Page 32 of Master
“The Alliance chose Tau Ceti because of its similar atmosphere and geography to Earth.” I reiterated a selection from Alliance brochure on the planet.
“It's a lot like Earth," Clara agreed, smiling as she lifted her face toward the dual suns. A faint breeze caught her hair, and the wavy golden strands moved as if alive.
Holy Valana, she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever come across.
I could stand here and stare at her all day, but the settlement remained many miles away. Trailing my fingertips along the length of her arm, I jerked my head toward the farmhouse. With a last smile at the grazing beast, Clara stepped beside me.
"The Alliance chose the planet, but you have Dixa to thank for its development," I told her as we continued along the edge of the field.
“Who’s Dixa?” Clara blinked at me.
"A human taken many years ago. Like you, Dixa went through the Garoot healer, so returning to Earth wasn't an option. Her mate, Siemba, is very wealthy and likes to spoil her, so he allows her license to do whatever necessary to make Tau Ceti as close to Earth as possible. Many of the planet's flora and fauna come from DNA harvested from Earth."
“Along with people?” She shot a suspicious brown in my direction.
"Never. Dixa and Siemba rescue almost as many humans as the Vaktaire."
We came around the edge of a hill, the farm buildings laying in front of us like colorful dots in a sea of green. A white two-story house with a green metal roof stood between a gathering of small trees. Near to its side rose a gable-roofed red building with a sleek gray silo nestled to its side. Several small outbuildings stood about, one a tall, square box made of timbers and woven wire stole Clara's attention.
"Chickens. They’ve got chickens!" Her expression was a mix of awe and pleasure that I felt at the tips of my toes. "The farmstead is so perfect. It looks like a painting."
"Really?" It was lovely, but I couldn't imagine an artist wishing to render the view.
Clara studied me for a moment. "What is your planet like?"
I hadn’t seen my home world in so long that finding the right description in human words took me a moment. "It's beautiful and wild, with pale green skies and seas as deep and purple as your eyes."
Said purple eyes widened as her cheeks flushed.
"Stop trying to be charming," she chided.
"I have to try?" I teased, liking the lilt of laughter that was her reply. She laughed a lot in my presence now, more relaxed and natural than on the Hartouk Lenaii. It gave me hope perhaps she was starting to forgive my earlier indiscretion. I would never regret those moments holding her in my arms, but I deeply regret the upset I caused her. The upward tick in herdemeanor gave me hope that perhaps, in the future, I might find myself so blessed again.
"You and Emmy mentioned the Alliance. Is that like your government?" she asked, eyes flickering between me and the surroundings.
“In a way. Representatives from each of the known solar systems comprise the Alliance.”
“How many species are we talking about?” Her left eyebrow cocked, a signal of her curiosity.
“Thousands,” I told her and watched shock creep over her face. “Every species and planet has a representative in the Alliance, and they collectively decide, like the democracies I've read about on Earth. Each planet has its own governing body, of course, but all but must answer to the Alliance."
Clara's plump lips puckered, a faint line growing between her brows. "Why wasn't Earth invited to join this Alliance?"
“A planet that joins the Alliance opens itself up to visitation and trade from other planets and species. Like many others, Earth is not technologically advanced enough to stand on its own, even against the weakest of Alliance members.”
“So,” Clara tapped a forefinger on her chin. “You don’t send back altered humans because then everyone on Earth would know aliens really exist.”
“Yes,” I admitted.
“A lot believe in alien life already, you know?”
I turned, watching the impish smile play across her face. “Did you?”
“I didn’tnotbelieve it.” Clara glanced away to watch her feet as she maneuvered across a rocky part of the terrain. “Youcan’t turn on YouTube without seeing a video of an UFO. Let's just say I was neutral until I saw the white light. Then, I was a believer.”
"I imagine so," I agreed with a chuckle. I knew this YouTube she mentioned thanks to our high jacking of Earth's internet. It was a primitive system, but I would admit to enjoying videos of hidden trail cams... especially those claiming to glimpse Big Foot. Especially since I knew most Big Foot sightings were those unlucky enough to encounter a rogue Kerzak exploring Earth.
“There are a lot of serious believers on Earth,” Clara continued. “They hold conventions every year at Area 51.”
