Chekresu hovered just off the narrow trail that led to the cave, the back of the craft to the trail. A wide ramp led down to the trail, allowing easy access for supplies as well as for medical needs. Ronnie and Elsrensia were off the craft, with Elsren tending to those injured or otherwise in need of medical attention.

Another Arrhazonan craft had long since departed with Mohammed Omar, the leader now in Arrhazonan custody aboard AISV llhaesa ahrella t’yaeli, at least until the Arrkarharan world determined exactly what it wished to do with him.

Addison wandered to the left as she emerged, choosing to sit upon a rock just to the side of the cave opening, her mind lost deep in thought as her vision focused vaguely in the brightening distance, her expression a melded form of satisfaction, exhaustion, and reflection.

“Mind if I join you, dear daughter?” Ronnie asked, somewhat startling Addie, her request meeting with a simple nod, her daughter patting the rock to her right, signalling for Ronnie to sit down alongside her.

Addison continued staring off towards the next mountain, not that far away from their location in the rugged terrain between Afghanistan and Pakistan. “Addie,” Ronnie began after waiting a minute to acclimate to Addie’s mood. “I understand your performance was exemplary, your contribution invaluable.

I wish you to know that…I was wrong.”

Caught be surprise by her mother’s comment, Addison shifted her thoughts, turning her head towards Ronnie. “Wrong about what, mother?”

“I was wrong to oppose your involvement. You are a woman now, not a child. You grew up right before my eyes, but apparently, I was not looking. At the very least, I was not processing the obvious.

When the three of you left Chekresu last night, I closed the door behind you and cried. I leaned back against the door and cried, Addison. It was a deeply emotional moment, and it was so because I thought this all wrong for you.

I wish you to know this, and wish you to know what a fool I was not to see my daughter as she is, for who you have become, instead of clinging to the collective compilation of memories of you in childhood.”

In times past, Addison might have cried in that moment, she might have placed her head upon her mum, sought out her comfort, her ability to make her world right. Addison yearned in a way for this, but right now, she preferred to follow another path. Something new came first this time.

“Mum, you didn’t make a mistake, and you were not wrong. You have a right, and I expect you to do this, to speak up and share your concerns, your views. Being an adult does not mean concerns vanish, that I need no longer hear them. It means that the final say with what happens with me rests with me now. That is the only difference.

Please know I expect you to express your viewpoint, always. In turn, I hope that you value what I might offer for opinion as well.” Addison leaned her head upon Ronnie’s shoulder now, a hand reaching out for her mother’s nearest arm. She paused for a moment, even as Ronnie reached out and placed her free hand on Addison.

Addie gave an affectionate squeeze with her hand, resuming sharing what scrolled through her mind. “They were not easy, the events of overnight. I had to fight, and I had to inflict hurt; fortunately, I did not have to kill.”

“Llhaesa told me two died and six were wounded in the fighting, including Mohammed Omar, whom you finished off.”

“I did what I had to do.”

“I have seen the recording made by the remote devices, Addison. What you did in that instant was…astounding. It was astounding in assessing and evaluation, astounding in deciding to act, in its decisiveness, and in execution.

As I watched, the emotion that welled up inside of me, well, I am not ashamed to say I jumped up and cheered for you, cheered with you, I felt with you in spirit.

You put an end to things, and maybe, just maybe, saved Jahrae from harm. You…are your mother’s daughter, and I mean that in the sense of the four of us collectively.

There is more, Addie, but…I will let Jahrae share it with you, later.”

“Share what?” Jahrae asked, approaching her seated co-parent and daughter.

“Addison and I were discussing how wrong I was to oppose her participation, how she is an adult to us now. We also talked on what happened overnight. And just now, I mentioned there is something you might wish to share with her, a bit of news.”

Jahrae caught her meaning, a smile pulling over her face. “There is news, Ronnie, although I don’t think a smooch from me and Chief of Government Gl’nsiel is all that big a deal, do you?”

Addison looked up, her eyes wide, telegraphing curiosity. “Smooched by the Chief of Government, what on earth for?” she wondered aloud.

“What of me? My kisses do not count?” Jahrae teased, prolonging the play, delaying the answer.

“I value you kissing me, mum J’har, but you parents do that all the time. Why does the CoG wish to do this?”

“Well, she usually does – actually we both do – when someone is awarded the Choice of Jahrae.”

A look of shocked surprise pulled over Addison’s face, her mind realising the implication of the words just spoken, that she was to receive the highest honour awarded by the Arrhazonan world.

“No way!” Addie exclaimed, her smile betraying her pride.

“Yes, it is true, Addison, and so I suggest you brush up on your speechmaking, not that that is a problem in this family,” Jahrae confirmed.

“Not long ago, I probably would run now,” Addie reflected on the changed circumstance. “I put some distance between message and event on one hand, and facing the results on the other. Now, I am honoured, especially given for whom the citation is named, mother.”

“Addison, thank you,” Jahrae replied, touched not only by her daughter’s words, but also by something more. “Not just for your words. What you did in there,” Jahrae began explaining, nodding towards the cave entrance, “was brilliant, and I have not yet had a chance to express my appreciation in a way I would like.

I drew Omar out, because we wished him hostage, not dead. Instead of allowing that skirmish to continue, you acted when you saw clear opportunity, and you made it work. One cannot teach such evaluative and decisive judgement.”

“Mum, how do you know when to act in a way that is lethal? I am not at all certain I could go that far. Would that have put you at risk?”

“Addison, none of us wish to kill, in fact you know we collectively hate it. Yet when I see a situation before me where one of my family in this case or of my team in a generic sense faced a threat that included the possibility of death, I act.

With both deaths, one caused by me, one by mum ‘essa, we both were out of reach of the assailant, and both imminently threatened, one llhaesa and I, the other threatening you.

In that situation, out of reach, death possible, you would know to act. Please do not question yourself, it is unnecessary, especially in view of the courage you showed in hand-to-hand fighting. Addie, that is the hardest element for people, the hand-to-hand skirmishes, yet you performed brilliantly.

I like that you are reluctant; do not try to overcome that reluctance, we always need to carry it within us.”

“You all have such a great way of viewing the world, it makes so much sense, it feels so right,” Addison praised, feeling better for this conversation.

With the air warming, Ronnie noticed sweat forming on her daughter’s face, and so she reached over and pulled off the black skullcap that still covered her hair, Addie’s hair pacified by the dreadlocks, preventing a wholesale hair rebellion. “I do not believe you need this on any longer, my dear. Let’s see that lively dreadlocked head of Addison hair!”

“Thanks mum, I guess I should change out of this clothing, but I’m not ready to move as yet. I like chatting with you.”

Llhaesa approached, her cap also removed, hair flowing freely. “Word is out, folks,” she casually remarked. “Networks now have the story of Jahrae as captive, of her rescue, and of the capture of Omar. Oh, there is one other little detail. They also know that Addison is the one who took out and captured him, and they are running the video footage we provided to governments. What they show again and again is Addison disabling him.”

“Oh, no!” Addison groaned.

“The producers of the movie love you, Addie. You keep increasing their profits before the movie ever releases!” Ronnie observed in humour, though the statement was likely factual.

“No worries there mum. I will keep acting and my responsibilities in life separate. As a part of this family, I feel a total commitment to all the lot of us stand for.”

“There is still more,” llhaesa casually tossed out to the group.

“More?” Jahrae asked, trying to prompt an explanation.

“Yes. It seems several regional governments, those heretofore with poor records on women’s rights, at this moment have streets filling with women who, having watched some of the footage released of the rescue, demand equal rights.

Three governments pledged to implement new laws proclaiming gender equality.

Addison, you triggered their reaction. They saw what you did. Yes, they saw what we all did here, but you, a 17 year old, you who, after Jahrae called out Omar, after he proved deceitful in the match with J’har, took him out, calmly and audibly declaring your equality as you walked away.

That footage repeats over and over on media.”

“Mum, I fear for the women in the streets. Are they in danger?” Addie wondered.

“Good point and question,” Jahrae replied. “There is always danger when people run up against despots, but the greater good comes into play. I prepared to give my life, as did llhaesa, during the time leading to and through the revolution on Arrhazon.

I do not wish to see people die, and somehow, I think what happened here made it just a little safer for them, to be honest. You, all of us… did wonderfully.”

“Addie,” llhaesa began, “we have not had a chance to discuss what happened when we were apart. I could sense you take out two, but without seeing the video that others have seen, I am curious to know what you did leading to strike at both.”

“One had his back to me as you took out the attacker, apparently unaware of my presence. I was sheltered and pounced. He went down easily.

The second saw me, but could not raise his weapon all the way to fire. I helped him raise it; he lost a few teeth from the weapon, he probably felt like losing his lunch next, because I struck him in his gut before the weapon even hit the ground, finishing with a strike upward with my foot. That probably cost a few more teeth.

I was pretty fired up at that point.”

“Mum ‘essa told me right then, after she explained you taking out two more, that you could take on a tiger and win,” Jahrae smiled, sharing the remark made at the time.

“I felt like I could, mum J’har,” Addie agreed, a bright smile on her face.

Elsrensia walked up and indicated all the wounded were treated and evacuated. “Shall we get out of here?” she asked, knowing all would agree.

Afghani troops approached on foot, ready to take over the cave area, wishing to study it and look for information left behind by the Taliban.

The family climbed aboard Chekresu, while llhaesa took to piloting. She, as with the others, felt tired but playful, and so llhaesa took off as if following the path of a corkscrew, heading upward, the inner force dampener preventing anyone from feeling the spiralling effect and getting sick. The only clue was the circular movement of clouds outside their clearsteel viewscreen to their front.

Llhaesa performed a few more aerobatics before heading off for the AISV. Upon arrival, the family decided to tend to personal hygiene and sleep, agreeing to gather later that day.

Each of those involved showered and took to their beds, sleeping a solid eight hours before the first of them woke in early afternoon. As usual, llhaesa was first up, dealing with her restlessness by making an early afternoon breakfast of apple and cheese crepes.

Anticipating demand, she made enough to feed those sleeping in their suite and a good deal more. The sweet aroma of baked apple and melting cheese was ill content to remain confined to the kitchen area, and soon the lagging sleepers meandered into the kitchen, following the call of their noses.

“Damn but those smell good, ‘essa,” Jahrae remarked. “Do you mind if I try one? I am famished!”

“Of course, silly, please do. I made enough for an army.”

“Ugh, no army talk.”

“Oh; sorry about that, J’har. I made enough for captives.”

Jahrae groaned over the bad pun, moving over and behind llhaesa and giving her an affectionate squeeze. “I love you, despite the awful pun. You make good crepes, so you have that as a good point.”

“Oh, are you making a list of good points and bad points?”

“No, I just assemble a list of your good points.”

“I am honoured, J’har, although the list will be short.”

“Nice try, no believe.”

“What smells good?” asked Addie, she and Serry making their way into the kitchen. As with their parents, both were in nightwear covered with a robe.

“Mum ‘essa decided to use smell to attract us out of bed, knowing we were all hungry. I suggest we start in eating it all, and make her work harder for the effort.”

Ronnie and Elsrensia arrived minutes later, they too digging into the homemade crepes, Elsrensia sampling the llhaesa specialty for the first time, while Ronnie was used to llhaesa making crepes, albeit as Tim.

Ronnie’s mobile rang off, the calling party identified as from the White House. “Ronnie here,” she answered, wondering what happened now.

“Yes, yes, I understand. Please give me time to discuss this with the family, and I will call back in a while.”

Ending the call, Ronnie shared its purpose. “We are desired in Washington. The President wishes to discuss the rescue and its aftermath with us. She specifically requested us four parents, but especially insists on Addison attending.”

“What about me?” Serry asked, disappointed.

“I am sorry, honey, but this is one time you will have to stay with your grandparents. This will be all business, at least for the most part. You would be bored.”

“Oh, all right. Do you think they will take me to the Arboretum?”

“Yes, I do think you can convince them to do that, Serry, if you ask really nicely,” Jahrae advised.

Within an hour, they notified the White House of their intent to attend, and with Jahrae piloting, landed there uneventfully; albeit a bit slower than if llhaesa was at the helm.

The five made their way to the Oval Office, settling upon oppositional-facing sofas, joined by President Ellenwood, Barbara Millwood, and Marcia Paang.

“Thank you for coming once again on short notice,” the President began. “I have watched the footage recorded by the Arrhazonan equipment, and I must say you are a group few would ever wish to tangle with.

Addison, for a 16 year old to do as you did – and yes, I recognise you are not all that far from 17 – is remarkable. Small wonder that you sat here three days ago, making your impressive case to include you on the rescue team.

In the process, you changed this world just a little bit more, Addie. I know your intent was to rescue your mum, but your dedication, your will to do what was right, to take part defending what you believe and whom you love, has struck at the hearts of people around the world.

Undoubtedly, by now you are aware of media reports. What other governments say to us in private is just as affirming, even more so. Governments, those with declarative leaders, move to institute equal rights, knowing the women in their streets today will not accept anything less. Those with legislatures will follow the legislative pathway to change.

The Taliban, with Omar disgraced, is a collapsing political movement. One of their next in line leaders now claims they never advocated against women’s rights.

Chief of Government Gl’nsiel sent along a message that you would receive Arrhazon’s highest honour, and well, I am not going to pile on here, but I agree with the sentiment behind that decision.

Addie, I asked all of you here to see if you would agree to do regular reports from Arrhazon, share your experiences as you discover half of your heritage. Yours is a generation of great hope, and you can be a voice for them, to all generations.

I am asking in order to avoid network squabbling over which one has access to what you send back in the reports. I would like it to be for everyone, worldwide.

The reports would share one world with another in a positive way, encouraging and inspiring.”

“Ms President,” Addison mused, “what happened in the cave was not completely positive. I fought, threw people down a mountain slope, knocked others unconscious, and intentionally broke Mohammed Omar’s arm.

I prefer to encourage change through non-violence, and it is a bit distressing that it is violence, that one my age engaging in violence, no matter the justification, should prove to be the catalyst that inspires a world.

What am I missing here?”

The President leaned back, drawing a breath. “You are astute, and you ask appropriate questions; I doubt anyone here is surprised by this.

It isn’t really the violence, Addie; it is taking action, doing something to defend what is right. You helped rescue your mother, taken hostage by an unscrupulous movement that works to oppress women as a key element of its advocacy and conduct.

You stood up against the Taliban; you treated them as insignificant, as powerless. Think of this another way. For many in that part of the world, they seemed almost all powerful, always near to do harm to someone in their family if they disapproved of some innocent little thing they happened to do – like a man shaving, or a woman who walked in town with her head uncovered.

You showed their power is intimidation, but that it is an illusion. If people stand up to them, they lose. You shattered their invincibility. That you did this by fighting them, well, people understand why you fought. That was not a school debate, they chained your mum in a cave, and you all did what you had to do to get her out of there safely.

This world saw a young woman do what she must to save her mother. When the Taliban tried to stop you, you had no choice but to act.

The world also knows you are non-violent at heart, Addison. They know that is true of your mothers as well, which is why in two years, we see remarkable change in our collective world outlook.

I would guess, if you were to ask your mothers, they would tell you there was a moment in time where circumstances called to them to embrace who they were, what called to them to do in life. You are on the side where a calling will beckon, and you will embrace your future, your place in life.

We already know, or at least see strong hints, that you are a future leader. In some ways, given what shows in our news media now, you already are, joining your parents.

You leave for two years, two years of exploring a wondrous heritage you have yet to see in person. I would love to see what you see, hear what you think, how you react and evaluate to what you witness, what you experience, the people you meet, the things you do.

Even though you will be away, you can still work for change here, because this world needs you, Addie, just as we need your parents. You can help us learn with you, help us continue to grow, and move toward the ideals set by your family.”

Rather than Addison answering, llhaesa jumped in. “Ultimately and unlike the decision for her inclusion on our rescue team, this decision is up to Addie.

That said, never again will any of us question or debate her inclusion. Speaking for Ronnie, Jahrae, and Elsrensia, our daughter earned her adulthood; she proved her ability, her maturity, and her judgement, to us. It is now a given, as it is one of us to another.

I try to picture visiting a new world, the world I left learning through me, with me; I do not know this experience. I arrived here thinking I was of this world, with memories created for me, my mind programmed with details of Arrkarhara.

This idea has merit, but it only has merit if its doer finds the wish to do within her soul. I do not fault anyone who finds it not something they wished to tackle, but if Addie wishes to do this, I support her choice.”

Jahrae, Ronnie, and Elsrensia nodded in agreement, while Addie merely smiled, replying, “I would love to do this, on the condition my reports would be exactly as you suggest: freely accessible by the world.”

Already in the White House and preparing for later events two floors below, the family and team moved about the third floor as if it was their private residence. Indeed, for this one overnight stay, ‘your temporary home’ was the verbal mandate given to them by President Ellenwood, their friend and host.

The White House was about to hold a formal state dinner in honour of Jahrae, llhaesa, their family, and all of the Arrhazonan team. In preparation, the President and wife Elaine graciously wished to open their home in welcome to their distinguished guests.

Inside of fifteen minutes of their arrival, Addison and Casey found and made themselves home in the Solarium Room as the last vestiges of late afternoon light flooded in from its many windows, windows that afforded a spectacular view of the Washington Monument and surrounding area.

Visiting the children in their chosen place of refuge, llhaesa made her way over to one of the spacious windows and stared outward, captivated by the lengthening shadows and pervasive ambient golden glow produced by the low lying and soon to set winter’s sun.

