Page 110 of Return of the Nine

She doubled checked her goggles and gently squeezed Bert with her heels. He waddled to the edge of the cliff and dropped straight down, opening his wings on the way to catch himself and begin the climb. Ularica used her control straps to steer him home, and then, she hopped off her mount and went inside to give him his treat. The treat being citrus was shocking to some people, but they didn’t watch the rocs. The rocs flew through primarily desolate areas. They almost became intoxicated with the appearance of a large juicy fruit. Bert opened his mouthwhen she approached with it, and he quickly flew off.

“Where is he going?” Deniir settled next to her on the stone path that led out of the rocs’ canyon and into her home.

“To give it to Eleth, his mate. I think she is going to nest soon, and I hope they do it nearby. I do love to watch the little ones.”

He nodded.

“Are your people born with wings or do you develop them later in life?” She almost clapped her hand over her mouth but the question was out.

“The buds are there, but the wings only develop in late adolescence. It is our last stage of development.”

“Ah. Interesting.” Her mind was whirling, and she wanted to see him fly again so that she could design a pair of wings for herself. Inwardly, she winced. Any new stimuli and she couldn’t turn her talent off. The urge to create was overwhelming.

He tucked his wings tight to his back and they folded to press against his body until they no longer resembled wings and instead appeared to be a fanciful cloak thrown over his shoulders.

Ula scowled as she realised that her curiosity was going to back her into a corner again. This time, she wasn’t going to be able to hide in her mountain home. Once she was on that star ship, she was going to be examined, interviewed and put through her paces.

There was no hiding anymore. It was time to face the very men that parts of her government wanted her to destroy. She hoped that telepathy wasn’t common, because she was going to be looking at them and wondering if they were aware how close they were to death at the hands of the Gaian primitives.

“Give me a few minutes to pack a bag.”

He inclined his head. “Take your time. I am in no hurry.”

Her tension was probably confusing him but that was for the best. The day that she had come up with a way to destroythe mother ship of the Nine was the day she destroyed all her research and climbed the mountain, never to return to the cities of her world. They didn’t need the power she could bring them. They would grow slowly and the world would evolve them in its own time. She didn’t need to turn them into murdering bastards. If they wanted to turn destructive, they could do it without her help.

She was getting out and up.

Chapter Three

Daphne was elegantly welcoming, as befitted the wife of the ambassador. Ula greeted her formally, and the moment they were inside the embassy, she was treated to a hug that made her squeak.

“I am glad to see you too, Daph. Now, put me down.” Ula kicked her heels.

Daphne set her on the floor. “It has been over a year.”

“I know. I am sorry, but they have been watching for me.”

Daphne scowled. “Not here they won’t. My husband would kick them into next week.”

“Do you have a pot of tea handy?”

Daphne laughed and led her into the main floor parlour where a tea set was waiting for them.

“You are going up to the ship?” Daphne poured, and Ula busied herself loading the teacups.

“Apparently. I think it might be good for me. I have been too insular, even for me. A week on their ship will give me a new perspective, and they might get something out of it as well.”

Daphne nodded and sipped at her tea. “I have no doubt about that. While no one from the Nine Corp of Engineers has come down before, I think they are about to get a rather serious education.”

Ula smiled slowly and sipped at her tea. “That is why I am going.”

Deniir was a competent pilot, but being inside the ship, Ula saw at least four items she would change for convenience basedon what she knew of the Nine races and their physical needs.

Her pilot spoke to her. “How does your talent work?”

“You want to know now?”

“Well, I wanted to make conversation, and it is a subject of interest.”

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