Page 14 of Ngozii's Plight

I keep going in circles in my mind, trying to figure out exactly how to get close enough to find out her motives. I truly think if I could find a way to talk to her, I could figure this out, and maybe even begin a relationship between the two of them. Maybe if things were different and they both saw each other’s side, how they were kept apart deliberately, not by choice, they could come together and be a family instead. Just one more thing for me to attempt to fix with little to no information. Is it just me or is a pattern emerging here with the tasks The Guardians have given me?

As the last of the villagers gather round, Criido begins a speech. “Hello, everyone! It’s so good to be back in front of you, back to my healthy self, ready to serve you! I have Kari and her team here to thank for all of it, as they’ve been taking tremendous care of me, and of you! Hasn’t Jeff done an amazing job of keeping us safe in my absence?”

Cheers go up for Jeff, and I turn to him to find him blushing as he waves to everyone. I’ll have to take time to chat with him about what he’s done and watch around to see the effects. I always knew he’d make a good leader, he’s been the best second I could have ever asked for. If there was anyone that I would want stepping into my shoes, it would be him. His heart of gold and strong morals make him perfect for the captain position, and I often wondered how I ended up with the title instead.

As Criido continues to open up this little village meeting, I turn my focus back to the crowd in front of me, watching their faces. My nerves tingle as fear and hope war within me. If they reject this idea, I’ve already failed Charlie and have nowhere else to turn. Let’s just hope they don’t reject the idea, and we can get some new cabins built quickly.

“Now that Kari and Vahru have returned from their retrieval mission, we have some news that we need to share with you. We’re putting this up to a village wide vote, so listen closely and think on it before we decide. If we need to discuss things further, we will. Kari?” Criido turns to me, and I clear my throat, watching as all eyes shift to focus on me.

Vahru’s hand slips in mine from his place beside me, and I squeeze it tight as I get my nerves under control. Taking a deep breath, I open my mouth and begin to explain. “On my mission, I not only found the communication devices and a new form of travel to help me with my endeavors, but I learned of something sinister happening in the universe. The young teen boy that I purchased my devices from is working with his friends to save other teens from alien slavers. These kids come from all over the universe, many planets, and a lot of them have no home to return to. They’re left alone and frightened. Charlie and his family have built an apartment complex for some of them, but he only has so much room to house the kids. He’s asked me to find them new homes if possible.”

Pausing, I look at Vahru, who slowly steps up beside me, taking the mantle from me for a moment. “Kari, being the sweet woman she is, wanted to help but wasn’t sure she could. So, I answered for her and offered our village as an option to get them started. It was presumptuous of me to assume you would all agree, but I hoped that when you heard this story, you would understand. We’d be saving the lives of young kids who’ve been hurt, abused, and kidnapped, only to be sold as slaves for who knows what kinds of people. We have a chance to help them, give them a safe home with a loving community.”

“What do you say?” My eyes skim the crowd, watching as they all stare back at us with varying expressions of shock, concern, pity, and confusion. Murmurs go through the crowd, raising my anxiety as I wait, and Vahru pulls me into his side, wrapping an arm around me. If they say no, I’m not sure I can take it. These kids need help, and if I can’t get it here, I’ll have to find somewhere else fast.

“Where would they live? We don’t have enough rooms!” One woman yells out, her child at her feet. She looks hurt, as if asking breaks her heart.

“The hope was that since the hunters have a bit more time with the Sautiitions helping with food, they could help us build a few new cabins for the kids to share for now. We can work on more as time goes on. If you’re willing to help make extra clothes, prepare some new cabins and beds, gather some food and help stock the cabins, we could all work together to provide for and help these kids out.” Criido answers, taking back his role of chief of the village. He’s still the rightful ruler here, and it’s best that he be the one to share a plan he created. They aren’t ready for me to start barking orders or assuming anything just yet. This is a bit of a push for me, but it was the only way to get the technology I needed. I stand still, watching as they all debate and talk amongst themselves.

“I’m in! Let’s do it!” Kosiiba yells out from my left, surprising me as I turn to see his hand in the air, a smile on his face as the wisps of hair from his loose ponytail float around his cheeks. “Who’s with me? Come on, we have a chance to do good here! I said, who’s with me!?” He yells out again, and to my surprise, others begin to whoop and raise their hands, joining in.

The rest of Kosiiba’s squad of hunters throw their hands up as Terax yells out, “Chief! We’ll gladly help with building the new cabins. Just tell us where.” He nods respectfully to me, and I fist my hand over my heart in respect to him as it bursts with pride, which he returns with a small head bow. When I turn to Criido, he’s smiling wide as we watch a vast majority of the village jump in with enthusiasm.

Criido turns to me and says, “I suggest you message Charlie. Tell him we’ll have rooms ready in a week, and he can bring those kids.”

