Gigi (22 page)

This session was considered public-interest, because the outcome affected everyone. The council members had staff with them who communicated constantly with their home planets. No decision could be reached without a majority vote. Gigi was surprised when the Council of Six asked her and Amada to stay.

Their assigned alcove was the size of a studio apartment. Ounna, Ju’nii and a couple Trac’xian nannies stood beside them, tending to the children. Gigi looked around, hearing the collective gasp that followed a barrage of angry shouts. What could possibly be the cause? She tried looking around, but didn’t see anything wrong.

The hand on her shoulder startled her. She turned and followed Amada’s gaze to the chamber’s entrance. A detail of elite warriors marched in standard formation. She found Briq and Zaaq-niq among them, walking in the middle. It looked as if they were escorting someone in, but from her angle she couldn’t see very well. The angry shouts continued until the magistrate called for order. Gigi couldn’t tell what was worse. The shouts or tense silence that followed.

“I call this meeting to order. This is a formal request for sanctuary. No one is allowed to speak until the petition has been entered. Anyone speaking out of turn will be removed from the proceedings and lose their voting privileges. Do you agree?” The magistrate spoke in a strong commanding voice. It was protocol to warn participants of the rules every time the council was in session. The alcoves’ signs turned on, signaling the members’ agreement.

“Supplicant, step forward and plead your case before us. We’ll hear your request and reach a decision according to the treaties and regulations set forth by the Protectorate.”

“Thank you, Lord Magistrate. Distinguished Protectorate council members, I present to you Lady Ha’rrra of the Kreeh-nosh. Lady Ha’rrra, you may present your case.” Briq stepped aside after formally introducing the breeder.

Gigi couldn’t believe her eyes or ears. Her mate stood in the midst of the council, advocating on behalf of a Kreeh-nosh. Try as she may, she couldn’t understand why he was doing it after being tortured by them for years. As if sensing her misgivings, Briq looked up.

His feelings of compassion and hope spread over her like a warm blanket. Her champion felt sorry for the heavily-guarded creature standing next to him. She was frail and emaciated. Gigi knew then Ha’rrra was a noble spirit, and wished she could help. Little did she know her wish would come true soon.

 “Lady Ha’rrra, the Protectorate high council welcomes you. We’re eager to hear your words. Come in peace and speak freely.” The magistrate extended the formal greeting, motioning to the center of the room.

Gigi watched proudly as Briq removed the maglocks from Ha’rrra’s arms. She understood the gesture more than anyone else. Her mate hated confinement of any kind. By removing them he showed everyone he didn’t blame her for his capture.

“Thank you for agreeing to hear my petition, honorable members of the council. I come to you on behalf of my sisters to offer a treaty.”

Ha’rrra’s voice wasn’t what Gigi had expected. It wasn’t the harsh screech she associated with the Kreeh-nosh, but rather a soft, soothing buzz.

“My lady, forgive my bluntness, but you’re just a breeder without real power in the colonies. By whose authority are you making this bargain?”

Gigi knew it was the role of the magistrate to rule impartially. Still, he didn’t have to be an ass about it, did he?

“If you’re willing to listen, I’ll tell you how it all came to pass. I want you to know the Kreeh-nosh weren’t always like this.”

“Let’s enter it to record. The Lady Ha’rrra of the Kreeh-nosh has the floor. She comes to us seeking sanctuary, offering a treaty between our people. I, Briq of the House of Pran-kril, will be her supplicant. You have the floor, my lady.”

Tension ran high, all gazes directed at the figure standing in the middle of the floor. Gigi had to admit Ha’rrra wasn’t what she’d expected of a typical Kreeh-nosh.

“For thousands of years the breeders have been victimized by our males. Our race wasn’t always like this. A long time ago it was the females who ruled the colonies.” Ha’rrra’s story unfolded as a powerful tale of betrayal and abuse at the hands of those charged to protect them. Gigi couldn’t help the flood of memories Ha’rrra’s story unlocked.

Generation after generation, the Kreeh-noshian females was subjected to cruelty. They were tormented and tortured by the same ones they’d hatched. Their basic rights denied, their freedom stolen. Breeders lived in filthy lairs with little and sometimes nothing to eat for weeks. When a colony’s warrior population was low, the males would fertilize them by force. Those who resisted died instantly. Not many did, because they were too weak to fight.

