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  She smiled to the assembled folk as the translators caught up with her, repeating all of her words in Gaian.

  “As we are all aware, the first attacks of the Tokkel were devastating to the Gaian people. They struck without warning and took dozens of the citizens for examination and experimentation to see how they would best use the rest of you. The ships of the Nine were fighting their way through the horde, but we could not reach the Tokkel harvesters in time. Warriors of the Nine were captured and held by our enemies on the same ships as your people.”

  She raised her hand and the image of the Tokkel ship diving into the North Ocean filled a glowing sphere in the centre of the event. Gaians cheered as the ship slammed into and disappeared under the waves.

  “What you may not know was that less than four hours earlier, a Gaian made this happen.”

  Ziggy gripped the arms of her chair as her image filled the screen. The images had been cropped so that her bruised and partially exposed limbs were not shown, but one of the angles zoomed in on her ankle and its partially completed mark.

  She pressed her lips together as all blood left her face leaving her clammy and cold. The Gaians watched her stuffing the warrior of the Nine into the pod after she had kissed him senseless. A few of them muttered at that, but they stared with shock as she disabled the Tokkel one by one.

  Her expression in the image was so cold, she could barely recognize herself, but after she had programmed the ship and locked herself in the pod, the memories were all too clear.

  From the interior cameras of the ship she saw her death grip on the interior of the pod, the violent shudders and finally the emergency eject that had taken her back home.

  Silence filled the room as the reality of the situation kicked in and the Gaians and several of the Nine turned to stare at her.

  “The woman who save not only her own people, but citizens of the Nine, is with us here today. Signy Alora, please come forward. There is a matter of equality to attend to.”

  The woman made to resemble wood and leaves smiled encouragingly.

  Lyneer helped her to her feet and steadied her as she approached the podium. A slow wave of applause began and Ziggy winced when she realised that the Gaians were not participating.

  The wooden woman extended her hand and reluctantly, Ziggy took it. Images of special ships, detailed birthing plans and medical procedures that made her blink all filled her mind at the woman’s touch.

  “I am Ravencourt of the people of the trees. I greet you, Signy Alora, emissary of the Gaians, and welcome you to the mother ship of the Nine.” The woman’s green eyes were kind and her hand was smooth and surprisingly warm.

  “Thank you Ravencourt. I am not an emissary, merely an average citizen.” Her voice boomed and to her surprise she heard the translator working on her words. She had spoken in the wrong language.

  “You are far more than you want to admit. Now for the matter of equality.”

  Ravencourt released her hand, gripped her shoulders and turned her toward the tall and exceptionally familiar male coming toward her.

  Reflex made her try to move away, but she was held fast as the entire assembly watched the shifter stride toward her. There was an intense gleam in his eyes that sent Ziggy’s heart into a stuttering beat.

  He didn’t stop when he got to her, but reached out and took her in his arms, sweeping her into a kiss that was shown on the image sphere and gained the vocal admiration of the crowd.

  Ziggy held on to him, his lips were hot, his tongue was insistent and a pulse low in her belly pulsed with every stroke in her mouth. She was surrounded by him, he wrapped her in his arms and held her tight as his hands roamed her spine and cupped her hips in turn.

  She was plastered against him from the front and the way he was groping her backside, he had a knowledge of her anatomy that her doctor would envy.

  After he seemed satisfied with the length of the kiss and she was speculating at the length pressed against her belly, he leaned back and grinned down at her. “It seems that you are just as stunned as I was.”

  The voice was familiar and he had a wicked gleam in his eyes.

  Laughter and applause filled the assembly.

  She ran through the information she had caught at the tail end of the kiss and jerked back in his grip. “That was sneaky.”

  “I told you I would get to the bottom of your mysteries. Claiming you in front of all the races is a fairly effective way to do it.” He grinned down at her and she realized that she didn’t know who he was.

  “What is your name?” Her voice was a low whisper, but it was translated anyway and the words caused a cascade of mirth throughout those assembled.

  “Councillor Rothaway, formerly Commander Rothaway, now representative for the shifter people.” He kept one hand on her arm and she could read in his body that he didn’t want to let go and was afraid that she would run.

  He turned and addressed the crowd. “This woman sent me home to my people knowing that she would have to make it to the bridge to achieve the final escape pod. She risked her life not only for my people, but for those of her people who had been captured and marked by the Tokkel. Her victory over the collector ship deserves the sole credit to her genes and her upbringing. She is a Gaian of the newest evolution and she will be honoured here as such.”

  The people of the Nine stood up and applauded. A child came forward and offered Ziggy a bouquet of exotic blooms, grinning and showing sharp teeth as she did so.

  “Congratulations on your claiming, Signy Alora. Councillor Rothaway’s family is honoured to have you joining them.” The little girl bounced away after making that announcement.

  Signy looked up at the bronze skin, hard jaw, slightly full lips still shiny from their kiss, sharp nose, high cheekbones and dark wing-like brows. “Claiming?”

