The Secret of Mars

Even though they could barely contain their desire to investigate the newly discovered starship, Jeanip ordered everyone to remain in the Settlement. Swaybuk and Anew were arriving at 0-nine hundred hours. He decided it was best to wait for the Ancient before going back out into the field.

“You sure you don’t want us to stay?” Lord Clute asked Jeanip.

“No, you go meet our king and queen,” Jeanip replied. “They are already expecting the ship to bring you to Earth. Both are very excited to meet you. I hear even Lord Jun might make an appearance.”

“You mean King Jun,” Earon corrected.

“That piece of patoot,” Lord Clute said, spitting to the side. “I would rather flow out onto Mars red dirt than call him ‘King’.”

“See, I am not the only one who feels that way,” Jeanip defiantly said.

“What is it with you guys?” Amber asked. “King Jun has done marvelous things for our people. And Grandmother never would have given him her right to rule if she had not believed in him.”

“That is true,” Lord Clute said, raising his eyebrows as he looked at Jeanip. “What do you think?”

“Nah,” both males said together.

“We know too many secrets about Jun to allow us to call him our King,” Jeanip stated.

“Secrets that my mate will take to his grave,” Lady Critchee said, giving her partner a warning look. “And I trust you will too, Jeanip. Never forget, I have just as many secrets on you two as you do on him.”

“I think I liked it better when you two were still lost,” Jeanip quietly whispered to Lord Clute. “When King Enok flowed out, so did the many things I did in the past. But Critchee probably knows more than Enok did, and I know she’s not afraid to use that knowledge.”

“I heard that,” Lady Critchee said with a somber face. She walked over to the side window and looked at the starship that would carry her to Earth.

“I must take my leave of you, Your Majesty,” Klonc stated upon hearing the announcement it was time to board. He raised his hand to his forehead and bowed deeply. “I will be returning to Earth as soon the ship refuels.”

“Thank you for all you have done, Klonc,” Amber said. “It was a privilege having you as my protector after losing Cainbow. I hope you will enjoy your new assignment on Earth.”

“It is an excellent assignment,” Klonc stated. “To be the protector of Queen Europa’s soon-to-be-born Prince is an honor I never dreamed of.”

“One that you deserve.” Amber reached up and placed her hands on the male’s face, bringing it down to her level. She then kissed his cheek before releasing her hold. “Take care.”

“I’ll see you soon,” Klonc said, trying to hide his excitement. “Next time you come to visit your Grandmother.”

“Yes,” Amber replied, watching the guard walk down the hallway toward the hangar. She would miss him.

“It has been a pleasure meeting you, Your Majesty,” Lord Clute said, as he and his mate stepped in front of the princess. “We look forward to seeing more of you in the future.”

“Yes, now that you know where we are, you must come and visit,” Lady Critchee said.

“It would be an honor,” Amber stated. “Thank you both for your hospitality and all your help.”

“Gart, you’re sure you don’t want to come with us?” Lady Critchee asked. “I hear Earth is a lovely place to visit. Almost as beautiful as Helix Six.”

“I’ll pass this time,” Leader Gart answered. “I’d like to check this planet out a little bit more.” He inadvertently shifted his look toward the princess, who blushed. “But I might want to hitch a ride with you back to Helix Six when you return.”

“We will keep in touch,” Lord Clute promised. The two Oonocks continued to say their goodbyes, then followed Klonc down the hallway to the hangar and the ship.

As the group watched the three Oonocks disappear, two more images appeared and were walking toward them. They stopped momentarily to speak to those departing, then continued toward the main building. As soon as they cleared the decontamination barrier, Amber ran down the hallway toward them, curling into Swaybuk’s waiting arms.

“Uncle,” Amber shouted. “I am so glad you are here. I have missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too, Kiddo,” Swaybuk said, delighted to hold the precious princess in his arms again. “How are you doing?”

“I am holding it together. I met a new friend,” Amber confessed. “I cannot wait until you meet him.”

“Him?” a curious Swaybuk replied. “I can’t wait either.”

“You be nice to him,” Amber said. “Uncles Jeanip and Earon have already given him the third degree.” She turned to the female. “And how are you, Anew?”

“My throat is a little parched,” Anew replied. “And my skin feels dry. I do not believe my body is going to like this Martian world.”