Gigi shook as tears spilled down her cheeks. Amada reached over and wiped them, understanding shining in her eyes. They’d grown close like real sisters during the month they’d spent together. She’d decided to come clean about Davide and her part in his death. She’d expected shock and revulsion. Instead her sister had given her love and support.

It seemed like a lifetime ago when she too had been the victim of Davide’s abuse. The more the breeder talked, the angrier Gigi got. Apparently, violence and abuse weren’t exclusive to Earth. She felt the whisper of a caress around her heart. Briq was looking at her, questioningly. Gigi smiled at him, deciding to let go of all the ugly memories.

After Ha’rrra finished her story, all the signs lit up. The A.I. kept track of the order, granting the floor accordingly. Each member had fifteen minutes to interview the petitioner.

“You expect us to believe the Kreeh-nosh were peace-loving creatures? Your people have brought nothing but chaos and destruction upon the twin galaxies.” Tril’cya’s, a Pendo’rahn council member, remarks reverberated throughout the chambers. “Our planet was almost destroyed by your poison. Our females left unable to form bonds or feel passion for our males. It’s a fate worse than death. Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”

“I’m deeply saddened by what happened to your people. You must understand the breeders aren’t responsible for these crimes. We’re as much the victims of the Kreeh-noshian Empire as the rest of the galaxies,” Ha’rrra replied softly.

Gigi felt a surge of anger so intense she wanted to punch the woman. It never failed. The outsiders always blamed the victims.

“What guarantees do we have that this isn’t another Kreeh-noshian ruse to make us lower our guard? After all, your lack of honor is well known.”

”Lady Tril’cya, magistrate, may I speak?”

Gigi stood when Briq asked to address the floor. She walked to the alcove’s edge for a better view.

“We responded to the distress signal thinking it was a trap. Despite our suspicions we went in because it was the honorable thing to do. What we found inside defied every logical explanation.”

Gigi’s stomach lurched at hearing Briq explain how the males had killed each other in a mad frenzy to reach the breeders. He described in vivid detail how hundreds of dismembered bodies were scattered around. Some of them appeared to have been half eaten. The Kreeh-nosh were more brutal than anyone knew. It wasn’t until they’d arrived at the breeders’ lair that their true nature was revealed.

Stench and filth had assailed them after opening the doors. The warriors had rushed in, ready for combat, but found no opposition. The caretakers had surrendered instantly in exchange for the breeders’ lives. The females weren’t what they’d expected. Gigi cringed with revulsion, thinking of the poor females lying in filth, starving and so weak they couldn’t stand.

“Are we supposed to believe they surrendered without a fight? How convenient.” The sarcasm in Tril’cya’s voice didn’t escape Gigi.

“I give you my word of honor as a warrior, my lady. No one has seen a breeder before, because they’re kept as prisoners under the most deplorable conditions. They’ve asked for sanctuary, offering peace in return. I humbly ask we grant it.”

“Your word of honor?” The council woman laughed. “Are we supposed to believe you still possess such a noble quality? You’re nothing but a two-bit smuggler,” Tril’cya retorted derisively. The entire council came to a standstill.

“Council Member Tril’cya, your conduct is unacceptable. I’m hereby removing you from the proceedings.”

Gigi dug her nails into her palms, trying to remain calm. It wasn’t easy when someone insulted her mate.

“No, I refuse to leave. I claim the right of toq’ma’lal against Bah-Troy. He allowed hundreds of our warriors to die. My daughter was captured by the Kreeh-nosh. She was defiled and killed according to his account. He was there yet did nothing to prevent it.”

“Now isn’t the time to discuss this delicate topic. We’ll open an inquest at a later date if you wish to pursue this. If we find Lord Bah-Troy acted negligently, we’ll punish him according to the law.”

She couldn’t believe it. Her mate was trying to bring about peace, yet he was the one put on trial.

“Are you all blind? He’s obviously a Kreeh-nosh spy sent here to infiltrate the council. These breeders are his allies, playing our sympathies to destroy us from within,” the woman shouted, her eyes blazing with madness.

“Lady Tril’cya, you’re out of line. Remove yourself form the chamber now.” The magistrate lit his sign, calling for order.

