Page 11 of Return of the Nine

“Congratulations on your claiming, Signy Alora. Councillor Rothaway’s family is honoured to have you joining them.” The little girl bounced away after making that announcement.

Signy looked up at the bronze skin, hard jaw, slightly full lips still shiny from their kiss, sharp nose, high cheekbones and dark wing-like brows. “Claiming?”

She used his grip to allow her to reach into his mind and she sought regulations for claiming. Everything that she found gave her a sinking feeling.

Ziggy had just gotten engaged and she hadn’t even known his name.

Chapter Six

The celebration and medals of honour were distributed, but Ziggy was being escorted down the halls by her tall, dark and handsome companion.

“Where are you taking me?”

His laugh was low and deep. “We will get to that later. For now, you need to be scanned and your talent recorded so that your species will gain protected status with the Nine.”

“I don’t understand.”

He slowed his pace and caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. “We followed the Tokkel because they said that they were coming for a race with potential. We didn’t want to stop them so much as observe what they found.”

Ziggy’s jaw opened in amazement. “You never meant to help?”

“It was a reaction to their attacks on our scouting ships. If they had not acted first we would not have intervened in their attack on your world.”

“Why not?”

“Because our involvement brought even more attention from the Tokkel to your world. Unless we find a way to gain commitment from our citizens, we will soon leave Gaia to fend for itself.”

She blinked. “Fine. What did you mean by potential?”

He slowed even more and the Nine marks for medical started to appear on the doors they passed. They entered the main medical bay and a woman in the red tunic and black trousers of a nine medical officer came to greet them.

“This is the one?” She was a giant but her voice was pleasantlyfeminine.

“Yes, Dr. Meevin. This is Signy Alora of Gaia. Third-generation colonist.”

The giant smiled pleasantly at Ziggy. “Greetings, warrior. Councillor Rothaway has spoken very highly of you. Would you come with me please?”

She looked up at the woman and smiled. “Of course.”

Councillor Rothaway followed them and Ziggy could feel him at her back while she followed the seven foot woman. She still didn’t have an answer for her question and she wasn’t going to leave the mother ship until she had one.

“We have a full-body scanner here and you will need to relax while we take a baseline reading. It will not hurt and you need to remain relaxed and passive while the scan is in progress.”

“Fine. Can I go in like this?” She gestured to her clothing.

“Of course. This is for a biology baseline and a passive brain activity scan.” Dr. Meevin smiled brightly.

Similar to a circular shower enclosure it had a gel backing and withdrawn doors. It was a fairly narrow column and Ziggy stepped into it, turning to face her observers. The door closed and the unit started to tilt, sending her back into the embrace of the gel bed.

After the surprise of the tilt, she pressed her hands flat to the bed. Ziggy tried to relax and not to think.

A whir started and then a light sparked across her body, illuminating her in a golden glow. A bright ring of paler pink lights started to hum and rotate and she closed her eyes to keep from getting dizzy.

She didn’t know how long she had been in the scanner, but when it finally started to tilt upright again, she fought a yawn.

“We need to observe your abilities in action. Would you allow me to attach this monitor?” Dr. Meevin smiled hopefully.

“Of course.” She stepped out of the scanner and smiledpolitely. “Where would you like me?”

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