"There are a handful of issues that we should address quickly before returning you to the planetary surface," Natori declared before anyone could flee the conference room. Antoth and Veera looked at one another suspiciously. "Lieutenant, Antoth, I would request that you both allow this process to unfold before lodging your complaints. I do understand this is a sensitive matter. Io, can you please hail Qul'Roth for me?"

Io wanted to ask his reasoning herself. Winters and Antoth clearly did, but she decided to comply without question. It was a gesture of goodwill towards the admiral with whom she had set herself up as an assistant. The Ghaelen accepted the call promptly and a holo screen depicting his face and a small amount of his quarters appeared next to Io. "Admiral Kaczynski, what news?"

"A preliminary treaty has been signed between myself and Antoth. You will receive a copy shortly for your perusal courtesy of Io. If you would, Io, please include the original and a translated copy."

'Of course, Admiral,' she nodded politely as Natori continued.

"I am calling regarding your concerns about the extent of human technological influence on the planet. While this situation is a difficult one, please know that I and all of my crew take our responsibilities quite seriously in this matter. During negotiations I received verbal testimony from the Lieutenant, his AI, and the Cauthan that there was no transmission of human technology or knowledge outside of this village. Hmm, yes Io?" Natori asked as she waved to get his attention.

'In further defense of our actions, sir, the Lieutenant's final order from his commanding officer was to survive and return to the fleet. This is not the time nor place, but I saved a recording of this conversation. I believe his decision to integrate into a population center must be considered in this light,' Io reasoned as Veera nodded emphatically and Russell tried to look through one of the walls of the conference room. Qul'Roth could be seen thoughtfully stroking his chin tuft.

"I see. Such authority must be taken into consideration. Presuming there will be an opportunity to review this evidence, I will rescind my complaints regarding this situation until such a time," the Ghaelen offered. Natori glanced at Antoth who crossed his arms over his chest and nodded once, though his brow remained furrowed angrily.

"I thank you for your prudence, Qul'Roth. Given the circumstances, there will have to be a tribunal called to review the events leading to the destruction of the Lancer and the Lieutenant's experiences on Mara since that time. You will be included."

"Why thank you, Admiral. Please accept my humble congratulations on your new alliance. May it serve to further the Order of the galactic community."

"Thank you, emissary," Natori replied diplomatically. Veera coughed loudly the moment Io killed the connection, but those assembled understood the importance of the admiral's actions. "Now Lieutenant Winters, you will note I dismissed the Ghaelen to discuss this next matter."

"You mean the impending court martial for drawing my weapons on the bridge?" Russell snapped, already agitated at having to recall Jess' death. "Don't expect an apology."

Silence reigned as Alice and MacGregor shifted uncomfortably, focusing their attention on the grain of the wooden table. Natori was not amused, nor was he put off. He took a deep breath, calming himself as an example. "Not just yet, Lieutenant Winters. What will happen, however, is that you will undergo a thorough psychological evaluation. This is not negotiable. Pending those results I will decide how to proceed regarding today's…diplomatic incident."

Winters looked ready to bite Kaczynski's head off, but Io reached out for him instead, forestalling any attempt to dig himself further into a hole. 'Sir, you need this after everything that's happened.'

Russell pursed his lips and bit his tongue, his body language making it clear that he wanted to break something, to get out of that small room. The Jumper eventually brought his arms across his chest without lodging any further protest. Alice looked at him with worry and confusion while Veera and Antoth hung their heads knowingly. The sun priest felt compelled to speak, appealing to Kaczynski in a somber tone.

"Admiral, Winters' time on our planet has not been peaceful. He has been subjected to trials that would have killed our greatest warriors and he has saved my people, all of my people, on multiple occasions. I do not fully understand your people's code of martial justice, but I thank you for any leniency you can show him."

Natori, feeling oddly like Qul'Roth, stroked his chin and looked around the room, seeing the concerned and imploring looks in the eyes of the Cauthan who clearly held the Lieutenant in extremely high regard. "As I said Antoth, we will have a medical professional, someone skilled in the healing of the mind, evaluate him. Any subsequent disciplinary actions will take those findings into account. Is that acceptable?" He offered despite them technically not having a choice.

