Read Defender: A Terran Times Tale for Free Online

entered the code and took down the shields before I detonated the bombs.”
    “You detonated the bombs on the station while you were still on it? I thought you were going to do it from the ground.”
    She swallowed. “I was going to try, but I was not confident that I could manage it. I could have used the base’s tech but that would have involved Lilli and her community, as well as more explanations. Time was a factor.” Alder opened his mouth and closed it tightly, the set of his lips telling her that this was not the last she had heard of this.
    He stepped aside and let the healer take a look.
    The woman hissed in sympathy and took out a few jars and gauze swabs. “How did you come by this?”
    “I was struck by a standard blaster. Only one strike managed to hit while ten other went through me.”
    Alder frowned. “Through you?”
    “They didn’t hit me. They hit the blast shielding behind me. I am guessing that the shift in my solidity wore off and I might even have been sliced by a chunk of the station as it blew.” She shrugged. “It happened so fast.” The healer shook her head and dabbed the wound with a salve, cleansing the scorched flesh away and numbing the area.
    She shivered and tried to see what the healer was doing, but the woman’s head was in the way.
    Unable to do anything else, Scotia started to hum.
    A few songs rippled through her mind, and she hummed softly as the healer did most of the work with her bottles and only a teeny bit of healing with her talent.
    “Where do the creams come from?” Scotia felt that light chitchat was called for.
    “The jungle, lady. The jungle provides what we need and gives us the means to trade and flourish.”
    “Funny, I haven’t heard anything about trade or the traditions of your village.” She gave Alder an accusing look.
    He stood with his bare feet apart and a wrap in place around his hips. His arms were crossed, and he was watching the healing carefully. “We were busy.”
    She chuckled and then hissed as the healer prodded the skin to test the seal.
    “Well, I am done here. Your energy is strong despite your exertions. Bael Alder, keep an eye on her. We don’t want her to overdo it. I will check on her in a few days if you do not call for me sooner.”
    The healer nodded and left the room via the door.
    Two older Ikanni came in, and Aldeen ran to them. “Mom, Dad, this is Scotia. Scotia, these are our parents, Alora and Heen.”
    “Madam and Mister Whiccan, pleased to meet you.” Scotia hopped down from the table and swayed alarmingly. She wrinkled her nose, but Alder soon had his arm around her waist for support.
    Alora came forward with a smile and her hands outstretched. She was taller than Scotia by four inches, and it confirmed to the Terran that most Ikanni women were larger than humans.
    “Welcome, daughter. You look wonderful, but then, Aldeen told us she would help you with proper clothing.” Alora touched her forehead to Scotia’s, and when she stood, she smiled brightly.
    “She was very helpful. I wouldn’t have looked nearly this tidy if not for her.” Heen took her hands in his, and she could feel callouses on the long, dark fingers. “We are very glad to have you with us. Alder had been quite a pain in the ass when it came to courtship. Have patience with him.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Call me Heen or father. Call Alora mother, though she dreams of being a grandmother one day.”
    Alder’s voice barked out a sharp rebuke.
    “Father!”
    Heen grinned. “Fine. Pushing my luck. Got it.” He released her hands with a kiss to each one.
    “Can’t blame me for trying.”
    Scotia was blushing furiously. “Yes, I really can.”
    Alder nodded. “You have met her, now leave or we will.”
    Alora scowled. “You can’t go running around with her after her injury. She needs to stay in town.”
    “Fine, she will stay, you will go.” He scowled, resembling his mother in the extreme. “Now!”
    His family laughed and disappeared