Amber laughed. Leave it to Anew to always speak the truth. She never candy-coated anything. Amber wondered if all Ancients were like that, for she only knew two - Hygone and Anew. And Anew was like no other Ancient before. It didn’t give her much to base a hypothesis on.

“How was the journey?” Jeanip asked as he walked up.

“Your Majesties,” Swaybuk greeted, offering Jeanip and Earon the customary salute. “Quite smooth. And considerably fast. Those new smaller starships can travel.”

“Anew, thank you for coming,” Earon stated. “We have a special chamber set up for you to help with your stay here. Mary’s friend and colleague, Tong, has a similar body chemistry to yours. She has some cartilage and organs but is mostly energy. We have modeled your chamber after hers and the specifications Swaybuk sent us.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Anew said. “I look forward to testing it out. I am happy to do whatever I can to help find Princess Mary.”

Jeanip smiled when he saw Amber pulling Leader Gart toward them. “Uncle, Anew, this is my friend, Supreme Leader Gart of the Caberan of Helix Six. He is the one that saved me from the pirates.”

“Not all by myself,” Gart quickly added, a little embarrassed.

Swaybuk raised his hand to his forehead and bowed slightly. “I am in your debt, Leader Gart, for returning our precious princess to us. Queen Europa and King Kiijon asked me to offer you their sincerest thanks, as do Monarchs EJ and Medi. They asked me to give you something as a sign of their gratitude.” Swaybuk reached into his pocket and brought out an exquisitely beautiful one hundred and twenty-two carat purple diamond pendant on a golden chain. “It’s a very rare, valuable stone from where I come from. Only three were ever found. It was Queen Europa’s hope that your mate might enjoy it.”

“Thank your king and queen for this beautiful gift,” Gart said, holding the necklace in his hand. “Unfortunately, my mate died defending my daughter. But something this beautiful should not be put away in some box. It should be worn by someone as beautiful as it is.” He turned to Amber. “Perhaps you will do me the honor of wearing it.” He began to lift up his arms to slip it over Amber’s neck.

“No,” Jeanip, Swaybuk, and Earon all shouted at the same time, frightening the leader and causing him to take several steps back. A look of bewilderment covered his face.

Seeing the look on her uncles’ faces, Amber quickly stepped forward, taking Gart’s hand and folding his fingers around the necklace. “I sincerely appreciate the offer, Gart, but, as you may have judged from all three of my uncles’ reactions, I cannot accept such a gift.”

“Only her mate may give her such a gift,” Jeanip stated, a bit of anger in his voice.

“What Jeanip is trying to say is that, in our culture, such pieces of jewelry are given only to a male’s mate, his wife,” Earon explained. “Since you are not familiar with our customs, you did not know. Perhaps you can give it to your daughter.”

“I’m sorry,” a nervous Gart said. “I meant no disrespect.”

“I am sure you didn’t,” Jeanip said, staring intently at the alien. “I trust you will not repeat such a mistake again. I allowed you to kiss her. Do not mistake that for my acceptance of your affection.” He turned and walked down the hallway.

“Jeanip, you come back here and apologize to Gart,” Amber shouted, furious at what her uncle had just said. He did not comply with her demand but continued down to the Communications Room to see what Staybo had discovered.

“What kiss?” Earon asked, running after Jeanip.

Anew looked at Swaybuk, wondering what had just happened. “Your guess is as good as mine,” he said, unsure what had transpired. “Apparently Amber kissed this alien. I don’t see a problem with that. I kiss one all the time.” He gave Anew a loving smile.

“Staybo, have you determined a way to get that damn dirt off that ship?” Jeanip bellowed, his voice reverberating off the walls. His voice was so intense that it triggered an alarm. Luckily, Staybo saw the angered looked on his monarch’s face and realized what it meant. He was prepared to deactivate the alarm as soon as it sounded. Quickly disabling the alarm, he wondered what had set the Great Jeanip into such a tizzy. When he heard Earon mention something about a kiss, he surmised it had something to do with their princess.

“Jeanip, when did they kiss?” Earon asked, pursuing the subject.

“I have no wish to discuss it,” Jeanip firmly stated. “Staybo, I’m still waiting for that report.”

Meanwhile, down the hallway, a furious Amber was stomping around the room, infuriated that Jeanip did not apologize. “How dare he treat you like this? If it were not for you, I’d be dead – or worse. Who does he think he is?”

