Sarah Zettel - Reclamation

Iyal must have seen the puzzled expression on her face. “Electronic communications, Aria, are wonderful things.”

In response to Iyal’s prodding, Aria related what had happened since she’d left the labs. In return, Iyal told her how she had woken up the Diet members who knew her family and had gotten enough votes together to call a counterdebate on the Vitae resolution. Then, when Perivar had called her from the docks where the U-Kenai was coming in with still more news, she had gone to meet him.

“Then Eric Born is here,” said Aria.

“No, he isn’t.” Iyal stared out the windscreen. “The Vitae got him.”

Aria felt like the ground had dropped away from her. All she could do was hang on to the door handle and listen to her own harsh breathing.

At last, Iyal walked them through the arched gates of the Shessel Embassy. She explained their reason for petitioning entry to the automated security system in a few shockingly blunt words. The gates opened to let them into the inner courtyard and white lines lit up along the pavement to guide them to the squared-off doors reserved for human entrance.

Perivar, his arms wrapped possessively around the capsule led them into the reception chamber and showed Aria and Iyal how how to put on the oxygen tanks. Then he led them through the shimmering membrane that was the real entrance to the Embassy.

As soon as they crossed the threshold, Ere opened the capsule and lifted herself halfway out, sucking great long breaths of air. An inner door folded back and three Shessel flowed into the room, ringing the humans. Perivar set the capsule on the floor. Ri shoved past her sister and swarmed up into the arms of the smooth-skinned, earth-toned Shessel and clung there, shivering and keening.

“Can you help her?” pleaded Ere, climbing all the way out of the capsule.

“We’ll sedate her,” said the Shessel. “That’s all we can do for now.”

Ere shivered along the entire length of her body. “I need to talk to somebody. The Emissary Voice. I need…”

“We’re here.” Three more Shessel entered from one of the corridors and Ere made a beeline for the earth-toned one. He embraced her with all his arms.

“Kiv is with the Sky Fathers now and your sisters are waiting to be reborn,” he said. “I feel them. They wait and say how brave their sister is to go on. She will live for us until we can live again.”

“I know, I know.” Ere burrowed under the crook of his neck.

“Emissary,” said Perivar. “Ere says that it was murder, done by the Rhudolant Vitae.”

“There are two of their Ambassadors here,” said the squat, greenish Shessel. “They will answer.” He looked toward the Shessel who held Ri.

“Are you ready to speak with the voice of your family, Ere?” he asked. “The Vitae are already here.”

Ere nodded and let herself be put on the floor. She extended her neck to stretch herself as tall as possible.

The greenish one extended his neck toward the cluster of humans. “The Vitae claim property rights over Aria Stone. She will come with us so we can determine the legalities involved here.”

Aria swallowed and glanced around her. Nowhere to run. She would simply have to brave this out for now.

“I can add my witness to Ere’s,” said Perivar.

The greenish one retracted himself until his eyes were level with Perivar’s. “That is not permitted. You will be shown where you can wait with Sar fa Maliad.”

Aria kept her eyes straight ahead as she followed the Shessel through the domed rooms. The oxygen pack dragged at her sore shoulders and the breathing mask itched where it pressed against her temples, and she wanted to tear the gel off her skin. Ere kept swiveling her eyes back toward Aria in a manner Aria could have sworn was furtive, but she couldn’t tell who the child was afraid for, Aria or herself.

They reached the chamber where the Vitae waited. It was Basq again, and Round One from the bus. The webwork of steel and gel that housed the two Vitae made them look for all the world like they were in a cage. The sight gave Aria some slim measure of satisfaction.

Basq stood near the membrane and his eyes glittered as he saw Aria move to stand beside the Shessel.

“Thank you for bringing our artifact, Sar Gov,” said Basq. “The Vitae will remember that the Shessel honored and respected the process of reclamation.”

“That has not yet been determined,” said Gov. “There are conflicting legalities and there is a charge to be leveled.” He dropped one of his lower hands and stroked Ere’s neck. “There have been numerous developments since your delegation spoke to us this morning.”

“This morning?” Basq repeated. “No delegation was sent this morning.”

“But we received one,” said Gov. “Two Vitae and their children, asking for custody of the parent Aria Stone. Since then, Kivshakadene has died. Ereri claims it was murder and lays responsibility at the door of the Rhudolant Vitae. Our laws are clear. No business can be done with any corporation or individual who endangers or injures the child of a Shessel parent.” He paused. “This includes the exchange of property.”

Basq stiffened minutely. “No Vitae delegation was sent. I am set to oversee this matter. If members of the Rhudolant Vitae have violated Shessel life or tew, they will be brought to trial and conviction. We will investigate this matter as far as we can. I am sure we both need to contact our voices within the Kethran Diet. What we ask in return is good faith from you, that you return our property.”

Ere whistled sharply and grabbed Gov’s secondary arm with three of hers. “But how have they laid claim?” she demanded, pointing toward the Vitae with her free hand. “All they say is that their ancestors came from this place. Well, my ancestors came from the Si-Tuk province, yet for three-quarters of a century, they vigorously contested our enclave’s right to return there.” She extended herself to her fullest height and turned all her eyes towards the Vitae. “I have named Aria Stone my protector, in front of witnesses, and unless you can lay claim to me, too, you cannot have her.”

Basq looked down at the child and then up at the full-grown Shessel. “This is a matter beyond personal…”

“It was,” said Gov. “Kivshakadene’s death drops it to exactly a personal grievance and Ere is her family’s voice. When we have established communications with the Emissary’s Council, we may all be ordered to do differently, but that is hours away yet. Your good faith would be best indicated if you began these investigations you insist will occur.”

“Our Ambassadors are already conferring with your enclave,” said Basq, staring straight at Aria. “The countermand may come at any time.”

“Then you will find we are obedient to the judgment of the Enclave of the World,” said Gov. “Until then, to the Shessel Aria Stone is a free parent of free children.

“We ask you to leave our Embassy.”

Basq did not incline his head or make any other gesture of respect, he just turned and left. Aria heard her own breathing through the mask, harsh and heavy.

The Shessel was studying her.

She shifted her weight and tried not to scratch at the gel pressing into her pores.

Nameless Powers preserve me, I should be used to this. Enough people have stared at me since I left home.

“What will you do if I leave?” Aria asked.

Gov’s whole body rippled. “We are not the ones who have claim upon you. We could make you stay, I suppose, but not legally, according to the legalities of the moment, unless Ereri keeps you protectorate-bound for that.” His back two eyes retracted. “I personally would be glad to see you gone, just because those murderers want you here.”