“Careful with your gown Addie, it will wrinkle quite easily,” llhaesa cautioned as she turned away from the windows, noticing Addie sprawled nonchalantly across a sofa. “The first time I wore a gown of that length, I tripped over it after just putting it on; I somehow stepped on the hem.”

Addison, springing into an upright position on the flowery patterned sofa, turned to llhaesa, amusement beginning to filter into her expression. “Did you fall?”

“Yes; I stuck my hand out just in time to keep me from breaking my nose. For the effort, I sprained my hand.”

This revelation sent both Addie and Casey into laughter, one reinforcing the other’s amusement. “I will take very good care not to do as you did, mum!” Addie blurted out amidst her laughter.

“You are so coordinated, which is why this seems so funny,” Addie added.

“I normally am, but I have my moments. For instance, I tend to hit my head on occasion, and probably will wearing these heels tonight. I am almost 194 centimetres in these infernal shoes, so if there is anything low-lying, ‘bonk’.

This is something with which you should take care going forward, dear daughter. You are growing quickly, and as you approach my height, especially as fast as you appear to grow, your head will take a few knocks as well.”

“That is such a wonderful thing to look forward to, sheesh! My head hurts already, just thinking about it.”

“Casey, you seem quite placid and content in your tuxedo,” llhaesa observed, changing the subject and drawing Casey into the conversation.

“It is all right, I guess,” he replied, the monotone and unenthusiastic reply suggesting he remained unconvinced. “I have never even worn a suit before, much less a tuxedo. I have to admit I do not look as good in my tuxedo as you do in yours, llhaesa.”

Casey’s comment caught llhaesa off guard; he never made such observations on dress of others, or even gave any indication the subject was of interest to him. “Why, thank you, Casey, but you look, as Jahrae would say, rather smashing in yours.”

Llhaesa is guarded in what she says to Casey; her intuition continues its strong suggestion that Casey has gender issues lurking somewhere inside. For all llhaesa knew, Casey might secretly prefer a gown to the tuxedo currently worn. “A modification of what Arrkarharans call ‘gaydar’,” llhaesa whimsically and silently mused. Deciding it would be insensitive to disregard and blow through the cautionary warnings, she sent her thoughts elsewhere.

“I’m going to head down the hall and rejoin the remainder of the family,” llhaesa advised Casey and Addie, taking her leave, “and I’ll be back when it is time for you to finish getting ready.”

Reaching the rest of the group, llhaesa surprisingly found the President chatting with Jahrae and Ronnie. Walking up to the President, llhaesa remarked, “We both wear tuxedos tonight, this must be a dinner of state first. It is great that we can eschew the rigid and formal constraints of years past; I love it! Well done, Alicia!”

The President made a show of checking over llhaesa from head to toe. “I must admit you will turn more than a few heads with your choice of dress, ‘essa; you certainly would turn mine!” the president winked along with offering the compliment. “Not only are you supermodel gorgeous, no one can miss seeing you given your height.

I chuckle at how one or more of our more traditional and older political invitees will react to you; one in particular that has been a thorn in my side, well, may I introduce you to him?

“Who is this person, and why would they react this way?” llhaesa was puzzled.

“Senator Bemis, Republican from Nevada. He is in his sixth term now, and he likes to project his size when talking with me; many have made this observation and I disbelieved. I finally started paying attention, and sure enough, he does this. It is quite amusing.”

“How tall is he?”

“Oh, maybe around six feet, nothing spectacular, but since I am 5’6”, he senses an advantage. With you in heels…”

“I have height advantage over him, I see. Hmmm, I will see what I can do. Please do introduce me to him!

I have to scoot downstairs. I will see you all in…a half hour!” The President gracefully disengaged from the group and headed off to prepare for her formal duties, loving this particular night more than any other formal affair to date.

In her opinion, the Arrhazonans were stand up people, without exception people she liked being around. “If their spirit infects this world as they and I hope,” the President silently postulated, “they just might succeed in the goals they espouse and work to achieve.”

Following protocol, the one hundred and thirty guests, including the special guests, arrived and made their entrance in the East Room ahead of the President, who was the last to enter. The President walked in arm and arm with her popular and fun loving wife, Dr. Elaine Bourassa, to the genteel ovation of the earlier arriving guests.

President Ellenwood made her way into the room, taking time to greet and chat with each person as she slowly worked forward. Watching from afar, llhaesa marvelled at Alicia’s easy grace, animatedly chatting with everyone, sincerely interested in what each had to say. Small wonder the nation elected her despite all the factors pundits had suggested stood in her way: Alicia cared about people.

Barbara Millwood called llhaesa out of her private contemplation of the President, wishing to introduce llhaesa to Dr. Sylvia Washington, the capable physician who brought the president back to good health after her bathroom fall. “It is my pleasure to meet you, Doctor,” llhaesa smilingly greeted, first shifting her glass of carbonated water and lime to her left hand before taking the doctor’s proffered hand.

“From what the President, Barbara, and Marcia have told me, you played a significant role in protecting this country from people less interested in the welfare of everyone, and more in their own power and money,” llhaesa opined, knowing her own rescue never would have happened, at least in the way it played out on that fateful day.

“Please call me Sylvia,” the doctor graciously asked, modestly adding, “We all do what we can to make things better, and from what I can see, you and Jahrae do far more than your share.

By the time I set things up so Alicia could sneak out of the hospital, I was certain you were the real deal. Thank you for confirming my judgement!”

“You are most welcome,” llhaesa replied, slightly blushing. “Have you had the opportunity to meet Elsrensia, our physician?”

“Yes, I did moments ago; she has invited me to travel to your world when you return. I am intrigued by this possibility, and have discussed it some with the President, who has final say.”

“We would love to have you!”

An authoritative and loud voice called out, interrupting the various conversations of guests, announcing that dinner was ready to serve. The Voice requested guests file over to the State Dining Room to take their seats.

Once the East Room was clear of people, workers began adding informal seating where there was only people standing moments before, providing small tables and chairs guests for après-dinner, in order that they could comfortably watch llhaesa perform.

Each guest moved to their assigned seating and settled in. Joining the President at her table was wife Elaine, Jahrae, llhaesa, Addison, Saehressa, Casey, Marcia Paang, Susan Woodward, and Barbara Millwood. As staff served the first course, a light spinach and carrot salad, the President rose and called for a toast.

“Thank you all for coming tonight to meet and chat with our special guests of honour, whom I hope you have had the chance to interact with over the last hour, or will over the remainder of our night.

I was elected on a theme of change, a call to optimism and to build for the future, but I have to say, after meeting llhaesa and Jahrae and all of the others, they made me rethink exactly what I meant by my original position, made me rethink the limited scope of what was actually a near sighted leadership vision.

This is a time of great hope, it is the greatest time in the history of humanity on this planet, a time when our cousins in the universe call upon us and ask us to join with them in becoming part of a newly forming interstellar community.

They ask simple things of us before they agree to a partnership with us. They ask that we stop making war on one another, that we feed those who are hungry, that we clothe those who are without clothes, that we provide health care to those without, that we educate all to the best of their ability, and that we unite as a world.

We collectively think this a daunting, overwhelming request and task. Admit it, each one of us here tonight, upon hearing of their grand vision for the first time, felt scepticism course through our thoughts, me as well as you. This is where I call out myself as myopic and near-sighted.

After that burst of scepticism, I stepped back and tried to look anew, this time from further afield, from their perspective. Damn, but they are right…they are right. They can see ability in us we refuse to see in ourselves – our ability to unite and take care of one another.

As you know, I have an interface that connects to their world, and I regularly exchange letters with their Chief of Government, Gl’nsiel Frehsan. She shared with me how llhaesa and Jahrae are the very best of their world; she would trust no one else, would not allow anyone else, to attempt the task they voluntarily undertake on this one. I have seen llhaesa and Jahrae’s records of achievement, and they are nothing less than extraordinary.

I knew llhaesa and I would be friends from the moment we exchanged two sentences on the way to the Jamila Live broadcast. I knew Jahrae and I would be friends from the moment she shared her first thoughts on the same programme.

They call us to walk with them across a bridge to a future we heretofore only fantasised about in our movies and literature. I know of no one more deserving of our appreciation and gratitude than Jahrae and llhaesa, and along with them their entire family and team.

Please join me in a toast to llhaesa, Jahrae, Ronnie – who by the way, is our future representative to Arrhazon, Elsrensia, Saehressa, Addison, little Sérada, who is not here tonight, Casey, Jesnsera, Chsensera, M’traliel, Khahishra, Anita, Dottie, Vicki, and David! Wow, I said that all in one breath!

You are our inspiration; to you!” Alicia held up her toasting glass and then brought it down to her lips, emphasising her actions. Draining the glass in one healthy sip, the President called out, “Thank you. Now, shall we eat?”

Alicia sat down, basking in the warmth of the champagne as it followed gravity into her body, combined with the feeling of warmth inspired by her words. Looking toward llhaesa, she noticed a reddish tint to llhaesa’s facial colouring. “Did I embarrass you, llhaesa?”

“I guess my face is a tad pinkish; no worries, I sometimes do that when people comment on me or our group.”

“What she will not say Madame President,” Jahrae interjected, “is that she is uncomfortable with anyone reminding of her accomplishments or that she should consider a leadership position.”

Llhaesa audibly groaned, and everyone at the table laughed, well knowing her distaste for personal power. It went unnoticed that her groan was absent a usual element of joviality.

“See what I mean?” Jahrae motioned toward llhaesa as she offered llhaesa’s groan as proof. “It is also one of her rather numerous endearing qualities.”

“Llhaesa, suppose one day our world is in fact unified, and we and Arrhazon and other worlds form an interstellar government. Would you consider taking a leadership position in that capacity?”

Llhaesa looked like she would groan anew, but surprised everyone by saying, “I would give that consideration.”

Everyone but the president and Elaine looked at llhaesa as if she just announced she was carrying sextuplets; the President, seemingly pleased, just smiled, sensing something stirred within llhaesa.

Saehressa broke the spell of silence, knowing she and Jahrae carried the most influence with llhaesa and had the most experience with evaluating and understanding her outlook.

In what was rare for her, she failed to notice llhaesa’s unusual mood, and consequently Saehressa’s face fashioned into something combining mirth with approval. She had thought on this issue for such a long time, and wished her daughter to know how she felt. Proceeding onward, she semi-rhetorically asked, “Well now, what have we here, my dear daughter?”

Saehressa, sitting directly across from llhaesa, looked intently at her daughter, love pouring out of her eyes, her mind gathering the words that welled up and pressured for release. After a brief hesitation, Saehressa continued.

“Ever since you were a young child, you have exuded leadership skills, sometimes quietly, at other times not so quietly – you simply stepped in, stepped up, and got things done whenever you saw a need. Looking back, I suppose on some subconscious level I knew even while I carried you that something like this was your future; how, I know not, I just felt it in my soul.

No obstacle in your path is ever too large and no obstacle is ever too high. I cannot recall a time where you failed on something you put heart and mind into achieving or overcoming, and some of the things you did as a child where rather astounding, our first tangible clues that you possessed a rather formidable intellect and ability.

Through college, you focused on things of importance within and with your local environment – high school and college was your sheltered enclave. Yet on your last day of college, at your commencement, you stepped up and burst forth from your cocoon-like educational space, ready to embrace all of Arrhazon as your new environment in which to perform, play, evaluate, advocate, and change.

A great many people took notice of your commencement speech and performance, initially not quite believing what they heard and saw. That you went after the government in such a blunt, candid way, that you had information no one else had, that what you did in performing was even possible – your dad and I, as well as your friends and instructors, knew your performing talent, we knew your political inclinations, but not Arrhazon, it knew not. A lot more would have noticed were it not for suppression of the story by the government.

You were remarkable. Perhaps for historians of the future evaluating our time, they will single out your commencement as the turning point in Arrhazonan history. This was unsurprising for me at the time, I watched you for twenty-two years. You were just llhaesa being llhaesa, doing something because it was natural for you to perform that way, natural for you to call out how Arrhazon needed to change. This is not an acquired talent, it is an intrinsic part of your soul – you know no other way to be.

You abhor desiring leadership my dear, yet you simultaneously relentlessly place yourself in a position where others will call for you to lead, seeing and hearing your advocacy and your deeds. You might not take the time to notice the things you do that produce a clamour for your leadership, but they will, they have, and they do. You do things no one else can even dream of doing – again, natural for you. Yes, you could simply refuse to use your talent, but that is not in your personal make up.

Jahrae – at least I think she does – grasps the significance of her tangential actions and contributions, as well as acknowledges other roles she might assume in the future. Maybe she understands and sees these things because she had to work harder at it, but there are commonalities between both of you. She ran from activism as you run from power – until she realised that she could best honour you and your memory by standing up and taking the lead as an activist.

Your inspiration not only saved her life, but in the process, Jahrae found strength and ability she never believed existed within her. She found what she believed in and what mattered to her.

You know the ability to lead is within you, dear daughter. Hearing you say ‘you would give that consideration’ is an indication you finally begin to realise just what it is you have accomplished and what it is you possess for ability, how it might best be applied in the future. Perhaps you begin to understand how and why you inspire, why others embrace you and trust you to do what is collectively best for us all.

The two of you are a unique team, some things in common, some not, each getting to where you are through different paths and experiences, but it seems the universe not only intentionally chose to bring you together, it chose well in bringing you to each other.

Maybe there is a greater purpose here, beyond either of you. Your famed reluctance and resistance might well be one of the very traits that make you best qualified for what it asks of you, but there is a time to keep that as a reminder, not as a hindrance.

Listen to your mother, ‘essa…for once.”

The last line drew laughs from all at the table excepting llhaesa, who merely smiled. Even Addie and Casey found the discussing interesting and Saehressa’s last comment amusing. Addie just thought of llhaesa as her mother, not a potential leader of the universe. Casey, new to the family, just thought of llhaesa as a caring sister, one kind and personally guiding. Now, for both, there was this new, beyond world-scale picture to factor into the whole.

Llhaesa surprised again by saying nothing in rebuttal or otherwise, picked with her fork around the periphery of her salad for a minute or two before courteously excusing herself and leaving the table, calmly meandering around tables and walking out of the room.

No one at the table was quite sure what just happened, or if llhaesa was even upset. Jahrae, seated just to the right of the President, started to rise, but the President interceded, placing her hand on Jahrae’s hand, asking, “Jahrae, if I may, please allow me to go talk with her.”

The request left Jahrae slightly taken aback, but she acceded, sitting back down while offering a simple, “All right, if you wish.”

The President reprised llhaesa’s departure, excusing herself and calmly strolling around the tables, acknowledging greetings but plodding determinedly forward and out of the room, walking into Cross Hall just in time to see llhaesa disappear at the far end of the Hall into the East Room.

Alicia continued onward, but before as she reached the wide entryway into the East Room, the sweet and beautiful sound of a piano floated outward, instantaneously mesmerising and enthralling her with its ethereal but troubled and complex melody.

Llhaesa noticed Alicia enter the room, but she kept playing until Alicia stood but a metre in front of her and then stopped, looking at Alicia with the saddest eyes the President could recall seeing in a long while.

“’essa, might I sit with you?” Alicia asked, softly, gently.

“If you wish, please feel free.”

“Thank you.” Llhaesa slid over on the piano bench, allowing the President to take the space nearest to her. “I know this might ring hollow given I am in the pre-eminent political position on this world, but… I understand how you feel.

You may know I am an artist by education and training, but you likely do not know that I was good; in fact, my first month post college I sold a few works for what were significant sums for an unknown artist at that time. Three to be exact and they are still works held privately by the same three families.

The only ones who know of this are my family and those who hold the works.

I happened to mention health care to the last client making their purchase, sharing how my mum was running up huge bills due to her illness, yet she did not have health coverage, and I fear I ranted to this unfortunate person, such poor marketing skill!

Instead of my ranting turning her off, she encouraged me to do something about health care. She told me I was articulate and knowledgeable and could make a difference, but to always hold tight to my artist’s heart.

The next year, I ran for the State Senate and won. Soon, my political career advanced, and I set my artist life aside, supposedly temporarily. Oh, I fully intend to go back to it once my tenure as President is over. I miss it a great deal, ‘essa.

I do dabble with painting – more than dabble, actually – in my private time, especially when troubled, as you are now. You have been through much over the last eight months. First, there was the horror of instinctively knowing that as Tim your body was all wrong, then as that set right, the government hunted you down and abused you, followed by the arrival of Jahrae. Immediately thereafter, Addison chose to embrace her Arrhazonan heritage, and you chose to become a mother, dealing now with your pregnancy.

You have not had the time to process how you feel, you have not had time to mature into your outlook and where you wish to go in life; in many ways you are still 25, though you did mature in some way by continuing to experience life as Tim, but Tim’s life and your life are a universe apart. On this specific issue, it is not one with which you have had to wrestle for fifteen years.

I guess that is a long-winded, politician’s way of saying, ‘I understand, ‘essa’.”

Llhaesa did not look up, and instead played another burst of thirty seconds of a concerto she wrote and would play later. Alicia watched how llhaesa worked her hands across the keyboard, awed by the sheer talent of the woman beside her. Stopping, llhaesa turned toward Alicia, her mind processing, evaluating, and assembling what she wished to say.

“Alicia, when you were elected to this office, were you scared?”

“Oh, I was terrified, llhaesa. There are times when it scares me still. People do not see us now, wrestling with all too human feelings, they only see ‘supports this bill’, or ‘opposes that bill’.

