Jones - Resurgence

Chapter 1

Colonial Prime City Banquet Hall

ZenIM walked around the large banquet hall looking at the Earth females who had traveled to his planet for the chance of a new life. They came in all different shapes and sizes, their skin coloring differed, their accents varied, and each had a distinct personality unique to them. He should have been pleased with the assortment to choose from, but none stirred him. Maybe it would take a while to get over the last relationship he had been in before he could be open to someone else.

ZenIM, how are you this evening? Prime Leader LarIS asked, coming up next to him. LarIS spoke aloud even though he had the ability to read and speak to minds. ZenIM appreciated the respect LarIS showed.

I am well. How are you? How are your beautiful mate and two young faring?

A smile stretched across his face. His joy was pure and real. My daughter is in bed by now, and my mate is nursing our youngest, so she isnt up to the festivities this evening.

The Goddess has truly blessed you with your family, ZenIM told him with a tinge of envy in his voice.

I confess, I would never have thought I would mate a female from another world like Earth. My abilities made it difficult to have a relationship. My Lola, with her own uniqueness of speaking with her hands and willingly speaking mind to mind, has made be feel whole.

ZenIM had never known what feeling whole was like. Would he ever find someone who would make him feel that way?

You give me hope, ZenIM told him.

LarIS cleared his throat of the emotion he clearly felt while speaking of his mate. Will you be staying a few days?

No, I leave first thing in the morning, so please give her my regards.

Lola will hate she missed seeing you.

Ill make sure to visit her the next time Im in the city.

Are you sure none of the females here interest you? LarIS asked.

He stroked his short beard as he surveyed the room. Im very sure.

You havent even spoken to any of them, LarIS said.

How would you know? You just arrived.

I watched you before I approached. Id hoped you would interact with others and maybe find a possible mate.

ZenIM sighed. He didnt need to have long conversations with a female. He could scent them from a short distance and would be able to tell if they appealed to him. All these females wore such heavy fragrances, it nearly overwhelmed him. However, he had gotten close enough to most of them to distinguish their natural scent underneath. Some were nice but couldnt make him forget. Kayley didnt wear artificial fragrances.

Is it possible that youre comparing them to someone who isnt here anymore? LarIS asked.

ZenIM glared at him. Youre reading my mind. You know I dont like when you do that.

Forgive me, sometimes thoughts are so strong, they jump out at me, and I dont have time to properly block them.

He grunted his understanding. His senses were like that, always had beenturned on whether he wanted them to be or not.

Youre sad about the Morinian commanders departure, LarIS stated.

I admit, I had hoped Kayley would remain here with her people. They are welcome to remain in the mountain village for as long as they like. She is the first female in a long while that I had a connection with.

You know we cant keep them hidden here indefinitely. So many of our people are against aiding them because of their connection to the Morins.

They had nothing to do with those monsters! ZenIM felt he had to defend the Morinians. Spending time with them, he came to know them and respected all they had suffered.

I know, ZenIM, but many dont have the same understanding we have.

Theyre ignorant.

Or scared and angry. That combination is hard to argue when there are questions like where did the Morinians come from, LarIS reminded him.

They are refugees, immigrants evacuating a nation that betrayed their core beliefs. Their leaders planned to use germ warfare on innocent worlds and the Morinians refused to follow them blindly. They shouldnt be feared but heralded for taking a stand against wrong doing.

Yet they have not given the full details of where they went or why they came back to this region again. Its a legitimate question to ask and I cannot blame our people for being cautious and suspicious.

They were being hunted by the Morins. Its understandable that they would want to stay away for a while. With the Morins slowly dying out, it would seem safe to come back and look for a new home, ZenIM defended.

I understand that, but the Colony was only meant as a temporary refuge, not a permanent home. The Morinians cannot remain here indefinitely.

ZenIM knew he spoke the truth. Even the Morinians felt the need to search for a new home. He hated to see them leave, especially one particular Morinian. He remembered his first encounter with the Morinian Commander Kayley.

*****

ZenIM stood in the trees as the first shuttles landed with the Morinians. The warriors, looking similar to his own people, exited with weapons ready. Four females and a large blue male followed.

He recognized one of the females, Priestess HonORa, but the other three were strangers. The taller female with the long braid of black hair caught his attention. He listened as she challenged the blue male.

She pulled her shoulders back and gave him a look of challenge. Are you threatening me?

You seem to want a fight. Push me far enough and I will give you more than what you bargain for, the blue male promised.

A warrior stepped forward and called out into the jungle, Hello!

ZenIM snorted as he walked out from the group of trees. Is that how you protect from an attack? Stand out in the open and yell hello ?

The introductions were made, and Commander Kayley fascinated him. She had a quick mind.

You are the first female commander I have met.

Clearly you havent met many females. We are always in command, she told him before turning her back to him.

*****

Sounds of music and laughter drew ZenIM back to the present. He glanced around the room at the smiling happy people. He felt out of place. LarIS spoke to him mind to mind.

You couldnt have come all this way to spend two hours not talking to anyone. Why else are you here?

I want to request a special medic come to my village. I have a couple breeding who are fearful they may lose their young. I remember your mate had a special medic helping with your young when it was time for their births.

We were blessed to have a specialist from Earth. I think we would have lost both of our young if the medic did not help. It will take a few days to reach out to the medic to return to the Colony.

Notify me when they arrive, and I will meet the shuttle. The fewer visitors to the village while the Morinians are still here, the better.

Have you had any more problems? LarIS asked.

No one has tried to travel up the mountains. But while Ive been here, Ive noticed people watching me with suspicion. Some even stop talking when I walk into a room. It leaves me with an uneasy feeling.

No offense, ZenIM, but youre someone who gets noticed no matter what.