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“Without a doubt. He won’t long be in a position to destroy the rest of our culture. We will see to that. And when we’re successful… we will insure that none of the Tel Mo’ Kok line remains to even consider retaking the Sovereigncy from us and our more capable hands.”

Chapter 2

Quin stood proudly with Vivian at his side.

“Sire, all are in place. We await only your word to disembark,” Zahn said.

“We are ready. Open the doors,” Quin answered

The hydraulic doors disengaged and began folding into the sides of the ship at either side of the exit, revealing a ramp extending from the transport to the ground below.

Zahn greeted the Sovereign’s security forces as they reached the top of the ramp and waited to assist those accompanying Sire Zha Quin Tha Tel Mo’ Kok and his Sirena, Vivian of Earth, as they began the next chapter of their lives. Well versed and experienced in serving the Sovereign and Sovereigna, they took their places lining the ramp and waited.

Zha Quin, standing still, in what was only moments before a proud stance but now seemed to be a momentary reconsideration of every decision that had led him to this point, stared ahead, Vivi’s hand gripped in his. The tension on his face clear to any who knew him.

“We good here, or what?” Rokai barked out from behind them.

“Shut up, Rokai,” Quin grit out.

“We’re ready! We’re tired of standing in line like new recruits. Go, or don’t, but move!” Rokai snapped.

Quin very slowly turned his body just enough to glance over his shoulder. “This is still my warship. I can throw you off it,” he said, his words slow and threatening.

Rokai grinned at him. “You could. But then you’d have to live on it with your mate and new baby. That could be fun! I’ll babysit!”

“It will be my ship even after I disembark. Do not forget it,” Quin snapped. He turned to look out toward all those assembledbelow, awaiting his arrival. “Tell me again that this is a good idea,” he said, his statement directed at Vivian.

“We discussed it. You know it is. But if you’re doubting our decision, we could remain here and live with Rokai,” Vivian said with a shrug. “The baby may pick up some of his habits, though.”

“Let’s go!” Quin commanded, striding forward, clearly having decided that he would be the first off the transport.

“Perhaps someone else should go first,” Zahn said, as Quin moved everyone out of his and Vivi’s way to allow them to disembark first.

“We’re fine. Our forces are in place, as are my father’s,” Quin said as he wasted no further time moving through the open hydraulic doors and onto the ramp.

The moment he and Vivi stepped into sight, a roar of cheers and applause went up.

Vivian grinned and looked up at Quin in surprise. “They like you!”

“Us. And you may as well get used to it.”

“Are you used to it?” Vivi asked.

“No, I am not. I am a warrior, not a diplomat.”

“You are a protector and leader of your people. That’s why they celebrate you,” Zahn said from behind them as he kept a wary eye out for anything unusual in the crowd though he followed closely.

“I thought you were the last off?” Vivi asked, surprised to hear Zahn right behind them.

“Someone changed the order of things. I decided to stay close for safety’s sake,” Zahn said scowling.

Vivian laughed as she looked up at her husband once more and noticed the smirk he only barely managed to hide. “I don’t know who that could have been,” she teased.

“Kitty!” Quin barked out, stopping the shraler in its tracks as it bolted past them.

Kitty yowled, his doubly barbed tail swishing behind him irritatedly.

“Do not leave Vivi’s side!” Quin ordered.

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