Page 16 of The Death Striker's Partner
“He had my sister.” I seethed.
“As his charge.” He countered.
“I didn’t know that at the time.” I replied defensively and folded my arms.
“I have reviewed the footage as part of the response team that came to your emergency call.” He pointed at my communication gem and even his hands were completely black. “You were defying our cultural norms and the expected rules of interaction with our monarchy. Ambassador Rerasha acted only to keep you safe from the wrath you were going to force Prince Izule to deliver.” Every ‘you’ he spoke seemed to hit me in the gut. “You were only being removed from danger, when you attached Rerasha.”
“I attacked him?!” I screeched and raised a hand to point at this jerk. This was bullshit, and I wasn’t going to accept this crap.
“You started to scratch and attempted to bite his scales. Ucfeni are highly susceptible to infection, and therefore this was viewed as a very serious attempt to harm the Ambassador.” My mouth shut. I did remember A, doing all of that, and B, a conversation with Charlie about their eagerness to share Thelia with us in exchange for medicinebecauseof their riskof infection. “He restrained you as an act of self defence, but then you proceeded to call not only the nearest Peacekeeper Pit, but also kicked him in the pouch. Your most serious injury was caused by an accident. If anything, Rerasha has plenty of grounds to press charges againstyou.”
I glared at him for a long minute before I grabbed the pillow from behind me and pressed it to my face. I screamed, long and hard, to vent my frustrations. It was utter bullshit. He put his hands on me first, and everything I did was because I felt like I was in danger, but they clearly didn’t see it that way. I only emerged from the pillow when I heard him snort a chuckle again.
“That is a load of crap.” I threw the pillow down onto my lap and narrowed by dark brown eyes on him. “But I get the sense that there is very little point trying to push it, so isRerashapressing charges?”
“No.” Well at least that was something. I didn’t fancy my chances in whatever the Ucfeni version of a judicial system was. I mean, they clearly had one. They had a government and peacekeepers.
“Why are you here then?” I shrugged and returned the pillow to cushion my back against the wall. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but if no one is pressing charges, what business does a peacekeeper have with me?”
“That is the right question.” He smirked and I felt a chill go down my spine. He was so hard to read with no visible pupils in his black eyes. “You only arrived on Thelia yesterday. Is that correct?”
“Yes sir.” I nodded. My parents, God rest their souls, raised me to have a healthy respect for law enforcement. I doubt that changed just because this officer had scales.
“So you know very little of Ucfeni and our culture.” He returned his hands to rest on the edge of my bed. His bottomlesseyes held me still. Could Ucfeni hypnotise people? If they could, I felt he was giving it a good go. “Part of the alliance between my people and yours, is the deployment of a co-species peacekeeper task force. Therefore, all Ucfeni officers undergo sponsorship training, so they are able to correctly interact with, and care for, their human partner. Normally the human has already been through the probationary sponsorship before becoming employed by the peacekeeper force.” I nodded, remembering a set of responders at the Grand Palace in black Kevlar armour. Humans and Ucfeni officers. I even remembered Tumva, now I thought about it. “You are in quite the situation Miss Blac.” That got my full attention. Was I still in trouble?
“What do you mean?”
“You legally have to have a Sponsor. The pairing party yesterday should have resulted in this, but due to the incident, it did not.” He flicked his tongue out at me and hummed, before continuing. “Once you are discharged you will be sent to the human complex outside of Orna territory. This will mean you are unable to socialise with your sister once her probationary period is over.”
“Shit.” I hadn’t thought of that. “I need a sponsor. When will the next-”
“I require a human partner.” He cut me off before I could ask about the next paring party. “I am unsure if you are aware?” He shifted on his tail and folded his muscly arms over his chest. “But Ucfeni are very sensitive to pheromone signatures. The reason for the pairing party is for a potential sponsor to check your scent before agreeing to be your sponsor. None of my previous human partners have been compatible.” I realised where this was going and narrowed my eyes on him.
“But I’m guessing you’re about to sayIdon’t smell all that bad?”
“Indeed.” His deep voice rumbled and he nodded to me. “I saw potential in you and you have the kind of resilience that would serve you well as a peacekeeper. You would be sponsored by me, but also under an apprenticeship. Upon completion of your term with me, you will be a qualified peacekeeper in your own right.”
“…an officer?” I was stunned. I had never considered being a policewoman back on Earth. After all? I had to get a job as soon as possible to support me and Billie. Mainly to support her education once our parents passed away. “Erm, before I came here I used to work in a café. I place where we served coffee and cake. Sorry to break it to you, but I have zero experience outside of that.”
“I will change that, and quickly.” He reached behind him and draped his Kevlar chest guard over his lap.He must have taken that off when he was chilling on the chaise.Tumva fished out a touch screen tablet and tapped it a few times before looking at me. I mean, I think he was looking at me. I couldn’t really tell with those fathomless eyes. “We only hold pairing parties with each batch of your people that are awoken from cryosleep. I understand that isn’t often. If you do not accept me as your sponsor, you will be waiting a long time before seeing your sister again.”
“Fuck.” I closed my eyes and pursed my lips together.
“I can register us right now.” He waved the tablet at me. “We both get what we want in this arrangement. My Pit boss will get off my tail about not having a human partner, and your scent is pleasing to me. You will get to live aneventfullife with me and have a profession by the end of it. You will also be able to see your sister as soon as the probationary period is over.”
“It does make sense.” I had to admit it. “I’m not sure what good I’ll be as a cop, erm,peacekeeper,but…yeah I don’t want to go to the Allico complex.” I was only allowed to come because Iwas supposed to be taking care of Billie. Now they’d screwed that up and she was in the care of Prince Izule, what skill did I have to offer?Knowing my luck I’d be on toilet scrubbing duty.“Sure.” I shrugged, that last thought sealing the deal for me.
“You consent to have me as your sponsor?” His right hand hovered over the tablet. I nodded again and he tapped a series of commands into the tablet.
“What happens next?” I was uncertain about my future, more so now than ever, since Billie wasn’t in it. For now.
“Once the doctor discharges you, I will take you to my nest. I warn you? I hadn’t planned on having a charge and therefore my nest will need some modifications to accommodate you. I will make this a priority.” He almost sounded embarrassed. “I live in the heart of Orna on the public level, with easy access to both the Pit and the nearest multi-level transport station.” I nodded, prompting him to continue. “It is customary for the Ucfeni to take a few personal days to help their human settle in. I have never taken any.” He chuckled like it just occurred to him. “Do you feel three will be enough?”
“Sure.” I really didn’t care. I would do whatever I had to so I could pass the probationary period and see Billie again. I would be the model housemate until then. My only concern was getting back to my sister. Tumva entered more things into his tablet.
“I have now registered you as my charge and my nest as your new residence for your personal effects to be delivered.”
“Thank you.”