"Yeah, fine," Russell scoffed. "You don't have to do this, Antoth. But thanks, man." The Cauthan grunted. It was understood.

"I think we can head down to the surface without fear now?" Alice suggested, unable to bring herself to scold her petulant brother and wanting to simply move on. It felt like lightning would strike them all at any moment. She knew well enough how uncomfortable Russell was, could see it all over his face. Io helped move the conversation along.

'I am in agreement, Miss Winters. Admiral Kaczynski, you may have your orbital bombardment weapons and main railgun back,' Io declared with a snap of her fingers. Kaczynski sought to reassure Antoth.

"I am the only one who can authorize the use of these weapons...other than perhaps Io at this point. Clearly we'll have to discuss that at another time if you intend to go with them. I have pledged to defend your people, Antoth, and I will honor that pledge," he said seriously.

"And we will uphold our end of the bargain," Antoth replied in his customary, deep tone. "Alice Winters, you will have the protection of the servants of Uthos so long as you respect our customs and way of life. However, should you wish to be accompanied by one of the human soldiers aboard this ship, I will allow it."

Alice was about to entreat her brother and Veera as to the servants of Uthos when a file hit her A-MACS. She tapped a couple buttons on her wrist and opened it up. "A primer on Cauthan gods and legends, by Io. Again?!"

'My dear Alice I can assure you it is woefully incomplete, but for the time being you should know that the servants of Uthos are the town's guard force. His high priest in the village, a post Antoth held until quite recently, is referred to as the Guardian.'

"Ok that's about twenty pages to unpack right there in that sentence, but thank you, Io. And thank you as well, Antoth," Alice nodded politely. "I do not doubt the strength or loyalty of your men-"

"And female!" Veera called happily from where she rested against the bulwark. Alice looked between her and Antoth repeatedly.

"Veera serves Uthos as well," he affirmed, more prepared the second time around for Alice to squeal in delighted surprise.

"That's at least forty pages! Oh wow. Ok, yes, sorry Admiral," Alice hopped back on track as Natori made a 'get on with it' motion. "Antoth, it would set me at ease and help with my duties as a liaison between our cultures if I could be accompanied by someone from the Event Horizon. My brother clearly has his own life among your people which I don't want to disrupt too much."

"And for that, we thank you," Russell added with a grin as Veera shook her head at the sexual allusion.

"Yeah yeah, thanks peanut gallery," Alice dismissed him playfully. "What do you think, Mac? Care for a change of scenery?"

The Marine had a most confused look on his face, having suddenly been thrust from the role of 'guy with a gun in the background' to 'potential third human to have extended contact with the Cauthan'. He stood and saluted Natori. "Admiral, officially requestin' that transfer if you please."

"Awesome!" Alice exclaimed.

"Miss Winters I have yet to say anything on this subject," Kaczynski clarified, earning him a cocked brow and Alice's hand on her hip. He looked at Io.

"Are all Winters children like this?"

'I'd say two out of two is quite the trend, sir. But were you really going to say no?' The AI questioned.

"If I could at least maintain an illusion of control over my own ship that would be nice," he sighed. "Yes of course, Private. Given the working relationship you have with Miss Winters I believe this is a proper arrangement."

"Are you dating my sister?" Russell demanded, standing to his full height with crossed arms. MacGregor raised a hand nervously to clarify but Alice cut him off.

"Ok mister, your two weeks are up! You have a fluffy wife already and even if Lachlan and I were dating, which we are not, you would not have a say! Do you know why he and I are so close, Russell?" Alice shouted, getting right in his face despite the height difference as Veera beheld something akin to a miracle.

"I am so using that tone on him when he forgets to clean the cooking pot," she whispered as Alice carried on, not allowing her brother a word in edgewise.

"He and I are so close because I've had multiple nervous fucking breakdowns on the bridge of this ship; because there was a ninety nine percent chance that you were dead and the one percent was tearing me apart. Every star system was one soul wrenching disappointment after the other. Mac kept me from doing something monumentally stupid once and talked me down at least twice. We have breakfast in the military mess every Saturday morning and he's one of my three best friends on the ship. That was good advice by the way, Natori. Thank you. As for you Russell, butt out you meathead!"

