Page 153 of Return of the Nine

“Fine. Shall we get going?” Ianka had no idea how this was going to turn out, but she was definitely sympathising with folk who wanted to take action. She favoured that tactic herself.

Ziggy was exactly as she remembered, with the slight addition of moderately pointed teeth and a predator-like gaze. Her husband was a predator without a doubt.

He met Ianka’s open gaze with a smile and the respectful inclination of his head. “It is always pleasant to meet one of Signy’s people.”

Ziggy took her hands and squeezed them. Ianka carefully squeezed back. “It is good to see you again, Eek.”

“It is good to be back with people, though the increasingamount of them is getting a little distressing. Is there somewhere on board I can run?”

“Of course. We will have to clear a track for you, but it should be fine.”

“Clear a track?”

“Yeah, female sweat can have an unsettling effect on unmated males of the Nine.”

Ianka sighed. “I don’t want to be any trouble. Isn’t there a women’s gym somewhere?”

“I am afraid not. The women of the Nine don’t work out much, so we are stuck with the men’s facilities. The women go for tea and long walks in the central green space.”

Ianka made a face and Ziggy laughed.

“Right. We will make the arrangements once Rothaway figures out the scale of this endeavour. We know you want to get in and out with your parents, but we need to send Ula’s probe in to send us telemetry.”

“How long will that take?”

“Two days before we get a signal back. She has already altered it to fit with Vida’s information.”

To Ianka’s surprise, they had drifted away from those gathered and were standing off by themselves.

Ziggy’s face grew serious. “I have a question to ask. Would you agree to get the common language of the Nine directly into your mind? I have heard that it hurts, but I have only done it once before, so I can’t say that it will happen again.”

“Pain fades. If it will ease working with the Nine, I will do it.”

Before she could say anything else, Ziggy’s hand shot out and grabbed hers tight. Fire flowed up her arm and exploded in her brain.

Ianka stiffened but held back the scream that wanted to erupt. She breathed through her nose as her language centre was overloaded and as suddenly as it started, it was over.

Ziggy released her hand and looked at her. “Was it horrible?”

“It was definitely painful, but I can feel the words in my mind.”

S’rin drifted closer. “They are coming out of your mouth. You are speaking Nine Common. Well done.”

“Thank you, brother.” Ianka blinked as the formal response came from her lips. “That will take some getting used to.”

Ziggy blinked. “Right. He is your brother or brother-in-law.”

She laughed and flicked her long hair over her shoulder. “I think the members of the Nine will be lining up for you. They don’t have multiple births.”

Ianka covered her eyes. “Oh, dear stars.”

Ziggy patted her shoulder. “There, there. I am sure there will be a bare minimum of flexing involved. These men preen like firebirds if you give them the opportunity.”

S’rin was grinning in the depths of his hood. He had raised it the moment that they left the relative safety of the Balance section of the ship. The Balance seemed to be odd even by the standards of the Nine.

Rothaway called them all to a boardroom where they sat and discussed the needs of the mission. Ularica chipped in from her workshop on board the ship via a com link.

When they had the basics discussed, screens descended from the ceiling and the races of the Nine were formally invited into the venture.

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