Disgruntled Kesi hates working for Daddy after school, but the pocket terminal a friend gave her because of SETI's discovery uncovers a new, frightening destiny for her. Now she is a player in an intergalactic war! SETI Automates Dad's Office

I walked through the old door and imagined old detective movies. Dad's desk was a relic from those days, polished oak with a lot of scratches, despite care with every wood treatment known to man! Dad prided himself on refinishing furniture. He wasn't good at that. But, his import business was exploding. I'd rather be helping him try to make his old desk pretty.

Dad was on the phone. "Well, try New York. If you can't get it there, I don't think it's possible! If you can't, Kelly, I'll talk to your client. Bye!" He hung up. Rubbed his face. "Kesi, I need you in your office manning that phone! I have to get these books—"

"Try this thing!" I put a green cube on the desk. "Give Dad a copy!" Now there was a second one, for him.

He blinked at me. "How'd you do that?"

"I am a Unified terminal. The UN is considering membership in two trade networks. Your business may be important, Mr. Cody. I bring a diplomat to explain, if you like."

The phone rang, and a hologram of himself answered it. Dad nearly fell out of his chair! Pulled at his dark hair. The fake him gave answers that pleased him, and he whispered, "I'd like to talk to that diplomat."

In the office across from us, mine, the phone rang and another him answered.

A green swirl left a man in a white suit with a sash from his right shoulder to left hip, filled with sparkling pins. "Mr. Cody, I am Churl Ee, Diplomat Of Escet Vu." He bowed.

Such a handsome fella! Sky blue skin! But, I'm 15 and lonely. At school today, three boys tried to feel me up and we watched UN meetings all day because SETI found aliens and sent a treaty to the UN. The diplomat talked business with Dad. I hadn't even tried to use my cube since a classmate gave it to me. I usually walk home, but on Wednesdays I take a bus here to Dad's office. Judy's sister works at GSU Library and she's been trying to get a part-time job there and wanted me to apply so we could maybe work together, but I'm stuck helping my father. I hate answering phones!

But, when Midtown High let out at 3:45 pm, Judy ran up to me. "Here, this is for you, Kesi! Don't use it yet. Wait til you're alone. But you can think to it. Gotta get my bus!"

I took the green cube and stuck it in my pocket. "Thanks! See ya!" I started walking.

And, trouble walked with me. "Hey, Kesi, Ronnie says hi. Play ball with me and you won't end up like poor Bettina. It's a shame her aunt won't let anyone visit her in Rainbow Head Injury Center. She'll never make a good grade like you, again!"

I hid my shock. They aren't usually obvious about this! I walked faster.

"Hey! Stop it!" I turned around and Ronnie was a foot up in the air, struggling!

A boy I didn't know pointed at him. "I called the cops! You have illegal drugs in your backpack! Look!" He pulled out a zipper bag of white powder in tiny stapled bags.

"Let me go! You're one of those aliens, aren't you?"

He turned into one of those things from Alien. Roared.

Then, Ken stood there and held the bag, just above his backpack, as a police car rolled by. Blue lights went on. They got out.

Ken dropped everything and put his hands up. "I was framed!"

"Sure you were." The cop read him his rights.

"But, that boy—he's an alien! He turned into—"

"I think you had too much of whatever you've been taking. We'd better take this one to Grady Hospital. Just sit back here—"

"There he is! Don't put me in with him!" That boy pulled him into the police car.

They didn't see him, but he talked to Ken. "You want to tell them all about Ronnie, and Barry Atherton, too. You've been working with him for a couple years now, haven't you? Talk right into that camera—"

They shut the door and I walked on. I shook all over.

"You don't need to be scared. I'm protecting you." That voice came from my pocket.

"You—did that?"

Then it told me how it could help Dad's business. His people hired people with small trucks to get items in various cities and take 'em to other cities. He had a small staff of 25, and it worked because of COVID supply chain problems. His import business could get small quantities of things through a lot faster than waiting for a ship from China, then delays at ports. He had five commercial pilots who owned their planes. They got items from Hong Kong, but also from cities in the US. Instead of hiring a truck or a plane, employees could just use a dimportal, that green light that brought Churl Ee here, to transport them and the goods! But, so can everybody. They're planning to give this tech to every man, woman and child worldwide!

And, it showed me that I had an aandat in my account, a miracle second skin. It's white slime that covers you like a T-shirt and shorts, that doesn't move once it's on you, and it gives us telepathy, you never need a bathroom again, and you can't catch anything like COVID. While I was on the bus, I let mine out and the terminal hid it from everyone.

My holo worked in the hall, sweeping with the push broom.

Churl Ee finished explaining business to Dad and he got busy duplicating his terminal and contacting surprised employees! Most were in Atlanta, but one was in his plane flying to Hong Kong someplace over the South China Sea. He'd lost an engine! His terminal repaired it.