As the Jumper stared at his sister in stunned silence, Antoth's chest began to rumble like a barrel full of stones. Slowly the sun priest devolved into uproarious laughter, pounding his fist on the table. "Oh, I cannot wait to introduce you to my mate! You and she will love each other once she gets past the fact that you're human!"

'Antoth, do you really want to be responsible for the destruction of Mara as we know it?' Io jested.

"To think the day would come when our savior wears a look like that. Ha! Marvelous! I think she'll fit right in, Admiral. Strong spirits thrive on Mara," Antoth insisted.

"Alice?" MacGregor called into the brief lull.

"Oh um...yes, Lachlan?" Alice replied, suddenly rather self-aware following her outburst.

"Thank ya kindly," he nodded.

"Ah, you're welcome!" She replied happily. "Besides, I'm pretty sure it would be bad form to date my new research assistant, right?"

"Ha! As ya say, lassie. Admiral, I believe I should be collecting my things."

"Please make haste," Natori agreed. "We should return Antoth and Veera to their people, and the rest of the crew will need to be informed of the situation despite the late hour on the ship. Io, please allow Miss Winters access to the tube systems."

'Yes sir.'

"Thank you. Lieutenant, I would appreciate it if you could escort your friends back to hangar E-8. I will send for pilot Cromwell. Alice, you may take whatever you deem necessary but that must include a portable communications terminal. I expect frequent reports from you, even if it's just to assure us that things are proceeding apace in the village. A concrete plan must be devised to study this planet," Natori commanded. "I will ensure such a system is loaded onto your shuttle."

"Yes sir, thank you so much! See you all in a bit!" With that Alice promptly dashed from the room. She was followed by MacGregor, who saluted and then departed in a much more reserved fashion. Io glanced at Natori.

'Let us walk and talk, Admiral. I will be accompanying the Lieutenant back to the surface.'

"That...certainly has some implications," Natori declared, allowing Veera and Antoth to exit the conference room before him. Russell was more than able to find his way back to the corridors that led to the correct hangar.

'I do not think there will be any issues, sir. As I mentioned before, every other function on this ship that was assisted by a VI shall continue apace. I even retained those VI's appearances and dictation patterns to ensure continuity for the rest of the crew.'

"How considerate of you," Natori replied neutrally.

'I thought so as well,' Io agreed with a sunshine smile. 'Should the situation call for it I can assume direct control of those functions, or coordinate them from a higher level. The idea of replicating my own...self dozens of times did not seem prudent.'

"On that we are in agreement. Someday I would love to take a look at your code."

'Maybe one day, Admiral Kaczynski,' Io mused as they turned into the corridor connecting the bridge to hangar E-8. 'Let's just say that would come after I feel comfortable being naked in your presence.'

Winters began coughing loudly in front of them, with Verra patting him on the back as he tried to compose himself. "Io!"

'It is more intimate than even that, sir!'

"Yeah, I know but!"

Io projected herself from his armor, wanting to look him in the eyes. 'You know that one day I hope to have what you and Veera have, right? It was a partial joke, sir.'

Winters and Kaczynski both felt as though someone had delivered an uppercut to their diaphragm, though for very different reasons. The Admiral mouthed 'by God' as Russell reflected on his sister's observation that he'd 'raised' an AI.

"You think any father wants to accept the fact that his daughter has grown up? But look at you, running your own ship and everything?" The Jumper asked. Io cried and smiled all at once.

'I'll be careful. We can talk more of this later. Let me finish telling the Admiral about what will happen when we're on Mara?'

"Alright, you go on then," Russell acknowledged, lowering his left arm as Veera took his right in an affectionate hold. They were almost at the hangar.

'Now then, Admiral, I have replaced Cassia with an avatar of myself that should be seamlessly integrated with her logs on your behavioral patterns and management style. It is not ideal, but as I said, I am afraid to split my personality.'

"So life will go on as normal? That sounds acceptable to me. Though I had hoped to spend some more time conversing with you. What will you do on the surface?"

'Ah yes, well...hm hm hm. Sorry?' Io apologized bashfully as Natori approached a traffic jam. Russell and the Cauthan had stopped in the doorway of the hangar, holding up his progress.

"Io…" Veera sighed with affection.

