this would feel like a prison.”
Dusa scowled, but Esak nodded with an understanding expression. “I can only imagine the strain of your position, Matara. I too would be suspicious, given the circumstances.”
“Many Earthers are suspicious. They are badly frightened, and we have no idea how to alleviate that.”
Startled by the unfamiliar voice, I gasped and turned to the door that led outside, left open because of the rules that stated no Earth woman could be left alone with a single Kalquorian or his clanmates. A big man ... a really big Kalquorian ... stood there.
Dusa and Esak bowed. My young Dramok said, “Greetings, Commander Nang.”
“Good day, Dramok Dusa, Nobek Esak. May I come in, Matara Shalia?”
I blinked. I had no idea who this guy was, but apparently my friends did. So I said, “Sure.” I wondered how he knew my name.
He entered the little room, having to duck just a bit to get through the doorway. Given that the standard height of a doorway is over six-and-a-half feet, that meant the guy was around seven feet tall. I’d never seen anyone so big.
Dusa took care of the introductions. “Matara Shalia, this is site commander Dramok Nang. He’s in charge of the rescue operations in this area.”
I almost stuck my hand out to shake from sheer habit, but instinctual fear kept me from doing that. It’s not that Nang looked mean or anything; it was just that he was so damned large. He overwhelmed me.
He looked to be in his early 40’s. His face was lined though his body had that muscular build of the typical Kalquorian. His was a handsome face, with years of experience etched into it and a scar that went from one corner of his mouth to the bottom of his chin. His look was a far cry from the open innocence of Dusa. Even the ever-guarded Esak appeared to be a teenager next to this guy. Nang looked like he could be a real hardass.
So I didn’t offer a handshake. I settled for, “A pleasure to meet you, Commander Nang.”
He bowed deeply to me. “I am happy to make your acquaintance. May I?” He motioned to one of the chairs at the dining table.
“Yeah, fine.” If he was having a seat, that meant he planned to stay for at least a few minutes. I sat down too, but on the opposite side of the table. No way I was going to sit right next to him. His size really intimidated me.
Nang smiled pleasantly, and I relaxed a little. He had a nice smile. He wasn’t nearly as frightening with that expression on his face.
“I’ve been looking for an Earther who can help me with the problems of distrust between your people and mine,” he started. “I had sent out instructions for anyone on my staff who met such an Earther to bring him or her to my attention. This morning, Dusa indicated he thought you might have the knowledge and skills for such an assignment.”
I looked over my shoulder at Dusa, who brightly smiled at me as if he’d done something I should praise him for. It was all I could do to not scowl.
I turned back to Nang. “I’m not sure I follow you, Commander. I’m not an ambassador or anyone of particular note to my people. I just make films. Made films,” I corrected myself.
He leaned towards me, folding his arms on the table between us. “Exactly. You made propaganda vids that helped move your people to follow their government and to accept your leaders’ dictates, no matter how unpalatable. You know your people’s psychology. You know how they think. That is exactly what I need.”
“To do what?” I could have cared less about how well the aliens had treated me. I had no intentions of producing vids for this man, citing what good guys the Kalquorians really were or how we should all flock to Kalquor to bear their children. Some other Earther would find a blaster and kill me in an instant for treason. If I
Dusa scowled, but Esak nodded with an understanding expression. “I can only imagine the strain of your position, Matara. I too would be suspicious, given the circumstances.”
“Many Earthers are suspicious. They are badly frightened, and we have no idea how to alleviate that.”
Startled by the unfamiliar voice, I gasped and turned to the door that led outside, left open because of the rules that stated no Earth woman could be left alone with a single Kalquorian or his clanmates. A big man ... a really big Kalquorian ... stood there.
Dusa and Esak bowed. My young Dramok said, “Greetings, Commander Nang.”
“Good day, Dramok Dusa, Nobek Esak. May I come in, Matara Shalia?”
I blinked. I had no idea who this guy was, but apparently my friends did. So I said, “Sure.” I wondered how he knew my name.
He entered the little room, having to duck just a bit to get through the doorway. Given that the standard height of a doorway is over six-and-a-half feet, that meant the guy was around seven feet tall. I’d never seen anyone so big.
Dusa took care of the introductions. “Matara Shalia, this is site commander Dramok Nang. He’s in charge of the rescue operations in this area.”
I almost stuck my hand out to shake from sheer habit, but instinctual fear kept me from doing that. It’s not that Nang looked mean or anything; it was just that he was so damned large. He overwhelmed me.
He looked to be in his early 40’s. His face was lined though his body had that muscular build of the typical Kalquorian. His was a handsome face, with years of experience etched into it and a scar that went from one corner of his mouth to the bottom of his chin. His look was a far cry from the open innocence of Dusa. Even the ever-guarded Esak appeared to be a teenager next to this guy. Nang looked like he could be a real hardass.
So I didn’t offer a handshake. I settled for, “A pleasure to meet you, Commander Nang.”
He bowed deeply to me. “I am happy to make your acquaintance. May I?” He motioned to one of the chairs at the dining table.
“Yeah, fine.” If he was having a seat, that meant he planned to stay for at least a few minutes. I sat down too, but on the opposite side of the table. No way I was going to sit right next to him. His size really intimidated me.
Nang smiled pleasantly, and I relaxed a little. He had a nice smile. He wasn’t nearly as frightening with that expression on his face.
“I’ve been looking for an Earther who can help me with the problems of distrust between your people and mine,” he started. “I had sent out instructions for anyone on my staff who met such an Earther to bring him or her to my attention. This morning, Dusa indicated he thought you might have the knowledge and skills for such an assignment.”
I looked over my shoulder at Dusa, who brightly smiled at me as if he’d done something I should praise him for. It was all I could do to not scowl.
I turned back to Nang. “I’m not sure I follow you, Commander. I’m not an ambassador or anyone of particular note to my people. I just make films. Made films,” I corrected myself.
He leaned towards me, folding his arms on the table between us. “Exactly. You made propaganda vids that helped move your people to follow their government and to accept your leaders’ dictates, no matter how unpalatable. You know your people’s psychology. You know how they think. That is exactly what I need.”
“To do what?” I could have cared less about how well the aliens had treated me. I had no intentions of producing vids for this man, citing what good guys the Kalquorians really were or how we should all flock to Kalquor to bear their children. Some other Earther would find a blaster and kill me in an instant for treason. If I
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