The Alien and I (Cosmic Cinema) by Honey Phillips

Author:Honey Phillips [Phillips, Honey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Mongat could not believe how badly the day had gone. The delegates from the Federation had arrived on schedule and they had spent the morning going over the proposed terms. But despite his carefully planned and prepared presentation, the mood of the meeting had turned decidedly negative. The Federation leader was a pompous old male, swollen with his own self-importance, and Mongat had not responded well to his condescending attitude.

“The Federation will not tolerate slavery in any form,” he’d declared.

“Thaima does not have slaves,” Mongat growled.

“A matter of wording only. Many of your contracts are simply a way of enforcing control.”

“No one is ever forced to sign a contract. It is always the employee’s decision.”

“But if they have no alternatives, they have no choice,” the other male sneered.

“Not only do they have a choice, a contract employee is also provided with food, housing, and medical care,” Mongat argued, but the leader had dismissed his words with a wave of his hand.

“Irrelevant. All beings are entitled to freedom.”

“I thought we were here to discuss trade,” one of the other members, a purple-skinned female who seemed much more sympathetic, interjected.

“We will not trade with any planet that does not share our principles,” the leader said coldly.

“I don’t remember seeing those ‘principles’ when we applied,” Mongat snarled.

“You should have been aware of them,” the leader insisted.

“We did not agree to a change of principles. Only to trade.”

“Perhaps we should adjourn and revisit this in the morning,” the female suggested, and the others reluctantly agreed.

Now he was on his way to see Anna, hoping her presence would soothe his temper. She had not attended the meeting, but he had found himself wishing she was there, not just because he found her presence soothing but because her perspective would have been useful.

The sight of her waiting on the beach eased some of his tension and he hurried to her side. The wind had come up, the waves crashing higher on the beach, and her long dark hair blew around her like a banner. So strange and yet so attractive, he thought as he captured the silky strands, drawing them back from her face.

“What are you looking at?”

“The sea,” she said, her eyes on the horizon. “The waves are beautiful, and I’ve never seen the sky so dark, almost purple.”

“There is a storm coming. You should go inside.”

“I’d like to watch the storm. I haven’t seen one since I left Earth. The weather on Samar Prime was controlled to the extent that it was never more than rain.”

He shuddered at the thought. As much as he wanted to take advantage of Federation technology, he hoped his people would never lose their connection to the natural world.

They made their way to her balcony. A covered area with a low couch and table at one end of the balcony would be sheltered from the rain - a perfect place to watch the approaching storm. Umanda brought out a pitcher of fruit juice and a plate of tiny savory cakes.

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