Dekkir (Galaxy Alien Warriors #1)(2)
I checked the chronometer: eight more minutes. Were the rockets stuttering a little? Could there be a fuel line problem? Is this crate slowing down fast enough?
“Anyway, I’m trying to figure out what my relationship with this Dekkir guy is going to be and how I should address him.”
It was standard issue for all personnel working for Earth Military Command to have a universal language translator embedded in their neck just below the ear. The translator automatically interpreted alien language, in addition to converting English to the alien’s native tongue, but I was wary of screwing up such an important introduction.
“Dekkir will be your guide and guardian while you are on Lyra. He will be responsible not only for your safety and basic needs, but also for any diplomatic situation that may come up. He will help you to connect with whatever goods and services you may need and will advocate for you among the other chiefs. You will live in his household, and if Highfort should be attacked, he is obligated to protect you.”
“Wow. Okay, well, that’s a lot. Guess I had better be nice to this guy.”
“To a point. Lyrans tend to appreciate it more if people are assertive and honest with them. ‘Honeyed words often carry poison’ is a rough translation of a local proverb.”
“They’d really hate Norcross, then.”
Stirling chuckled. “Yes, I dare say they would. Anyway, just use his title in any formal situation and follow his lead otherwise.”
“Got it.” I looked back at the rear view-screen, where Lyra’s third moon shone a pale blue-green as it dwindled. The Earth base clung to its surface like a silver blister. That base had been my home for eighteen months, and though I didn’t always like the company, I was going to miss it now that I was about to spend two years as the only human on Lyra.
I was the daughter of fourth-generation soldiers, and though I had gone for a doctorate instead, I still ended up working for Earth Military Command. I had spent my training period at the base eagerly looking forward to my first big assignment: the cultural evaluation of an entire species, which could lead to a possible trade alliance. I was proud to be part of it. But all I could think right now, as I waited for those wings to finally deploy and give me back control of my dropship, was I might be making a huge mistake.
I tried distracting myself again. “Do you have an image file of Dekkir?”
“Well, it’s not likely you’ll run into anyone else out there, but I did take a few images during our meetings.” The forward view-screen flickered, and a secondary window popped up, showing an enormous, armored man bent over a stone table as he spoke tensely with a group of others.
I stared. He was well over two meters tall, with a long, top-knotted mane of white-blond hair and shoulders that could block a doorway. His scaly black armor contrasted with smooth, milk-colored skin that lay over massive muscles. His face was long and strong-featured with large, tilted eyes, pointed ears, and a wide mouth set in a focused line. His eyes caught my attention the most: almost metallic gold with a fierce wildness to them, like the eyes of a raptor-preserve owl. A black, long-bladed spear leaned against the table beside him; he kept one hand on its shaft as he pointed to a map on the table in front of him.
“All right,” I managed breathlessly. “I don’t think he’s going to be easy to forget.”
The image flickered out as the doctor chuckled. “Good. Now, once you make landfall, Dekkir should meet up with you within the hour. They are very careful not to leave people out in the wilderness too long. That would essentially be a death sentence, thanks to all of the hostile flora and fauna around.”
“Yes, I studied up on your ecological reports. I still don’t understand why I can’t bring my rail gun.”
“I wouldn’t worry about security too much. Dekkir himself will be acting as your bodyguard. Believe me, he is very competent and highly respected.”
And a total stranger. “That’s fine, but I really would feel better if I were able to protect myself.”
“I have included a selection of combat blades in your gear.”
I sighed. Knives . . . against predators that grow to the size of old Earth dinosaurs. “I guess it will have to do. I just wish I understood why the Lyrans are so backward about technology.”
“Grace. If aliens came to your world, would you be comfortable with them wandering around carrying weapons capable of leveling your cities?”
“No, of course I wouldn’t. I’ll . . . try to adjust.” And hope I survive. “You’re sure this Dekkir guy is that good?”
“He’s the war chief for the entire planet. I think he probably knows what he’s doing. Anyway, stay inside the dropship until he arrives. He will probably have some riding beast you’ll have to get used to. Personality-wise, he is honorable and considerate and quite intelligent, but rather hardheaded. Fortunately, he is less so than his father, the high chieftain. I’m afraid that one is going to be a little bit difficult to win over. He is still convinced the humans from the sky are planning to take over his planet. Nor is he alone in this concern.”
“I hope I can convince the Lyrans that’s not true.” Otherwise, studying their culture was going to involve a lot of tension.
“You may be successful in convincing them it is not your aim, Grace, but I am afraid convincing Lyrans to trust humans in general may be beyond your power. It certainly was beyond mine. Now that I have been promoted to chief science officer, I’m hoping you’ll be able to otherwise continue my work fairly seamlessly. If we can make a good case to Command for creating this alliance, it will benefit both our worlds.”