And What of Earth

Chapter 18



Once supper was over, Jennifer went down to the field to meet with Myka and Poke. She was surprised to learn that the Emperor had asked to have dinner with both Jennifer and her father. The story she had made up to try and calm Medahso would be coming true after all. Because of the time difference, supper would be sometime after sunset on board the ship. It would coincide with early morning for the Emperor. During the overnight period, he would once again review the survey data and reports that his son had compiled, then would bed down while everyone else was getting up. Saturday evening would be a one-on-one meal with Jennifer, and the following morning would be the welcome/farewell ceremony, and the time to leave would be upon her.

The lesson with Poke was a review and a test. Poke seemed pleased to be able to tell the next Mother that she was communicating at an advanced pre-teen level, though some of her pronunciations were somewhat childlike. "It is almost sweet to hear you speak at times, Jennifer," she said then chittered. Jennifer tried to be stoic.

Less than one day until he arrives, she reminded herself that night at bedtime.



Barb was still emotional when Jennifer arrived Friday morning for her last shift. Jennifer worked hard to try and make her laugh, but met with little success. She promised Barb that she'd come in the following morning for a proper farewell. After a long hug, Jennifer had to practically push her friend out the door.

People came throughout the day. None required any sort of care or treatment at all. Apparently, word had gotten around that that day was her last at the clinic, though none of them knew why that was. Among the visitors were people that she knew from high school, including members of the chess club from when she had attended school. The same people who refused to allow her to join, because she had already achieved her expert level. She jokingly asked them if they wanted a game.

The general's arrival at lunch was a bittersweet moment for her. She had grown accustomed to having lunch with him and discussing whatever topic came up. It suddenly struck her that he had been filling the role that David Stone had while she was growing up. His face showed deep concern for her. He seemed reluctant to touch her, seemingly afraid that a simple touch might cause her to shatter into a million pieces.

They were silent for most of the lunch.

"This be it, General," she finally said, deliberately mangling her English. "He has undoubtedly entered the solar system by now, and may even be in orbit this second. I'm assuming he'll finish his sleep on board whatever ship brought him here, then land closer to sundown."

"Are you happily excited, or scared to death?" he asked her.

"Neither," she replied, then finished the last of her meal. "Numb would be the correct description. Numb and tired. I don't want any of this to happen, yet I want to get it over and done with. The needle on my denial-meter is deep into the red zone."

"Was it wise for you to come into work today? Wouldn't it have been better for you to do something that you like -- something that would take your mind off of this evening and tomorrow?"

"Like what?" she asked. "There's nothing in this town to help pass the time away. When I was young, and we had a Hojo's just north of here on Main, every Friday evening, teens would go there. Not to eat. But to play 'Spot the tourist'. Bonnie, the waitress, would know who was from elsewhere, and would be the official judge. Families from the surrounding farms didn't count as tourists." She put the empty drink container onto the counter. "Then the Hojo burnt down -- 2010? -- and they never rebuilt it. That was the big event in this town. During football season, we'd watch our school team get killed, THEN we'd go to Hojo's and play the tourist game. Don't need Bonnie's help now. I can tell the ones who are from off-planet pretty darn easily." She tried to giggle. "Imagine travelling 3 quadrillion miles so you can eat some barbecued burgers and chicken breasts!" She sat quietly for a second then added, "Good thing the Burger Shack doesn't have a drive-thru. Can you imagine trying to get that ship," she pointed upwards, "under the overhang to collect their order?" This time, she didn't even smile.

When the lunch was over, they parted company as they always did. The real goodbye would take place on the football field late Sunday morning.



Saying goodbye to Bethy was hard for both of them. Jennifer had looked up to Bethy as a mother-figure during the almost 16 months she had worked at the clinic. Bethy worried about how Jennifer would cope in a society where no one would truly understand her. Where there would be little emotional support. Where, at least for the first few months, she would have no friends to speak of. "The Imperial mail, if there is such a thing, doesn't have a pickup point in this neck of the galaxy," Jennifer said, still trying to make light of everything. "If there is some way of establishing 2-way communication between Jewel and the palace, I'll make it happen. It might not happen until after I assume office, but I promise that I will. I will speak with you again, Bethy. I don't know how and I don't know when, but I will. I'll need to."

