don’t mean to be disrespectful. I’m just tired and rumors are always stupid.”

“Just remember who you’re talking to. Don’t screw this up with the Kritons or the Council members. I have no choice but to send you. You must be our emissary since you’re the head of our military. Be forewarned, I’m neither happy with that choice nor with your actions at the moment. I caution you to keep your Wolfton Alpha Prime traits under control. If you do anything to jeopardize this meeting, I’ll pound you to a pulp myself before I assign you to taking your mother shopping. That’ll be your primary responsibility,” his father vehemently threatened.

“Father, I haven’t engaged in polite society lately. Mother’s hearing unreliable information about me. I don’t do shopping well, especially with my mother or my sisters. These types of threats don’t help my mood. Plus, quite honestly, I’m not going to shirk my duty. You’ve assigned me to play envoy, and I’ll do it to the best of my ability. Let’s just leave it at that.” Kael’s eyes gleamed brightly with annoyance.

“Don’t take that tone with me,” Kliven warned. “I’m your father and your Sovereign. I strongly suggest that you don’t forget those facts.”

Kael nodded his head in respectful acknowledgement. “Yes, Father, I live to serve Xihirah and my Sovereign.”

Kliven got up from his desk and took a seat closer to Kael. He leaned in toward Kael and more gently stated, “Now that we’ve got that settled, you haven’t attended any of the family gatherings or meals since Klayvin and Mariel’s Joining Ceremony. Your siblings miss you, not to mention your mother and me. Is there a problem with one of your siblings?”

“No, of course not, I’ve just been busy,” Kael explained. “Training takes a lot of time, effort, and planning. It wears me out after long days of simulated battle exercise.”

“I find it objectionable that your mother’s unhappy. I’m upset that you’re the cause. I’ll not have my mate distressed because her son doesn’t know how to act around family and friends. You need to snap out of your current foul attitude, now. You must visit with your mother and sisters. Do you understand me, Kael?” He paused for Kael to nod silently. “Good. The Kritons have asked us to host this Council meeting in preparation for their meeting with the Realmist on the Delore Moon. That’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’ll provide meeting rooms, meals, consultation, security, and our general hospitality. I’m pleased that the Kritons have asked our world to provide assistance. It’s a good way to build positive relations with Kriton.”

Kael stiffly nodded, “I can’t believe they’re planning on negotiating with the fucking Realmist Terrorist. Is this the idiot Minister Vitalion’s lame idea? That puny male’s worthless, even for a Kriton humanoid,” Kael growled out. “No one can rationally discuss things with monsters like Clitax Tomron. He blows up medical facilities, schools while calling us abominations. How can you negotiate with the mentally ill who harbor that kind of prejudice? This seems an exercise in futility, trying to negotiate in this ridiculous scheme.”

Again, Kliven got up from his chair and paced the room. “Whether it’s stupidity or not, Kael, we’ve given our word to provide a safe environment for those people. Have your opinion, but keep it to yourself while these talks are happening. I won’t have anyone saying there’s no unity within our kingdom of Xihirah.” Taking his seat at his desk, he exhaled. “Now, you only have a short amount of time before you’ll need to meet the Kritons at the Spaceport Terminal. Just please remember to not insult the Minister or his staff. Kriton’s too important to alienate. To all outsiders we’ll appear committed to this plan. With all the attacks, commerce is affected. If we can’t get new buyers, then the need for our technology decreases as does our sales as does the money in the coffers. I’m not prepared to go to war over this. War’s costly, and the rewards are minimal,” Kliven stated.

“How do you go to war with dishonorable terrorists anyway? It’s like fighting shadows. But, talking with criminals, working deals with the likes of Tomron is insanity.” Kael shrugged. “However, Father, I’ll support your decisions. I may not fully agree with them, but I’ll keep my opinion to myself, for now.”

“Kriton and the Council members have a plan. Our part is mostly based on our natural talents as warriors. They feel that meeting here first is a more secure work environment to develop a working agenda. Our agenda is to stay in the good graces of Kriton and the Council of Planets. This is important to our commerce. I believe that Xihirah should be free of Realmist spies or sympathizers. Further, the Kriton Minister will be asking for assistance from our Elite Military Force to provide security for the meeting’s participants while the meetings are taking place even if some of the meetings are off Xihirah. We’ll listen to the Council’s plans and provide whatever assistance is reasonably requested. This all directly and indirectly benefits Xihirah. I may not totally agree with the plan to negotiate with a terrorist and his organization either, but I’ll not prevent the efforts,” Kliven declared.

“The Realmist hate our kind. Why would we be the appropriate choice for a security force?” Kael inquired.

“Yes, I know what you mean, but we’re the best military security force in the galaxy. The Realmist are weak, Earthen-type humanoids. We’re strong, and we leave an authoritative impression. They won’t even recognize that we’re Xihirians. Our military presence will provide a considerable show strength and maintain order. Hopefully, it’ll keep the participants safe. We’re to blend with them,” Kliven emphasized.

Kael regarded his father with raised brows, “Is that possible, to blend with humanoids such as them?” Kael questioned.

“We’ll make it possible. The communication specialist that’s accompanying the Kriton Minister can assist in helping us learn to blend. We’ll use smaller Xihirian soldiers. Kleave has been working on a medication that’ll help control our eyes from changing with our emotions,” Kliven explained.