"You didn't have to," Russell added appreciatively.

'No, I didn't. So if a thank you feels strange you're welcome to consider it a perfectly selfish act of self-preservation. Thank you, gentlemen!' Io called out to the two Marines who had remained in the hangar and received her packages. 'That tube system is truly a blessing, Admiral.'

"Ah...thank you. I designed it," Kaczynski informed her absently, watching as Winters approached two crates resting just beside the shuttle's ramp. Within the first was a brand new Aegis Mk II chestplate in his colors. The second was stacked full of spare drives and CPUs, multi-purpose power cells, and two portable solar arrays. Winters and Antoth marveled at them all as Veera waved hello to pilot Cromwell, who had chosen that moment to join them.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"So this was your little project then?" Natori deduced as Winters replaced his chest armor. When he'd secured the final latch, the soldier looked down affectionately at the old piece of metal and polymer that had saved his and Io's lives many times over.

"I can have it sent to your sister's cabin, if you'd like," Natori suggested. "Given that the entire HEL now uses the Mk III design I'd say you're holding a relic in your hands, Lieutenant."

Russell nodded in silent agreement, handing the battered armor over to Natori. The Admiral took it in his hands carefully, ensuring a firm hold on the heavy chestplate. "It's been through a lot, sir."

"Yes, yes I can see that, Lieutenant. Perhaps we will hear this tale one day."

"Your psychologist probably will," the Jumper growled.

'Enough!' Io cut him off. 'Sir, please ensure proper interface of my drives and cores. You can be moody later. There is an extra slot on your right shoulder to go along with your leg armor. I hope it is not an inconvenience.'

"Spirit Io, may I ask what this is?" Antoth requested, withdrawing a contraption from the crate that folded out into something different from the other technology he didn't understand. This one looked familiar.

'Of course, Antoth!' Io chirped. 'During my stay on your planet I have been drawing the energy I need to survive from the rays of your star, Seil.'

"The lifegiver...of course!" Antoth exclaimed. Io beamed at him from Winters' armor. The human had just finished the swap of hardware, prompting her to do a soft reboot and ensure all was well on her 'mobile platform'.

'Yes, Antoth. However, Seil does not always shine brightly. That construct there should allow me to draw power from the river near your village, a backup, if you will.'

"Fascinating. It is a miniature of the great wheel the disciples of Tyrdus fashioned for us…"

"Who's he!?" Alice asked in greeting, waving at them all with a duffel slung over her shoulder, another bag in her left hand, and her personal tablet in her right. "Damn Io, you've been busy! I always liked that design on his armor. Glad you kept it. AI's are handy!"

'Hmm, welcome back Alice. I promise to provide you with all the answers you seek and appreciate your kind acceptance of me. For now, let us await Private MacGregor and depart,' Io suggested, overseeing Russell as he loaded the gear onto the shuttle with Antoth while Cromwell went through her standard preflight checks. 'Oh, and Admiral?'

"You're going to tell me something I don't know about my own ship?" He guessed with mild amusement.

'You may have bays two through fifteen back,' Io replied. Natori's brow furrowed.

"What are you doing in bay number one, Io?" He demanded. "You know as well as I do that's our largest and most advanced manufactory."

'Truly a splendid creation!' Io gushed. 'The size of a small hangar, plenty of robotic assistance, precision sensors and printers…perfect!'

"For what?" Kaczynski pressed, looking up at the ceiling as Io used his earpiece to communicate. It felt like he was looking at her.

'You have to promise not to tell the Lieutenant or Veera,' she whispered conspiratorially. That sent his brows to his hairline.

"Well now I have to know," he grinned. "Your secret is safe."

'I suppose we can consider this our first trust exercise,' Io agreed, her voice suddenly hesitant and quite feminine as opposed to cool, calm, and in control. 'I want a body, Admiral.'

Kaczynski silently ran a hand through his hair and whistled quietly as the final departing human joined them. "What's up in yer kilt Admiral Kaczynski, sir? Ya look like you've seen a ghost!"

"Maybe more of a spirit, Private MacGregor."