Talking with you now, I feel human; you understand and appreciate me as being human. I feel that way with Elaine; she keeps me grounded, just as Jahrae keeps you grounded. In truth, I prefer this feeling to the feeling that comes from a successful coursing of a bill I support through Congress.

When I am done with the public stuff for the day, I take my kowtowed to arse and park it in front of someone who knows me like no other. Elaine can see through my moods, see through my silences, and even through my occasional moments of euphoria. She sees me naked, not just in body, but especially in mind and soul, and I guess that isn’t something I would wish to share with the public, anyway.”

Alicia took hold of llhaesa’s hands, holding them tight as she continued. Llhaesa could feel Alicia will for love to flow outward through her hands, the offering love of a friend, concerned.

Both acknowledged this feeling without speaking, sitting there eyes locked, a new level of trust building upon the foundation of the old. Finally, Alicia felt it was ok to continue.

“What your mum said a few minutes ago overwhelmed you, right?”

“I guess, no it is more than that. Jahrae encouraged this, and that bothered some, to be honest; it just did not feel like our usual playful teasing. With my mum, I know on some level deep inside, she is right – after all, she is my mum, and we have always had a special relationship; we trust one another, we speak forthrightly. My parents – mum and dad both, guided and nurtured me. Even with the loss of their first child, they gave me room to find my place in life.

This is what bothers me, Alicia. Jahrae choosing almost immediately to pursue the topic, coupled with my mum’s candid assessment that I hold back, that I have this capability and duty that I run away from, that I should embrace. I appreciate her candour, but emotionally, I am not ready.

I lost fifteen years of my life. OK, I didn’t really lose the fifteen years, but I gained a wholly different and unanticipated fifteen years, years on a different world, of a different gender, and a different life. I would not trade away those years ever, because I love Addie and Serry heart and soul.

Just for a little while, can I revel in and reacquaint with my family, in the precious little things that Jahrae does, Addie does, or Serry does, and soon, what Ahrella will do? Can I embrace my motherhood without constant reminders I have other responsibilities to get on with in life? There is time for all that; I just wish to live life and cherish life right now, for once. As it is, I chase around this world convincing people to call upon their governments to change and unite. Can that be enough, at least for now, please? Please?”

Llhaesa finished speaking just as her inner will fell to the forces of emotion within, unable to hold back any longer. Her fingers tried and failed to strike the piano keys, her mind distracted by the rising tide within her. Tears called out confirmation of what Alicia already knew: this was a moment of reconnection, of llhaesa acknowledging and coming to terms with, her resumed life.

Alicia pulled the unresisting llhaesa into her arms, signalling a will to comfort through the steady hold of her arms. She knew better than to say anything, after all, what could she say? That llhaesa need not do this, that others should allow her to embrace a life she now fought to pull tight to her. No, silence was best, physical contact, better.

Llhaesa was not hopelessly mired in tears; this was a soft cry, one of contemplation and evaluation, rather than one of a lost hope or despair. After fifteen minutes, she pulled her head away from Alicia, muttering a heartfelt “thank you”.

“Alicia,” llhaesa began, her voice now gentle, yet resumed with her usual strength. “You have given me much to think about. For now, I must embrace my family and hold tight to the large and small joys they bring to me.

There will come a time when I will embrace leadership, when I am ready for a formal leadership position.

Shall we go back to join the others?”

“If you wish, ‘essa, we can. May I ask what you wish to play for us later?

“I played a portion of it when you came in, it’s called, ‘Piano Concerto for the Uniting Worlds’; that particular passage you heard is part of the Prelude.”

First sliding off the bench, both smoothed their clothing, llhaesa making certain there were no residual signs of her tears. Finished, the President and honoured guest walked arm and arm out of the East Room and Down Cross Hall, disengaging from physical contact just prior to entering the State Dining room.

They casually rejoined the head table, with some of the other guests in the room looking on curiously, given the almost half-hour absence of the President and llhaesa. The serving staff, out of deference to the President and llhaesa, held off on removing the salad plates and serving the next course.

The adults at the table pretended as if nothing at all happened, although each also felt a deep sense of worry, well knowing something did happen. Most of all Jahrae felt disconnected, felt she somehow failed llhaesa with her initial words and by not responding and comforting when llhaesa obviously hurt.

While Jahrae wrestled with her faux pas and imagined failure, Saehressa silently boxed and jabbed at herself for choosing this night and this setting with these guests to lay bare her thoughts, thoughts on an unresolved dilemma that plagued her daughter through adulthood. “Why how I said it,” replayed in her mind, and why say it now?”

Llhaesa watched this phenomenon unfold, and thought of how it might appear on video. The prospect of how much attention this segment would draw left her silently laughing. Obviously, none of this group wished to have their bare arses, visible to each other in all their beautiful glory, broadcast to the world, but the video equipment worked nonetheless – with their pre-approval.

Once back on Arrkarhara, Jamila would edit the video, distorting and blurring out of focus imagery Arrkarharan standards would not allow broadcast in unedited form, but the scene would convey the essence of what the team had to do in preparation in order to accomplish their goal of walking the lunar surface.

All were women of some accomplishment and varying degrees of fame; a President, a US Attorney General, the president’s Chief of Staff, two astronauts, two ambassadors, a doctor, a former CIA agent turned reiki master, a musician, a columnist, and the host of the highest rated syndicated daytime television show.

The eleven going out to the surface helpfully assisted each other in the suiting process, and stopped before putting on the final piece, the helmet, awaiting further instructions from Jahrae.

Jahrae explained to the team that the pressure suits would change colour depending on conditions inside and out, and should not feel alarm by the colour changes. She continued on into outlining the final step, how the helmet locked in place, how to trigger pressurisation, how to know the suit was ready for outside use – which was via indicator lights just out of the direct field of vision.

They would disembark in three sets of threes and a final set of two, each set entering the hatch that sealed from the inside before pumps removed air from inside that space. Once the hatch was bereft of air, the outer door would retract and those in the chamber could step down one rung, out onto the lunar surface.

Jahrae led the way with the first wave of neophyte lunar wanderers, teaming with Alicia and Carly, with Alicia the first to step down onto the lunar surface and Jahrae last. Ronnie, Kim, and Barbara were second out onto the surface; Marcia, Elsrensia, and Connie were third, and lastly Jamila and Susan, talked through the process via their headset communications, by Jahrae.

The craft had set down right on the terminator line dividing night and day, and so the surface was largely untouched by the rays of the sun, while depending on where they stood, the upper parts of the visitors were in direct sunlight.

Kim and Connie, both geologists and trained astronauts, immediately set out to study lunar rocks and small craters, looking for signs of water. Both carried sample bags to pick up items they wished to analyze later.

Elsrensia kept medical tabs on everyone, ascertaining they were ok in their suiting, while the remainder set out to explore the periphery, looking for things of interest, their suits able to transmit video of wherever they looked, all of it recorded for future reference and use.

Jamila’s broadcast began at 9 am Eastern time, with Jahrae’s helmet videocam transmitting Jamila standing before her, in pressure suit, sun brightly illuminating the upper third of her suit, welcoming her viewers to a special and historical programme.

“Good morning, Earth – or as the world is known to some of our team, Arrkarhara; welcome to a special edition of Jamila Live! For the first time in history, eleven people walk the moon, more than all who have walked before, and this group will walk the moon simultaneously.

Also of significant note is the identity of each of the moonwalkers: Alicia Ellenwood, President of the United States; Barbara Millwood, Attorney General of the United States, and Marcia Paang, President Ellenwood’s Chief of Staff.

Susan Woodward, lifelong friend of the President and Barbara is with us, so too Carly McSorley of City Scribe, a London newspaper, astronauts Kim Chiernenko and Connie Iwo, and Ronnie Lorrie-Salston – the first ambassador to Arrhazon.

Arrhazonan members of the team are Jahrae Khentavra, llhaesa t’yaeli and Elsrensia K’avahra; and finally of course, is yours truly, resident of Chicago, and a birth citizen of Tanzania.

Consider also one common element here: we twelve currently here are women. Consider that it took not three days for us to make the trip here as it did with Apollo, but rather fifteen minutes. Consider what this implies for the future of humanity.

Young women who watch this broadcast, know you can be anything you wish to be in life, that you can strive to achieve in ways others before us were blocked from undertaking.

There will be long spells of broadcast silence; we prefer you hear the chatter amongst us as we go about researching, exploring, and yes, having much fun. After all, one astronaut famously golfed on the moon. We will not be golfing, but we will enjoy ourselves – immensely.

Before we reach that point, Jahrae and llhaesa will provide background on the Arrhazonan space programme.

This broadcast is without commercial interruption by agreement with our affiliates and sponsors who underwrote the broadcast. One of the sponsors is the Two Worlds, A Single Equality foundation, co-founded by llhaesa ahrella t’yaeli, who piloted our landing craft, Chekresu, today. Thank you. And with that, we begin. Jahrae?”

“Thank you, Jamila! We are pleased to bring you this video and audio of the first twelve women, eleven at one time, to walk on the Arrkarharan – Earth – moon. The view from here of your planet is simply spectacular!” Jahrae called out, sounding surprisingly skilled in her informational presentation to the viewing and listening audience.

Jahrae used skill honed in the years after llhaesa was lost, speaking with illegal media, advocating for equality and democracy, and for the foundations she ran. She looked skyward towards Arrkarhara, her videocam zooming in on the blue, white, brown and as the view enlarged, elements of green, ball.

Jahrae started to share information on the Arrhazonan space programme, offering a bit of history. “The engine that enables such long distance travelling such that we could reach your world, or make it from Arrkarhara to here in fifteen minutes, was in fact designed by a woman, L’jaesa Hujorha. L’jaesa not only designed the engine, she discovered and committed to written theory the principles of bi-space physics, building the engine to prove the theory.

This led to a plethora of other uses, notably the communications methodology that allows us immediate contact with Arrhazon.

Women played a prominent role in the design of the equipment we use on board and on the surface here,” Jahrae continued. “The pressure suits we wear are partially the brilliant design of Sanehla Cuanelsor, while Ajeisha X’aelhre designed the basic navigation system for all Arrhazonan spacefaring craft, including Chekresu.”

At this point, llhaesa took over the explanation from inside the craft, a camera on board Chekresu showing her seated off to the side of the main cabin. “A moment ago Jahrae mentioned the design of the pressure suits and the contributions of Sanehla Cuanelsor. Sanehla teamed with J’jelha Ofahro, who is responsible for the organic elements that create a closed, recyclable system in the suit. Together they developed an efficient closed-system-suit capable of sustaining life indefinitely, providing there is access to digestible nutrients.

The nutrient element – the suits also contain a system for their provision, not part of the closed system initially, but become so after the fact, as the suit becomes increasingly efficient with the passage of time. This element is the work of Elohra Kaelkara.

The bio monitoring equipment built into the suit is the creation of Sophlara K’avahra – our teammate Elsrensia’s mother.

Other important devices we use on our mission is our internet, called the Athenaeum, the result of the work of M’nela Reoal, and the clear steel we look through from inside Chekresu – the clear steel is many times stronger than any current Arrkarharan construction material – is from the research of Daesi M’solhae.

Some of the women mentioned are with us still, some are not; but all endured discrimination, were told along the way they were not good enough, not intelligent, and experienced efforts to stop them from pursuing their education, or their research. They faced this discrimination because they were born with a vagina and not a penis, and patriarchy simply had no room for accepting women as equals.

When we expose gender discrimination by shining a light upon it, we can see its insidiousness; we can see the actual damage, and we can surmise the potential damage, where great minds run into interference. When that results, all of humanity loses.

Women of the world – a slight majority on this world, I might add – do not be deceived; do not allow others to dismiss you because of your gender.

Do not accept that others use gender as an excuse to dismiss your views. Do not accept that others use gender as an excuse to devalue your accomplishments. Do not accept that others use gender as an excuse to deny your potential. Do not accept that others use gender as excuse to keep you from your dreams. Do not accept the path others wish you to take because it is an accepted path for your gender.

Do not do anything you do not wish to do that others claim you must because of your gender. Do not accept the boxes patriarchy attempts to push you into and lock you into, to conform to its standards and vision.

None of the women here today would ever allow another to devalue, diminish, or prevent them from their efforts. Look beyond these societal-imposed limitations. Follow your heart, follow your dreams, and reach for your own stars.

Jamila?”

While llhaesa transferred the programme back to Jamila, Ronnie emerged from the hatch, ready to take over inside while llhaesa took her turn outside. “How was it out there, Ronnie?”

“It was a riot! It is so weird to walk along with such extra bounce in your step; it takes getting used to that spring, and adjusting how you walk, holding back leg power.”

“I cannot wait to try!”

“You wished no part of this yesterday, but now you wish to go out?”

“Yes, my mind has come around to the potential for fun in the experience, and I cannot wait to get out there.”

Llhaesa climbed into the suit, which adjusted to her pregnant body, fitting perfectly, as it had with all of the others. Ronnie assisted; within minutes, llhaesa was on the lunar surface, prompting Jahrae to bound over to her wife, and once there, brush llhaesa’s suit affectionately with her own. Jamila captured this scene with her suit videocam, an unspoken display of affection from one partner to another, another moon first.

Invariably creative, supremely talented, and wildly inspirational, Jahrae or any of the others never quite knew what llhaesa might think of or wish to do next. After all, they were here on llhaesa’s inspiration. While most suspected it, no one knew when the next unexpected from llhaesa was nigh, but in this case, the time was now.

“Jahrae, please stand behind me and place your gloves on my hips. Everyone, line up behind one another and behind Jahrae, put your gloves on the hips of the person in front of you.”

Dispersed across the immediate area, it took the group five minutes before all were in line, gloves on hips of the person in front.

“OK, here is what we are going to do,” llhaesa began. “We’ve already had golf on the moon; well now, now we are going to do the first moon bunny hop.” Laughter from ten others dominated the broadcast audio, interspersed with excited comments implying their readiness to try the lunar bunny hop.

“Is everyone familiar with the routine? Tap the surface twice with your right foot; tap twice with your left. Then we hop forward, hop backward, and finally three hops forward.

I suspect we will not get this right on the first try, but this is a team, right team?”

Ten other enthusiastic ‘yes’ responses resounded in llhaesa’s ear and over the broadcast audio.

“If we don’t get it right, we get up and we try again until we do. Let us show the students watching how we can develop a team skill set from no skill set, right here and right now, under extreme conditions.

Ready? Oh, I forgot to mention…I would sing the song for you; we need some inspiration and audio cues to move us after all… ok, back to ready!

Set…” llhaesa began to sing, calling out to her ten like-minded lunar bunny hoppers. “You put your right foot forward…” The eleven began their moves, a disjointed line at once out of synchronisation with one another. When they made the first hop, some stumbled to either side, two to fell to the surface, and several bounded quite high off the ground; all laughed uproariously.

After a minute or so, llhaesa rallied the group for another try, and they dutifully lined up into a presentable line. All of this Chekresu’s cameras captured and broadcast back to the Jamila programme audience, and laughter roiled through homes around the world, with people anticipating the group’s second try.

“Ready?” llhaesa called out. “You put your right foot forward…” This time the moves proved a bit more controlled, though the timing was somewhat off, and on the first hop, everyone stayed connected, though the line bobbed up and down like a snapped and writhing rope, as some still added too much leg oomph into their hop. Things fell apart on the three-hop, with pressure-suited people strewn across the surface, gasping for air as laughter overcame them.

“I haven’t had this much fun in years!” the audience heard President Ellenwood call out amid the loud and riotous laughter.

“Once again, team! Lets get this right, come on we can so do this!” llhaesa encouraged the moon-bunny-hoppers. “OK, my wife is such a bunny hop taskmaster, is she not?” Jahrae called out. “Llhaesa is right; we can do this. Come on, before we start, think this through… where our feet go, how much leg force we use in a hop, synchronise with each other, and follow llhaesa’s lead. Back to you, bunny leader ‘essa!”

“Thank you, Jahrae! Team, are we ready?”

“Ready!” came the call as one.

Llhaesa began the song again, and this time they made it through the entire sequence in synchronicity. The second round found the line wavering a bit, and on the third, Jamila, the tail of the line, bounded up and over Elsrensia, the person immediately in front of her, sluicing into a landing as if planned, between Elsrensia’s outstretched arms connecting to Barbara.

“Wow, you could not do that again if you tried!” Elsrensia exclaimed. As Jamila attempted to move out and back to her position, Elsrensia called out, “no need, Jamila, I’ll take up the last spot now.”

The next try was flawless, with llhaesa leading her team of bunny hoppers on a zig zagging line around the area near Chekresu. Ronnie, inside the ship, laughed the entirety of the time, not quite believing llhaesa and her antics, not quite believing llhaesa had managed to get everyone to participate – and after a fashion, managed to get the team into such inspirational synchronicity.

The team continued for five minutes before llhaesa wound things down, creating a grand finale, which saw everyone make use of the full power in their legs. As the team did so, each bound almost four meters off the surface and in various directions, as if the team had stood on a trampoline and sprung into the air.

Their timing was perfect, allowing Jamila to segue into a closing statement for her show.

“You have heard a tiny fraction of the actual history. You have seen twelve women do amazing things, on a place where less than the number here today have previously been in all of history.

We will follow up on the story in the coming days, explore more of the history, explore more of our antics, and perhaps invite llhaesa to return and perform on our programme.

