“You were following me?”
“We had no choice. When we heard word of the human female being returned to Earth, we thought it was lies. All factors pointed to the humans being our link to survival, and you took her away. We were going to intercept, but you crash-landed on Earth before we caught up with you.”
“You didn’t risk going to Earth?” he asked.
“We’re an advanced race. There was no way we were going to run the risk of getting lost or becoming a science experiment. We have more class than that.”
“Clearly.”
Men ran scanners over his body. There were a couple of times it bleeped, shining a red light in his general direction.
“He is clean. A couple of cuts and bruises, but he will live,” the soldier nearest him said.
“What are those?”
“They medi kits. They’re designed to scan our bodies, to detect illness and areas that will cause us problems.”
Dhiro couldn’t believe they had such things. Although Trenuians were technologically lightyears ahead of humans, this was advanced even for them. “Impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible if you are determined to see your vision through, which is exactly what we did. The Scyathra believe in development, the future, a better life for all. You and your people have a backward belief, seeing greed, pain, and death as your future.”
“What you say is … outrageous.”
“Really. You need to study up on your facts before you even begin to accuse us of anything.” Khirana handed him a small compact computer. It was so small, but he saw the news articles as they showed in graphic detail what actually happened. The plague wasn’t the cause of their infertility. They did this to themselves. His people were first to unleash a biological chemical that eventually rendered them all infertile.
He flicked through each article, shocked as he checked the dates. Their people had purposefully hidden this information so no one would know the truth.
“Everything is a lie?” Dhiro asked.
“Not everything. Your people do not have the proper tools to see our races succeed. I want the opportunity to be a mother. We are not here to wipe you off the face of the planet, Dhiro. We do not seek vengeance for being outcast.”
“What do you want?”
“The chance to bring about peace. Now is not a time to be fighting against each other. Now is the time to come together. To unify, no matter the cost.”
“What do you expect me to do about it?” Dhiro asked.
“You hold the key,” Ella said.
He spun around and saw Ella in the doorway. She wore Scyathra clothing. She held up a hand and waved at him, presenting him with a smile.
Dhiro went to her, wanting her in his arms, but the soldiers stood in front of her, stopping him.
“Let him,” Khirana said. “After all, she is his mate. We are not animals. We all know how important it is for us to be close to our people.”
He had to have Ella in his arms.
The soldiers stepped aside, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close. “Are you okay? Were you hurt?”
“I’m fine. They took care of me. I was so scared. I thought you were dead.”
“Nothing would keep me from you.”
“Just like a Trenuian. Thinking you’re indestructible,” Khirana said.
He glanced behind him at the woman. All his life, he’d hated the Scyathra. The truth she had just unveiled was … sickening, but the time for war was gone. There was no way any of them would prosper from fighting each other. His people were not bad. They were living off the tail-end of their old lies.
“What do you propose we do?” he asked. “I cannot make guarantees that whatever you ask for can work.”
“We can,” Ella said. “Your people are desperate.”
“How do I know I can trust you?” Dhiro asked the woman.
“We currently have one of our craft just outside of Earth.” Khirana pressed a few buttons of the device he’d given her back, and she held it toward him. “We are making sure your brothers are safe. They do not wish to be taken back home just yet. A communication was intercepted, and we offered them a place on our ship.”
“Bronn and Kaleen would never trust you.”
“That is where you’re wrong. Your brothers know the truth. I have had many conversations with your brothers. They are aware of our plight and understand the truth. We are all fighting for our survival. This could be the start of a new day for all of us.”
He couldn’t believe it. His brothers hadn’t told him, not that he’d talked to them since leaving Earth.
“Please say we can help them?” Ella asked. “They have a right to save their people, just like you.”
He kissed the top of Ella’s head as he thought about what he could do.
The Scyathra were feared. But everything he had seen and witnessed showed them to be people to trust, not to fear. Their advancements far exceeded their own.
“How do you feel about doing a little show-and-tell?” Dhiro asked.
“What do you mean?”
“All my life, I’ve been told what primitive animals you all are. How you’re to be feared. I think it’s time the world knew what we are so afraid of.”
Ella tightened her hold around him, and he knew he was doing the right thing.
****
One month later
“Everything is healthy?” Ella asked.
Khirana smiled. “Yes. I do not see this pregnancy being anything but perfect. You are developing well. I did fear our atmosphere would be troubling for your pregnancy, and we were in the process of considering different kinds of face coverings, to provide you with a little dirtier oxygen, but your body is adapting well. Your baby is growing at a normal progression. I see this baby coming to us within six and a half months.”
Ella put her hand on her stomach. “Really?”
Khirana put a hand on her arm. “Really.”
“Have you heard from Kaleen and Bronn?”
“Their last communication was two days ago. They are enjoying their stay on planet Earth and have no wish to be collected as of yet. Our people are close if they change their minds.”
Ella smiled. Dhiro had been everything she thought he would be. After he asked Khirana to gather all the pieces of equipment the Scyathra had created, they had returned to his commander in chief with proof. From that point on, the truth of what happened spread like wildfire throughout Trenu Zel. At first, there was outrage, demanding justice for the Scyathra and also the demand for the few who knew to be exiled.
There was a lot of pain and anger. People had given up hope, but her pregnancy and the Scyathra were finally bringing it back. She liked to think of Khirana as her friend. She was the doctor she had requested.
The Scyathra still lived in their part of the planet, but they came to the other side of Trenu Zel to make peace, to help, to further their technology and to help protect their race.
“Dhiro will be pleased.”
“Are you looking forward to the ceremony?” Khirana asked.
Ella nodded. “I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be. Nervousness is for humans. You’re a Trenuian now.”
She laughed. Getting to her feet, she hugged Khirana tightly. “Thank you for everything.”