Tellan: Brides of the Mylos Read online

  TELLAN

  Brides of the Mylos 1

  by Loretta Johns

  No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored, transmitted, recorded or distributed by any means without the written consent by the author in whose name copyright exists. All rights reserved. This includes, photocopy, e-book, print or any form of binding.

  All characters are a figment of the author's imagination.

  Copyright © Loretta JohnsFirst published December 2018 in the United Kingdom

  To my sister and our dream of mai tais on a Big Island beach.

  Chapter One

  Commander Tellan gazed about the room one last time, making certain he had not left anything behind that he’d intended to bring back to the ship. There hadn’t been much, as most of his personal belongings were already onboard, with only travel essentials necessary for his shore leave having made the trip with him. Satisfied that he’d not forgotten anything of value, he padded silently to the vehicle outside, not wishing to disturb his sleeping parents. His mother would make a tearful scene, as always, and his father would be as awkward as ever, torn between being the concerned parent and the experienced, albeit now retired, admiral of the Exploratory Fleet. He’d said his goodbyes the night before during the small family dinner. There was no need to drag things out. Giving a quick nod to the pilot, the personal sized shuttle began the glide away from the house in stealth mode, engines on silent.

  Once they’d reached the designated aerial lift zone, the shuttle’s engines came on at full throttle and began to climb higher. Now no longer skimming above the ground like an old fashioned hovercraft, it entered the airspace designated for long distance travel. Tellan watched as the pilot informed the planetary AI of their desired destination, their request instantaneously relayed to the transport AI who immediately sent their designated path to the shuttle. The pilot relaxed, his sole job now to keep a watchful eye on the craft’s systems and unexpected obstacles that might require his skill to avoid a collision.

  Twenty-two minutes later, Tellan disembarked, his belongings on a small grev pallet already on its way to his ship. The pallet with belongings was ferried along by one of his own crewmen who had met the shuttle. This part of passenger terminal was less busy than the civilian area, allowing good time to be made as he crossed the docks to where his own ship was berthed. He paused for moment to admire her. Galactic Wonder was a ship for exploration and first contact, built to be unintimidating yet fully capable of defending itself, especially against a less technologically superior force.

  Such as these humans. Initial long-term observations show they tend to be reactionary in nature but their weapons capability easily countered by the light armament of the Explorer class starships. Apparently also curious and hungry for knowledge, which hopefully will help temper their response when we reveal ourselves and attempt to open negotiations. I just hope I don’t let everyone down. The scout’s reports on the genetic and cultural compatibilities looked especially promising.

  Straightening his uniform shirt, he squared his shoulders and strode forward to his new command

  Chapter Two

  Tellan sighed before pouring himself a glass of the whiskey the UK prime minister had gifted him. His quarters was full of such gifts as each of the nations vied for his favour, seeming to believe that they could translate gestures of goodwill into advantages unavailable to other nations of their world. The liquid burned pleasantly as it made its way down his throat and into his stomach.

  No matter how many times we explain it to them, the leaders all seem to think we will limit tech and scientific knowledge according to individual trade agreements. I don’t envy Padmar his task. He grimaced, recalling the frustration Padmar had expressed after his last meeting with several of Earth’s leaders. The Chief Negotiator had tried, once more, to get the human leadership to accept that the deal being offered was the same for all nations. The only individual deals would be business related, made when the Bride Fleet would arrive and arrangements for goods to be shipped for Fleet use would be made. Later some social arrangements might also be made, for workers and recreation.That, too, would be negotiated by the Bride Fleet Commander. If we ever come to an agreement so that we can dispatch the Fleet, that is, he told himself.

  “Captain Tellan,” the ship’s AI said. “Chief Padmar wished me to alert you that he has just received a signed declaration from the Earth body known as The United Nations.”

  Tellan blinked in surprise. “Hatrin, please open a vidcomm to Chief Padmar.”

