Kia's Biehshah Gift

Part 8 Marriages On Adia's Ship

We kept watching marriages. Mostly Thordes and Zheien, but a lot of Elshars, too. I mostly knew Biehshah and Bisillips in Rainbow, not Earthans. But I was scared to talk to anyone much there except our colonists and Ir.

Daddy and Camile talked with us for a while but needed healing. I thought I learned how to control my telepathy! So frustrating!

Across the ship, Tan Links was explaining stuff to a group of Earthans. At least he's okay. He sure trembles a lot. Did he do that before I hurt him?

But my relatives all seemed okay. Areonians went through a lot of stuff. I heard diplomats helping 'em through my Diplomatic Link. It's like being permanently in an auditorium where you hear bits and pieces of people's conversations.

"Kia, are you happy?" Ir's brown eyes studied me.

"Oh, I'm happy! It's just—everything's kind of overwhelming! My life is different now. I'm not complaining, but I think it'll take a little time to get used to everything."

"Can I help?" Everything's different, but my husband's different, too. He talks more. His thoughts are in my head more. And, he's so eager to please me. Even more than he was—but, it's my first day and I'm being stupid.

"Just give me a hug!"

He did, and I put my head down on his chest and just wished I could turn my brain off. "When do we leave Earth, Ir?"

"Tonight. Our work is done. I thought we would speak at the UN, but Ten thinks it is too much for all of us, to try to speak to Earthans. All of us are having trouble keeping our telepathy out of Earthan minds. I am not hurting you, am I?"

"No! Your mind feels good in here!" I looked up and Ir had fear on his face. "You sound like me! I can't even talk to Daddy because I gave him a headache. He contacted all our relatives, Mama's, too, and some of 'em said they might want to come. What if I can't talk to any of 'em?" Did I ever? Maybe before politics got so crazy. Half of 'em are still mad because of how I voted in 2020. Or what I said about voting in 2024. Now none of that matters!

"Do Zheien vote?"

Ir laughed. "Zheien agree on everything! They don't need to vote. They have councils like we had in Jujujean, 9 people who have councils of 9, so everyone who lived with us had a council member to speak with if they had a concern. It's not like Biehshah where we feared to disagree with anything.

"Der and I talked about a lot of things while we sat on ships, trying to help people with their problems. We couldn't help ourselves. But, we helped other people find points of agreement. Ironic, isn't it, Kia?" He shook his head.

But Der laughed. "Friendship saved our sanity! Whenever we got upset, we found a friend to talk to, and that helps a lot. Elshars plot to kill their leaders and take over. We just grumble about our rules and lives and really don't do anything about them. Your colony idea is giving people hope, Ir. We don't have to complain in private. Each of us will have a voice, just as we did in Jujujean Rainbow. I will stay here and convince people to join the Alliance and the Unified."

Ir got an expression of pure horror! "You must come with us! I name you Council Minister Of Biehshah Ye~!"

"Dear friend, we must have diplomats to establish our trade!"

"Surely one of your clones might choose—"

Der looked down. "All of them wish to work in Alb. Three are going back to Leheren to work for changes."

My husband hugged Der and wailed!

"Dear friend, please do not get upset with me. I will miss you." Der hugged him and moaned.