-----

“Hey, you alright?” Alice asked, grabbing Veera’s paw as ‘Brick’ the shuttle re-entered the Maran atmosphere. The two had chosen to sit next to one another for the thankfully short trip. Russell was standing next to Antoth, his hand on the Cauthan’s shoulder. Veera smiled back at Alice.

“This is not particularly pleasant, Alice,” Veera replied tactfully. “But having you and Russell here is quite comforting. And you as well, Private.”

“My pleasure, Miss,” MacGregor replied. He’d offered her his hand as well but she’d turned it away politely.

“We should probably tell you a few things about us if you’ll be staying,” Veera added, wanting to keep focused on something other than the fading rumbling of the shuttle and the view of vast swaths of land and clouds on the screen near the cockpit door. “Alice, you will be alright for the most part once everyone knows you're a female, but La...Lacklen?”

“Lachlan. Don’t trouble yerself too much over it, Veera,” the well built Scotsman demurred. “Somethin’ tells me that men have it a bit different?”

“That’s putting it lightly,” Winters chuckled. “Act like an eighteenth century gentleman and you’ll be fine.”

“Uh...can ye’ be more specific? I seem to have misplaced ma tophat,” Lachlan requested.

‘He means that if you touch a female in the village you could get into serious, possibly injurious trouble,’ Io clarified for them all. ‘Sir, you forget we have eleven months of experience on them.’

“But you so love explaining things,” Winters teased her with a grin. Io huffed and turned her nose up at him.

‘That is the last time I make you a new set of armor. If you’ll excuse me,’ the AI retorted, commandeering Alice’s A-MACS and using that instead. Alice did not mind one bit.

“Cool!” She shouted, holding Io up so they could see ‘eye to eye’.

‘Why thank you, elder Winters. Now then Antoth, please do correct me if I’m mistaken on any points?’ Io requested as Alice burst into laughter at the idea of being some sort of authority figure.

“When this infernal shaking stops I’d be happy to,” he growled.

“Sorry about that, just a small patch of turbulence. We’re getting under the cloud cover now, should even out,” Cromwell called from the cockpit, making sure to monitor the status of her passengers and cargo carefully. “There seems to be some sort of clearing on the eastern side of the village. Winters, that an acceptable LZ?”

“Negative, pilot. That’s their equivalent of a graveyard. Just outside the west gate should be fine. They’re used to humans storming that particular entrance,” Russell laughed as Veera rolled her eyes and Alice looked ready to demand story time.

‘Let’s at least make an attempt to stay on topic, shall we?’ Io suggested. ‘Private MacGregor and Alice, you should both be aware that for this village, courtship, matrimony, mating, and the rearing of cubs are sacred institutions and traditions. It is a matter of survival and they take this part of life very seriously. Private, as a bachelor so to speak, you cannot touch any women in the village outside of life-threatening emergencies. Full stop.’

The soldier’s eyes were quite wide by that point and he looked an apology at Veera. “Didn’t know. Sorry about that.”

“Here, it’s fine,” Veera offered, extending her hand to him. He took it cautiously with a most confounded expression on his face. “What Io said is true, but that’s assuming a female has not invited you to touch her. If she has...you may of course do so,” she declared saucily, throwing her husband a fetching glance. “The harvest festival is only a few cycles away, darling. Alice? You appear to be vibrating.”

“Festival!?”

“I’m glad someone’s so happy,” Antoth muttered, rubbing his stomach as he felt ready to lose the chesko stew he’d eaten before leaving the surface. To his great relief, the bottom thrusters of the shuttle kicked in and they started their final descent. Cromwell opened the main door while airborne, allowing Antoth a view he’d never seen before, his village from above. The breeze felt heavenly. “My word. Perhaps this is akin to Felen's realm...Winters?”

“Yeah, let’s have some fun,” the Jumper agreed, helping Antoth stand and maneuver his way to the various handles and other anchor points that surrounded the open hatch. The high priest looked out and saw more than one bow aiming at them.

“Ha, excellent!” He shouted, waving his shield at them. The guards atop the gatehouses lowered their weapons and the village horn was blown. Antoth couldn’t help but turn to his brother in arms and smile, watching his people stream from their homes and places of work to gather in the center of town. It was magnificent to see such a thing from on high as they spiraled lower and lower.

