King Challet continued. Zheien love long speeches. Elsie looked kind of bored, but held Nespa’s hand. They looked cute together. Wulai’s his healer. I worried. An Ishah man sat with them looking sad.

“My healers there are happy that now there is a Rainbow Unwell Colony on Rahn Estar for workers. Wasa Mai oft came to me with concern for our shipbuilders, whom had many injuries from overuse of their telepathy, or injuries from moving heavy equipment.

“Automation avoids the largest part of this, but we wished, long, to provide healing. Now, with Pirad’s help, we can offer healing to all 20,000 workers. As you may know, Areon has four new shipbuilding worlds that it built recently, and brought with its star system. They advised Wasa Mai and offered plants and animals for Rahn Estar for parks to please workers, and grow foods from their homes. Now Rahn Estar has these parks among the residences of the workers, and they produce more work!

“Other shipbuilding facilities see this and plan to do the same. Instead of a landscape of rocks and barren, poison sand, workers walk past small squares with plants and animals. They may take of fruits and edible flowers or healing herbs. Animals are available as companions in their homes. People are happier.

“Harmful substances are filtered from winds and sands, and traded. What poisons one species might nourish or heal another. The Nefcot Ring gives energy for all manner of useful progs, to find these new resources and markets for them.

“Tech is nae limited now. All of you know how Ishah is poisoned from Elshar-owned mines, but even Ishah could mitigate effects so mortality is from hunger, nae mine poisons, but for workers. Ishah’s population grew constantly from imports of workers, so, like Zheien worlds, they were unaware of how high their mortality was. King Dai’nos provided means for large numbers to emigrate during the Panic, and King Theaspaura of Fhiah advised him to send them to worlds of Alb and provided great ships for them.” He spread his wrinkled fingers wide, and his arms. A thin Zheien.

“Among those who arrived, we received great numbers of healers able to work, and with food and healing, they work and have happiness. But, fully half have unwells preventing work, and many spent time in mines and have poisonings. Pirad hopes to cure most of these, but some of his cures take much time. King Dai’nos is taking measures to heal his people, and most did nae move! Ishah are also a mixed people. They are nae as healthy as once we believed. Pirad is helping them.

“And, he is helping us. New progs run to try to detect unwells. We found that many of our workers on Rahn Estar needed healing and obtained it! And, former slaves who need useful work can now choose our shipbuilding and weapons facilities among many other places in Alb, with healing available that enables one to keep working! All that need rest may do so until their healers tell them they may work again.

“I wish to thank those who wrote progs while slaves came to join us. Our Earthans who write progs, our new server instructors, are learning quickly and saved many of our lives! I speak of Peh Ras’ new wife Sharon, Camen’s new wife, Lindy, Pondaiash’s new wife, Leyla, Farleikon’s new wife, Ella, and Elsie, who saved lives tonight!” I smiled at them all. How Elsie needed that!

“Thank you very much for your help to us! Your ideas gave Peh new ideas, and he tells me Earthans on other worlds of Alb are also changing our thinking! Father Of All blessed us with you, and I hope all my Earthans will tell us of any problems. We will assign a governor for your Earthan Colony soon, but until you give us your opinions, Millie, a cloned sa of Molly, will be your Governor. Bedelia is your new council member. Tell her of all your concerns.”

I stood up so everyone could see me. Stacy studied me, that look of, ‘I’m going to remember her for later.’ I smiled at her. She still had tension in her, like she’d need to get her kids and run any minute.

“All provs of Elshar Zheiea touch your borders, that we may know of your well, and you may choose which of our provs are dear to your heart and ask citizenship from our kings. There is nae limit of which citizenships you may hold, from Elshar Zheiea or any other world of Alb. We wish all to be happy, and with citizenship comes protection.

“We encourage all Earthans to add at least one citizenship. Your Earthan citizenship of your native country remains, unless you have a reason to wish to sever it. Diplomats are happy to explain any part of Unified life to you. We are Unified but also Alliance, so if you have questions, please, ask.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“When we leave here, we go to Rainbow. Friends may stay by you. While there, you may design a home or site your existing home. You may place your possessions there, or keep them in our alt storage. Any pets you may have with you may stay by you, and we have progs to protect them as well as you, and they are entitled to healing and foods.