With tears in both pairs of eyes, Jennifer walked out the clinic, and headed down Main towards her dinner with the Emperor.



Jennifer and her dad walked arm-in-arm down the stairs to the football field, about 15 minutes before they were supposed to arrive. Jennifer was dressed in what she called her drummer dress -- the flowing knee-length dress made of diaphanous layers of white gauzy material that she used to wear when she played with the band. She always had great performances when she wore it. She was hoping to achieve the same result this time. Her father wore a suit and tie, probably for the first time in a decade. He was surprised that it still fit.

Pokaifashta met them just outside the main entry to the ship. "Greetings Gerry Hodges," she said in English. "Greetings little sister," she said to Jennifer in her language, then chittered.

"Greetings, Poke. Do we look okay?"

In English, she said, "You both look quite presentable. Do both of you remember the various ceremonial things you must do before the Emperor?"

"Yes, honorable female," Gerry responded, using the little Wakiran he knew. "I have it easy. I just have to bow, welcome him, and do the forearm grasp you people do. Tiger has it much harder."

Jennifer squeezed her father's arm. "I think I have it all fixed in my head, including the formal oath of fealty to the family. When I'm supposed to kneel. When I just bow. The formal greeting when we first meet. Hearing you say the words several times has imprinted them in my head. It's the phonographic memory thing I have that I've told you about."

"I wish I could tell you that I know him to be a very pleasant male when he is in an informal setting, but I have only ever met him once -- just before this mission. All you can do, Jennifer, is to do your best, be yourself, and let the Provider help with all the rest. He has a hand in all of this somehow. Though I have no idea what He is doing."

The three of them boarded the ship. "The dinner will be served in what you would call the officers' mess on the upper deck. Someone decided that the meal will be Terran food. I believe the Mission Commander said that it was 'steak and eggs'. Is there some sort of significance to the choice?"

Jennifer smiled. "It's the traditional meal that American astronauts have before they launch. Whoever suggested it has a sense of humor."

"I thank you, Beloved." Myka appeared from behind them. "I thought it would be appropriate, in a way." He turned to Jennifer's father. "Greetings Gerry Hodges. It is good to see you again. I believe that you and my father will end up getting along well tonight. Let's go up."

As they left for the nearest lift, Jennifer called out to Poke, "Pray for me when you go to your quiet place tonight, Poke."

"I will Jennifer. Be at peace."

The three of them entered the room and waited for the arrival of the Emperor. After the formal greetings, he sat on a chair that acted as a substitute for his throne. He bade Jennifer closer with a gesture. She approached, bowed at the waist, then dropped to her knees, placing her forehead in between his feet. She gave the oath of fealty to the family (flawlessly) then waited for the command to stand.

Instead, in English, the Emperor ordered her to lift her head. He cupped her chin with his left hand and slowly brought her face up closer to his. She looked into his black-grey eyes and waited. Finally, in the dominant voice, he said "Stand Daughter". She had been formally accepted into the family.

She moved to his right side, opposite of where Myka was standing. Gerry Hodges then walked over and bowed two-thirds of the way to being parallel to the floor and held it there as he had been instructed to. After a moment, the Emperor greeted Jennifer's dad, and he was allowed to straighten up. Holding out his right forearm, he formalized the greeting with the Terran with a forearm grasp. Once the small ceremony was over, Myka led his father to the table that had been set up for their dinner. The fathers sat opposite each other, with their offspring beside them.

Dinner was excellent; the beef succulent and juicy. The eggs were over easy and were equally excellent. There was some talk during the meal -- the Emperor attempted to speak English with Gerry, though Myka had to interpret frequently. The conversation was warm and casual. Gerry took pride at speaking about Jennifer's accomplishments (which taxed Myka's translation skills somewhat). Over dessert, he told a few "Funny Jenny stories" which embarrassed Jennifer but that both aliens found amusing. After the plates were cleared, the foursome moved to more comfortable seats and continued the conversation.