“Cromwell seems to be enjoying herself too,” Russell agreed, noticing something utterly unsurprising thanks to his helmet’s optics as they finally came to a hovering stop outside the west gate and began a slow drop to the ground. “Antoth, you might want to duck.”

At Winters’ warning, the chieftain stepped to the side and the Jumper blocked as much of the open doorway as possible, watching as a particular female loosed an arrow directly at them. It struck him center of mass and shattered on his gleaming, mint condition chestplate.

“Holy hell, what was that?! I thought you were their friend!” Alice shouted as MacGregor took a knee at the open hatch and readied his M-22 carbine, his heart racing as he contemplated the possibility of having to kill someone.

“It’s fine Private...ugh, can I just call you Mac?” Russell requested with a complete lack of concern in his voice, not taking much of a liking to formal military speech after so long away.

“Don’t have a problem with that,” the Marine replied, still ready to fire.

“Just trust me on this one, alright. There’s a particularly skilled and pregnant Cauthan down there who hates me for stealing her hopes and dreams...and saving her entire village,” he related as Antoth tried to laugh and look serious at the same time.

“I’ll go first then, try and placate my angry mate. Private MacGregor, I would ask that you and Alice remain here until I can inform my people of the treaty we have signed and its conditions. We will have to make preparations for your stay.”

“Not a problem,” Lachlan affirmed as the shuttle touched down and the entirety of the village attempted to peer out of the western gate at once without actually crossing the threshold. A few brave souls did, Ratha and Staroth foremost among them.

“By Uthos it’s damn good to see you, you big lug! I was afraid of suffering another battlefield promotion!” Staroth shouted as Ratha adopted a standoffish posture and glared from under her helm. She was wearing her armor again and armed to the teeth, the offending bow clutched in her hand. To her supreme annoyance Winters stepped off the shuttle too. His armor had been repaired somehow. She drew her knife.

“Get down, Mr. President!” Russell yelled, diving forward and throwing his body in front of Antoth, laughing hysterically as he went down in the dirt before springing up and staring Ratha down. The high priest of Seil did his level best to act as though he disapproved of Winters.

“I suppose praying to Valta for your disappearance was too much to ask, even for her,” the Huntress spat, still flipping the blade in her hand. “Nice armor, human.”

“Nice belly, momma,” Winters shot back, laughing like a madman as Ratha snarled and hurled the knife at him. He allowed it to clatter helplessly off his armor before kneeling, retrieving it, and walking up to her with Antoth. He took her into a hug that had her screeching at her mate while Io furiously documented the changes in her partner’s behavior and vitals. It was almost impossible for her to overstate how much more relaxed he’d become the moment his boots had touched the Maran surface again.

“Get him off of me, you useless sun priest! This is unacceptable!”

Antoth did no such thing, more than happy to allow Ratha to have it out with Winters before the discussion of the finer points of the treaty. Io sent a message to the small optical aid in Mac's helmet that urged him to not emulate the Jumper 'if he wished to live'.

“Thanks for breaking it in. Wouldn't have it any other way. I missed you, Ratha,” Winters said honestly, returning her dagger to her and removing his helmet. “Just...don’t throw that at my sister, alright? Seriously.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

“Your...what? And you what?!”

“I missed you,” Russell said slowly as though Ratha was hard of hearing. She did not appreciate it. “And I would be thankful if you keep trying to kill me and not my sister.”

At his repetition, Ratha sidestepped Russell and looked at the shuttle, seeing a human male with significantly less imposing armor and dark, fiery hair, as well as what had to be a human female dressed in black. She hated to admit it but the resemblance was clear, even if the woman had brown eyes versus the blues of her brother. “Antoth, what in Valta’s name have you done?” She demanded.

“I was hoping you could put your bloody knives and arrows away so I could tell you!” Antoth shot back, pushing Winters gently aside so that he could nuzzle and embrace Ratha. “I promised you I would come back.”

“Don’t you do this to me, not here,” she whispered, dragging her claws down the back of his armor. “Just...don’t ever go up there again.”

Antoth wasn’t sure he could promise her such a thing, but he wasn’t about to bring up such eventualities when the present demanded his attention. “I signed a treaty of peace and mutual cooperation with the humans who came for Winters. There is much we need to discuss.”