In summation, gender is no factor, or it should be no factor, in what you wish to do in life, and in whether you are actually are able to do as you wish. We are all equal, and it is time our world recognises and accepts that equality is something we all must embrace as dear to us.

Some question the contributions of women to our world. Connie, Kim? I believe you have something to show our audience?”

The two astronauts came into the camera field of view, each holding what appeared to be a rock of dark and light contrasting colours in their gloved hands. The rocks were irregularly shaped, and approximately sixteen centimetres in diameter.

“Thank you, Jamila. Before we sign off, we wished to show the audience these two items,” Connie began to explain.

“What you see,” Kim picked up where Connie left off, “are dirty rocks – these rocks are a mix of ice and rock. For the first time, we have definitive proof that there is water – in the form of ice…on the southern polar region of the moon.”

“Well folks, chock one up for us, eh? Off to the side of Jamila, llhaesa placed a flag with a big equals sign upon it, standing it firmly in the lunar surface.

Jamila turned toward the effort; viewers at home watched llhaesa carry out this final step in a day filled with a spectacular proclamation of gender equality.

This is Jamila Karenga along with…” each of the team called out their name sequentially, as Jamila pre-arranged, “…signing off from the surface of the moon.”

Bunny Hop lyrics attribution: (Ray Anthony / Leonard Auletti)
http://en.scientificcommons.org/leonard_auletti_%5Bperformer%5D

In an interview with London Watch, a weekly, well-read online television oriented publication, Ormond claimed the usual childhood interest in television, more a passive occupier of time than anything challenging – at least initially.

Around eight years old, he began to see television as the product of much behind the scenes effort, with the on-air person the comparative tip of the television production iceberg. The more Ormond read, the more the television industry drew him in.

By high school, Ormond made use of his parent’s VHS camcorder to film news segments for the closed-circuit high school channel, visible within the school only, and there only in select parts of the school.

He also served on the print paper journalist staff, in some cases doggedly tailing other students for comment about gossip. Some suspected Ormond initiated the rumours in order to have something to chase down and report.

Not particularly well liked by classmates, young women thought him creepy and sneaky, while young men preferred to say nothing, rather than fall prey to his commentaries. Still, most everyone watched and revelled in the closed-circuit inanity – so long as they were not the subject matter reported.

After one particularly crass and craven report, the school administration stepped in, prohibiting Ormond from broadcasting any material that was unkind to any other in the school.

His exploits resumed in college, where another student broke his nose after one exaggerated story about a friend of the student. Ormond persisted in his yellow journalism, and by the time of graduation, his resume listed accomplishments that caught the eye of media interested in sensationalism.

Such coverage drew viewers, and generated ad revenue. Prospective employers viewed Ormond as a potential video media money machine; they cared not who might be hurt, or what story he might exaggerate.

By the age of twenty-eight, the short and slight of frame Ormond, he of the readily recognisable bushy black eyebrows, thick black plastic glasses, unkempt hair and chintzy suits, was a cult favourite in the London television market.

Behind the scenes, his production company, which he formed upon signing his second contract with Londonshire Media Company, the parent of several daytime trash programmes, faced several lawsuits over the years, all of which they successfully fended off with nary a pound in payment.

The day after the brilliant llhaesa-M’traliel concert in London, one the entire nation seemed to chat about, Ormond saw a publicity opportunity, and calculatingly went after that opportunity, uncaring of whether the words would cause harm to young psyches.

Live on his hour-long programme, Ormond devoted the subject matter to a claim of lack of achievement by women throughout history. With his audience gasping and increasingly enraged, the self-labelled misogynist claimed women “were leaches riding the wave of achievement of men.”

“Consider the moon landings,” Ormond continually fuelled the outrage of his audience, “ten men have walked on the moon, zero women, leaving the current score at: men ten, women nil.

Here we have this mysterious and unquestioningly exotic llhaesa t’yaeli, and what do we really know of her, other than she is loud of mouth – and can sing? Perhaps in reality she is some mechanical machine – designed by a man.”

What scared most who knew Ormond, even those who promoted his programme and reaped huge profits from its marketing, was that he seemingly really believed the nonsense he tossed out to his viewership. They simply could not separate belief from ploy.

Ormond did not stop with the moon comment or the comments on llhaesa; his purposeful misogyny marched tumultuously and verbally onward. “If women were the sole sex of humanity, humanity would wallow forever in a stone age, living crudely, accepting things as existed around them, with no drive, with no ambition.”

For British feminists and in fact for almost all women, the true outrage was in those in the following days who publicly sided with Ormond, including one prominent Member of Parliament, Avery Sloeverson, and from men’s rights groups, who seemed everywhere spouting their misogyny, claiming Ormond and Avery as great defenders of unfairly maligned manhood.

Carly McSorley, the veteran columnist for Metro City Scribe, an avant-garde metro London print and online paper, hit back factually and eloquently, and now drew the ire of the Owsley supporters.

In an age of instantaneous communication worldwide, the story started making waves in North America as blogs took up the controversy, with opinions and accusations abounding and counter-opinion and accusation flying at anyone who weighed in with an opinion.

While many teased for llhaesa to blog, she resisted, preferring to share her views through other forms of activism. With this latest outrage, Jahrae and llhaesa revisited the issue of blogging and whether engaging in such activity suited llhaesa’s needs as a means of communication.

“While I will not blog, ‘essa, I strongly believe it is an excellent way for you to advocate, and I trust there are many who wish to hear from you.”

“Yes, you have encouraged me to write publicly before, but my stubbornness got in the way. You are winning me over to your point of view, J’har, and I will explore adding an activism and opinion area on my music site.

In the meantime, this Ormond fellow seemingly spoke for attention, and I am reluctant to send any his way. I have another idea that might be fun and which could also be quite dismissive of his point of view.”

Jahrae smiled, well experienced in knowing llhaesa both loved a challenge and never failed on discussions of equality. “What plan circulates in your mind, ‘essa?”

Llhaesa did not answer; instead, she clearly called out to the interface. “Please place a call to Jamila Karenga’s mobile.”

Jahrae immediately grasped llhaesa planned mass exposure of her point of view. As she pondered this, Jamila’s voice came over the sound system.

“Hi, llhaesa! And if Jahrae is there, hello Jahrae! How are you feeling, ‘essa, and how can I help you?”

“Hi, Jamila! Yes, I am here – this is Jahrae, obviously. My feminist wife forms some grand plan to counter Ormond Owsley’s dastardly comments, and I will shut up so both of us can here the details.”

“Hi there! I am well, thank you, though my body expands by the day.

You undoubtedly are aware of the uproar in the UK and in the blogosphere over Ormond’s comments. Men 10, women nil, indeed!

Young women are watching this, and probably face much ribbing from their male classmates; we need to do this for all women, but especially so for them.

I intend to rectify that number, if I can get you and others to sign on. I propose that you, President Ellenwood, Chief of Staff Paang, Attorney General Millwood, Ronnie, Elsrensia, Carly McSorley, Susan Woodward, and NASA Astronauts Kim Chiernenko and Connie Iwo join Jahrae and I on a trip tomorrow. To the moon, from where you can broadcast live.”

“Llhaesa, are you serious?” Jamila shouted, happily, and definitely rhetorically. “That is such an incredible idea, and wow, what a message to young women, what an in-your-face response to Ormond!”

Jahrae was too busy laughing and shaking her head knowingly to add anything immediately, and so Jamila and llhaesa continued unabated.

“Just to be clear, you wish to do this tomorrow, ‘essa?”

“Yes. Here is my view of things. First, we act immediately while this is a prominent media and blog story.

Second, Chekresu has video equipment on board, and so no additional video equipment or corresponding crew is necessary. The twelve of us – I include me and Jahrae in this, obviously – will make the trip, but I will remain on board, given my pregnancy. One is required to remain on board in any case, under the protocols for operation of Chekresu.

That puts eleven women on the moon. One more thing:

I prefer that no one mention the London story or Ormond’s name. We should focus on positives, on sending a good message to young women. Jahrae, Elsrensia and I will share stories of the history of this craft and that of Equality, stories I am certain will be of interest.”

As llhaesa finished, Jahrae collapsed to the floor writhing in a fit of laughter, prompting llhaesa to call out, “Jamila, my wife is losing her mind!”

“I can hear her laughing! She well knows you, llhaesa – in your mind, everything is achievable, and we all know you back that up by actually doing – which is why she laughs so, she knows you will actually do this, and that Ormond has no chance.”

“Yes, quite right Jamila.” Jahrae strained to hold it back, but she finally brought her laughter under control such that she could speak. “I have seen llhaesa pull off all manner of responses, activism, concerts, etc. and yet she will never fail to surprise me.

By the way, I absolutely love the idea, and think we must do this straightaway! Although I will add, a preggers llhaesa in a pressure suit is an idea worth pursuing, and think we should talk her into taking a turn as well.”

“No, no, no! No moonwalk for me and the unborn one!”

“Llhaesa,” Jamila’s voice called out over the sound system. “Her idea is a sound one; you should seriously consider such an action. Think of the message you send if you do… and if you do not.”

“I shall think on it. Jamila, we need to set out early, and so we will pick you up at your studio at seven am your time.”

“Seven am, ‘essa?” Jahrae objected. “You activists keep such early bird hours, but we diplomats like to sleep!”

Llhaesa flashed a teasing glare at Jahrae and held it steady until Jahrae called out, “OK, Ok, I am in. Seven o’clock it is!”

“My partner now sees the wisdom of this early time, Jamila, and I hear no objection from you. Confirmed?”

“Confirmed. Seven am Chicago time; gotcha!”

After the call, Jahrae and llhaesa made use of their mobiles, ringing the others to bring them on board for the mission. Jahrae handled the astronauts via President Ellenwood, who enthusiastically agreed to the endeavour, though once again she would be at odds with Secret Service.

Within ninety minutes, Jahrae and llhaesa reached all parties, who readily agreed to participate.

The following morning, llhaesa spryly bounded out of bed and rushed through preparation for the day. Jahrae sleepwalked through a shower and a light breakfast consisting of half of a cinnamon and raisin bagel. By 7:30 am, they were out the door and piling into Chekresu with Ronnie, Elsrensia, and Susan Woodward.

Ronnie co-piloted at llhaesa’s request, and before taking her seat, guided Jahrae to a back lying seat where she could ply the spaces between sleep and wakefulness.

Chicago was their first stop, and the hastily formulated team found Jamila anxiously awaiting their arrival, though they were fifteen minutes early.

The White House followed, with President Alicia Ellenwood, Chief of Staff Marcia Pang, and Attorney General Barbara Millwood climbing aboard. Alicia and Barbara were old and close friends of Susan Woodward, and the friends exchanged lengthy and affectionate hugs.

Florida and the two astronauts, Kim Chiernenko and Connie Iwo, were next, and finally llhaesa zigged across the Atlantic on the final leg of the hodge podge pick up pattern, to London for Carly McSorley.

While llhaesa and Ronnie concentrated on flying Chekresu, the conversation behind their seats was lively and anticipatory, with no evidence of awe demonstrated by any of the passengers; this was one high-powered crew.

Lifting off the ground slowly, llhaesa quieted the loud and excited chatter with a surprising whistle that seemed to take ten seconds for its high-pitched resonance to dissipate.

“Wow, ‘essa! I had no idea you could whistle like that!” Ronnie admiringly observed.

Llhaesa merely smiled at the remark, and then called out to the now intact improvised team. “For those of you who have not flown in this craft before, you will feel no acceleration, although we will move at high speed. Arrkarharan space going craft move at roughly twenty-eight thousand kilometres per hour in order to escape the earth’s gravity.

We will ascend toward the moon at a maximum speed of 25.6 thousand kilometres per minute.”

“Excuse me,” Connie Iwo asked, “did you just say ‘per minute’?

Llhaesa chuckled silently at the incredulity in Connie’s voice. “Yes, that is correct.”

“Holy shit!”

“I doubt there is any of that involved, but we will be careful where we land, Connie!” Ronnie quipped.

“Good, you watch out for shit while I pilot, Ronnie!” llhaesa joined in. “Seriously folks, returning to the factual rather than the humorous, we do not make orbital approaches, as is common for Arrkarharan craft. We will make a direct line to where we wish to land, and slow as we approach through active engine thrust in the opposite direction of travel.

Right now, as you can see, we move slowly through the air travel lanes. The systems on board are quite advanced, as you might expect, and we know exactly where all other flying objects are, be they birds, helicopters, hot air balloons, airplanes, or military craft.

Once we are through this layer, at say… 12,200 metres, we will pick up the pace from our current 2,000 kilometres per hour.”

Llhaesa returned her attention to the task of ascension, while the banter behind her continued. There were oohs and aahs as the view outside Chekresu played through the usual hues of blue to black. Once at the initial orbital level, where the space shuttle commonly flew, llhaesa moved the craft to the intended speed for lunar rendezvous.

Kim asked Jahrae what the maximum speed of the craft was.

“Around ten times the speed of light, Kim. This craft is for intra-system use only.”

“How is it possible you move faster than light?”

“Llhaesa could probably better explain the science, but as I understand it, we move through something we call bi-space where the rules of physics are quite different.”

“Bi-space?” President Ellenwood mulled the term, saying it slowly as she pondered its significance. “It sounds quite intriguing – undoubtedly there are women there, right?”

The crew laughed, knowing the president was an out lesbian, as were llhaesa and Jahrae, while Ronnie and Elsrensia identified as bisexual.

“Five minutes to the moon, folks,” Ronnie called out.

The passengers quieted as the craft slowly descended toward the southern pole area, the site chosen by acclamation voice vote.

Each felt barely a nudge as llhaesa expertly set the craft down, and when done, called out, “We are here. Jamila, I hope your special live morning programme captures the interest of people.”

“I will check in shortly, and will get information on affiliate feedback and expectations, llhaesa,” Jamila replied, “though we have an hour before broadcast time.”

Jahrae took over leadership of the ground team, taking time to explain the dos, and the don’ts once outside the ship. She then explained how to put on and wear the pressurised suits necessary for leaving the ship.

“The suits are lightweight and not bulky like what Connie and Kim are used to wearing. The fabric has micro-cones that are in a honeycomb pattern, so thin the spaces are barely visible to the human eye. Through this intricately weaved space air circulates to keep you breathing. The suit also regulates the temperature, adjusting to your personal comfort within seconds. The suits are self-sustaining through a symbiotic organic process, and it processes waste through a variation of the same basic science; you could remain out there indefinitely with nourishment, which by the way, there is, inside your helmet. That system is voice activated.

Llhaesa will stay in the craft while we play on the surface. Ronnie has graciously chosen to come back in while llhaesa joins us on the surface.

Any questions?”

This was a formal attire fare affair, and both llhaesa and Jahrae readily accepted this as their clothing fate for the evening.

Due to the expected lateness of the hour of conclusion, Sérada slept over at a friend’s home, while the much older Addison would attend the state dinner with her parents. In addition, llhaesa, Jahrae, and Ronnie insisted that Casey also attend, and Saehressa concurred with their judgement.

Wishing for a stylist with which one has comfort, with N’kenenda on Arrhazon and Oalessa on her way back there on Equality, the guests of honour at the state dinner needed to find a viable alternative. They chose to call upon Mary Woltera and Cindy Rodriguez, the co-partners in the exclusive Visions salon in Washington, and the two stylists Barbara Millwood recruited for llhaesa and Ronnie’s makeover day in Annapolis.

Those in the know considered Cindy and Mary the best in the greater D.C. area; their services were prized and sought out by government officials and visiting dignitaries. Knowing of the state dinner, and already knowing Ronnie and llhaesa, they readily agreed to clear their personal slate and assist, adding that they would also have their six best stylists ready to assist the group.

Llhaesa expressed resistance to Jahrae losing the fire hair look, and was relieved Jahrae agreed, though the highlighting was in need of touching up. For her, dreads had run their course for now, though she was sufficiently fond of them to return to such a style at some point in the future.

The stylists had their work cut out for them: there was llhaesa, Jahrae, Ronnie, Elsrensia, Addison, Chsensera, Jesnsera, Saehressa, M’traliel, Khahishra, Vicki, Dottie, David, and Anita tended to by eight superb stylists. Even Casey was going to get a do-over, a choice given him by Saehressa and one he initially expressed resistance to, but subsequently changed his mind.

Rather than take four craft southward, all met at the t’yaeli-Khentavra residence and made the trip on Chekresu, and all would stay at their home and the home of Ronnie and Elsrensia upon their return.

With llhaesa pregnant, she was the official designated pilot, along with Elsrensia. Both would not imbibe intoxicating beverages at the affair of state, allowing the others free reign to have fun – within the bounds of diplomatic decorum.

The lively group set out early for Washington. There was so much to do, and hair was only the beginning. There was clothing waiting for them, arrangements and fittings having been done a couple of weeks before, and the actual time of pre-arrival preparation, not to mention a light lunch in there squeezed into the mix of the styling and clothing time.

The White House expected their arrival, and insisted that Chekresu land on the grounds, from where limousines would take the guests to their various destinations – after breakfast with the President.

Anticipation of the high-powered interaction left Casey nervous, despite their best efforts to downplay his worry; nonetheless stepped forward to shake the President’s hand with great trepidation, and she could feel his hand trembling.

Reacting swiftly, the President’s arms flew upward and opened as her hand left their handshake, and she pulled the young man into a heartfelt embrace. She knew his story, and she loved that this special family – one that rapidly moved toward the forefront of world leadership – took him in as one of their own. If only all children were so fortunate.