  She used his grip to allow her to reach into his mind and she sought regulations for claiming. Everything that she found gave her a sinking feeling.

  Ziggy had just gotten engaged and she hadn’t even known his name.

  Chapter Six

  The celebration and medals of honour were distributed, but Ziggy was being escorted down the halls by her tall, dark and handsome companion.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  His laugh was low and deep. “We will get to that later. For now, you need to be scanned and your talent recorded so that your species will gain protected status with the Nine.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  He slowed his pace and caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. “We followed the Tokkel because they said that they were coming for a race with potential. We didn’t want to stop them so much as observe what they found.”

  Ziggy’s jaw opened in amazement. “You never meant to help?”

  “It was a reaction to their attacks on our scouting ships. If they had not acted first we would not have intervened in their attack on your world.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because our involvement brought even more attention from the Tokkel to your world. Unless we find a way to gain commitment from our citizens, we will soon leave Gaia to fend for itself.”

  She blinked. “Fine. What did you mean by potential?”

  He slowed even more and the Nine marks for Medical started to appear on the doors they passed. They entered the main medical bay and a woman in the red tunic and black trousers of a nine medical officer came to greet them.

  “This is the one?” She was a giant but her voice was pleasantly feminine.

  “Yes, Dr. Meevin. This is Signy Alora of Gaia. Third generation colonist.”

  The giant smiled pleasantly at Ziggy. “Greetings, warrior. Councillor Rothaway has spoken very highly of you. Would you come with me please?”

  She looked up at the woman and smiled. “Of course.”

  Councillor Rothaway followed them and Ziggy could feel him at her back while she followed the seven foot woman. She still didn’t have an answer for her question and she wasn’t goi
ng to leave the mother ship until she had one.

  “We have a full body scanner here and you will need to relax while we take a baseline reading. It will not hurt and you need to remain relaxed and passive while the scan is in progress.”

  “Fine. Can I go in like this?” She gestured to her clothing.

  “Of course. This is for a biology baseline and a passive brain activity scan.” Dr. Meevin smiled brightly.

  Similar to a circular shower enclosure it had a gel backing and withdrawn doors. It was a fairly narrow column and Ziggy stepped into it, turning to face her observers. The door closed and the unit started to tilt, sending her back into the embrace of the gel bed.

  After the surprise of the tilt, she pressed her hands flat to the bed. Ziggy tried to relax and not to think.

  A whir started and then a light sparked across her body, illuminating her in a golden glow. A bright ring of paler pink lights started to hum and rotate and she closed her eyes to keep from getting dizzy.

  She didn’t know how long she had been in the scanner, but when it finally started to tilt upright again, she fought a yawn.

  “We need to observe your abilities in action. Would you allow me to attach this monitor?” Dr. Meevin smiled hopefully.

  “Of course.” She stepped out of the scanner and smiled politely. “Where would you like me?”

  The doctor showed her a station with the same comfort gel and after she settled, a halo of wires was carefully attached to her head.

  Councillor Rothaway, the man who had announced his intentions toward her was staring at her as the contacts were pressed to her skin.

  “Now, Signy, I need you to use your talent.”

  Ziggy focussed on Dr. Meevin and extended her hand. “Put your hand in mine and it will start.”

  Bemused the woman did as she asked and Ziggy let her mind do the rest.

  Formal regulations for medical examination of xeno-original species ran through Ziggy’s mind. Dr. Meevin wasn’t just a physician, she was an alien specialist.

  The giants had a very specific hierarchy and their rituals and formalities were extensive. Ziggy would never need them all but the sheer complexity of etiquette was fascinating.

  The doctor released her hand and stared at the readout. “Well, Signy Alora of Gaia, your species definitely has potential.”

  The giant turned to Rothaway, “I will file the reports with the Councils immediately. I don’t know how well the Gaians will accept the news, but they are definitely changing.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. What does potential mean?” She lifted the gear off her head.

  Dr. Meevin looked at her and tilted her head. “You know that our races developed on the planet beneath us, correct?”

  “I do.”

  “We developed the way we did due to a subtle emanation of the planet that soaked into the soil and the plant life, working its way through the eco system. It changed us from our parent species into the nine separate races we have today.

  “Your people have been on the surface long enough for three generations to breed and grow. Your parent species had the potential to develop extraordinary traits and if you are a good example of your people’s genes, you will be eligible to join the Nine in one more generation. For now, having potential means that we will guard your world from the Tokkel.”

  She blinked in surprise. “It is that simple?”

  Rothaway moved from his stationary position and came to help her from the exam seat. “It is not quite that simple, but it is a start, and it will keep us here.”

  Ziggy stood and looked at where their hands were connected. His skin was rough and smooth at the same time, sending prickles of sensation through her. The same warm pulse that she remembered from five years earlier ran up her arm.

  His voice rumbled over her and through her soul. “Do you want me here?”

  She parted her lips to answer when Dr. Meevin cleared her throat. “Councillor Rothaway, you are overdue for your medication.”