“I suppose letting two more of them in was part of that?” The huntress remarked suspiciously.

“Ratha!”

“Fine, fine! Everyone’s here anyway. Staroth, let’s go already!” She huffed, turning around and marching back into the village. The crowd quickly parted for her as the former and current guard captains followed.

"Good to have you back, Antoth," Staroth murmured as Winters chose to stay behind, waving to Gentia and Thantis who both seemed pleased to see he’d returned. He had others to speak with.

“Hey there. Where’s Xan?” Winters asked as Zolta and Asha approached him. He greeted them both with warmth and familiarity, taking great care with Asha and slapping Zolta on the shoulder. “By the way Asha, the fit on the cloak is perfect.”

“I’m so glad! Xan stayed in the temple with Fenrir,” the young seamstress informed him. “When we told him it looked like humans he decided to stay behind, said it was probably you and that his leg was having a bad day. Oh, hello there Io!”

‘Greetings to you Asha, Zolta. It is wonderful to be back,’ the AI declared. ‘We have so much to tell you all!’

“I’m guessing they’re part of it?” Zolta spoke, pointing behind them to where Veera sat in the open doorway of the shuttle along with MacGregor and Alice. “Who are they?”

“Well, the one on the left is my mate.”

“Oh come on, Winters!”

“Alright alright! The young woman in the middle is actually my older sister, Alice. The man next to her is a soldier from the vessel that came to find me. His name is Lachlan MacGregor. Seems a decent enough guy.”

“Your sister?!” Asha and Zolta both gasped, staring at the awe-inspiring, metallic vehicle that had landed in the midst of their fields of grain and vegetables. Out of all the humans to exist, somehow his sister had arrived on their planet.

“Yep! C’mon, I’ll introduce you. Alice would love to meet you both. She’s a woman of learning who specializes in alien species and cultures. She’s here to establish a working relationship between the village and humanity,” Russell tried to sum up a monumental treaty and agreement in a sentence.

“She seems nice,” Asha offered kindly. “Shall we?”

Just as Winters turned to escort them the short distance to the shuttle, a small, fluffy force latched onto his left leg. He calmly turned his head and saw a young Cauthan lad, one he recognized well, clinging to him and crying softly. He turned to Zolta and Asha. “Why don’t the two of you go on? Veera and Alice have already been acquainted and I’m sure she can introduce you two. I need to take care of this young man right here.”

“Yeah, sounds good,” Zolta smiled, taking his wife by the hand. “Good to have you back, Winters.”

“Nowhere I’d rather be,” he promised. “Now what’s all this about little guy?”

“Momma...momma said you went away! Papa went away and didn’t come back!” The young boy cried, mashing his dark, brown furred snout into Winters’ leg.

‘Do not fear, little one. We have returned,’ Io assured him as the boy’s mother, a Cauthan with blackened grey fur who appeared to be a few years older than Veera, approached them.

“I apologize for my son’s behavior, human. The rumors traveled quite quickly. I didn’t know what else to tell him,” she explained. Winters waved it off and bowed to her before picking the boy up and holding him gently in his arms.

“It’s no trouble at all,” he replied earnestly. The female smiled at him.

“You have learned our language?”

“I have, though I am still no expert. You’ll have to forgive me. I know we met before at the Temple of Meylith but I never got your name. Is that cloak still holding up? Did you get one?”

“I did, thank you. It is his most treasured possession. He even wanted to wear it during the summer months,” she replied with an endearing look at her little boy. “I am Sentaura, human. It is an honor to formally introduce myself. I see you have brought more of your kind?”

“Only two, for now. Antoth has met with a great leader of my people and signed a peace treaty. He is discussing it with the other priests as we speak. I’m sure they’ll tell everyone the specifics soon,” Winters explained, not wanting to cause any sort of scene among the tentatively nervous and excited onlookers. Thankfully for him, Alice and MacGregor were staying put. Meeting Zolta and Asha was keeping them more than occupied.

“Of course he gets to hold the cute little Cauthan boy!” Alice hissed. MacGregor laughed as one of Io’s translation programs went to work and used her A-MACS to repeat the line in Cauthan for Asha and Zolta’s edification. They soon joined in.

