Page 14 of The Build Up

Toforget.

And that’s where I met Tarak… in the most ridiculous of circumstances. He was a bit of a bad guy at the time, but he’s changed so much—anddoneso much—since then.

I never wanted power—never even thought about it—but by virtue ofwhohe is, Tarak’s just handed me a shipload of it.

Maybe, when the time is right, I’ll reopen that investigation.

“I’ll give you whatever you desire,” Tarak says quietly, picking up Ami and moving closer to me. He takes my hand. “Whatever is within my power and my means—and that is considerable. I’ll give you and our children the life you deserve. Especially for all your courage and patience in putting up with one such as I.”

“It isn’t like you to be so self-deprecating.”

“Only with you,” Tarak says lightly. “Because I can.”

“You saved all of us from a terrible fate.”

“Because you aremine.And therefore, everything that’s precious to you is precious to me. Now that the biggest threat toour existence has been neutralized, I only want to give you all of the things you yearn for, myamina.”

I shake my head gently. “It’s a two-way street. I feel incredibly privileged to beyours,Tarak, but I’m not going to sit back and merely take advantage of you.”

“You could, you know. I wouldn’t mind.”

“Maybe…sometimes,” I say mischievously. “But not always.” As the direct conduit between Tarak and the entire human species, I have certain responsibilities to live up to. “Besides,you’rethe one who said we should govern Earth.”

“I can take it back,” he shrugs. “Deal with it as I see fit.”

“You know we wouldn’t accept that.”

“Indeed. That’s why I gave you the power in the first place.”

“Then how could you possibly say that we can lead some semblance of a normal life?”

“We can do things like this. Simple things. Humans will have to get used to our presence on Earth. It’s as straightforward as that. Other alien species have successfully integrated. And wherever you wish to go, we’ll go. I won’t hide anymore. There’s no need to bother with disguises or subterfuge. Reasonable security measures can be taken, yes, but this isEarth, not Kythia. We have it locked down and secured to my satisfaction, and that’s how it will remain. Life will go on as normally asyouwish.”

Oh, Tarak.He’s so romantic when he gets adamant like this. There’s contradiction in what he says, but also truth.

“Besides,” he says softly, surveying passers-by and curious onlookers. Some people stare for a moment longer than usual, but they don’t do anything too crazy. “Do you really think there’s anything in this vicinity that I can’t deal with?”

I laugh. People around here are laid-back, dressing for hot weather in short shorts, slippers, and singlets. Despite its role as a gateway to the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, Darwin remainsa bit of a sleepy frontier town, an outpost at the far end of the continent.

Life moves at a slower pace here, and the locals are obsessed with fishing, beer, and footy.

I can’t even imagine the kind of havoc Tarak would wreak if anyone tried to start trouble with him.

“Fair enough.” My attention is captured by Ami, who’s pointing toward a brightly colored shop.

“Ice cream,” she exclaims. “I want ice cream! Daddy, please?”

The most dangerous Kordolian in the Nine Galaxies turns to putty in his daughter’s tiny hands. “Yes. You can have thisice cream…if your mother says it’s allowed.”

“It’s a treat. Asometimesfood, am I right, Ami?”

Ami nods, agreeing with me purely so she can get what she wants. That’s what almost-three-year-olds do, isn’t it?

The bargaining phase has begun.

I expect it will remain for a very long time.

“All right, let’s go.” We head toward the shop, which is actually a gelato outlet decorated in bright pastels and with dozens of flavors on offer.

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