Page 14 of Captured By The Alien (Starbound #2)

“Citizens of Earth, greetings from Vraxos. Our worlds have been at war for two decades now. As the new leader of my people, it is my deep and abiding desire that the bloodshed does not continue for another two decades.

The conflict has taken so much from all of us. But it has also given me a perspective I may never have otherwise gained. During a space battle several months ago, I was stranded on an uninhabited planet with only one other survivor. A human.

A woman who taught me about courage and fortitude. Who showed me that humans are just like Vraxians with the same fears and desires. The same hopes for a better future.

That human is Kara Cameron-Singh, the daughter of President Dana Cameron. She and I helped each other to survive and as incredible as it may sound, she became my friend. She is now here, alive and well, on Vraxos. And like me, all she wants is peace for both our planets.

The recent passing of my father Zhaal Qu’rash has given me an opportunity to launch a new era, one I intend to take. I am marking the start of my rule with an unequivocal offer of reconciliation.

I have today announced a ceasefire among all Vraxian military units. Our troops will pull out of all disputed areas. There will be no more confrontations with human soldiers.

As a further gesture of goodwill, we will send a cargo ship with some of our most advanced energy technology as a gift. You may board the ship at a space station of your choosing to verify the contents.

When you are satisfied of the sincerity of our intentions, we will invite an Earth delegation to Vraxos to negotiate a treaty for future bilateral trade and diplomatic relations.

To give assurances of our peaceful intentions, President Cameron’s daughter will be speaking to her mother privately.

People of Earth, let me finish by saying this. It is a stain on both our great civilizations that we have allowed our bitter conflict to continue for so long. Let us rectify that. Let us start a new chapter. Let us share our knowledge and pool our resources. Let us bring our people together.

We cannot change the past. But with boldness, conviction, and clear-eyed determination, we can change our future.

We look forward to your response.”

Kara nodded slowly.

“It’s good. When did it go out?”

“It was transmitted last night.”

General Solarun seemed even more terse than usual and Kara had to press for more detail.

“And? Has there been any feedback?”

“Our communications monitoring stations are reporting a wave of positive reaction worldwide. There’ve been public appeals to your authorities to accept the peace offer. Now it’s your turn. Speak to your mother and reinforce the message.”

“She knows I’m going to call?”

“She was informed there would be contact from Vraxos.” Ela looked her up and down. “Can I ask, what the drek are you wearing?”

“Ah.” Kara glanced down at herself. “Daa’sten said it was all the rage.”

The Vraxian’s lip curled and Kara couldn’t blame her. She was wearing some of the least objectional items Daa’sten had sent over that morning, though that wasn’t saying much: a bright orange top made from shiny lycra-type material that fit her about as well as a sack and some kind of satiny leggings that puddled round her feet.

Honestly, she would have worn her prison clothes again if Daa’sten hadn’t threatened to wrestle them off her.

“Awful, isn’t it? I asked for a belt but there’s nothing small enough.”

“I have no interest in your fashion failures. I’m only here because the Zhaal asked me to assist you.”

“How is he?”

Kara immediately wanted to bite her tongue. Especially when Ela’s expression became even more hostile.

“That’s not your concern, human. You have a part to play, as does he. Just so we’re clear, I don’t share his faith in you.”

“Yes, I’m getting that. But trust me, I want the plan to work as much as Vahn.”

“Do you?” Ela stepped closer. “Because he’s taking a huge risk. Not just for the future of the planet but by his ridiculous idea to marry you.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Kara glared at her. “Yes, it’s a risk. But uniting through marriage is a strategy that’s worked for countless civilizations on Earth. I bet it’s the same on Vraxos. I know for a fact that clan Vantrax is trying to get one of its own into the gene pool.”

Ela gritted her teeth. She couldn’t argue with that.

“Layahn. Baelon’s niece. She will be hard to beat.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence. Any tips?”

“Don’t let your guard down.”

“Wow, brilliant. Wouldn’t have thought of that.”

Ela controlled her temper. The human was aggravating.

“I can train you in combat if you wish.”

“Thanks, but I trained with Vahn on Minerva-6. Got pretty good, too. I think I can handle myself.”

“You trained with Vahn?”

“We had a lot of time to kill. When we weren’t collecting water or setting traps, there wasn’t a lot to do. So sometimes we’d spar.”

“Is that all you did?”

The question was out before Ela could snatch it back. Vannla’s Sword, why was she torturing herself? Of course that wasn’t all they did. Vahn had practically admitted as such.

Kara narrowed her eyes. Did she know? Had Vahn told her? Surely not. He’d repeatedly told her not to mention their kalehsh. But the look on Ela’s face…

“You know, don’t you?” she asked flatly. “About me and Vahn.”

“He says you’re his kalehsha ,” the general admitted reluctantly. “That he discovered this while you were stranded together.”

“He shouldn’t have told you.”

“I think he needed to unburden himself.” Ela paused. “Though he seems unsure if you feel the same.”

“Oh.” Kara didn’t know what to say. “It’s… it’s complicated.”

“I see,” Ela said drily. “I was always given to believe kalehsh was the simplest, most straight-forward emotion of all. Clearly our philosophers are full of zift. ”

Kara cocked her head.

“It doesn’t disgust you? That Vahn thinks I’m his fated mate?”

Disgust? No. Devastate? Yes. Ela looked at her coldly.

“It is not my place to question the decision of the gods. But be sure that others will. You must not speak of it to anyone. It could be used against him.”

“Yet he trusted you with it.” Kara couldn’t help a spark of jealousy.

“The Zhaal has the utmost confidence in me. He knows I would never betray him.”

Because you love him. Kara didn’t say it but the words hung there between them.

Did Vahn know? No. He couldn’t. Or he wouldn’t have admitted his feelings for another woman so blithely.

“Men are idiots,” she muttered to herself and was surprised when Ela nodded.

“Undoubtedly. Now let me get you a direct line to the President’s office. Are you ready to speak to your mother?”

Kara took a deep breath.

“Nope. But if we wait till that happens, we’ll be here all week. Let’s do it.”