“Amber, he’s your uncle and someone who loves you,” Gart replied, trying to calm the stomping monarch. “Plus he is the ultimate protector. He is conditioned to see the danger in everything when it relates to you. Even a kiss.”

“That is all it was. A simple, harmless kiss, Gart. He is acting like you seduced me or something.”

“I thought it was a pretty good kiss,” Gart said, hoping to lighten the mood. But if Amber heard his comment, she made no indication of it.

“He is not my protector. And he is certainly not my father or king. I am a future queen, and he WILL do as I say.” She grabbed Gart’s hand and dragged him down the hall, shouting Jeanip’s name as she went.

Gart desperately tried to free his hand, but Amber had a tight grip on it. He had no desire to confront Jeanip or any of the Oonocks. “Amber, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

Again, too absorbed in her own wants, she didn’t hear a word of what Gart said. “Jeanip, I said you will apologize to Gart,” Amber yelled as she stepped into the Communications Room, startling most of the crew inside. They had never seen Mary raise her voice and were quite shocked at her sister’s actions. To Gart’s gratitude, Amber dropped his hand as she entered.

Jeanip said not a word, just stared at the screen before him, keeping his back to the angry princess. But Staybo and Earon could both see the anger building up inside him. Earon knew the young, naive princess was about to push the protector too far. Earon stepped in to intervene, but Amber pushed him aside.

“Jeanip, you will look at me when I talk to you,” she screamed, her face now red with frustration and anger. She reached up and grabbed his shirt and yanked him around. “Look at me, I said.” Jeanip turned, outraged. “I order you to apologize to Gart this very second. You have no right to speak to him that way. I am the next queen in line after Aunt Misso. You will comply with my orders.”

“Or what?” Jeanip asked.

“I will have you banned from this planet, from Earth too,” Amber screamed back. “Staybo, arrest him if he does not apologize in the next two minutes.”

Staybo just stood there, not sure what to do. “Delay that order, soldier,” Jeanip commanded. He stared down at the princess, seeing she was not backing down. He raised himself even taller, towering over the female. “You forget, Missy, that in matters of security I have more power than both of your grandparents put together.”

“You apologize, or you will be sorry.”

“What can you possibly do to me?” Jeanip asked.

“I will, I will,” Amber thought fervently, trying to think of something that would hurt her uncle. “I will tell everyone about your precious Phameena’s eyes,” Amber shouted back, instantly regretting the words as soon as they escaped her lips. She saw the complete look of hurt, betrayal, and rage that overshadowed Jeanip’s face. And for the first time in her life, she feared him.

“Silence,” he shrieked. This time Staybo was not prepared, and various alarms began to sound. Jeanip advanced toward Amber, causing her to step backward, trying to put as much distance as possible between her and her uncle. She realized she allowed her anger and frustration to go too far. After only a few feet her back collided into the side instrument panel, stopping her departure. “How dare you, You Little Gutter Snipe. You know nothing about her. I thought you came here to help us find your sister, not bat your eyes, trying to entice some alien to kiss you.”

“I am sorry, Uncle,” Amber stammered, her anger gone.

“I don’t need you here, and I don’t want you here. I already had to send a good soldier away because of you. I needed Klonc here, but you had to go batting your eyes at him too. He’s in love with you and couldn’t stand seeing you with that lizard.”

“I did not know.”

“Well, a queen-to-be would have,” Jeanip yelled over the still ringing alarms. Every time Staybo could deactivate them, Jeanip’s loud voice set them off again. “Get out of my sight, Amber. Better yet, get off this planet.”

Amber burst into tears and turned to run from the room. As she did, she saw Glock rushing Jeanip. He and Tosh had just returned from the buried ship and were coming to deliver their newest report. Glock had missed most of the conversation. All he knew was that Mary’s double was pinned against a wall, crying, being screamed at by Jeanip. He rushed forward and attacked Jeanip, lifting him into the air and throwing him across the room into one of the computer screens, breaking it in half.

“Glock, no,” numerous people shouted, as they tried to stop the giant creature’s attack. But with everyone shouting, Glock could not understand what they were saying. And Tosh’s little voice could not penetrate through the alarms and screams. Glock went after Jeanip again. People were hanging from his arms, wrapping themselves around the huge creature in an attempt to stop him, but nothing was working. Staybo frantically looked for a stun gun or something to stop him before he killed Jeanip. Then suddenly, Glock stopped and turned toward the entrance. He uttered one little grunt, as he stared at Anew, astounded that he could hear her inside his head.