After the President moved on to Addison, Casey, the hug an incredulous experience, beamed a smile that would light the Shenandoah Valley. Once the President continued on past Addison, Casey glanced toward her and silently mouthed the word ‘wow!’

Breakfast was a smorgasbord of delicious and delectable dining, and by the time the family and team climbed into the two limousines that carried them off to ready, most felt the immediate pull of a nap preferable to a day of dressing and styling.

Dedicated as they were, led by the kinetic and unflagging llhaesa, pregnant yet leading their charge through the day, the group of fourteen dutifully went about the necessities of their special day.

The first stop was hair, and this would prove time consuming, much to the chagrin and lament of Casey and Addison, who redirected their time into humour, and who began to sound like a teenage version of Jahrae and llhaesa in their relentless teasing of one another.

“Like mothers, like children,” Saehressa quipped to the other adults watching the younger two interact. Llhaesa, Jahrae, and Ronnie chose to wait until the others finished before their hair was touched, and so were present for the conversation.

“Whatever do you mean, mother?” llhaesa asked, feigning innocence. “I know of no one who puns and quips and teases such as our children do here.”

“And naturally, you do not expect me to believe that remark, ‘essa, which is quite fortunate for you, I think!” Saehressa replied. Changing the subject, Saehressa inquired into llhaesa’s wishes for redoing of her hair.

“I am of uncertain mind, as per usual, mum. The dreads served their purpose, they shocked my unsuspecting wife – as did her fire hair for me, I might add – but they were rather hard on my scalp initially, and I would rather have my head feeling no discomfort as I greet dignitaries from across this world.

By the way, should I hold my hand up with fingers in a ‘V’ sign behind Jahrae’s head once things are underway?”

“Oh, geesh!” Jahrae heard this remark and responded, rolling her eyes as she did so. “I so know you would do this, and you talk of being unlike our children in their remarks and antics!”

“I would not do that, Jahrae. There are plenty of other things that would tempt me first.”

“Of that I have no doubt. Since you play this evening, and since you inevitably get me in some way in a concert, I can only wonder what devious scheme works through your mind.

There is just one thing though – I so missed you doing so!”

Jahrae rose quickly and kissed llhaesa on the forehead, and sat back down, not wishing to engage in a prolonged public display of affection, though as she sat llhaesa had already sprung to her feet, reciprocating, this time kissing Jahrae on the mouth.

“My my, someone is affectionate this morning!” Ronnie remarked. “Perhaps I need to show Elsrensia the love as well, to heck with our hair, lets do it!”

Saehressa held her hand to her heart, while her face pulled over a look of shock. “Such things you say in front of your poor, innocent, mothers!”

“My mums are hardly poor, and definitely not innocent, Saehressa – unless you, Dottie, and Anita claim virgin births.”

“Well, llhaesa’s is a forthcoming virgin birth!” Saehressa tossed back.

“It is? Jahrae, is your wife a virgin? Across sixteen years, you have yet to consummate your marriage?” Ronnie inquired, continuing the teasing and dragging Jahrae into the fray.

“Apparently my wife is claiming innocence yet again.” Jahrae replied, having missed most all of the exchange that prompted the remark by Ronnie.

“Me? I have said nothing, my love. There is no claim of innocence from me!” llhaesa self-defended. “Our mum claims me innocent in my fertilisation.”

“Notice she said ‘fertilisation,’ and not ‘insemination,” Anita decided to toss a comment into the conversation.

“I can assure everyone that llhaesa is no innocent,” Jahrae unexpectedly and playfully defended her spouse.

“You say this in hopes llhaesa spares you in her comments and performance at the state dinner!” Ronnie rebutted.

This tangent of discussion halted as the first redone hairdo, that of Dottie, appeared, leaving everyone to praise and gush over the cut, styled, and highlighted do.

Vicki followed Dottie back to the group, while David, the simplest to handle had finished before Dottie.

The hair event took hours, but the group at last finished, with Jahrae retaining her fire accented hair, though newly enhanced, strategically trimmed, and curled.

Llhaesa proved the most radical change on this day, leaving dreadlocks behind for a wilder, dishevelled look, one that saw slightly below the tops of the shoulders hair twisted and lightly curled throughout, with streaks of platinum blonde lightening and complimenting llhaesa’s natural dirty blonde colouring, and it looked stunning upon her.

Addison and Casey drew the most praise; both looked older than their years, each with a distinguishing cut that suited them, yet maintaining a youthful and slightly irreverent look.

Back into the limos and a brief drive up the road, the gang of fourteen stopped for a bite to eat. A light lunch ensued, soup for the lot of them, procured from a favoured local diner that was along their travel route. Since it was after the usual noontime rush, the diner had no problem seating the large group.

The soup lunch lasted but an hour, with the group back in the limos and on to their clothing stop, a designer’s original wear clothier.

With twelve women and two men to tend to, most thought that meant twelve gowns and two tuxedos. As the fitting swung into high gear, the Arrkarharan contingent of the family expressed surprise as llhaesa stood in traditional open jacket black tuxedo with burgundy coloured cummerbund and bowtie, worn over a formal white, winged collar dress shirt, the look simply and tastefully completed with round toed faux patent leather black boots featuring a 6.5 centimetre heel. Llhaesa refused to wear leather.

Wearing such a heel, a heel likely shorter than that worn by most women in attendance, llhaesa nonetheless would tower over most of the Arrkarharan guests – except her mum, who would prove a close match in height. Stunning in its simplicity, not a person in this room would be unaware of her presence, which made two, since her partner would form a team that enraptured and enthralled all in attendance.

Jahrae wore a shimmering silk, burgundy-coloured gown, the colour matching llhaesa’s cummerbund and bowtie. The gown was of shoe level length and flared out slightly below the waist. Above the waist, it was halter-top style, with a slight band of fabric rising up and around her neck, the front gathered at the neckline. A white sash began above her left breast, swung down toward the right, around her waist to the side, and back up to end with the fabric at the edge of the fabric in back, which left her back exposed from just below the shoulder blades upward.

Her shoes were burgundy, heeled sandals that suggested regal elegance, yet were comfortable for their wearer.

The others gasped as they saw Jahrae, especially since her hair stylist, armed with a swath of cloth from the dress, altered the streak of red in her hair to a matching burgundy hue.

While this was impressive, the white sash drew everyone in. This featured many formal decorations, including several for bravery, leader of the Equality Revolution, service to the people of Arrhazon, protector of life, Ambassador to Arrhazon, leader of the mission of rescue, and recognition for her charitable efforts.

Not even llhaesa was aware of this sash prior to now. Jahrae was reluctant to wear it, but Gl’nsiel insisted that as representative of their people, the sash was a requirement. “Jahrae, Goddess of Arrhazon, Jahrae! Look at you!” Llhaesa exclaimed, her voice reflecting the appreciatively stunned and admiring feeling that stirred within.

Jahrae had another surprise for llhaesa. Disappearing for a moment, she returned with a white coloured, scarf-like sash that she draped back and front over llhaesa’s left shoulder and then pinned it in place. “Jahrae, what are you doing?” llhaesa asked, with no clue as to Jahrae’s purpose.

“This is for you to wear, my love. While you are not in the employ of Gl’nsiel, she asked me if I might convince you to wear this on behalf of our people. On the sash are decorations for being the foremost spokesperson for equality on Arrhazon, for courage in the face of likely arrest and possible execution, one for having fifteen years of your life stripped away as a result of working for the cause of equality, for advocating for all people, and one for protector of life. There is one recognising you as the Mother of Arrhazonan democracy and equality, with another for founding the charities I run. Finally, there are several for music, among them recognition of you as the foremost composer and foremost musician in our world’s history.”

Caught off guard, the unexpected honour humbled llhaesa, and she meekly responded, “I would be honoured to wear this on behalf of the Arrhazonan people, who so graciously awarded it to me.”

“I would say the two of you make one amazingly stunning pair,” Anita observed, emerging into their gathering area wearing a traditional slate blue chiffon gown, with wide shoulder straps, the hem length tapered from mid-calf to floor length. Attention turned to Anita, as she took her turn fielding compliments.

Out came Casey, in black, double-breasted tuxedo and black tie, wearing black loafers to match the look and his younger personality. The others complimented him, but tried not to pile on, knowing he was sensitive to an overt amount of attention.

Still, he earned a hug from everyone and a whispered comment, this keeping away the embarrassment of a group discussion and effort. He was spared by the return of Addison and Ronnie, Addie wearing a simple floor length navy blue silk strapless gown, and match navy blue pumps, prompting Ronnie to call out “I don’t know about this, my gosh, can you believe Addison, my child, is so stunningly attired and captivating? My child has grown up!”

Ronnie wore a smoke-grey gown of floor length that darkened in a gradual gradient pattern. The gown pulled in at the waist, the cloth held by a pendant of gold and diamond loaned to her by the designer. Shoulder straps were of gathered fabric, and fell slightly off Ronnie’s shoulders onto her arms.

Saehressa emerged, wearing her choice of a v-cut ragged edged, ankle length gown with straps that circled behind her neck, the material a random pattern of turquoise and black that gradually increased streaks of black moving from top to bottom. Turquoise heeled sandals, sandals that placed her on an equal height level with her daughter, matched the turquoise in the gown, creating a flowing and carefree youthful image.

Standing next to llhaesa, Saehressa looked thirty-five, while her daughter looked twenty-five.

The parade continued as the remaining members of the family and team emerged, with the group gathering for a photograph of them together, which the clothier would use for publicity purposes, with their permission.

The lot of them were dressed, and they were ready, with three hours left before the state dinner. Given they were guests of the President and staying in the White House for the night upon the President’s insistence that morning, they climbed into the limos once again for the drive to their residence for the night.

Jahrae was in obvious tears; there was no hiding the tears from anyone with her on the stage, sitting in the audience, or watching at home. Jamila passed her a tissue, while llhaesa sprang out of her seat with arms open, and took the rising Jahrae in her arms, whispering soothing words of comfort, gently swaying and rocking and squeezing, at once acknowledging and appreciating the emotion behind the tears, while helping Jahrae stem the flow of tears.

After what was at least a minute, both sat down, while the audience applauded as a way of showing its support and affection for Jahrae.

“Jahrae, may I ask what saddened you?” Jamila asked, gambling Jahrae would wish to share with the audience.

“Yes, you may, Jamila. For almost fifteen years I lived with the memory of llhaesa, of our marriage, and for much of that time, I thought she was dead. Memories of this person every cell in my body screamed for in emotional withdrawal from loss, never wishing to let go of this person I loved, always wishing to stay firmly attached to her memory. My memory of her was the only means of connecting to llhaesa, if only in my mind.

Think of these memories – of our times together, of watching her perform or chat with an audience on some important subject, of thinking everything she did was with beauty, grace, intelligence, and a deep sense of empathy for everyone and everything in this universe.

Now, here I am on a stage with her, before a world, before two worlds, and here I am witnessing llhaesa in vintage form, musically and politically. How can I possibly convey what it is like to see her work her magic once again? Waves of emotion swept over me watching this; I simply and selfishly cannot believe my good fortune. What the world will learn is that this good fortune I feel will in time extend to them as well, you can count on this.”

Jamila nodded acknowledgement of her understanding, replying, “Well said Jahrae, well said. I believe the world empathises with you, with your story, and they can appreciate how you feel. Isn’t that right, audience?”

The audience stood as one, their applause conveying through this medium the words they could not personally share with Jahrae.

Sensing she should not belabour the point, as well as allow Jahrae time to recover, Jamila changed the topic.

“Ronnie, can you believe llhaesa is the person to whom you were married to for fourteen years?”

“Jamila, I often think about this, how we slept next to each other through that time, both of us ignorant of the actual person that was hidden from view and consciousness.

What I keep coming back to is how things have worked out, how I finally had the opportunity to see and know the real person, not the façade. Moreover, with llhaesa’s unmasking came change for me, for the better. Not change as in ‘I lost a husband,’ rather change in my outlook on life; what is important in my life; in my outlook on my sexuality; and a million other things. Llhaesa opened my eyes simply by her existence and her extraordinarily prescient outlook on life. I am honoured to be in her life in some small way.”

Jamila turned toward Elsrensia, ready to draw her into the conversation. “Elsrensia, you helped Jahrae through a difficult time in her life, just after she lost llhaesa. Do you or Jahrae wish to talk about what happened during that awful time?” Jamila asked, unsure of whether either would talk on the matter.

“Jamila, in deference to Jahrae and to my professional obligations, I am bound not to speak of such matters. I will say this: Jahrae showed extraordinary resilience and courage, but she needed time and space to sort through what mattered, to step back and see how best to move forward, to stay true to her and llhaesa’s vision. She did all of the work; those of us who assisted gave her as much space, time, and love as was within our ability to give.

Jahrae is an extraordinary woman, and in her own, different way, a good – perfect – match for llhaesa as a partner and as a leader. She is someone the rest of us look up to just as we do with llhaesa.”

“Jamila, I look up to Jahrae as well, and think it important that I say this,” llhaesa unexpectedly added to the conversation. “I left Arrhazon at a time when Jahrae only began to fashion her future dreams and aspirations, finding her way through the filter of living life, and she did this with an unimaginable emotional burden. I returned to find many of her dreams and aspirations – that I wished for her as well – fulfilled.

Not all of what she accomplished was of Jahrae’s dreams, but they were of mine. In many ways, my vision of where Jahrae could go exceeded her own, for she did not realise such potential existed within her. After all, she spent her adolescent years distancing herself from the work of her parents. Well, Jahrae found out this potential did exist within her, she found out that in reality her parent’s outlook was in fact hers as well, and she embraced all of this with responsibility, confidence, and commitment.”

“Were you shocked by the change in Jahrae, llhaesa?”

“No, I was not shocked. Rather I was elated and well, that elation rather led to me carrying Jahrae’s child; none could bestow greater honour upon me than to carry her child and so all is good!” At this, the group and audience briefly chuckled before llhaesa continued.

“The love in me for Jahrae is stronger than ever, exponentially so. My wife is an extraordinary human being, an extraordinarily talented human being, and it is an honour to know, love, and share life with her.

Please know Ronnie is deserving of a proclamation of ‘extraordinary’ as well, something I learned over fourteen years, and reinforced over the last several months.

While there has been no public announcement to date, President Ellenwood gave authorisation for me to mention this on air today. When Equality returns in just over fifteen months, Ronnie will journey with us to Arrhazon, doing so as the first Ambassador from the United States to the world of Arrhazon.”

The audience reacted positively and with approval, cheering the news of Ronnie’s appointment. Jamila congratulated Ronnie, and added, “No one deserves this honour more than you!”

Jamila changed the subject in order to address everything she wished to discuss during the programme. “Jahrae, when you first saw llhaesa, can you describe for us how you felt in that moment?”

“I was overwhelmed with emotion, Jamila. To see llhaesa after so many years, after years of believing her dead, the most fervent of my dream-wishes played out before me.

I perceived a glow enveloping her, all that she is, was, and will be shining brightly before my eyes.

Llhaesa has grown as a person, through the experiences as Tim with Ronnie, with parenting our children, with learning of your world and the culture of your world, through living life through a different perspective.

It is hard to explain how we can find additional love, or feel tangible preciousness, yet llhaesa’s experience, as did mine, led her to appreciate those around her beyond what we normally can feel.”

“Aside from the actual act of reunion, what do you believe is the most remarkable experience stemming from your reunion?”

Llhaesa and Jahrae answered in unison. “Family!” They both giggled at the common answer, and Jahrae looked to llhaesa to speak first.

“Jamila, think of the shambles things were when I first regained my consciousness. The government was after me, Ronnie and the girls had no clue as to what was going on, what happened to her husband, or to their dad.

Out of this, through our subsequent interactions, our family reshaped and bonded to this new reality. When Jahrae arrived, our family expanded to include her and our larger family.

Sitting in the front row of the audience today are Dottie, David, and Vicki Salston, along with their twin boys, Rafferty and Sean.” Llhaesa waved toward the family, and the family stood to acknowledge the audience’s applause. After the applause subsided, llhaesa continued.

“Imagine what this was like for them – suddenly Tim is gone, identified as someone else, who was in fact someone else, and that their memories of family from earlier times were not real.

That is rather upsetting, for so many obvious and probably not obvious reasons. Yet our family includes them, because over the last fourteen years we have lived as family. Now, with the truth known to all of us, things that were in the way of David and I no longer exist. David has an older sister now, and both of us can interact in ways that was never going to happen between him and Tim.

I am proud of our family, proud of how we have embraced and welcomed everyone and each other from such an incredibly diverse background. Jahrae?”

“I agree with llhaesa,” Jahrae began. “From the moment we landed in Henna, where I was greeted by Ronnie’s immediate and unsolicited introduction of the children as my daughters, well, that was an incredible moment I will cherish forever.

Being a mom to our girls is an experience I would not trade for any other in life. That they accepted me as a third mom, well…Jamila, when either of them look into your eyes with total trust, that responsibility is enormous, but it is the best of feelings. I am proud of them, and proud to be their parent.”

“Now you will be a parent again, the three of you. Such exciting news that you share with us! Jahrae, when you were on the journey here, after you knew llhaesa was alive, what was your expectation?”

“I had great faith llhaesa would once again be in my arms, and me in hers. I knew of Ronnie and the girls – we watched broadcasts from Arrkarhara – Earth – from early in the flight, so we knew what media reported on llhaesa and the family.