  “Opening vidcomm now,” Hatrin acknowledged. Immediately a section of wall in front of Tellan changed to a video display, the embedded circuitry making this possible. Padmar’s pleased expression filled the viewscreen.

  “Padmar here,” he said. “I thought you would want to know immediately.”

  “Indeed. I thought they would continue posturing and vying for national advantages for some time yet.”

  “I am as surprised as you, but it seems I had not accounted upon their penchant for listening to celebrities. A popular actor in a long-running space exploration video series enthused about the possibilities we bring and it caused the public to demand that the governments ‘get Star Trekking’. Several of the more prominent national factions have leadership elections looming and I believe they wished to use their support of our deal to secure re-election.”

  “So, they have signed a declaration of intent?”

  “They’ve actually held a vote and signed the agreement. Our scientists and educators may begin assessing appropriate levels of knowledge and tech to share with them and begin setting up the mate matching programs.”

  That was indeed quite good news. “I shall send a comm back to Mylos immediately. Send my kunnarskyn a copy of the signed agreement along with your personal observations and recommendations.”

  “Yes, sir. I shall have those to you within a few hours. There is one thing you should be aware of, though, sir.” Tellan schooled his features. If there was one thing he knew, it was that those words never boded well. Something that was backed up by the uncharacteristic nervous edge to Padmar’s voice and sudden change in demeanour. he said nothing in reply, merely giving a slight cock of the head in question, indicating for Padmar to continue. “The agreement,” Padmar steeled himself visibly before speaking his next few words, “requires you, and later the Bride Fleet Commander once handover to the Fleet is completed at our departure, to act as the official voice of the Council. This means that all further plans and negotiations are to go through you, personally.”

  Tellan stared. “Whose idea was that?” he roared. Of all the bad ideas that a politician could possibly defecate, this has to be the absolute worst. I handle explorations and pass on reports the Admiralty and Council, not do the job of the very capable Trade Emissary assigned to my command.

  “The humans, sir. I tried to explain how we work, but they insisted and when I spoke to the Trade Emissary Adjunct to ask for further guidance on how to sway their understanding, he spoke to someone on the Council, who spoke to more members of the Council…” Padmar’s shoulders slumped. Tellan sighed.

  “And they had it put into the agreement as the humans desired. It can’t be helped then.”

  “No, sir. But the Council insisted on adding a clause to that requirement. Our ship’s AI is to choose one human from among the many who wish to work with you and help us design the best possible knowledge trade as well as how to handle the bride matching service.”

  “So it won’t have to be a politician?”

  Padmar grinned. “No, sir. It doesn’t.”

  “In fact,” Hatrin said, the AI breaking into the conversation, “I can guarantee it will not be. This person needs
to have the honest wish to best benefit their species as a whole, regardless of political faction. To eliminate suspicions of bias, all politicians and anyone working for them in any way are exempted.”

  Tellan nodded. That was something, at least.

  Chapter Three

  Laurel wiped the last plate dry and passed it to her sister, Marie. Marie’s twelve-year-old daughter, Charlotte was insisting that she could, too, go to university and get recruited to work for MI 5.

  “Or maybe 6,” she said.

  “Mum, she thinks she’s going to be all cool, like James Bond. They won’t want a wazzock like Charlotte, tell her,” Charlotte’s older brother, Kieran, said.

  “If she studies hard, she can become anything she wants to be. She could even maybe go into space with those aliens, making sure they are on the up and up. Or maybe go explore more galaxies or whatever with them,” Marie informed her son as she put the plate in the cupboard with the rest of them. “And don’t call your sister a wazzock. I’ve told you about picking on her. You’re fifteen, not seven. Now, go take out the rubbish for your nan and put the bin out at the kerb for her. Bin day is tomorrow.” Kieran pulled a face, but did as he was told. Charlotte followed him.

