Ripped Genes

“Ambassador, this is Petmar, our Councillor for Military Matters.” A very muscular bari with about half his long hair dark, half green flicked his tail in Karen’s direction. She waved back, careful not to stare at his muscled arms and chest. Her eyes, kept carefully towards his face diverted to the hair. It wasn’t actually black, it was a very dark blue. Interesting! And nice. “Raldnor, Councillor for Planetary Planning.” Another tail flick from another well-endowed individual with light brown hair and bulky form. “Cenva, Councillor for Science.” While the sandy blond with plenty of green did his tail flick, Karen put on her best poker face. They had his daughter hidden away on Chiron. A daughter he’d grieved years ago and thought gone forever. Wanva pointed to the fifth Councillor in attendance. “Finally, we have Mitat, Councillor for Medical Matters.” A tail wave from the dark-steaked green-haired lithe lady.

“You have ten Councillors on Fbar you said?” Karen made an effort to pronounce the planet the way the Fbar did instead of the human-elongated Fabar.

“Yes, the Councillor for Finances, Education, Crime Prevention, Transportation, and Communications Infrastructure weren’t able to make it, though they would have been pleased to meet you.”

“Of course. Another time.”

Petmar was twitching his tail impatiently. “Enough pleasantries. Why are you here?”

“Sorry,” Wanva said. “Petmar has to deal with alien marauders. He’s a little blunt.”

“It’s all right,” Karen said. “I’ll get to the point. I have a video from an alien in this region that was found on our planet. It seemed to us that it was a call for help. Can you tell us who it might be from?” She played the video that had been found in the alien artifact that had caused Earth to become infected with the Pandora infectious DNA strand.

The Fabaris Councillors were silent as they watched, and for a time after. Karen could see little looks between them, as if they were wondering what to say and who should say it. They knew something for sure. Finally, Wanva spoke.

“I find your people pleasant, but I don’t think you travelled here just to possibly help an alien species?”

Karen knew she would have to admit something of their real motive. “That’s true. Some people on Earth have ill effects from an alien DNA strand that was released from the artifact that had the message. We want to find a cure for that as we carry out our quest to aid and trade in all medical matters.” It seemed like a bad idea to admit to strangers that Earth had a pandemic and was vulnerable. Karen saw nervous looks and added. “I assure you, none of the people here could give you the disease.”

Mitat, the Councillor for medical matters, stood up suddenly, catching a pole with her tail for stability. “I’m sorry, but I have to isolate you until we can confirm that.” She was doing something on her ebox. Immediately after, a troop of protectors came in. “Gardi Basa, escort the aliens to the hospital, please.”

            Wanva was looking at Karen anxiously. Woon was obviously tensed for a fight if the word was given.