To be honest, I was unhappy with the reported treatment they received by your Acting President, none deserved such horrification. President Ellenwood is fantastic, a wonderful leader for your world, with a strong sense of human rights and a vision for the future. Her recovery changed so much.

With Ronnie and the girls, I had no idea what to expect, though part of me feared significant animosity. It is a testament to they and llhaesa that this worked out in such a wonderful way.”

“How did you learn that the in vitro fertilisation worked, that llhaesa is pregnant?” Jamila wondered.

“Ronnie and I accompanied llhaesa on the appointment,” Jahrae explained. “My understanding is you have home tests for pregnancy here that you use in privacy. Elsrensia simply waved a small electronic device over llhaesa to determine if she was pregnant. Elsrensia, perhaps you can demonstrate for us?”

“I will, Jahrae! Llhaesa, would you stand, please?” Llhaesa stood up in front of her seat, while Elsrensia held a device no bigger than a thin mobile phone, waving it past llhaesa. This took a fraction of a second to do.

Elsrensia held up the device, where unintelligible writing appeared on the screen. “My apologies, the results are in Arrhazonan, but it simply states the subject scanned is pregnant. The result is one hundred percent accurate.

These devices are not technology we withhold, and we will see to it that they are manufactured and disseminated to your medical community, at no cost to your world.”

The audience roared in approval of both the test and the announcement of the sharing of this technology.

Llhaesa chose to follow this with an announcement that new water generation and purification technology would soon become available as well, this promising to revolutionise life in third world and arid regions. “No more will you need to dam your rivers for water. No more will you need to divert rivers like the Colorado, they will once again flow free.”

Yet another round of enthusiastic applause filled the studio, and this revelation earned llhaesa a hug from Jamila, who bounded out of her seat with arms already opened toward the sitting and surprised llhaesa.

“OK, changing things up, llhaesa! Would you perform for us once again?”

Llhaesa smiled, with her infectious and beautiful smile reflecting a combination of verve, appreciation, and graciousness for the invitation to do what she loved most.

Llhaesa walked deliberately to centre stage, where this time only the grand piano awaited her. Intending to play a classical work she wrote for piano, llhaesa, who advised Jamila prior to the programme of what she would play, found a beautiful arrangement of fall flowers and colours setting atop the left hand – audience side – of the open lid piano.

Llhaesa gracefully sat before the piano, drawing her deep breaths, a solitary spotlight shining down upon her and the piano, blocking out from view the greater expanse of the stage.

The piece started slowly, working with emotion instead of stretching the limits of llhaesa’s physical ability. Instead, she caressed and stroked the keys from the front, from sliding her fingers onto keys from the side, playing with the timing and length of notes, the strength and forcefulness of struck keys, letting one sound intermix with another, all in such a way that the emotional language of music filled the studio.

In truth, only someone of llhaesa’s peerless skill could play in this manner, such was the intricate weaving of physical ability, technical competence, an intimate relationship with and mastery of the universal language of emotion and of music.

Bundling all of these elements together, knowing precisely when and where to make use of inflection, raw statement, urgency, angst, pain of loss, and emotional highs, llhaesa drew in the entirety of the audience. Across generations and genres of music, those who loved rock, or jazz, or blues, or any of the myriad genres of music, found themselves drawn in to llhaesa’s wondrous performance.

The piece itself was ten minutes in length, and while llhaesa performed conservatively in terms of her movement, those who watched knew this was the more remarkable of her two songs, while the two performances confirmed what was rumoured and speculated: no one had ever had the pleasure to witness a musician more talented than llhaesa.

Llhaesa ended on a reflective note that emotionally implied all was well with the musical world and story she created via the performance.

Returning to her seat, Jamila waited for the continuing uproarious applause to subside before asking llhaesa about the piece.

“Jamila, I wrote the arrangement over a two week period, as part of a larger classical project that is only partially finished. It is a story not unlike that of our family, and it brings together the diverse emotions of those who have lost loved ones, of how they reunite, of how they reconstitute family, all told through the exclusive voice of various instruments, each representing one person.

For today, I used the piano to play parts that other instruments would normally play. I hope it worked well this way.”

Before Jamila could affirm that it indeed had worked, the audience stepped in and shook the studio with another round of appreciative approval.

The legend of llhaesa ahrella t’yaeli had now taken firm root and hold on a second world, a world that would find its way to view her in precisely the same way as its cousins, some fifty light years away.

Llhaesa, Jahrae, Elsrensia, and Ronnie would make the trip alone, their first flight unaccompanied by one of the ship’s crew. The grandmothers would oversee the children, from class time through bedtime, just in case the four industrious voyageurs, with their multitude of guests, were not back on board at that time.

Boarding Chekresu, Jahrae saw to closing, sealing, and pressurising the craft, whilst llhaesa ran a pre-flight check. The wide array of instrumentation indicated the craft ready for depressurisation of the hangar, but llhaesa waited for actual confirmation from Jahrae before requesting this next step.

“Are you nervous, Ronnie?” Jahrae asked, in reality teasing llhaesa.

Seeing Jahrae’s playful expression, Ronnie fell in step with the teasing. “I have second thoughts, Jahrae. Perhaps it is best that we get out and walk. Llhaesa can meet us there.”

“Aren’t you guys’ funny?” llhaesa shot back at them, adding, “Of course, if you continue to tease while I attempt to pilot this craft, you might find us landing on the moon, instead of in Tampa.”

Jahrae groaned. “That is actually our fear, llhaesa. Now you are certain you have gained certification, right?”

“You saw my certification, Jahrae. Remember, there is return flight, of which I will be a passenger, not pilot.”

“Only if we land in one piece, and Jahrae, Ronnie, and I have doubts on the likelihood of this occurrence!” Elsrensia tossed in.

“Three against one, this is most certainly unfair. Undoubtedly, on the return, you will speak of Jahrae’s mastery of the controls, the smoothness of our flight, the beauty of her landing, and the confidence you felt throughout! Just you wait, Elsrensia and Ronnie. Both of you, as well as my dear wife, are apparently pre-destined for the oubliette of my soul!”

In reality, Ronnie, Elsrensia, and Jahrae had total confidence in llhaesa’s ability to fly the craft, as did llhaesa in their ability. Such was the closeness amongst llhaesa, Ronnie, and Jahrae that the usual banter between llhaesa and Jahrae had acquired a third participant, though Ronnie had yet to master the nuances of how they used words and language as their implement of choice in jousting. Elsrensia, still getting up to speed on things, loomed on the outside, as another who would soon fit right in the tight knit family.

Llhaesa, in communication with Equality, awaited instructions to take the craft off the deck and move out into space. The ‘go’ instruction came seconds later. “Chekresu, hangar is depressurised and doors are open. You are clear to lift craft and leave the hangar.”

“Authorisation received and noted,” llhaesa replied in Arrhazonan, which Ronnie now clearly understood. “Power levels in desired range, Chekresu is ready to lift; and initiating – now.” The craft slowly lifted off the decking, and reaching the desired and instructed height, llhaesa signalled again, “forward thrust initiated.”

The craft moved through the doors at a speed that would measure an almost snail like twenty kilometres per hour. Once cleared of the hangar doors by one hundred metres, llhaesa increased forward speed to two hundred kph, and at a distance of ten kilometres, began a powered descent, the opposite of the traditional Arrkarharan space faring methodology, where craft slowed to enter the atmosphere, in effect dropping from orbit.

Llhaesa much preferred a power-type descent, in which she remained in control of Chekresu at all times, and allowing the use of higher speeds.

With the craft descending, her tension eased, though her concentration on task remained. Still, llhaesa engaged in conversation, expressing excitement over the various planned elements of their day.

Within fifteen minutes, she expertly landed the craft behind the Salston home, in the same location as on their first visit. Ronnie handled depressurisation, and once accomplished opened the door, allowing the waiting Salstons, including the twin boys, to climb aboard.

As soon as the newcomers settled in, llhaesa once again took to the skies, flying above normal aircraft routes. The advanced equipment aboard Chekresu served as their personal air traffic control system, superior to anything currently in use by world governments.

The flight northward from Tampa unfolded and completed in a spiffy ten minutes, resulting in a smooth landing on the lawn to the side of llhaesa and Jahrae’s new home, their new home but seventy metres from Ronnie’s home.

The passengers disembarked, and spread out across both properties, checking the substantial but mostly hidden improvements made by work teams from Equality. Each home was essentially intruder proof, and redundant safety systems protected all advanced technology.

Jahrae and llhaesa planned an addition to their new home, and they preferred to hire an Arrkarharan contractor to do the building, part of their wish to become part of the local community.

The addition would consist of a great room with cathedral ceiling, this to provide adequate space for a baby grand piano. A second room would house a small recording studio and one room for Addison, one for Serada. For the short time they would live in this location with the baby, once born, the couple planned to keep the child in their room.

The family toured through both homes, checking out the systems and improvements, chatting and laughing, talking of and imagining future improvements.

Short on time, Jahrae, using her new Arrkarharan based mobile, while having little idea what she ordered other than the descriptive provided by others, ordered pizza for the group from a local eatery, ordering several pizzas to meet the needs of the varied tastes and likes of the family.

Llhaesa, familiar with the Arrkarharan delicacy called pizza, chose for her and Jahrae, suggesting Jahrae order a large pizza with mushrooms, black olives, jalapeño peppers, and artichokes. Jahrae’s accent proved difficult for the order taker to understand, and so she repeated the request thrice before finally succeeding with the order.

After dinner, the adults pitched in to clean up, and this done, re-boarded Chekresu to head for Chicago, llhaesa again piloting. The group landed an hour before show time, and waiting staff greeted them warmly. Dottie, Vicki, David and the boys would watch from the audience, while llhaesa, Ronnie, Jahrae, and Elsrensia appeared on stage, llhaesa to perform later at centre stage.

Jamila hugged her friends, and invited the group to her spacious office until it was time to head into the studio. A half-hour before broadcast, they made their way into the studio, the Salstons taking to their front row seats.

At precisely two pm, the show began taping, for this would not be a live broadcast. Jamila greeted llhaesa, Jahrae, Ronnie, and Elsrensia, the former two on the far sofa, the latter two on the closest sofa to Jamila, who sat in a wing backed chair just off to the side, angled so she could speak to audience and guest alike.

“It is great to have you back again, llhaesa, Jahrae, and Ronnie! Special greetings to our new guest, Elsrensia!” Jamila began, once everyone found a seat. “Llhaesa you look well, in far better condition than when we last saw you.”

“I feel much better as well, Jamila. My ribs and jaw are healed, and the two teeth that had temporary implants are now regenerated, all thanks to Elsrensia.”

“Elsrensia, you are new to our stage,” Jamila spoke to her newest guest. “And you obviously worked wonders on llhaesa’s recovery. How long did healing take?”

“Approximately thirty hours in all.” Elsrensia replied.

“You just said ‘thirty hours.’ How could she heal so quickly?” Jamila asked.

“We have technology that facilitates rapid re-growth of cells, Jamila. Unfortunately, this equipment is not portable and is aboard ship. Perhaps one day we can make use of this technology here.”

The five chatted for a half hour, interrupted by two commercial breaks. After the second break, Jamila asked llhaesa to perform, and she readily agreed.

Llhaesa was ready to play, and would let both the music and her mood shape what followed. Walking confidently to the grand piano and keyboard waiting for her on centre stage, llhaesa sat upon the piano bench and drew her customary three deep breaths. Her arms lifted upward and backward, palms forward as she did so, all of this movement in harmony with her inrushing breath. Her arms came down on exhale, only to lift anew with a new breath.

Finished, her brain cleared and focused, llhaesa began to play. Uninhibited physically as she was when Jahrae first arrived, llhaesa’s fingers showed peerless dexterity and coordination.

Choosing to play a newly written song, llhaesa rocked the house, incorporating the electronic keyboard into her play three minutes into the song, this instrument offering an accenting and duelling contrast to the piano.

Llhaesa’s voice ascended above the instruments, reaching for lows, highs, and about everything in between. Llhaesa held notes, as if having no need to breathe, she changed inflection for emphasis, and her voice projected and soared, the combined instrument play and vocal performance creating a performance unique in the annals of recorded performance on this world.

At one point llhaesa lay down upon the piano bench and reached upward to the keys, playing unseeing and from below. In the last minute of play, llhaesa stood while she performed, moving in time with the music, spinning, and playing with her back to both instruments. She finished with a jump into the air in place, somersaulting and striking a hard final note while unfolding into an upright landing.

The audience loved it, rising as one to their feet, cheering, clapping, and chanting llhaesa’s name.

Llhaesa moved toward the stage edge, bowing and thanking the audience. “Thank you! Thank you!” The audience continued to cheer, and llhaesa felt her emotions stirring within. “You all are a wonderful audience, thank you!” llhaesa yelled out, the cheering finally tapering off and fading away.

“I am touched – and rather emotional – over your appreciation; please know I will treasure this moment through my life.

I wish to chat with you for a moment, if I may, if Jamila is willing.” Llhaesa looked toward where Jamila and her guests sat, receiving an enthusiastic go-ahead nod.

“In two weeks, my family will settle into life in your country, on your world, for the next fifteen months. We are grateful to President Ellenwood, Chief of Staff Paang, and Attorney General Millwood for the great kindnesses extended to us over the last few months.

We intend to prove ourselves worthy of such kindness in whatever way we can. Now I know some think that should mean immediate access to advanced technology, but we are not at a point where that is possible.

What I wish to do, what we wish to do, is work to change this, work to get the people of this world involved in working for a better world, one free of war and oppression, where equality is both law and practise.

From my perspective, all of us can do better; we can play a role in change. Where I see the most promise is with the women of this world, our abilities and outlook too long oppressed.

In order to achieve lasting results, we need everyone engaged and involved, putting forth ideas, discussing the options, choosing solutions.

It is not sufficient to talk change, or to throw our hands up and claim it is impossible to achieve meaningful change. The only acceptable course for us is to work for what we wish to achieve. If we fail, at least memory of our effort will comfort us. Perhaps we identify where we fail, and we try again, but we must start somewhere, and that starting point is now.

Before I rejoin everyone to chat, I wish to share a personal element from my life, a new development. I… am pregnant.”

As when she shared this on ship, an audible gasp rose from the audience. Even Jamila’s expression reflected pleasant surprise, wishing and anticipating congratulating llhaesa. For now, Jamila congratulated Jahrae, who simply and quietly uttered to Jamila, “Wait, she has more to share.”

Llhaesa smiled, first looking at the gathered group onstage, and then back out to the audience. “As you all know, I am a lesbian, and chose in vitro fertilisation as facilitating methodology. In this case, the fertilised egg is from Jahrae, fertilised with blood from Ronnie.

We decided that since we three parent our two girls, we should continue parenting as the three of us, though in terms of actual partners Jahrae and I are partners, while Ronnie and Elsrensia are partners. I suspect that our parenting group of three might one day be four.” As llhaesa said this, she looked directly at Elsrensia, her look signalling welcome into the family circle.

Elsrensia blushed at the mention and public pronunciation of her relationship with Ronnie, and she reached out with her hand to take Ronnie’s hand in hers.

Resuming her chat, llhaesa publicly thanked Elsrensia for her efforts in making llhaesa well. “There is more. Elsrensia oversaw hormone treatment prior to implantation, and she handled the process of fertilising Jahrae’s egg with incredible skill.

Elsrensia is from Arrhazon’s first family of medicine, and she gives honour to all in her family who have done so much in insuring the health of others.

I know for you of this planet, this is startling news, two women conceiving and a third carrying, but this is common practise on Arrhazon. I wish you to think of this not as a violation of the natural order of the universe, fashioned in terms of your particular beliefs, rather as something that can change the unnatural order of things that are not so nice.

What I mention here is also unfortunately true on Arrhazon, though I dearly hope to see evidence of much improvement upon my return. I speak of domestic violence and sexual assault, driven by power needs rooted in insecurity, framed by control.

In the past, some have used biology against us. We bear the brunt of reproduction, and through various societal mores, patriarchy boxed us in.

No longer is biology our limiting destiny. We turn this around, and we make biology our liberating option, not limiting destiny.

The option we chose is liberating. Most heterosexual couples would not make this choice, nor do I advocate that you consider our option as one better than another – it is not a better option. Instead, know the technology is available – and Elsrensia will work to facilitate this through respected institutions.

Perhaps our culture begins to change, begins to recognise that biology cannot control women, because… we have options.

Imagine us having confidence, not willing to endure domestic violence, because ours is a culture of options, options we are willing to consider and embrace.

You have a word for this – choice, though the word is often used rather narrowly. An added choice will soon be available, further empowering each of us.

Know the power each of you carries in your hearts, your minds, and your bodies. Know that we can overcome challenges together, if we believe in each other.

Part of the change for which I advocate includes gender equality, and it begins here. Will you join with me?”

The craft landed in Washington, returning Alicia Ellenwood, Marcia Paang, and Barbara Millwood to the White House, and with that accomplished, set a course south for Florida, toward what llhaesa, Ronnie, and Jahrae knew was their most difficult and challenging task to date – facing the Salstons.

Accompanied by the entirety of their newly formed family – Saehressa, Hrilleae, Anita, Addison, and Serada were also aboard – the three mums hoped to expand their number by Dottie, David, and Vicki Salston.

None had illusions this process would prove easy. While Ronnie quickly saw the wisdom and potential efficacy of the reconstitution of her family, David Salston harboured negative feelings toward Tim before the llhaesa transformation. Dottie, while becalmed by llhaesa’s words when llhaesa called, still was unpredictable. There best hope for making things work was Vicki. If Vicki saw the good in things, the others would likely pay heed to her viewpoint.