  Laurel and Marie exchanged fond but exaggerated glances. The siblings had been at it all day, only stopping after their grandmother admonished them for disrupting Sunday lunch with their antics.Laurel hung the damp tea towel to dry on the oven door handle. “Tea?” she asked her sister, seeing her mother had fallen asleep in front of the TV again.

  “Yeah, go on,” Marie said, taking two mugs from the mug tree on the counter and placing a tea bag in each one. “I think Mum’s asleep, so she won’t be needing one just yet.”

  “Yeah, she is,” Laurel replied, checking the water level in the kettle and seeing it was at an acceptable level before switching it on.

  “So, what do you think of these aliens then?”

  “The Mylos?” Laurel scrunched her face up in thought. “Well, I think if they wanted to kill us all or enslave us, they’d have sent a lot more ships and been done with it. As for wanting to set up a bride exchange, I just don't know. I mean, they look human enough, pretty damned hot actually from the ones I’ve seen on TV, but how would that work? Like, a dating service or what?” The kettle came to a full boil and she lifted it from its base and poured the water over the tea bags. Marie pushed over the sugar bowl to her after she returned the kettle to its base.

  “I take two,” she reminded Laurel.

  “I know, I know. Only been making tea with you for years.”

  “Ugh, don’t remind me. Thirty-five is behind me now and I’m looking at forty.”

  Laurel laughed. “Your thirty-sixth birthday was only the day before yesterday.”

  Marie reached for her tea, fished out the tea bag and added milk. “Easy for you to say, Miss Only Twenty-eight and Looks Even Younger.”

  Laurel preened in jest. “What can I say? Some of us were just born to be gorgeous.” The two sisters laughed and took a seat at the small kitchen table. “About the Mylos, though, have you seen those online quizzes about them?” She giggled. “I took one.”

  “Oh yeah? Which one?”

  “It’s on my wall, wait, I’ll go on and tag you. It’s kinda long and asks all sorts of questions, but the results are a hoot. It asks all about policy ideas, fave foods, which actor do I find sexy, whole lotta random stuff. So I answered them all and it told me I was ‘an Absolutely Stellar Trade and Education Emissary’. Made me think of those guys on Deep Space Nine, the ones that ran the bar, only, you know, not misogynistic or with a face like a smacked arse.”

  Marie giggled. “Yeah, tag me later. I want to see what I get. maybe I’ll get to be a starship captain.”

  “Mum,” Charlotte called, coming inside. “Can I go to the park? Angel asked me,” she asked, waving her mobile.”

  “Be back here by six,” Marie replied. “I want to leaving for home then. And go tell your father before you go.” Laurel silently listened as she picked up her phone and opened the app so she could tag her sister for the quiz.

  “Okay,” Charlotte answered, heading into the lounge where her father sat watching the TV, the volume down so as to not wake up her grandfather. “Kieran said to tell you he’s gone to the shop.”

  “For what?”

  “Ice cream.”

  “Ah, okay.” Marie shook her head and addressed Laurel. “We only just finished a big dinner, complete with pud. I don’t know where he puts it.”

  “Probably about to have another growth spurt,” Laurel allowed.

  “Quite likely and damn, I just bought him new school trousers and shoes.”

  ****

  Laurel exited the tube station, grateful that at this time on a Sunday evening neither the tube nor the pavements were crowded. She hurried towards the steps of her flat, only slowing down when she saw the area about it was cordoned off and uniformed officers were redirecting pedestrians and traffic.

  Shit. Did one of my neighbours get murdered or something? She wracked her brain trying to think of who in the small block of flats was most likely to become a victim of foul play. There were only five flats, four above and the one in the basement. She came up blank. All of her neighbours were friendly people who kept mostly to themselves. An officer caught sight of her and came towards her. Wait. They’re looking for me?

  “Laurel Chin?” the young officer asked.

  “Yes, is something wrong? Did something happen?”

