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As the loading bay doors opened, he stood straighter, his chin up, and all traces of humor absent from his expression. It was like he was a totally different person.

The blast of hot air invading the loading bay captured her attention.

“Wow, you weren’t kidding about it being hot,” she exclaimed, her mouth drying as she spoke.

“Is it too much?” Aculus’ brow furrowed with concern, then glanced back at Carol.

“I don’t think so.” She shook her head, shielding her eyes to the light streaming into the ship.

“We’ll let you know,” her mother assured him.

When her sight adjusted, she was surprised to see they hadn’t landed at all. Aculus’ vessel hovered over an obscenely large reflecting pool that seemed to extend for miles both ways, flanking the edge of the city. The water looked so welcoming she wanted to jump right in.

A large platform skimmed the placid surface coming toward them. On it six figures stood stoic and tall. It made for quite a spectacle.

“Is that the Conclave?” she whispered.

“Aye.” Aculus gave a curt nod.

She didn’t know quite what to think of the council that ruled Osi. On one hand, they’d allowed her family to come, so her father could be healed. On the other, Aculus seemed to have an uneasy accord with the group. This was like meeting all the nations’ leaders plus some, because apparently the Conclave ruled not just Osi but other worlds, too. She couldn’t be her usual sarcastic self, not with these people. She did her best to adopt Aculus’ stance as she nervously watched them get closer.

“Welcome home,” the Osivoire man in the lead greeted them, then smiled proudly at Aculus.

“Yes, welcome, Premiere Servant.” The lead woman approached Aculus, grinning from ear to ear, affection lighting her eyes.

Nadzia tilted her head, intrigued by the familiar greeting and another observation. Not only did the other Conclave members appear just as happy to see Aculus, they were all women.

So, they’re a matriarchal society.Somehow she hadn’t expected that.

“Matron Axilla, Patrem Tellar.” Aculus greeted the pair. “Matron Bregma.” He nodded to the woman standing directly behind Tellar. “Let me introduce Matron Carol, her daughter Nadzia of Earth, and Payim representing the Cadi.”

“Greetings.” Payim placed a fist to his ruddy chest and bowed.

“Thank you for having us,” Carol said with a bow of her head.

“A pleasure to meet you.” She repressed the urge to extend her hand. She’d already learned the Osivoire didn’t shake hands after meeting Aculus’ crew.

On the spaceship she’d realized she depended way too much on hair and eye color to tell people apart. Now, surrounded by so many Osivoire, it was going to be nearly impossible keeping who was who straight. She only recognized these were women because they had breasts, which they had no qualms exposing. Oddly they had no nipples, just like the men. The women were only slightly smaller than the men, and their hips a bit broader.

“We are pleased to have you here, though the circumstances are unfortunate,” Axilla said before turning back to Aculus. “You couldn’t dress for the occasion?” She scowled at his flight suit.

Nadzia studied the woman’s metallic yellow outfit. It was full of holes, exposing and accentuating the bony plates of her chest, arms and legs. Apparently that’s what passed for high fashion here, since the rest of the Conclave wore something similar in varying colors.

“Matron, I’ll wear whatever you want if we can expedite getting Brennan Murray to Fossa Centratus.” Aculus gestured to the capsule with her father that had been moved into the loading bay.

“Of course. We have medics and conveyances waiting.” Tellar pointed toward the far end of the reflecting pool.

“We understand how worried and anxious you must be. Come.” Axilla indicated for them to join the Conclave on the platform.

Nadzia glanced at Aculus. He’d grown even stiffer, if that was possible. She followed his assessing gaze to the bevy of vehicles on shore.

“This way.” He gestured for her to board the floating platform while making sure her mother descended the ramp safely.

Some sort of silent conversation passed between Aculus and Tellar. From the stern glances toward shore and pursed lips, it looked contentious. But Tellar must have won the unspoken argument because Aculus sighed in resignation.

“Thank you, Cartil,” Carol said as the medic pushed the pod keeping her father alive down the ramp.

“Captain Scala, there is more than enough room for you to join us,” Axilla extended an invite.