“I’m sure you’ll get your chance soon enough,” Asha assured the young woman. Her odd, black, one piece clothing left something to be desired, but the long black fur atop her head was marvelous to behold, reflecting the sunshine of early afternoon. “Your brother said you have come to learn about our ways? I never imagined we might meet a member of his family.”

“It’s wonderful to meet you too! And yes, everything I can learn,” Alice gushed. “I’ve studied alien cultures from afar for my entire adult life. To be able to visit this place in the flesh...oh I can still barely believe this is happening and that you're all so friendly! Asha, right?”

The grey-furred mother nodded. “I am. And my mate is Zolta.”

The smith nodded, turning back to MacGregor, whose armor was of great interest to him. Unlike Winters', it was made of various metallic plates atop flexible fabrics and other materials. It seemed less protective but much more mobile. “So she’s here to learn. What are you here for, human?”

“Can’t say I blame yer suspicions, what with my carryin’ a gun and all. Lachlan MacGregor at your service young man, and you as well, young lady. I’m here to escort and protect this excitable lass right here!” He chuckled, tapping Alice on the shoulder. Asha stared at the two of them with wide eyes.

“Are the two of you mated?!”

“Wha? Ah no! No, definitely not,” MacGregor spluttered as Alice blushed lightly and smiled his way. “Ooh, right. The touching thing? Yeah I won’t be touching any of you furry lasses, cross me heart. Alice and I are just good friends.”

“It took us almost six months to get here,” Alice elaborated, staring down at her tablet as a note from Io popped up explaining the Cauthan calendar. “Oh, I see! So yes, it would be about eleven cycles, give or take. During that time we got along quite well. It was suggested that I be accompanied by someone during my stay with your people and he was the natural choice.”

“How interesting! Well, I suppose Russell and Veera were doing all sorts of stuff before you were officially mated, right? Maybe it's not so strange?” Asha asked, causing Alice to develop a look on her face that terrified both Zolta and MacGregor.

“Veera!” She whispered urgently. “When are you going to tell me about how you and my brother got together?! Oh, and Asha can I just say congratulations on your pregnancy and if it’s culturally acceptable I’d love to know everything about what it’s like being an expectant mother in your village!”

“Sister, are you sure you were sent here to learn about us, or just gossip all day?” Veera replied with a knowing swish of her tail and a mischievous look in her eyes. Alice looked ready to keel over.

“In my line of work, those two are the same thing!” She told Veera elatedly. “Oh God, what am I doing? Here you are...uh…human bias talking but six months pregnant? You should be sitting down, not me!” Alice's A-MACS dinged again as Asha seated herself with thanks, taking in the smooth, clean metal surface with her paw pads. “Huh...almost nine months? Wait, how does Io know when you conceived your child...cub?”

In the distance, a loud ‘scheiße’ could be heard from where Winters was still talking to a female Cauthan with dark fur and light grey plumage. Veera appeared a bit nervous, but Asha and Zolta seemed wholly unconcerned. “She is a spirit of the moons, right? I’m sure this is just another one of her tricks. Besides, it’s not like I can hide it anymore,” Asha replied wisely as Alice and Lachlan looked at one another with humbleness in their eyes. It was truly a different world they’d stepped into and it felt almost sacrilegious to consider explaining how Io was silicon and electricity. Asha grimaced momentarily before looking over at her mate. “Zolta! Your child is kicking me again! Tell them I am not your forge’s anvil!”

And so Alice looked on politely with her sister-in-law while the young, sinewy Cauthan stroked his mate’s belly, hoping to soothe the rambunctious life within. The human could barely decide what she wanted to learn more about first, with such displays of family, agriculture, faith, and gender dynamics there before her. Her brother's relationships with the villagers were already paying dividends in spades, and she made a mental note to thank him somehow. All those considerations were put on hold, however, as the low din of conversation at the gate suddenly ceased completely. Alice looked up to see Antoth and the fiery Cauthan he was apparently mated to, along with an elderly couple, a grizzled and well built smith, an elegant, blonde-furred female, and the other armored Cauthan that she assumed was the guard captain. Antoth placed a hand on Russell’s shoulder before calling out to her. “Alice Winters! We would like to speak with you.”