“Stop, Glock,” Anew silently said. “Princess Amber is in no harm. Jeanip will not hurt her. They are only arguing with words. That’s all.”

Understanding what was happening, Glock walked out into the hallway and took a seat on the floor. Tosh flew out to check on her friend.

“Jeanip, are you hurt?” Earon asked as he helped the old soldier to his feet. He could see he had a bad cut above his left eye and a gash on his right arm.

“I think he might have broken my left arm,” Jeanip winced in pain. “Why is it always my left arm that gets hurt?”

“We’ll get you fixed up right away,” Earon stated, looking around for Amber. Hopefully, her healing powers could fix him right up. But Amber was nowhere to be seen. “Has anyone seen Amber?”

“She ran out crying right after Jeanip hit the floor,” one of the soldiers replied.

“Did she go alone?” Jeanip asked.

“No, PiePie and Cavin went with her.”

Jeanip looked out into the hallway to see if Gart was still standing there. When he did not seem him, he searched through the other faces, but he too was gone. He wondered if the alien had gone after her.

“Let’s get you to the infirmary,” the Commander said.

A little woozy from the impact of hitting the screen, Jeanip zig-zagged his way to Anew, holding his broken arm carefully in his other hand. “Thank you, Anew, for stopping Glock. If you hadn’t, I honestly believe he would have killed me.”

“Glock is a creature of strength, like you,” Anew replied. “But he does not possess your intelligence. He acted instinctively. He perceived your loud voice as a threat and thought Amber was in danger. So he stepped in to protect her. Attacks of words are not known to him, just as with us Ancients. But Swaybuk has explained such things to me. In fact, he has often demonstrated the art of yelling at me on numerous occasions.”

“She can get a little frustrating at times,” Swaybuk chuckled in his defense.

“Don’t they all?” Jeanip commented, reflecting back on what just happened. “Perhaps, Swaybuk, you will do me a favor and go check on her. Make sure she made it back to her room and that PiePie is with her.”

“What should I do if HE’S with her?”

Jeanip tried to clear his mind so he could think clearly but was having little luck. “At the moment nothing. We’ll deal with this after my head is clear and I can think logically. If that’s possible.”

As Jeanip was helped down to the infirmary, Anew and Swaybuk had Glock and Tong show them the way to Amber’s room. Swaybuk knocked, then entered the room. He was glad to see that Gart was not inside. Just Amber and PiePie. Amber was walking back and forth between the closet and bed, where she had two suitcases opened. She was emptying the contents of the closet into her two bags.

“Are you going somewhere?” Anew asked.

“You heard, Uncle,” Amber said. “He wants me off this planet.”

“I don’t think he meant that,” Swaybuk said. “He was just angry.”

Amber dropped her current handful of clothing into the suitcase and looked at Swaybuk. “Then why? Why did he say those horrible things?”

“Perhaps because you said some horrible things yourself,” Swaybuk reminded her. “Things I never thought would come out of your mouth. Today, I must admit, My Sweet Amber, I was ashamed of your conduct.”

Amber dropped to the bed; her shoulders slumped forward. “Please don’t say that, Uncle. I can stand disappointing anyone but you – and Dattwa.”

Swaybuk walked over and sat down beside the sorrowful princess, taking her into his arms and holding her as he often did when she was little. “Then why did you say them?”

“I do not know,” Amber replied. “I have been so worried about Mary and Leader Gart’s friendship is the only thing that helps me cope with my fear. I guess I was afraid Uncle was trying to take that away from me. I wanted to hurt him so he would know how I felt. As soon as I said what I did I knew it was wrong, but I could not take back my words. You always told me never say anything in anger. Now I know why you said that.”

“Both of you are under a lot of stress and worry,” Swaybuk tried to explain. “And, just like you, Jeanip is not acting like himself. He loves you dearly, but he is scared. Scared for you. Scared for Mary. Scared for your Grandmother.”

Amber lifted her head and looked into Swaybuk’s face. A look of possible understanding began to appear on her face. “But Uncle Jeanip is never scared.”