“If you wish a pet, animals will be on the commons and any who stay by you are yours. They, like you, have a record to show whom they prefer. Our pets may choose whom to stay beside. This includes riding animals and large animals. They can sleep on the bed with you or on the floor by your bed.” I wanted a pet, but didn’t ask Keiley if he already has one.

He looked to a room with his picture on it, and a silver gelsai bounded out. They have six legs and are big as a German Shepherd! She sat by his right leg and rubbed her head against it like a cat. Her triangular ears definitely reminded me of a cat, as did her huge eyes. But they had round pupils like ours. Blue, and turned light when he petted her head. A wave, and we saw her record. She works in his healers’ chambers and her title is Serenah, Healer’s Arm. That’s another name for healer helper. She’s 51 years old! Her record looked exactly like mine! Wow!

“It is important to follow Molly’s rules. Rest when weary. Seek healing when unwell. For so many years of war, we had to work beyond what any caring healer wishes! Now is time for rest.

“King Challet already declared a festival to celebrate our new world and work is only half days, for those well to perform it. But, I say to all of you, ask of your healer before planning to walk among the displays. Many of you need more rest than this. We have many musicians, tutors, diplomats, artisans, those of too many occupations to name! Most of these will come to your bed if your healer feels this is well for you.

“And, all bakers and sweeters will bring trays to all, whether resting in a bed, resting on a cael or other riding animal, or walking in the festival. Our liege will add days for each couple who married on Earth, and who marries at home or in Rainbow. Nae fear that you miss!

“I urge all of you, keep your healer near, and you have nae, ask for one.” His eyes went from serious blue to black. “Think nae that you nae need a healer. All of you do, for unwell can come suddenly in one already seen by his healer. I wish all of you to be well, and we see sudden peril at times when we nae expect this. Every person needs a healer by him.”

That’s what Napah said. ‘I see people healthy, then for no apparent reason, they collapse and die!’ I shuddered, and Stam waved that hot blanket back on me, with a hug. My face burned.

“So, here is Wasa Mai, King Of Rahn Estar, to speak with you concerning our worlds. Other kings will address their bae and sae.”

Wasa Mai, a very old Ishah with barely any yellow in the folds of his white skin, ambled over to us. His blue eyes also wavered from dark to light, like everyone else’s who spoke. “My bae and sae, I see, perhaps a hundred of you who are mine. I was named an Elder and I am 20, but I appear older than I am because of our mine poisons.” Oh, that scared me!

“I wish to speak with many, but my healer tells me I have nae health for it. He tells me I must speak with a few today, and a few more, tomorrow, and I must use progs to tell me with whom I spoke, so I will.” He spread his arms out wide, and all three wide, flat fingers spread out. Narrower than the twin fingers of Zheien, but still rectangular. Light shone through them, like a hand on a flashlight.

“For those of you unfamiliar with our government, I am King Of Rahn Estar, the five worlds that existed to mine ore and raise plants and animals, for healing herbs and foods. I answer to King Challet, who answers to Cevit Ion, our 7th Galaxy Minister until Peatabus, 1st Galaxy Minister, reorganizes our government. He may leave things as they are with the members of the Alb Council. He may add an Earthan Colonies Minister.

“As it stands, Molly, Queen Of Rainbow also governs the Earthan Colonies Of Alb. I think is too much for a young ruler! I rule five small colonies, and have a Council, and each member of my council rules a council of his world. Zheien colonies have a king of their world and one for each prov, with councils of 9 members. Elshar colonies have a leader of their world, and a council, with ten members. Each prov, if he has more than one, has a leader and a 10-member council.

“In Rahn Estar, we did share rule with Elshar colonies, and so had members who were leaders of Elshar provs. Mican of the Par Vu Council oft came to us on his way to or from Elshar Mashai and we oft shared work.” I shuddered, and felt that cold again! Stam hummed.

“Now we have one Elshar to represent the Artisan Council and the Trader Council, and he is Micansen, Leader Of Elshar Rahn Estar.” Farley startled, and so did Tom! What’s going on?

“He travels among our provs now, instead of worlds. I decided not to risk any more of our people. Pirad offered me automation for all of our mining and farming. We moved all of our riding animals and other animals with our people. Any rare plants, we brought with us. In this way, if we did suffer an attack from slavers, our losses are limited, but Pirad thinks we will na have any.

“Children, have you questions for me?”

Most of us smiled at him. An Ishah diplomat came and led Ella’s family off the ship.