“Take me down there now, Ju’nii,” Gigi said, running to the back of the alcove.

“Lady Gigi, are you feeling all right?” Ju’nii asked, stepping in front of her and running the scanner up and down.

She impatiently swatted its hand away. The Glaxians were always scanning them. It was really annoying at times.

“No, I’m fine. Get me down there now or I’ll find a way,” she answered, pacing nervously.

Ju’nii tried to argue with her, but she just walked around it. She’d climb down on her hands and knees if necessary. Lady Tril’cya’s next words poured over her like ice cold water.

“The House of Pran-Kril thinks they’re above the law. First the jid’rahal breaks his word and mates with a female of unknown origins. Now their other son is nothing more than a grotesque monster clearly under enemy control. His children will be unclean. No one in their right mind would ever want to mate them. If you want what’s best for our world, you’ll banish them forever.” Lady Tril’cya’s impassioned speech was met with mix reactions. Some members stood and lit their signs in agreement. They weren’t the majority, but their numbers were considerable.

Gigi was so freaking mad by the time they reached the ground. How could this woman question Briq’s loyalty? She wouldn’t stand by while the horrible person vilified him. The last straw came after the woman called her mate grotesque and her children unclean. All the anger and humiliation she’d suppressed through the years exploded in one brilliant flash of emotion. No more.

“What gives you the right to question my mate’s integrity? What would you have him do? If you’d read his statement then you know he was restrained when your daughter died. They killed her because she chose to fight against them. She died like a true warrior with honor.” She faced Lady Tril’cya like a lioness defending her cubs, Amada later told her.

The elite warriors spread out, giving her room to walk. None of them made an attempt to stop her. Gigi reached the center of the chamber with her bright red hair streaming behind like a flag.

“I’ve invoked the right of swift vengeance, which gives me the right to question this creature’s loyalty. Lord Bah-Troy came back after we thought him dead. Only it isn’t him. The Kreeh-nosh transformed him in to a killing beast programmed to do their bidding. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’d made a pact with them in exchange for his life.”

“Who the hell do you think you are to question his allegiance? My mate is an honorable warrior, not a traitor hiding in the shadows. His unselfish efforts aided the Protectorate and Pendo’rah countless times. Where were you when he sacrificed himself to save the
Q’alor
? Would you have taken the pain he endured without breaking, without losing your soul? It’s easy to look down on people from your high perch. You think of warriors as disposable things to throw away when they no longer work. You speak of honor and loyalty yet you condemn those who fight to keep you safe. If not for him, the Kreeh-nosh would’ve taken over my world and many more.

“While you dined and feasted with your loved ones, he was strapped to machines and tortured by T’zaal. While you lived in the lap of luxury, he endured pain and hunger so you wouldn’t. What gives you the freaking right to cast insults at him or my children? It’s you who has no honor, Lady Tril’cya. It’s you who desecrates your daughter’s memory. Her sacrifice is rendered meaningless by your hateful words. I’d rather die than live in a place where one is judged not by the merits of their actions but by one’s appearance. You might see him as nothing but grotesque, but that warrior you see standing before you has given more to Pendo’rah than all of you combined. Even now he stands in front of you willing to put his honor on the line for the sake of peace. My mate might not look like the warrior he once was, but his loyalty is unshakable. I’ll tell you what he isn’t. He isn’t a mindless beast programmed to serve the Kreeh-nosh. Our children aren’t unclean. They’re the fruit of deep, real love. Don’t you ever disrespect him like that again or I’ll toq’ma’lal your ass to the ground.”

She was crying so loudly hot blinding pain knifed through her. Briq wanted to come to her, but she shook her head. This was her chance to stand her ground against those who wanted to hurt him. The pain became so unbearable she could hardly breathe. It was so unfair of them to question his loyalty after all he’d endured.

“Gigi?” her sister whispered, touching her shoulder. “Look at me, babe.” She tried to focus her eyes, but the pain was getting worse. Why did it hurt so badly? “Your water broke. We need to take you to medcomm now.”

It all happened so fast after that she had no time to think. Ooh-Baak called for medcomm while Briq rushed to her side. He sat on the floor with his legs folded underneath. Holding her gently, Zaaq-niq guided her until her back rested against her mate.