“I can assure you, he gets scared just like the rest of us,” Swaybuk smiled. “He just hides it very well. And right now he is probably the most terrified he has ever been. I’ve only seen a look similar to the one he had on his face today several times before – and they all had to do with your Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. You might not know this, Kiddo, but Jeanip almost died the day JeffRa assassinated your Great-Grandmother. He was the one charged with keeping her safe, and he failed. He failed in his only purpose to exist – keep Queen Medaron safe. If it hadn’t been for the fact he had your Grandmother to protect, I am sure he would have flowed out onto the ground. Now he is in danger of losing another Queen – Mary. He is no closer to finding her than he was when he arrived here. Add in the thought of possibly losing you too, and you can see it is more than he can exist with.”

“Regarding your outburst, I have noticed that, with humans, the more afraid they are, the more violent they sometimes act,” Anew added nonchalantly. “It is a major flaw in their emotional make-up. Plus, it appears you may have your Grandmother’s temperament.”

“Please, not that,” Amber laughed. “It was just an innocent kiss.”

“It probably was,” Swaybuk said, still trying to comfort his former charge. “And at another place, at another time, Jeanip would have no problem with it. But right now you’re his only hope in finding Mary, and he needs you focused on that objective. Have you told him that the alien helps keep you focused, unafraid?”

“No.”

“Then how can you expect him to understand?””

“Did Glock hurt him?”

“Just some bumps and bruises,” Swaybuk replied. “He’ll be fine.”

“Not for a while,” Anew immediately stated, feeling Swaybuk was not honest. “He broke his arm and probably has a concussion. You saw how much trouble he was having walking.”

“But Amber didn’t need to know that,” Swaybuk silently said, giving Anew a disapproving look.

“Yes, I do,” Amber replied. “Remember, Uncle, I can hear you silently talking. I need to go see him right away and see if I can help.”

“I think it would be better if you waited just a bit,” Swaybuk stated. “Let’s make sure he’s calmed down before seeing him.”

Jeanip was sitting on the bed waiting for the doctor to return with a sling for his broken arm. From out of nowhere, Supreme Leader Gart suddenly was standing before him. “I’m sorry that Glock attacked you.”

“Well, I didn’t give him much choice,” Jeanip answered. “I was shouting pretty loud.”

“I thought about what you told Amber, that she needs to concentrate on finding her sister. I’ve booked passage onto a Nitt ship that is leaving here this evening,” Gart stated. He reached into his pocket and removed an envelope. “I think it’s better that I don’t see Amber before leaving, so I wrote her a note.” He held out the envelope for Jeanip to take. “I was hoping you would be kind enough to give it to her.”

“You’ve got some nerve coming in here and asking me such a favor,” Jeanip stated, staring at the creature before him. “Takes courage to stand up to me, and I admire that.” Jeanip reached out and took the envelope, placed it in his mouth and ripped it into several pieces. “But I think it would be best if you told her in person – AFTER we find Mary.”

“Sir?” Gart stared in horror at his torn letter, now lying on the floor.

“As Swaybuk is always reminding me, I am the last person to object over two beings loving each other. And if that kiss was as Amber said, a simple kiss, or the start of something extraordinary, it is not my place to interfere. You have my permission to see my niece. I just ask that there be no more nightly rendezvous and no kissing when in public. It is frowned upon for female monarchs to show affection in public to males they are not united with or related to.”

“I assure you, Sir, that after this, I will probably never kiss your niece again.”

“Now don’t go saying that,” a frustrated Jeanip replied. “If she wants you to kiss her, then kiss her. Otherwise, she’ll never forgive me.”

“So, if she wants I should kiss her? But not in public?”

“You’ve got it.”

“What if she doesn’t want me to kiss her again? Ever?”

“Then I say hallelujah, and that’s your problem.”

“What if she wants to kiss me too much?”

“Be discrete and, as before, that’s your problem.”

Gart thought for a moment. Soon a huge smile spread across his face as he realized what Jeanip’s words meant. “Thank you, Jeanip. I’ll leave you to the medical staff’s care.”

The Supreme Leader turned to leave. “And, Gart.”

“Yes, Sir?”

“I do apologize for calling you a lizard. It was not very friendly or monarchy of me to do so. After all, you did save Amber’s life.”

“Well, it is kind of what I am. I took no offense.”

Jeanip watched as the Leader walked down the hall, thankful that there were no hard feelings. He only hoped his meeting with Amber would be as amicable.