The Light That Shines From Above

Chapter 29

Ikzo

"This isn't just about a Sypien. We'd be risking more than we'd be getting." Osted pointed out.

"And if we do nothing they will retaliate anyway." Pher argued lightly, "They have already returned twice. Do you want them to land?"

The meeting was not going well at all. The other Hye Jish's didn't see a reason to capture the hovering ship. They realized, through rumors, that this was more than our concern about a possible attack. They guessed it had to do with Heather, the redheaded Sypien as they called her, and they were right. It became a different argument when both Pher and I couldn't deter those thoughts. I struggled immensely to keep mine in control.

Branqrut spoke this time, "Quite frankly Pher we shouldn't interfere with it."

I had to swallow the snarl and threat in my throat. In his mind he pictured a woman, who was supposed to be Heather, being taken back to the n's. He got her features all wrong but it was because he hadn't ever seen her.

"You aren't seriously considering letting them land to take her?" My tone wasn't as neutral as I wanted it to be. However it was much calmer than I felt, the rage boiled from within.

"Not land of course,"

"How are we to be any better than them if we just return her?" Pher was more levelheaded, "We've never done that before, even you Osted."

"I never suggested returning her, simply bringing her back to earth."

Tried that.

"I agree, return the Sypien and then they will leave."

"And when they take her again? What if the same scenario happens? They take one of ours and she's there—"

"That hardly happens twice." Fadre brushed off.

"Well but the girl is here again. That is different."

I controlled my thoughts as well as Pher. Neither one of us wanted them to know the entire situation. They would not be happy and while I usually didn't care I had to now. I couldn't do anything until one more agreed.

"And I am sure she would like to go home." Kolieks piped in.

Yes I am sure she would too. Not yet though. That wouldn't work if I tried again.

"If I try to bring her back there is a large risk of an aerial attack." I brought up another point.

"I agree that is an issue," Yudro leaned forward in his chair, "however if we take theirs first they will want to declare war. Or try to negotiate. Wouldn't they take the redhead?"

"Not if we state they were a threat. They already hover within the atmosphere." Pher glanced from my face to his.

"For the girl." He emphasized, "I doubt they would compromise her. Clearly there is a significance to her existence, even with how cruel they are, they would know she's fragile. I do not think they would attack for her."

"Landing would be enough for our people to attack them. Do you want to wait until it is at that point? They won't leave her alone." I tried a different way.

"Perhaps," Usears began, "we should let them take her."

I locked my jaw.

"She was theirs to begin with. They won't let her go. The best way to resolve this is to allow her to be taken again. Simply let her off on her own, maybe trade."

"No." I snapped.

The others gauged my reactions. I controlled my thoughts.

"You really want them to just be able to take things from our planet?" Pher was agitated now too.