  The officer gave her a reassuring smile. “Nothing like that. Someone is waiting to met you. Your landlord let them in to wait for you.” The officer leaned into his radio and toggled it on. “Sir, I’ve got Laurel Chin here with me. I’ll escort her up.”

  “We’ll be waiting,” came the reply.

  My landlord let them in? Who? What’s with all the police? Her mind swam and goosebumps crawled along the nape of her neck and arms. Her question was answered the moment she saw just who was sitting on her couch. She gaped. “Prime Minister? And Commander…Talon, was it?”

  “Tellan,” the tall man corrected, his accent almost, but not quite, sounding American. Probably learned English through all those TV shows we just beamed into space all these years.

  “Sorry, Tellan,” she repeated.

  Prime Minister Simms stood. “I’m sure this comes as quite a shock. We felt this would be better discussed in surroundings familiar to you.” The P.M. turned to a young man in a suit who hovered off to one side. “Ian, can you please go make us some tea?” Laurel stared as the young man disappeared into her tay kitchen to make tea.

  Thank heavens I cleaned up after breakfast in there and cleaned the flat yesterday.

  “Please, take a seat,” the P.M. Said to her firmly. That sounded like a most excellent idea, Laurel decided. She was feeling a bit peculiar. Once she was ensconced in her favourite armchair, the P.M. addressed her once more.

  “First of all, I want you to know that you have the backing of our entire nation as well as the rest of the world.”

  I do? For what?

  Simms continued on. “It’s such an honour to have one of our own chosen as the Trade and Education Emissary to the Mylos.”

  Hold up now. Did she just say “the Trade and Education Emissary”? As in that quizzes “Congratulations! You’re an Absolutely Stellar Trade and Education Emissary? That was just one of those dumb quizzes, wasn’t it? They come across my feed all the damned time!

  “I am looking most forward to working with you. I was sent a copy of your replies and found them most interesting. I’m certain that together, we shall find the right level of education and tech to share with your world, the best way to disseminate it, and come up with a workable way for Mylos males to meet their perfect matches.”

  “I’m no matchmaker or trade whatever,” Laurel blurted. “I’m just Laurel Chin, waitress at my family’s Caribbean-Chinese fusion restaurant in Chinatown!”

  Prime Minister Simms stood
up. “Oh, there’s no mistake. You took the quiz and their ship’s highly developed AI selected you. You’re Earth’s Trade and Education Emissary and Tellock’s perfect match.”

  Tellan stepped forward and took her hand in his. “I was not expecting you to also be my mate. It brings me great joy to know this is so, that my long years alone are now over.”

  Laurel jerked her hand back. “What? Mate? Match? Are you people trying to marry me off?”

  Simms looked away, unable to meet her eyes. “I’m sorry” she said, a touch of remorse evident. “But it’s done. The officers will escort you to the Commander’s shuttle. You can take your budgies with you. They’ll help you transport their cage. Anything else of yours, you can put in a list and arrangements will be made.

  Laurel stared at her. Well, shit. Guess I really don’t get a choice in this, huh? I can’t blame the alien, this is obviously how his people do things. I best act calm and reasonable, go along, and get him to understand that he has to let me go.

  Chapter Four

  Tellan’s reservations about being the Council’s point man were nothing in comparison to the disquiet he felt when his kunnarskyn pinged with an alert all Mylos knew: the mate match notification. His first reaction was disbelief. Why have I been matched? I haven’t entered my profile into any matching service database as of yet, nor has the Council pulled it for such, as far as I know. His next was dismay. I’m on a delicate assignment. If leave now to go back and claim my bride, it could have serious repercussions here. Even a few days absence before returning could be catastrophic. His curiosity won out, though. A perfect match was rare enough that it was unheard of to refuse one. Not only that, but the emotional response to knowing one’s mate was near often triggered the biological one. Often, just seeing an image of the mate with the knowledge they were yours caused the mating display to engage. And once engaged, the physical changes increased, lacing a strain on the body until it became a mate or die scenario.