Llhaesa called to say the family wished to visit, and Dottie readily agreed, though llhaesa heard David grumbling in the background, obviously suspecting who called Dottie.

The ship came to rest in the Salston’s Tampa back yard. Dottie Salston owned the property, but David had lived there ever since the news about Tim broke. Vicki flew down to Florida with the children, this to spend a week, leaving their prized employee Sherri to run the general store.

Llhaesa warned Dottie to keep the children out of the back yard, giving an approximate time for landing. Llhaesa pondered landing in such somewhat confined places, and while she already completed classroom instruction on flying the craft, to date only had flying time to her credit – no landing practise. “Better to leave landing this to the professionals for now,” she thought.

The craft set down in the Salston yard, and inevitably drew interest from curious neighbours. A group of around twenty gathered around the landing site, while police did not respond, owing to the dissemination of information from the government that the Arrhazonan team had clearance to land the craft anywhere they wished, outside of restricted space – which first required advance notice before entering. Jahrae planned to negotiate a treaty on this matter once living on world.

One by one, the passengers disembarked, with Dottie’s face illuminating at the sight of Addison and Serada. Both ran to her and took a turn at offering a hug and a kiss, and then reprised these actions with David and Vicki, before spotting the twin boys standing back against the rustic spiked panel fencing. Changing and redirecting their focus, they ran off to greet the six year old twins Sean and Rafferty.

Addison set off in the direction of the three younger children, immediately asserting control of the small group of children. Ronnie loved that Addison was of an age where she could watch her younger sister and other children, making it easier to tend to other matters.

While the children reconnected and reacquainted, the adults did the same, excepting there were several meeting for the first time. Ronnie, now the most familiar person to the Salstons, handled introductions, starting with llhaesa, Jahrae, Saehressa, and finally Hrilleae. Ronnie noticed their presence apparently bothered David, but he tried to maintain a diplomatic front towards those who were guests in Dottie’s home.

The fall Florida sunshine was still powerful, and the morning hinted at the day becoming hot. David brought out folding chairs for the entire gathering, and immediately and graciously proposed a barbecue later in the day, though not suspecting four of the new arrivals were vegetarian, with Addison the most recent to proclaim this her dietary pathway.

The adults settled into the improvised seating, with llhaesa sitting just to the right of Dottie. Jahrae sat by llhaesa, while Ronnie sat to the other side of Dottie. With chairs arranged in a loose circle, the visiting grandmothers sat to the other side of the seating circle, facing Dottie, Ronnie, and Jahrae.

David, apparently anticipating this gathering for some time, and with advanced notice of their arrival, was ready. “Do you think it is ok for you to waltz in here like you are actually family to us?”

“David!” Vicki called out, clearly embarrassed and aghast at David’s comment. “Ronnie and Tim – llhaesa – are part of our family. We have been family ever since they married, which from what I understand, is when Tim – llhaesa – was first placed here.

David, we have talked on this before, and you told me you understood, yet now you go and say something like that. If you cannot act civilly, then perhaps you should go inside and let the rest of us chat.”

“Vicki, it is ok,” Llhaesa began to say, but Vicki cut her off before she could complete her comment.

“No, llhaesa it is not ok, not in any family of which I am a part, thank you.”

“Very well, Vicki, I will be frank; you are correct, at least from my point of view. Here is what I propose: David and I will take a walk and chat by ourselves, whilst the rest of you can visit.”

Vicki tilted her head as her eyes shifted to a more distant gaze, signalling her feeling that llhaesa’s idea had merit. “David?” Vicki asked, awaiting his response.

“Yes, I will walk and chat with you, Tim, llhaesa, or whoever the hell you are.”

Both rose from their seats and readied to walk off for a stroll along the roadway. Jahrae felt skittish over llhaesa and David walking off, but she ultimately realised this was likely the best way to ratchet down the animosity and reach an understanding.

Vicki took over, playing gracious host, and asked if anyone might be interested in homemade lemonade. The off-worlders, curious as to what this soon to be proffered drink was, agreed, marking their first foray into Arrkarharan ‘cuisine.’

Saehressa jumped up to offer assistance, as did Ronnie, and the three disappeared into the Salston home.

Meanwhile, David and llhaesa walked off at a brisk pace set by David, no doubt to burn off some of the energy roiling inside of him. Llhaesa was naturally first to speak, given David circled the wagons and prepared to defend his turf.

“David, I know we were not close before this, and I accept blame for not working to overcome that distance. Now that my mind and body are restored, perhaps I am better able to address this issue now.”

“Are you saying you wish to be close to me? For what reason would I wish to be close to you?”

“Because you have no siblings and I am the closest you have to one – and that pesky actual history of the last fourteen years.”

“I do not understand why you persist in this – it was all a lie, a lie. You were a fake, your people brainwashed my mother – not your mother, my mother, and now she lives with memories of birthing you as Tim, of raising you; yet it is all phoney memories.

Can you imagine what this is like to live with? On top of what they did to her, they brainwashed me as well.”

“I can, because I have reciprocal memories that are faux in origin. Not of being birthed obviously, but childhood memories with Dottie and with you – none real.”

“You have fake memories?” David asked, apparently not thinking of this possibility.

“Of course – I was the one they planted here and had to believe in this new identity they gave me.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

“What am I going to do about what, David? Llhaesa asked, unsure of his intent.

“Your memories – are you going to do something to rid yourself of them?”

“I am uncertain, but at this point, I am inclined not to, for various reasons. First reason, and in all honesty, is that the science is at best experimental, and deservedly so. Playing with minds should not happen, ever. To strip these memories from me would mean yet more invasiveness, and I have no desire to reprise such an action.

Secondly, I have memories of Dottie that pull me closer to her. We forged an actual relationship since my arrival, but I hate to strip her out of my life.

Believe this or no, but I hate to strip you from my life, David. I understand why you are hurt, but I will not sanction and condone your conduct. If we are family, then I am your older sister, and well, as your older sister, you can expect me to act like one and challenge you if you act abhorrently. Like now.”

David remained silent, and llhaesa could sense conflicting emotions stirred within him. They continued their brisk walking pace, now some blocks from the Salston residence. Llhaesa, the taller of the two, easily matched David’s pace.

“What is your name again?”

“Llhaesa – La.hay.ess.sa.”

Silence returned, and llhaesa intentionally maintained her silence, affording David time to think. They traversed half a block and a full second block before he spoke again. “How old are you, really?”

“In your years, I am thirty-nine years old.”

“Four years older than me.”

“Yes.”

“Are you really looking to be my older sister? Do you not wish to return home?”

“I wish to return home, yes, but at some future date. And in truth, I am of two worlds, David. My children are of this world and the world of my birth. I will not remain on either world exclusively.

Right now, I have things that I wish to do here.”

“And that would be?”

“Establish my family, re-establish connections with you, Dottie, Vicki, and the children, build my music career here, and change the world, those types of things.”

David looked at llhaesa as if she were daft. “You just said ‘change the world’ with a straight face.”

“That is because I meant what I said.”

David stopped walking, and turned to llhaesa, suspicious. “So that it is it, is this some sort of ploy to exploit this world and us?”

“Hardly, and don’t be ridiculous, David. We have not chatted about my history, because you have this hair across your arse about how I came to be here, which was through no fault or effort on my part – they kidnapped me, changed me, stripped me of my memory, and now that I am here, well, you are stuck with me.

‘Stuck with me’ means, you deal with my track record.”

“And that track record is?”

“Rather than explain it to you, I will show you this evening, providing you accept my invitation – our invitation.”

“What invitation is that?”

“To visit the ship Equality, and strip yourself of ignorance. I wish to ask you and Vicki to do something, and it might change your life – providing you get these dumb science fiction movie plots out of your head about aliens trying to take over the planet. Yeah, I know, Arrhazon did not get off to a great start due to our former Chief of Government’s conduct, but ours is a democracy restored. And it was working toward that and equality that led to my being placed here to begin with.”

Llhaesa, seeing the hesitance – almost fear – in David’s eyes, and still sensing the latent anger that led to this walk, decided to play David’s game on David’s board.

“OK, here is the deal, David. You wish candid and tough talk, well, here goes: I am a musician. A damn good musician, the best you or anyone on this world has ever seen, and that is equally true of Arrhazon – where I am from.

Early in my career, just after graduation as valedictorian – from a school ten times better than your best – I was outspoken on politics and issues of equality. The head of government hated me, but I persisted in my efforts.

At the age of twenty five, many people were clamouring for me to lead the government of our world, to run for Chief of Government. When I showed signs that I might just do this – and win, well, here I am.

That is what you are dealing with. I intend to work to change this world, David. Change it to end war, to end discrimination, to end poverty and starvation. Now if those sound like horrid goals to you, well, walk away.

On the other hand, if they sound like goals that seem impossible but are worth striving for, I’m your girl. Or specifically, you are my guy, and Vicki is my girl – to run a foundation funded by my music earnings.

This foundation will work towards the things mentioned above. You will be able to send monies to Africa or South America or within the US where people are most in need. Imagine you and Vicki – in charge of this effort, in charge of the monetary element of working for change.

Now tell your older sister she is wrong to do this, and that she is wrong to ask. Go ahead, tell me you do not wish for me, or for Ronnie, or for Jahrae, Saehressa, Anita, Hrilleae, Addison, and Serada to be in your life.

Go ahead and tell me, David. Go ahead and let out that anger, go ahead and shake that chip off your shoulder. It may suck how we came to be family, but the universe made us a family. And I am claiming you as my brother, like it or not.”

David stood and stared at llhaesa, mouth agape, uncertain how to respond. A million emotions swirled within, resulting in confusion and an inability to act. Anger still showed, and llhaesa, sensing she played the right card, pushed further.

“You never beat me as Tim in wrestling, David. In case you think that suddenly changed, think again. I will whoop your arse!”

On the side of a road devoid of traffic, one that wound through a residential neighbourhood of Tampa, the Salstons squared off as they had numerous times before at the lake, each awaiting the other’s first move.

David, tired of the dance around, made his move, lunging at llhaesa. Llhaesa swerved out of his path, spun around and caught David by surprise, by her action, by her strength. Inside of ten seconds, llhaesa had him pinned; inside of a minute, the two laughed uproariously, and it was then llhaesa knew she played her cards right.

The Arboretum was spacious for a garden on board a ship, a curved room that stretched 65 metres by 30, affording substantial space for growing greenery of practical and aesthetic purpose, while simultaneously affording the crew a more natural place for them to seek occasional refuge.

An artificial stream that in actuality looked like the real thing, coursed through the Arboretum, slowly meandering to give maximum water exposure in a minimum amount of space. Varying in width and depth to simulate a stream, its source was a three-meter high rock waterfall, while it seeped into cleansing and permeable sand at its terminus. In spots, the water reached two metres in depth, and three in width, making it potentially possible to swim in the stream.

Located on the top deck of the ship and to the opposite side from the bridge, except for the lounge and dining hall, it was the most popular place on the ship.

When Jesnsera rendered the decision to ‘semi-informal,’ the meaning was for attendees to dress down tastefully. The actual ceremony matched the spirit of semi-informal, where both partners planned to wear slacks and a top, unmatched in relation to each other. Comfort was their wish, and comfort was the reality.

Jahrae on the other hand, dressed formally, given her role as prelate administering and officially sanctioning the marriage. She chose what to those from Arrkarhara would be a tuxedo, solid black, with a white blouse, with matching red bowtie and cummerbund that was almost a perfect match for the elemental red streak in her hair.

While her original choice was burgundy, Jahrae quickly saw this colour clashed with her hair, and so she chose red in its stead. As for hair, she revisited Oalessa early in the afternoon, and Oalessa trimmed, curled, and re-coloured the front-streaks of red, rust, blonde, and white, while adding a permanent curl to the coloured streaks.

Simply, Jahrae was stunning, and in marked contrast to the more dressed down llhaesa who wore Arrkarharan black jeans that eagerly displayed legs with an almost one metre inseam. Llhaesa chose a silk, buttoned, and red top trimmed with black and white, her lone concession to the colours worn by Jahrae. The top flared at the bottom and was of hip length, which had a black, red, and white tie around at the waist. In contrast to Jahrae in black heels, llhaesa wore flat sandals that wove across the top of her feet, somewhat, but not completely, equalising the couple in height.

Llhaesa chose to keep her hair in dreads, as Oalessa, while intrigued with the dreadlock style, had no experience in how to form the tight braids. Ready to head out, the couple took stock of one another. Though dressed in markedly different ways, both were striking in appearance. They embraced and kissed, while their eyes were reluctant to break away from direct contact with the other.

At 3:15, they left their suite, heading for the top deck and the Arboretum. The first to arrive, llhaesa and Jahrae loved the rearranged décor and setting. For a couple who desired a natural setting to exchange vows, this was a wonderful approximation of the real thing.

Jesnsera arrived next, followed by Ronnie and the girls. Jesn was dressed in close accord with llhaesa, informally and comfortable but tastefully, with the expressed desire to ‘focus on why we are here.’

Chsensera arrived and surprised, wearing the Arrhazonan equivalent of a sun dress, with yellow, green, orange, white, and black colours displayed in a bright array reminiscent of springtime, and simple black, straight strap, sandals.

Ronnie, limited in wardrobe given most of their clothing was thirty six thousand kilometres below, worked with what she had with Serada, dressing her in slacks a top, while adding a flower to her hair. Addison, growing into adulthood, selected jeans and an exposed tee with open buttoned down shirt, while she curled her hair as almost a match for Jahrae.

By 3:50 all attending were present, including the Admiral, First Officer, and many other off-duty members of the ship’s crew. All told, some one hundred were now in the Arboretum.

Jahrae, chatting with llhaesa just along the stream, called it time to ready, with llhaesa heading off to get Chsensera, while Jahrae moved toward where the wedding party of four would stand.

The Admiral agreed to serve as accompaniment to Jesnsera, and so he joined llhaesa and Jesn moments after llhaesa found them.

Jesn and Admiral M’lensa left the Arboretum, crossing to a room opposite it along the corridor, while llhaesa and Chsensera left at the far end to a room near that entrance.

Once inside, llhaesa brought out the head covering or l’oaela that Jahrae brought on ship for sentimental reasons. Jahrae fortuitously brought the l’oaela that she and llhaesa wore, and now she would wear it again, while Chsensera would wear her chosen l’oaela in the ceremony.

Taking her l’oaela out of its protective covering, llhaesa briefly fell into nostalgia, picturing it upon her head almost seventeen years before. She gently unfolded the l’oaela, and loved that it retained its vivid colouring of green, grey, black, white, and red stripes and blocks, the pattern akin to an Arrhazonan version of an Arrkarharan Scottish tartan.

These were colours chosen by llhaesa as representative of her, just as Jahrae chose the colour pattern of navy blue, sky blue, grey, white, and yellow to represent her. The Admiral proved an apt student when llhaesa showed him how to place the l’oaela on Chsen’s head, though the Admiral was initially skittish.

Seventy centimetres in length, while fifteen centimetres wide, the partners would wear the garments straight across one’s head, and in this ceremony, Jahrae would fold each back in half, front to back at the beginning of the ceremony. At the end, Jahrae would remove both and braid them together with one of her choosing, to remain this way unless used in another ceremony, after which as per tradition, one would undo the braid prior to use, while the other would re-braid the l’oaela thereafter.

Jahrae undid the braid of their combined l’oaela for this ceremony, and so by tradition, llhaesa would redo the braid thereafter. Chsensera first placed llhaesa’s l’oaela on llhaesa, folding it backward and in half. Llhaesa then placed Chsen’s choice of yellow, green, orange, white, and black upon Chsen’s head, leaving it unfolded. Pattern was less important than colour combination in the Arrhazonan ceremony; pattern was purely for aesthetics, and llhaesa loved Chsen’s chosen colours.

Llhaesa walked around Chsen, making certain the l’oaela looked right from all sides. She then pinned it in place so it would not fall as Chsen walked.

Satisfied, she pinned it twice, gave another walk around, and pronounced Chsen ready. “One moment, Chsen, I will check on Jesnsera and the Admiral.’

Llhaesa made her way to the other room, found both ready, and returned to Chsen. Giving Chsen a hug and kiss, llhaesa pronounced her ‘ravishing and aglow,’ and then led the young woman out the door and to the Arboretum entrance.

Llhaesa saw the Admiral and Jesnsera in the distance, and seeing the Admiral nod, triggered the door mechanism to open. The door dutifully slid open, and ready to start, llhaesa began to sing. Chsensera led with llhaesa two steps behind, continuing to sing as they ceremoniously and slowly walked toward the front, where Jahrae awaited each party.

The Admiral joined in singing, his voice passable, though llhaesa carried the song with the Admiral’s voice more accompaniment. This was the only way he felt comfortable singing, and given the inherent power of llhaesa’s voice, the vocal tandem worked perfectly.

While Chsensera and llhaesa made their way up one aisle, Jesnsera and the Admiral matched their pace on the other, and each reached the two mini bridges spanning the artificial stream at virtually the same time. Jesn stumbled slightly on the bridge, but kept her balance.

Reaching Jahrae as the song ended, the timing in actuality matching the timing in practice, both Chsensera and Jesnsera stopped before Jahrae, briefly stealing a glance at and give a smile to, each other.

President Ellenwood, Barbara Millwood, and Marcia Paang sat in the first row on the left, with Ronnie, Elsrensia, and the girls. Saehressa, Hrilleae, Anita, M’traliel, and Khahishra sat in the row just behind them.