“Great, so we get to walk around on experimental drugs to hide who we are so that we don’t create any tension,” Kael spat.

“Attitude, Kael,” Kliven reminded his temperamental son. “It’s time to make your way to the Spaceport Terminal. Before you go I want to speak to Kael alone.” Kliven addressed the other officers who had quietly listened.

“Yes, Father,” Thyson answered for the others.

After the door had closed tightly behind the others, Kliven addressed Kael on a more personal level. “I believe I know the true reason for your moody temperament and your absence from the Palace. I noticed a change in you after the recent Joining Ceremony. I’m more like you than you know.” Kliven slapped him on the shoulder. “That’s why we clash at times, my son. I assume you’re concerned that you don’t have a mate and your younger brother has had the fortune to find his. I can see that you’re distancing yourself for self-preservation. I do comprehend what troubles you, and I know you love your brother. At times being an Alpha Prime is trying, and we suffer from deeper and often more violent emotions. I wanted you to know that I recognize more than you may realize. I know I’m often hard on you, but you’re my Alpha Prime Son. Your mother and I love you dearly. We do both understand the weight of your position within our family and the duties that come with it. Kliven placed his hand on Kael’s shoulder as he assured his son. “Now, the Kriton Space Transport will be landing shortly, and I need you to focus and be the Alpha Prime male leader you were born to be. Thyson will assist you.”

“Yes, Father.”

“There will be four in the Kriton party. The Minister, his assistant, the communication specialist and his assistant will make up the party. Take them to the west wing of the Palace. Show them their quarters, see to their comforts, and allow them to rest before midday meal. I expect you to escort them to the dining hall for our midday meal. I’ll meet them there. I’ve requested that your mother, perhaps two of your brothers, if they can make it, will join us there. Kael, you’re to attend all meals, formal or informal meetings. I’ll permit no excuses. You’ll be my successor one day; therefore, you must attempt to become more accustomed to these political exercises. Now enough of me lecturing. Get going. You need to prepare, and don’t be late meeting our guests.”

Chapter Three

The Kriton flagship eased past the other smaller vessels awaiting docking instructions. The flagship was enormous and dwarfed other ships. It was the largest spaceship currently in existence and the fastest ship in the known universe. Its purpose was political, not for war. Its silver hull gleamed in the light like a precious metal. It was truly a magnificent piece of machinery. An elaborately etched emblem on its underbelly told of its origin. Kriton was a wealthy world. This ship demonstrated its immense wealth. Large metallic clamps stretched out like arms to embrace the ship as it docked. The ship’s docking clamps worked in harmony with the station’s hydroindrolics clasping system. Kael eyed the hydroindrolics with pride and watched it work to secure ships coming into dock. His brother’s docking system was an incredible invention, and it amazed Kael that his brother was responsible for such a technological feat. Braeden Tech was busy installing the hydroindrolics system at every reputable space station across the Fiaxe Galaxy, including Earth. On the way to the Kriton terminal ramp, Kael stopped to admire his military space disk at its docking location.

“Good Sunrise, Admoncor Braeden.” Obviously startled by the Admoncor’s sudden appearance, the junior officer jumped to attention. Kael nodded, returned the young man’s quick, sharp salute. “Would you like us to prepare your space disk for departure?” The officer inquired.

“No, continue with the scheduled maintenance. I’m heading to the Kriton terminal ramp on official business.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” The soldier swallowed audibly. Quickly he returned to his duties.

* * * *

“That gown looks stunning on you, Saleeya. You’re going to make an excellent impression,” Mia complimented Saleeya.

“Thank you, Mia. You don’t look bad yourself. Are we ready to meet with Minister Vitalion on the observation deck? He’s extremely restless, from what the messenger said.”

“He’s always agitated about something.” Mia shrugged. “I don’t think he wanted Kriton to participate on Xihirah.”

“Surely, you don’t think he’d want to compromise these important proceedings.”

“No, it’s just a feeling from when we met back on Kriton. He seemed to be rather displeased with the Council’s decision to include the Xihirians and the selection of Xihirah as the meeting place,” Mia explained. “No matter. Come, we’ve no time to stand here to discuss it. If we’re to get there on time, we must leave now.” Saleeya shrugged. “I hope Admoncor Braeden won’t be there to greet us, to give Minister Vitalion time to relax. But, I really don’t understand Vitalion’s fear.” Saleeya rushed around gathering her things to pack them away.

“This planet’s a humid jungle. And I’m guessing that Vitalion’s already sweating even before we disembark.” Mia informed Saleeya, “Vitalion’s a brilliant politician, but he isn’t a warrior, and dealing with this warrior race must intimidate him. From what I’ve read, Admoncor Braeden’s mere presence can be threatening. Vitalion, I’m certain, will appreciate it if you take over the initial pleasantries with the Admoncor.” Mia explained, “The Xihirians are respectful of women and often give women positions of power in their local government. They don’t send their women off-world. They’re too protective of their females to do that. However, they easily listen to female diplomats. So, there’ll be no problem with you fronting the greeting. They respect women of intelligence and knowledge. In truth, the Admoncor’s mother is from Earth. She was a Senator from Toronto, New America, before she mated with his father.” Mia opened their room’s access door to head toward the observation deck to meet the Minister.