Page 126 of Hyperspeed
“They don’t look human at all.”
Sirellka nearly dropped her tablet, and I realised too late how rude that sounded. But in this case, curiosity beat politeness, and to my relief, Tharek threw his head back and laughed. Even Talia let out a quiet snicker.
“You’re right,” Talia replied. “We used an Iskari donor, and Tharek carried them to term. With the numbers so small, we wanted to do what we could to add to the population.”
Knowing that Talia had let her husband carry their children and had chosen a donor over using her own genes, just to protect the future of the Iskari, made my eyes burn.
“That’s incredible.”
Talia stared lovingly at the twins. “Theyare why I’ve spent ten years campaigning for the Iskari.”
“It’s not that I don’t appreciate your efforts,” I started, shifting in my seat. “But nothing’s changed.”
“I agree. But I don’t have sole authority for passing changes through the Intergalactic Government.”
Tharek picked up the teapot, pouring his wife another cup of tea with the easy familiarity of a couple who had been together for years. She smiled at him, a quiet warmth passing between them, then she turned back to me.
“That said, your presence in the ASL, along with your honesty about the Iskari’s situation, has influenced the conversation in meaningful ways.”
“In what way?”
Nerves twisted my stomach into knots. I was terrified she was about to say I’d undone ten years of hard work, and that now, any chance of change was slipping further away.
“We’ve started the process, Rev.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
I leaned back in my chair, gripping the arms until they creaked. Talia didn’t look at me like I’d ruined everything, and Tharek was grinning from ear to ear.
Could it mean . . . ?
“As of yesterday afternoon, the IGG has agreed to recognise the Iskari once more.”
I could’ve sworn my heart stopped. My breath hitched and then rushed out in a gasp.
For a long moment, I was still. Too stunned to move or even think straight. The weight of those words sank in, and disbelief fought with a rising wave of hope. I blinked hard, as if that would make it all more real.
Deep inside, I felt something I hadn’t allowed myself in years—relief.
Finally, the fight was turning in our favour.
“Things won’t change overnight, but it’s happening. The Iskari will have equal rights, and a better future for all generations.” She reached across the table and covered my hand with hers, her touch steady and warm. It was a quiet promise that I wasn’t alone, not anymore. “You should be proud of yourself.”
And despite recent events, Iwas.
Everything I’d hoped for was happening. It would take time, but just knowing it was underway was enough. A wave of calm washed over me as I pictured my family safe and my dreams fulfilled.
To be like everyone else.
To feel like I belonged.
We spent the rest of the meeting discussing the next steps.
Talia requested that Tharek and I, along with other Iskari volunteers, have regular meetings with the IGG. It would ensure that everything was being done to improve Iskari lives and also keep us in the loop.
Nina joined us, as well as an IGG publicist, and together we agreed on a statement to be released to the press ahead of the last race. Then we commemorated the moment with a nice group photo. I even smiled.
I left the hotel feeling dazed. Nina offered to drive me home, but my parents’ apartment was only a short walk away. It was the first time I’d left the house in a while, and Zyphar’s sun was shining, so I decided to enjoy the walk.