“Thank you.” I don’t even realize tears are streaming down my face until Vahru wipes at one, smearing it across my cheek. Laughing, I turn and jump into his arms, thrilled that I’m making a difference in people’s lives, that I’m doing something worth so much more than simple discovery.

I thought being a space captain, managing ships and teams, traveling to close planets to discover things we can mostly learn from satellites was doing something worthwhile. How wrong was I? This is impacting lives of others in a very direct way, one that I had no idea I would love so much. It seems that being kidnapped by the Sautiitions was the best thing to ever happen to me. As much as I internally belly ache about my newfound responsibilities to the universe, I love this part too much to give it up.

As my arms wrap around Vahru’s shoulders, I notice a bright pink light behind us, just outside the edge of the forest leading back to our cabin. It blinks twice before I gasp, sucked into the world of The Guardians.

“You’ve done us proud, Kari. You’re following your destiny as we hoped you would. Don’t stop now.” Her voice is clear and sweet, the smile on her pixie-like face bright. Her short hair floats around her, her wings fluttering gently, before I’m released and find myself staring at the little light among the leaves. It darts off into the trees, leaving me with a full heart as Vahru squeezes me tighter.

They aren’t the only ones proud of you.His voice sounds in my mind, startling me a moment before I hug him back as Criido announces we’ll celebrate our safe return tonight, and then we’ll celebrate again once the kids are settled. People quickly disperse to set up for the party as Vahru sets me on my feet, his hand cupping my jaw gently.

It doesn’t take long for music to begin playing as people set up a few tables with dried meats, fruits, and drinks. Jeff and I sit on the chief’s steps as we watch the commotion around us take place, content to be in each other’s presence again.

“You know, I never got the chance to ask you how things have been in my absence, but it seems you’ve handled things extremely well, huh?” I nudge Jeff with my elbow, his tan shirt bringing out his darker skin complexion and brown eyes as he turns to me, an embarrassed grin on his lips.

“I just did what I thought you would do. You knew about the hunting team I basically employed before you left. Well, as things went on, they took the initiative to get the other hunting parties involved, giving them each shifts of guarding the village. My team is now freed up a bit to be here for us more, so Atsatsa has been watching the chief more and Terax watches the village. Nakarra, despite his silence, has taken to the girls, so he watches over them more often than not, and Cruzig is kind of my bodyguard, leaving you with Kosiiba, who’s been lost in your absence. I think he has a bit of a crush on you. He can’t stop talking about you.”

I laugh, throwing my head back as my hair shakes behind me. Leaning back on my elbows, I kick my feet out in front of me, my eyes scanning the crowd as I catch Kosiiba’s gaze just before he waves excitedly at me. “Yeah, he might, but he’s a good kid. It just means he’ll be more careful around me, right?”

We both chuckle and sigh, my head falling to the side and resting against his shoulder. His head falls to rest on mine for a moment before he lifts it, clearing his throat. “You know, I missed you more than I even thought possible, and you were only gone for two weeks. It sounds pathetic to say out loud, but you’re my best friend, my only real family. This separation stuff isn’t fun.”

I sit up, turning to give him my full attention as I grab his hand in both of mine. “Jeff, you’re the only true family I’ve ever had in my life. You know that. So I don’t think it’s pathetic that we missed each other because I did miss you, too. So much. But now that we have the comms, and the portal, we’ll be seconds away, a call or message away, at all times, just like it was on Earth. We don’t have to be apart anymore. I want you on missions with me. I just don’t feel whole without you around. I don’t feel like a true captain without you.”

We stare at each for a long moment, a silent exchange of all the pain and love we feel for each other before we hug each other tight. It’s crazy to think how our lives have changed, how we’ve gone from this odd sexual tension relationship where we stay friends because we have to, to becoming family. Jeff feels more like a brother to me now than anything else, and I’m not ashamed to admit I love him.

“I love you, Jeff. You may be my second, but you’re family, too, and that comes first.” I whisper the words against his shoulder, causing him to squeeze me tighter and whisper it right back.

“I love you, too, Kari. Always have.”

When we release each other, we both chuckle awkwardly and lean back onto our elbows, enjoying the moment together as we watch the chaos. It isn’t long before an excited ball of tentacles comes sweeping up to me and pulls me out into the crowd, the luminescent paint splattered across her body.

Melodia pulls me down, her four eyes crinkling in excitement as she swipes paint over my cheeks and giggles in her melodic way before releasing me. She spins around, and I follow her lead, laughing as I see Jeff’s painted face scorching red as Tonya forces him through the same motions.

Vahru catches me as I stumble, his shirtless chest covered in glowing paint as he grins down at me. “Mind if I step in?” He looks down to Melodia, who giggles and backs away a few steps, only to continue her twirling. Vahru holds me close as we sway and spin to the music of his people. For the first time in a long time I feel true happiness flood my body, and I let it stick around. There will be plenty of time for all the struggles awaiting me later.

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