Page 1 of Uprooted
01
Elowen
It's possible I have underestimated my ability to deceive. I don't think of myself as a fraud, but there is no other explanation. I have somehow managed to fool my boss into believing I deserve to be here. I search everyone's faces, looking for any sign that they know the truth: I don't belong here.
The ballroom is stifling, and it’s taking every ounce of self-control to not fidget with the itchy neckline of my gown. So long as I stay focused on the gray-haired man behind the lectern, I can fight the temptation to scratch at my suffocating black dress. He’s been rambling about the significance of tonight way too long. I wince at his clumsy analogy to the 18th-century European expansion into North America. He drones on about the politics and bureaucracy that led to the new alliance between Earth and Hycea 34. Sparing no detail.Yes, this is exactly what people like to hear. Tell us more about the bureaucratic red tape.
“The Apollo Treaty marks the beginning of a special relationship between Earth and j'Tilak,” he says, butchering the pronunciation of the planet's name, saying “Jay-Tilak” instead of using the soft J. You’d think he would learn the right way to say zhuh-Tilak. “This mutually beneficial agreement will provide military support to our new allies while enabling us to research the most imperative environmental issues we face. The Earth Galactic Alliance has selected our botany department to lead the research that could help solve the pollinator crisis that has threatened a global famine for the last few centuries. Together with a team of geneticists, they hold our future in the palm of their capable hands.”
No. Pressure. I shift my weight back and forth to give each foot a break from my pinching shoes. I can’t be the only one who wants this to wrap up. The monotonous hum of his speech pauses and everyone turns in my direction.
Oh shit. What did he say? I zoned out there for a second.I smile at the applause directed toward me and hope he doesn’t call me up on stage. The six steps leading up taunt me.
Cedrik nudges the small of my back, putting some distance between me and those standing nearby. I stumble a little from his touch. He doesn’t notice and enthusiastically adds to the applause.
“Congratulations, Elowen!” A stranger roughly pats me on the back and the champagne in my glass sloshes with the impact. I wish people would keep their hands to themselves. I’m going to end up face down on the floor if they keep this up.
“Dr. Andi Kahn and Ms. Elowen Carson, please come up and say a few words!” My stomach drops. This is a nightmare. My vision narrows and I numbly climb the stairs, clinging to the handrail for dear life. By some small miracle I reach the stage without falling or fainting, or both. I’m saved by my boss. She takes center stage and thanks the EGA and the University for the honor of being sent on this important mission.
I hold my smile and swallow down the stage fright that has creeped up. The bright lights on the stage blind me from seeing far. It’s a small comfort. At least I can’t see anyone’s judgmental faces. I'm sure they are asking themselves why I’m up here. Dr. Kahn is a world-renowned botanist who has dedicated her life to addressing food scarcity. She’s the youngest program director at the University. At 35, she’s built the botany department into something so impressive we were selected for this task. Standing next to her, it’s hard not to feel like a total loser. I’m only six years younger than her and I’m just finishing up my postdoc.
Dr. Kahn steps back from the lectern to make room for the wretched man who called us up here. “You don’t mind that I did the talking? It’s not too late to say a few words,” she says quietly through a clenched smile.
“Nope, I’m staying right here.” My cheek twitches from holding my fake smile so long.
“And finally, I want to thank the representatives from all five noble houses of j’Til… Hycea 34 for coming to celebrate this momentous occasion. Your incredible courage and leadership have made this all possible. We commit to being good allies and working to win the trust of those who are skeptical.” He gave up on the planet’s name this time, opting for the universal registration instead.
The crowd turns and claps for the group of Tilaks at the far end of the room. They stand out in the ballroom with their various shades of blue skin and tall stature. In addition to their physical contrast to humans, their clothes make them stand out as well. They are all wearing the same light gray formfitting shirt. An asymmetrical seam runs from the high collar down to one side with cords draped across their chests indicating house and rank. Their black hair is styled differently. Some have it long and tied back, others keep their hair short. At nearly seven feet tall, they tower over everyone else in the room. And no species I’ve ever seen compares with their broad muscular bodies. The alien delegation is surrounded by fawning humans whose blatant attempts at getting their attention are giving me second-hand embarrassment.
“We’re all counting on you!” a woman says, leaning uncomfortably close to my face the moment I descend the stairs. Cedrik comes back to my side as I step away from the close talker. I position myself to put his lean frame between me and the crowd. I wish he was just a little bit taller so I could fully hide behind him.
“I feel like I’m dating a celebrity.” His intended compliment falls flat. I smile and pat his arm. Maybe once we’ve got all the research we need from Hycea 34, and we come back with a viable solution for pollination, then I’ll be worth all this fuss.
I spot my dad at the far end of the room and make my way toward him with Cedrik following closely behind. Dad’s easy to find in a crowd. Just look for the middle-aged man in the middle of a cluster of people hanging on his every word. I catch his eye as I approach, and he acknowledges me with a wink. He’s enjoyed every moment of notoriety his job has brought him. He’s one of those people that was born to command attention. His career has been equal parts hard work and luck. His expertise in water conveyance systems combined with the political issues that inevitably arise during a drought have catapulted him into being the most famous hydrologist in the universe.
“Dad’s holding court, per usual,” my mom says, intercepting me on my way. She moves with ease in her long dress. She has a lot of practice with events like this.
“I wonder which story he’s telling this time,” I whisper in her ear. He’s got the greatest hits, but every once in a while he’ll surprise us.
“I bet it’s… flash flood on Tarune,” she says.
“Good guess!” I reply, countering with, “I’m going to say Draconis 5”.
We join the crowd surrounding him just in time to find out. “Believe it or not, there was not a single casualty.” We suppress our laughter when they reward him with a polite applause.
“You owe me five credits,” she whispers. I can probably tell Tarune's story better than he could at this point.
“There she is! The woman of the hour!” He directs everyone’s attention to me with dramatic flourish.
“Dr. Carson, you must be so proud,” a finely dressed stranger tells him.
“I couldn’t be prouder of my baby girl. She is the greatest botanist of her generation. Did you know Dr. Kahn handpicked Elowen for the team?”
“Dad.” I scold him for outright bragging.
“Don’t be modest, sweetie. This is a big deal,” Mom says, taking his side.Traitor.I give her the same look. Silently begging her to stop.
“It’s an amazing opportunity. I’m just grateful to be selected,” I tell the crowd. Hopefully that is enough to redirect their attention back to my dad.
