Page 73 of I Married A Catman

Gaelec nodded in agreement, his eyes narrowing on the senior officer with the same suspicion I felt. To my surprise, instead of going on the defensive, Tedrick smiled with a glimmer of approval.

“Suspicion is always good whenever strangers come offering extremely valuable gifts while asking for very little in return. But once you open the crates, you will see that there is nothing illegal or problematic in what we have brought in terms of weapons. They are comparable to the ones your Prides already use, and easily purchased in any city,” Tedrick explained.

He turned to look at one of the first deployable houses currently unfolding near the beach, but at a safe enough distance from the water.

“We’re not violating the Prime Directive,” Tedrick continued pensively. “Although the lifestyle of the Prides would be deemed primitive by most galactic standards, the tribes within a species do not define their entire people’s evolution status. Your industrialized cities and regions are on par with most other worlds. But culturally, Nazhrals are on the verge of a major clash with the rest of the galaxy.”

He stared back at my husband, studying his features while a million thoughts fleeted over his face.

“You were wise not to join that raid. Within the next hour, you will start hearing the details of what happened. As bad as it will be, understand that it is nothing compared to the evenmore vicious crackdowns that we have coming. UPO members are beyond fed up.”

“Why leak that information, then?” Gaelec asked, echoing the question I’d also been wondering about.

“Because it sends a louder message. Many doubted you. It will be an even harder blow once they realize you were right. If your warning about this was accurate, then the one about our even fiercer attacks against pirates will hold a lot more weight and will have more people think twice before crossing the line,” Tedrick explained.

“Fair enough. But it still doesn’t explain why you are showering us with so much expensive equipment,” I insisted, my suspicion still obvious.

He gave me an indulgent smile. “If you worry that we’re trying to buy your loyalty, you can cast that thought out.”

My stupid cheeks heated. It was indeed what I’d been implying. I just hated that my face would give off the impression I was embarrassed to have thought it as it was a fair question to ask.

“What you need to understand is that at the end of the day, as we say on Earth, money talks and bullshit walks. This piracy business costs a lot of people a lot of money. The cruise ship you arrived here on now spends nearly three million credits a year just to keep its ships safe from attacks like the one you faced. Every single year. And that’s one company. Tens of thousands of companies, many a lot smaller that cannot afford this type of defensive budgets, have to contend with the same issue. I’ll let you take a wild guess what kind of costs, both in protection and in lost goods this creates.”

I pursed my lips and nodded slowly. He didn’t have to tell me any specific numbers, but we were easily talking about billions of credits every year. And that was without even mentioning the lives lost on all sides.

“So a million credits here to set you up is but a drop in the ocean,” Tedrick explained. “This is an investment for the future so they can significantly reduce these avoidable expenses. Obviously, Nazhrals aren’t the only pirates, but you represent a big percentage of them. People are rarely born criminals. It is their circumstances, usually the lack of opportunities and education that forces them into those dark paths. Young Nazhrals from your Prides are the perfect victims to be exploited by unscrupulous people. If we cut the problem at the root by helping them get the stability and security they need, they will not be lured into these so-called missions.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Gaelec said. “I’m just confused as to why you waited for me to leave my Pride instead of approaching existing ones with this kind of offer.”

“Because this type of fundamental change must come from within. We cannot come here and try to indoctrinate your people into adopting our ways. All we can do is have the opportunities available and hope the right people will seize them. You do not realize how important it is for us to see you succeed and thrive. You’re exactly the champion we needed for this entire project to be set in motion. Obviously, we don’t expect you to perform any type of overnight miracle. But you’re that strong seed of change that we will help blossom so that your roots will hopefully spread far and wide.”

“I still don’t understand,” Gaelec argued. “The Osuan Pride has been pushing for a more modern and egalitarian approach. Did you not approach them?”

He nodded. “We have had talks with them and have provided some support. But your situations are extremely different. They remain a matriarchy that is simply more protective of its males. But in the end, they still cast their males out, most of whom end up either moving to the city or flat out going off-world. It doesn’t solve the problem. We need the males from every Pride to havea reason to stay home and help elevate the living conditions of every other male on Melelyn. Which is exactly what you’re doing.”

This time, Gaelec’s face lit up with understanding, as did mine. It had been a frequent issue back when I performed charity work. The brain exodus from rural areas and tribal villages was a real thing. Changes needed to be brought about by locals for locals. And what better champion than my man?

“For the record, any other new Pride similar to yours that will form isn’t likely to get as generous an assistance as you are,” Tedrick warned. “Or at least, they will have to jump through hoops to earn it. You passed three separate tests with flying colors. This is why you are receiving all this with very little required in exchange.”

“Three tests?” I asked before Gaelec could, although his face displayed the same confusion I felt.

“The first one lasted twelve years on Molvi. Your final evaluation report from Lord Amreth was stellar. He’s a good and fair male, but not one to sugarcoat. His high recommendation is far more powerful than you can ever imagine,” Tedrick explained.

Gaelec smiled, his eyes going slightly out of focus as he probably thought back on his time on Molvi or on his interactions with his former Warden.

“It does mean a lot. Lord Amreth was strict but fair. He not only gave us every opportunity to improve ourselves to build a better future once we left, but he also highly encouraged it. I owe him a great deal.”

“You owe yourself,” Tedrick corrected. “Thousands of inmates end up on Molvi every year. Very few of them seize the opportunities like you did. And his evaluation of you was confirmed by Kayog, long before you even completed your sentence. As one of the most powerful Temerns alive, MasterVoln can see things about a person that others can’t. In his own initial report after seeing you on Molvi, Kayog vouched for your character. So you know, he doesn’t match anyone with questionable morals.”

Gaelec and I exchanged a look and then a smile. I found myself melting against his side while he slipped a possessive arm around me. Without Kayog, we never would have found each other.

“They’re both right. My husband is a good male with great morals,” I whispered, eyes still locked with Gaelec.

The tenderness in his eyes turned me upside down as he leaned forward to kiss me. If not for the clanging sound of the men unloading more of our new equipment, my mate and I would likely still be lost in each other. We turned back to look at the Enforcer, my cheeks turning red again.

There was something almost paternal to the amused look he gave us. It was funny that this was the adjective that came to mind considering he looked barely ten years older than I was.

“Last but not least, you actually made the move we hoped you would by leaving and starting this Pride,” Tedrick said. “You’re not going to have an easy journey ahead. You’re creating a brand-new social structure for your people. These types of fundamental changes take years, sometimes generations. But we will assist in any way we can.”

---