  He turned to the woman and bared his teeth. “I will take it tomorrow.”

  “Sir, your levels are already dangerously low.”

  Ziggy tugged on his hands to return his gaze to her and get him to stop glaring at the doctor. “What medication, what levels?”

  He scowled at the doctor. “I had hoped for a more private setting for this conversation.”

  “You are exuding quite a lot of pheromones, normal for a shifter in rut. You have been militant about taking your meds for the last five years, so this is a sudden change in attitude and physiology, councillor.” The doctor crossed her arms. “Your kind can be dangerous in that situation and I believe that our young miss needs to be informed before she gets any closer to you.”

  Rothaway tightened his hands on hers. “I have already declared my claim in front of the entire assembly. She isn’t getting out of this now.”

  Meevin gave him a half smile. “Congratulations. How brave to be declaring on behalf of an untested species.”

  “I knew what she was when she first touched me. It simply took a while before I was able to find her again. My rut started with her touch, intensified with her kiss and has been idling in my bloodstream for five years. Enough is enough.”

  The doctor paused. “You are serious? She is the one who triggered you?”

  The question was phrased toward Rothaway, but Ziggy knew it was meant for her. “I am not sure what triggering entails, but I did touch and kiss him on a Tokkel ship five years ago.”

  The doctor nodded sharply and checked medical reports once again. “It should work. You will have to work out the details with her at your leisure.”

  The words gave Ziggy a frisson of unease but the sensations that she was experiencing were starting to override her judgement.

  Nothing else was said. Rothaway tugged her by her hands and led her out of medical.

  He placed an arm around her waist and they returned to the assembly. He walked her to her seat and then glared at the representative next to her.

  A chain reaction occurred when the shifter rep got up with a grin. He inclined his head to Rothaway and repeated the gesture toward Ziggy. The representatives all got up and moved over one until the empty seat in the centre was taken up and the seat next to Ziggy was empty.

  Rothaway took the seat and while the medals were still being awarded near the podium, they were drawing more of an audience as he reached out to take her hand.

  They sat side by side and watched the remainder of the ceremonies, his hand loosely clasping hers but she felt every ridge and callous on his skin. Her entire being was focused on his hand and it was only when the rules of a Wilding bonding ceremony started to creep into her mind that she noticed that he was feeding her what he wanted her to know.

  Chapter Seven

  Three hours later, the ceremonies were concluded. Councillor Rothaway was given a medal of discovery and Ziggy had a heavy star dangling on a ribbon around her neck. It was a civilian medal of honour and it impressed the hell out of the audience of the Nine.

  Ziggy was in a daze when the music swelled and the assembly broke up. Rothaway’s hand held her in place and she waited with him and the other representatives in their row as the humans and others filed past them. The members of the nine races smiled at her, giving her friendly winks and frank looks as they passed her.

  She leaned over to Rothaway, “Why are they staring?”

  “You have been recorded as the first of your species to have shown potential. Our mother ship has been seeking other species for generations in hopes that one would show potential for the development of psychic or physical evolution. That the Tokkel found you first was a source of distress and embarrassment.” He murmured it softly but there was an undertone to his voice that sent her nerves into sensory overdrive.

  She checked the information that she had pulled out of Meevin, but the effect she was experiencing was not in the doctor’s information.

  She whispered again. “Why do we have to sit here?�
�

  He nodded to a few of his own race. “So that each race is represented from beginning to end of the ceremonies.”

  “Your people are the Wilder?”

  “We are. We are aware that your folk call us shifters, but now that you are here, you should know the proper name for those you will be surrounded by.”

  She swallowed as the final folk went past. “You are speaking as if I am going to be locked into the mother ship.”

  “Not locked in, but to keep us in defensive orbit you will need to remain as an example of why we are here.”

  Ziggy blinked. “But, you have been here for the last five years without anyone acting as the potential.”

  Rothaway caressed her hand with his thumb. “My mind was laid open and it was confirmed that not only were you gifted, you were Gaian. It was in our best interest to find the Tokkel ship to determine your identity.”

  Ziggy sighed and rubbed her forehead with her free hand. “So that is why the Nine participated in the salvage of the Tokkel ship.”

  “You did quite the job on the tracking systems and you landed it in a mineral heavy area. It was buried quite deep.” There was admiration in his tone.

  “My friend Tiera’s brother was a sea miner. I remembered the location from his conversation.”

  He scowled. “You have feelings for this male?”

  He had gone from being cuddly and seductive to bristling with rage in a moment. It shocked Ziggy when she realized that his hair was actually elevating and standing on edge.

  “Only insomuch as he is Tiera’s brother. He is like family.”

  Ziggy gave in to the urge to stroke his arm to calm him. “I think we can go now.”

  He looked up and the representatives on the other side of them were watching him cautiously.

  Lyneer made himself known as he cleared his throat. “Perhaps this discussion would best be held in privacy, councillor.”

  Rothaway shook his head as if to clear it and nodded his head with a jerk. “I apologize I am degrading a little more rapidly than I thought.”