At one point, the Emperor wanted to ask Jennifer a question but found his English lacking. He turned to his son and told him the question he wished to ask her. Jennifer didn't wait for the translation, and answered the question directly in their language. This surprised the Emperor -- he had thought that her skills in the language would be minimal at best. Myka tried hard not to smile.

After several hours, the Emperor noticed that Jennifer was looking decidedly sleepy. She apologized to him, and told him that she had been awake for 19 hours -- more than 8-tenths of a standard Imperial day. He then apologized to her for not remembering that she had been awake since before he had retired to bed. He thanked the two Terrans for an enjoyable and delightful time, and declared that he needed to communicate with Homeworld over important matters. All three bowed, and he left the room.

"How did I do, Myka?" she asked sleepily.

"You were most impressive," he told her. "Both of you were. This is definitely a promising first step." He walked them to the main entrance to the ship and wished them both a pleasant night.

The heat of the day had already left by midnight, and a cool gentle breeze blew down the ravine from the northeast. Many Wakira were sitting outside in the stands relishing the cooler air, which was much closer to what they were used to. Father and daughter climbed the stairs up to Emerald in unison, once again arm-in-arm.

At the top of the stairs, they ran into Candy Underhill. "Hey Candy. On a late night prowl?" Jennifer asked cattily.

"Hi Xena. Hi Mr. Hodges. What are you all dressed up for, Xena?"

Gerry Hodges answered. "We just had dinner with the Emperor."

"Dad!"

"Was I supposed to keep it a secret?"

"The Emperor?" Candy asked. "What is he doing here? And why would you get to eat with him?"

Again, Gerry jumped in. "He came to meet his new daughter-in-law."

"DAD!!"

Candy took a half-step back. "Daughter-in-law?"

Jennifer sighed. The last thing she wanted now was to have Underhill start yet another personal vendetta. "You remember Myka, the Mission Commander?" Underhill nodded. "He's the heir to the throne."

Candy's eyes started drawing into slits. "And?"

"They bond only in season. Twice or three times a year. Outside of the bonding season, they have no real interest in members of the opposite sex. For some reason, he bonded with me. Neither of us wanted this. I certainly didn't want to have to leave everything to go with him."

"You're -- like -- married to him?"

Jennifer nodded. "He was in his last day. One more day, and it wouldn't have happened. Just one more day, and I wouldn't have to leave my dad and everything." She squeezed her dad's arm. "It's not all servants and sycophants, Candy. I'll have a job that I'll have to do, around the clock, no days off. It may sound glamorous, but I suspect that it isn't."

"C'mon Tiger," her dad said, gently pulling on her arm. "I've got to get you into bed. You have more training to do tomorrow, and another meeting with the Emperor." They both wished Candy a good night and walked down Thorn to their home.

"No!" Candy hissed under her breath, once they were out of range. "No! I'm the one who was supposed to be successful. I'm the one who was supposed to be famous. I should be the one who is the princess. Not some mutant freak! I was always going to be a princess. If I can't have it, no one can." She gritted her teeth then smiled a malevolent smile. "Well, I know just who I need to talk to to stop this. I can get him to do just about anything." A wicked sneer appeared on her face. "Time to use my weapon," she told herself, as she strutted over to Thicket to pay a visit.

Though she was exhausted, sleep didn't come easily to Jennifer, nor did it last long. In the pre-dawn hours, she quietly slipped out of bed and into the bathroom, and looked out the window that overlooked Thorn. Just up the street, she saw two Wakira, one male and one female, wandering down the street, each holding some sort of rifle-type weapon. It annoyed her that she had been surprised that the aliens had been doing armed foot patrols during the overnight hours. For the first time since they had arrived, Jennifer felt that she was living in occupied territory. That feeling made it even harder for her to fall back to sleep.