Page 47 of Accidentally Abducted

"I have none, Councilor," I admit. "The assessment was conducted exclusively with Jake Morrison."

"A fundamental deviation from protocol," Kav'eth states, speaking for the first time. His voice carries the precise balance of professional criticism and personal disappointment that only a brother could achieve. "One that raises questions about the validity of your conclusions."

I meet his gaze directly. "The deviation was unavoidable once the transportation error occurred. I made the determination that conducting a thorough assessment with the available subject would provide more valuable data than none at all."

"Yet you exhibit signs of significant physiological distress following this assessment," Councilor Lyr'tha observes, her medical expertise evident in the precision of her analysis. "Your bioluminescence patterns are irregular, your stress indicators elevated, your cortical activity shows atypical patterns."

"I am functional," I state, though the evidence suggests otherwise.

"You are compromised," Kav'eth counters, leaning forward in his seat. "After merely three days of contact with this human, you return to us... diminished. Is this not itself evidence that humans may have deleterious effects on Nereidan physiology?"

The accusation sends a pulse of anger through me so intense that several Council members recoil slightly as my bioluminescence flares in response.

"With respect, Councilor," I say, forcing my voice to remain measured, "my current physiological state is not the result of any harmful human influence. It is the natural response to separation following intense empathic bonding."

A ripple of surprise moves through the Council. Empathic bonding between species is theoretically possible but exceedingly rare.

"You formed an empathic bond with this human?" Elder Va'ril asks, her tone sharpening with interest. "In three days?"

"Yes, Elder. An unexpected outcome, but one that suggests unprecedented compatibility potential."

"Or unprecedented vulnerability," Kav'eth counters. "If humans can so quickly establish emotional influence over Nereidans, perhaps they represent a psychological risk rather than an opportunity. Your current state could be evidence of manipulation rather than compatibility."

The suggestion that Jake somehow manipulated me, that what we shared was anything other than genuine, ignites something in me I can no longer contain.

"The human did not manipulate me," I state, my voice carrying an intensity that would have horrified me days ago. "He adapted to our customs, learned our food preparation methods, showed genuine interest in our culture and physiology. He demonstrated care, insight, and respect that exceeded every parameter in our compatibility metrics."

I can see the Council members exchanging glances at my uncharacteristic display of emotion. Kav'eth's expression has hardened into concern mixed with disapproval.

"Researcher Zeph'hai," Elder Va'ril says carefully, "your emotional involvement appears to be affecting your scientific objectivity."

"My emotional involvementisscientific data," I counter. "The capacity for cross-species empathic connection represents the most significant compatibility indicator possible. Rather than dismissing it as a liability, the Council should recognize it as the very outcome this program was designed to discover."

Silence falls over the chamber. I have violated protocol by challenging the Council directly, but I cannot bring myself to regret it.

Elder Va'ril studies me for a long moment, her ancient eyes seeming to see beyond my exterior to the conflict raging within. Then she does something unexpected.

"Approach, Researcher," she says, gesturing to the space directly before her seat.

I move forward, aware of the tension emanating from the other Council members, particularly Kav'eth.

"You claim an empathic bond formed," the Elder says quietly when I stand before her. "Would you be willing to share the experience?"

The request is unprecedented. Empathic sharing is reserved for family units or scientific demonstrations under strictly controlled conditions. To share such experiences with a Council Elder, in a formal assessment...

"It would be considered irregular," I say, echoing Jake's words from days ago.

"These are irregular circumstances," Elder Va'ril replies. "If humans truly offer the connection you claim, I would experience it directly."

I look to Kav'eth, whose expression has shifted from disapproval to alarm. Empathic sharing is intimate, revealing not just memories but the emotions attached to them. There would be no hiding the true nature of my connection with Jake.

"I am willing," I say, making my decision. "Though I must warn that the experiences are... intense."

"I have lived through the Great Cataclysm and three species wars, Researcher," the Elder says with the faintest hint of amusement. "I believe I can manage your three days with a human."

I bow my head in acknowledgment, then extend my hands, palms upward in the traditional position for empathic sharing. Elder Va'ril places her weathered hands over mine, her bioluminescence shifting to the receptive pattern needed for connection.

I close my eyes, focusing on the memories I wish to share. Not the intimate moments, those remain private, but the ones that reveal Jake's true nature, his adaptability, his insight, his capacity for connection.

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