Llhaesa now stood alongside Chsensera to the right, while the Admiral stood alongside Jesnsera on the left. Jahrae began the actual ceremony by speaking to those gathered.

“Good afternoon friends and family of Chsensera and Jesnsera. Before I begin, please know that Chsen and Jesn request you join them after the ceremony in the ship’s lounge. Thank you.

For those of you from Arrkarhara, please know I will repeat my words in English throughout the ceremony.

The ceremony is brief, but ritualistic. You will see me take the l’oaela covering on their crowns, and delicately and neatly fold it backward and in half as we begin. At the conclusion, I will remove the folded l’oaela from their heads and braid them together with one I have chosen, to remain this way until worn again at a future date and in a future ceremony.

Now, I wish to take a few moments to share personal thoughts and observations from the interactions of llhaesa and me with Chsensera and Jesnsera.

Our first interaction with Chsen occurred in a lift to our flat. This enthusiastic three year old warmly called out a greeting to llhaesa, instantly making a friend. Llhaesa invited her and her mum to our flat, and soon she began to take piano lessons with llhaesa. The lessons were not for purposes of llhaesa establishing such a practise, but rather due to this adorable child, a child for which we looked for every excuse to interact therewith.

When llhaesa was lost, and llhaesa, I have yet to share this story with you, but Chsensera stood vigil in the rain, holding a candle. For eight hours, this little child stood outside our building with many others much older, resolved to honour what we all thought was our fallen loved one.

I will never forget that act, or the image frozen indelibly in my mind. Within a year, Chsen’s mum moved away from our building, and we lost contact for several years. I did not know Chsensera struggled with llhaesa’s loss, that she could no longer play piano as a direct result of llhaesa’s loss. Her mum sought out therapy to assist her child, but it was only on this mission, once learning llhaesa was alive, that Chsen could sit and again play the piano.

Two years ago, we reconnected, and when the time came for me to select the team to find llhaesa, I knew she was a logical and necessary choice.

Jesnsera, we met only recently, once on board this ship. We needed assistance, and you came highly recommended by Admiral M’lensa. I accepted his recommendation and brought you in to meet our team, saw you were a great match, and formally asked you to join us.

As we drew closer to Arrkarhara, it became apparent that diplomacy was your true avocation. Inside of a month, you learned and now fluently speak ten Arrkarharan languages.

While I was impressed with your work skill, you are personable and a great match for Chsen. Of course, your flirting came as initial surprise, though I spotted the telltale exchanges before your formal pronouncement of love. I saw more than you think!

When you asked me to preside over this ceremony, despite what my wife jokes about my power hunger, in reality, no greater honour comes to me than to stand here and make formal your marriage. I shall cherish this moment through my life. Thank you.

I turn now to our formal endeavour.” Jahrae stepped forward and to the front of Jesnsera, where she delicately and carefully folded the l’oaela backward and in half, smoothing out wrinkles from top to either side with the palms of her hands.

First looking Jesnsera directly in the eye, Jahrae bowed slightly, and then turned and took two steps toward her left, to stand in front of Chsensera. Reprising the act of folding, Jahrae finished by looking intently and deeply into Chsensera eyes, and bowed.

Jahrae returned to her original position, and turning to llhaesa she formally asked, “Llhaesa ahrella t’yaeli, is Chsensera Khaehala A’hrlae of willing mind and loving purpose, and does she wish to commit her life to be one with that of Jesnsera Ae’sha Sserhara?”

“Chsensera Khaehala A’hrlae is of willing mind and loving purpose, and is so willing to commit, Jahrae T’srha Khentavra.” Llhaesa formally and loudly proclaimed.

Jahrae turned toward the Admiral. “Admiral I’Isahra Keha M’lensa, is Jesnsera Ae’sha Sserhara of willing mind and loving purpose, and does she wish to commit her life to be one with that of Chsensera Khaehala A’hrlae?”

“Jesnsera Ae’sha Sserhara is of willing mind and loving purpose, and is so willing to commit, Jahrae T’srha Khentavra.” The Admiral confidently pronounced.

“Very well then, we shall proceed. Chsensera and Jesnsera requested llhaesa sing now, before the final exchanges.

Llhaesa, would you step forward and sing Forever, Wherever to honour our young couple?”

Caught up in the emotion of the ceremony, llhaesa stepped forward as Jahrae assumed her vacated position, and turning to the gathering, began to sing. Emotion riding on adrenaline coursed through her veins, and llhaesa, if possible, sang better than at any time in her life. Llhaesa looked at Jahrae, who nodded slightly, the only way she could visibly affirm llhaesa’s calling other than with the connectivity of their eyes, which locked together as soon as llhaesa began to sing.

Llhaesa broke this gaze to look toward first Jesnsera and then Chsensera, willing herself to honour and bless their commitment. Her voice echoed through the Arboretum, loud, emotional, confident, and perfect. Few in the gathering had dry eyes by the finish, and tissues were evident if one looked around.

Finished, llhaesa returned to her place alongside Chsensera, while Jahrae returned to the front.

Taking a moment to squelch her own tears, Jahrae resumed the ceremony. Chsensera, do you lovingly, willingly, and legally give of yourself to Jesnsera?”

“Yes, with honour, and of free will.”

Jesnsera, do you lovingly, willingly, and legally give of yourself to Chsensera?

“Yes, with honour, and of free will.”

Very well; from the power of tradition as well as official sanction of the Government of Arrhazon, you are married in the official records of our society, and in the view of all you know. Please remain where you stand as I braid the l’oaela into one.

Jahrae stepped toward Jesnsera and removed her l’oaela, and then stepped toward Chsensera, repeating the action. Jahrae stepped back to her place of officialdom and, remaining standing, began to braid the two with another colour pattern she chose days before. The action took several minutes, but when done, the intricate colours merged and separated repeatedly, symbolic of their intertwined lives and resulting new entity.

She stepped toward the newlyweds, and presented the braided l’oaela to them, with Chsen’s right hand held out to receive, along with Jesn’s left hand.

The couple bowed to llhaesa, bowed to the Admiral, turned and bowed to the gathering, and finally turning back toward Jahrae, bowed to her.

Dropping each to one knee, they thanked Jahrae for her grace and sanction, promising to honour their commitment to one another for a lifetime. Jahrae motioned for them to rise, and after doing so, they turned and walked slowly out of the Arboretum, together.

Once again ably piloted by the team of L’hhera and V’rahshera, this trip was authorised on the landing end by the government’s highest authority, the President, and that was a good thing, given they were about to land at the White House, specifically to pick up President Ellenwood and journey back to Equality.

The day before, Jahrae extended the invitation to visit Equality to the President. While the President readily accepted, the Secret Service cared not for the President journeying off world – specifically without their protection, on the President’s orders.

Chekresu set down slowly on the White House lawn, a breathtaking sight for those fortunate to witness the landing. The President made her way out along with her wife Elaine Bourassa, Marcia Paang, and Barbara Millwood, each formally greeted first by Jahrae in her formal role as Ambassador. Llhaesa, and finally Ronnie reprised the greeting.

The president carried a wrapped little bundle that seemingly shifted slightly before settling again. When she reached llhaesa, she handed the bundle over. Llhaesa at once saw a black and white head surrounded by fine tufts of fur, and recognised the bundle as a Newfoundland puppy.

“Alicia, thank you so much!” llhaesa gushed, her eyes twinkling with happiness over the thoughtful gift of a desired new companion. Our daughters will be thrilled. Does the little one have a name?”

“No, that honour falls to you and the girls.” Alicia replied.

Elaine, enamoured with the puppy, wiggled her right index finger at the little guy, whose eyes followed every movement of her finger. ”By the way,” Elaine commented, “he is 11 weeks old.”

Knowing their time constraints, the President promptly boarded Chekresu, following Jahrae, while llhaesa was last in, triggering the closing mechanism and subsequent sealing and pressurisation.

The craft leaped off the ground and headed away at a slow pace, until a kilometre off the ground, and then it slowly picked up speed such that it would pass through the sonic barrier at a height sufficient not to cause disturbance on the ground. At a height of forty kilometres, it moved to speed sufficient to place them in sight of Equality in fifteen minutes.

Llhaesa placed the puppy on the floor, free to explore and visit the other passengers. Each on board smiled as the puppy checked things out and engaged in typical puppy antics.

Re-shifting their gaze outward, the passengers could clearly see Equality. The sight of the sizeable white and green ship inspired all who first saw it, and President Alicia Ellenwood was no exception. “What a magnificent vessel!” the President gushed. “How long has it been in service?”

Please do not hold me to this,” Jahrae began to answer, “But I believe this is the ship’s sixth year of active duty.”

“And you have command of Equality, which is quite an honour.”

“Thank you,” Jahrae sincerely replied, then moved toward instigating playful banter with llhaesa, adding, “Although llhaesa has issues with my authority – she dislikes authority, you know!”

“You misrepresent my view of government, my dear love. I only have issue with unscrupulous leaders who prey upon the people. I have no issue with those who carry out their duties honourably.”

“You told everyone – I have witnesses! – that you wished to overthrow yet another leader, meaning me!” Jahrae continued the teasing.

President Ellenwood laughed at this obviously playful banter, and simply sat back to enjoy the show, unsuspecting the banter would draw her in.

“My dark haired goddess, – Jahrae makes me call her that – I shall refrain from sharing with Alicia the things you ordered me to do in the privacy of our suite, and in the more specific environs of our bedding. Such is your corruptive embrace of power. Were Alicia to hear of these things, I trust she would agree that a coup is in order and overdue.”

“On the other hand, I might decide that what she requests you do in your bedding looks like a damn fine idea for us!” Elaine, no longer able to resist a quip of her own, interjected, prompting a burst of laughter from Alicia.

“I make you call me goddess?” Jahrae tossed out, feigning incredulity. “It was not my idea, nor my request, when you dropped to one knee and rendered the honorarium!”

“As I recall, it was you who dropped to your knees and begged me to marry you.” Llhaesa countered.

“Begged you? Your recollection of our mutual history is slightly askew, my love!”

“You two are fun to listen to!” Barbara observed.

“Which do you believe?” Marcia asked, turning toward and winking at Alicia, Elaine, and Barbara.

“Why, the dark haired goddess!” Alicia responded without hesitation.

“No, I go with the golden dreadlock mortal, Marcia.” Barbara replied, choosing a different side, and adding yet another play-name, purely for further enjoyment of the moment.

Elaine also claimed neutrality, sensing what Alicia privately observed about this couple was true.

Llhaesa looked at Alicia and winked, remarking, “So you side with the petulant usurper and abuser of government and ship’s authority.”

Turning toward Ronnie, llhaesa asked, “Ronnie, you need to join me in countering the apparently nascent power combining arrangement and treaty under construction and forged by my wife and the President.”

“Oh, no llhaesa… you are not getting me into this exchange!” Ronnie replied, shaking her head.

“A wise course to follow, Ronnie, and such is my choice as well!” Marcia remarked.

“My chief of staff declares her neutrality! Do you have a dungeon aboard Equality, Jahrae?” Alicia asked, thoroughly enjoying her current company, finding the exchange refreshingly devoid of actual power games.

“No, we do not Alicia, but we can undoubtedly improvise, in view of this apparent rebellion now underway. It will need to be of sufficient size to hold at least three people.” Jahrae mused. “The golden dreadlock mortal poses a particularly serious challenge, for she has a proven ability to successfully inspire a world of ten billion people to rebellion.”

At this, llhaesa laughed, picturing Jahrae, as placid, gentle, and caring, as she, ordering such a thing. Llhaesa could no longer maintain the exchange, though she tossed in one final zinger. “Very well, I accept my fate and will go quietly; such is my love for you – dark haired goddess!”

“Thank you, my reconsidering subject. You are forgiven; in return, I shall amend my ways and govern benevolently!”

With the banter ended, Alicia then turned serious and turned to address a matter on her mind that she wished to broach on this trip. Looking at Ronnie, she asked, “By the way, and given our diplomatic efforts, I may as well ask here. You are obviously a loving, closely-knit family, so I feel comfortable asking in this environment.

Ronnie, would you consider an appointment as our first Ambassador to Arrhazon? You would not leave for over a year, but you will also need to gain some experience and work with me to correspond with the Arrhazonan Chief of Government.”

“Yes, I accept.” Ronnie stated in a casual, confident, and well-considered way.

“I like a woman who knows what she wants, Ronnie!” Alicia offered. “In this case, I suspect this has been a topic of conversation and thought for a while now.”

“Yes it has been sporadically, since llhaesa first mentioned it to me.” Ronnie confirmed.

“I know this is new to you, but this will take time. We need to create and fund the position, and you will need Senate confirmation. Are there any skeletons in your closet?”

“No; but there is a skeleton suit in Serada’s closet she wore last Halloween.”

Everyone on board laughed at this comment, to which Alicia replied, “Ooh, sounds positively scandalous!”

“I am a teacher, Alicia. In all honesty, the profession is in my blood, and I will miss teaching. Yet learning is the most important ongoing thing we do in life to grow as a human being. I have the opportunity to learn, to take my daughters to a world that is as much their heritage as our world is. Moreover, I have the opportunity to learn there and share with our world. My teaching will continue, just in a different way.”

First Officer L’hhera landed the ship without incident, while the new arrivals waited for outside re-pressurisation before releasing and opening the door.

The President changed the subject to the event later in the day. “Does the young couple know I will be at their wedding?”

“No, we have not told them, and it is not something they would consider. Where Jesnsera is my newly appointed deputy ambassador, I thought the timing of your visit would be a perfect combination of diplomacy and greeting new friends.” Jahrae observed, adding, “I thank you for accepting our invitation!”

The outside air pressure equalised with that of the ship, and the door sprung open. The puppy was first to try and scramble out the door, but stopped short as he saw the short drop off to the decking. Gathering courage, he made the short leap downward, successfully landing, then turning to watch the others.

Once all were off the landing craft, they found the Admiral waiting to greet them. Jahrae conducted introductions. They giggled as he watched the esrha skip by him, stop, and come back to sniff his leg. The Admiral scrunched down, allowed the puppy to smell his scent, and then patted his head. Satisfied, the puppy scooted off to explore.

Admiral M’lensa reached out with his hand, honouring Arrkarharan custom, and in passable English called out, “Welcome aboard Equality, President Ellenwood!”

President Ellenwood caught the Admiral by surprise as she replied in near perfect Arrhazonan, “Ssemsa Q’selha alhalhre rehl ohs t’lae, hohn vesra kirr hohn, J’evhra M’lensa!” The remark translated to “I am honoured to be aboard Equality, as well as to meet you, Admiral M’lensa!”

The Admiral bowed to his guest in traditional Arrhazonan greeting, and allowed Jahrae, as head of mission and commander of the ship, to lead the way.

Jahrae deferred to the Admiral as the group toured the ship, successfully managing to avoid Jesnsera and Chsensera. Finshed with the tour, the Admiral took his leave, while the others retired to the dining room for lunch, one section of which reformed into a room of its own through a retractable wall.

Seating was for ten, with Saehressa, Hrilleae, and Anita joining the others. Anita was particularly nervous. Having lived all of her life as a US citizen, meeting a president was a huge honour she did not wish to mess up.

Alicia sensed her nervousness, and went out of her way to engage Anita in conversation, falling into discussion of quilting, a hobby thoroughly enjoyed by both.

As everyone settled in, Alicia rose to speak. “Thank you for your kind invitation to Barbara, Marcia, Elaine, and me.

In all honesty, there was some reservation amongst my protective team over my coming here today. They were not happy I overrode their objections, but it is my call and it is my responsibility.

Why did I do this? Well, I consider myself a good judge of character; I trust the judgement of Barbara and Marcia as well.

In the time I spent with llhaesa, it was readily apparent that this person was someone special – not special in the usual ways people might say about her, though she most certainly is in those ways as well. Rather, I speak in ways of kindness, of caring, of aspiring toward something better for all.

Llhaesa, you have a view that calls out anything is possible if we try, and I readily embrace that outlook.

When I met Jahrae, I saw that she shared similar traits, and similar views with llhaesa, yet Jahrae, you are wholly different. The two of you are a perfect team, perfectly complementary to one another, and the result is something to behold. Add that to your respective abilities and talents, and I can think of no greater relationship on my world.

Instinctively, there are no others upon this world – I guess I should say in the universe – which I trust more than those of you gathered here today.

I look forward to working with our cousins from Arrhazon, and hope we can reunite at least through interaction, peoples separated millennia ago.

I accept your offer of an interface that will allow electronic interaction with those of your world, particularly your Chief of Government. I trust no one has issue with the satellite you leave in orbit to facilitate this communication and interface.

I pledge that the science involved stands protected from unscrupulous eyes. Only those of the highest level of trust will have access, until a day comes when you are comfortable with opening the interface to more.

I so enjoyed the playful interaction on the way to this ship. I can see the love you carry for one another, I can see that you push each other to be better, to grow in whatever direction each wishes to grow. Yet you remember to have fun along the way.

Llhaesa, I extend to you my willingness to assist in your efforts to promote change on Earth – Arrkarhara. It will not be easy, but then I doubt it was easy on Arrhazon, yet it happened.

This is a great gift to us all from the universe, and I thank you.”

Alicia bowed to those listening, per Arrhazonan custom. As she sat down, servers began to serve their lunch, and while most were hungry, all basked in the goodwill they collectively forged via their vision and their interaction.