While Dad was busy, Churl Ee touched my arm. "Kesi, I wish to take you to our ship and ask a healer to see you. Your fa gave me permission."

I looked at Dad and he smiled. Nice to see him smile! This business is making him a grouch. Not that his black, bushy eyebrows and dark curls help him not to look grouchy. Maybe this new tech'll help. "Okay."

He nodded left and a green swirl came up. Hundreds of people showed through it, on a huge red-violet spaceship! Churl Ee held out an arm and I put my hand on it. He stepped, so I walked with him. I felt awkward. I'd never been on a date, so I didn't touch boys, so I worried about how much pressure to put, and what if I step on his foot? I looked down. Twin-toed feet. Twin-fingered hands. More than just a man, but a different species of man. I felt totally overwhelmed. But, I should act normal.

The portal felt warm, then a cool breeze blew on us until we stepped out. People watched us. How would I feel, to be on the other side of their eyes, watching this stranger come onto their ship? They were all different colors. Some looked like people from my planet.

"We all wish for your comfort, Kesi. I mean, Miss Cody." He shook all over, and his arm turned cold. I felt that, through his suit coat!

A man in a white robe ran to us. "Churl Ee, you found your maiden?"

"I nae discussed—"

"I see moisture on you." He picked him up, as if it was easy! "Maiden, please come."

"I wanted a healer to see her! Please, Math~an—"

He chuckled and a huge bed appeared right here in the open! "I know Earthan healing and so does Nu!" Another man with orange skin ran to us, white robes flapping! Math~an gave a little hop and put Charl Ee into a bowl-shaped pillow. I noticed orange on his white socks, like he walked through mud or something. Nu picked me up, hopped, and put me in another bowl. Oh, so soft! I smiled, but this is awkward!

But, the red-violet curved hull and the blue sky above us vanished!

MemoriesFrom An Older Me

"Mr. Cody, you have to calm down!" The Elshar made him sit down, and he went limp. Quickly, he put his hands on Dad's chest. Tried to sing.

Charlie grabbed him. I threw the door open. "Everybody! Come quick! Dad's dying!"

About five came right away, and I grabbed hands. Put 'em on the Elshar's arms. More ran in. But, the Elshar collapsed.

"911!"

That nurse came up again, and ran a doctor. It flashed up a display MASSIVE HEART ATTACK. STASIS ROUTINE RUNNING. PORT TO:

"Stasis?" I looked at the nurse, prim in her green scrubs.

Her face sagged. "I'm sorry, honey. Earth can't help him, but I can port him to Alb Seer. Sometimes, it's not over...."

I nodded, and his body vanished. Suddenly, everybody's looking at me. All fourteen upset people crowded around. "Listen, Dad hired Cindy, and she was a slaver. All of us are in danger. We need to leave Earth, fast—"

"Leave Earth? Space is worse! I'd rather die here—"

People argued.

Charlie stood up, and nearly went over! I held him up. The Elshar sat sobbing on the dirty floor. "Listen to me! The Thordes Embassy can arrange transport of yourselves and your houses! We go to safety, on Alb Seer. You will have work, and food, and trade, all of your needs. And healing, if you need it."

Kelly reached out a hand, and Charlie took it. "What about my sister? She lives in Georgia Retardation Center, and she's dying. She's got a rare genetic disorder that makes her bones break easily—"

"Alb Seer has half Earth's gravity, and healers care for her well."

He held Charlie up. "Then, I'll be the first to say yes. Cathy, your mother's in a nursing home. Wouldn't she feel better in less gravs?"

A lot of 'em ran for phones, and all the lines lit up.

Charlie waved as Kelly sat in the chair and held him. "Thordes Embassy. We need transport, for many persons."

A purple woman smiled in holo. "I can send a van now, and I'll leave a Diplomat-In-Aid to schedule the rest."

I held the Elshar's hand. "Should you come?"

He leaned against me and sobbed. "They won't let Elshars—"

Charlie rubbed his head. "Eae, Elshars are welcome! You harmed yourself trying to save Mr. Cody. You gave well healing to me."

"Other Elshars'll kill me!"

"Nae. Nae is allowed to harm another—"

One of the new girls, Fana, sat by him. Got dirt all over her beige skirt. "I am Cindy's penchalant. Will you be my master?" She cried.

He hugged her. "Stay with me. I'll protect you. How old are you?"

Her application said 18. "Eleven. I lied about my age, because my master gave me to Cindy, and she threatened to give me to a mean master—"

"I'll treat you like my daughter."

I was shocked, that we hired a slave!

Van doors slid open behind me. Charlie pulled at me. "We must go with—"

"I haven't talked to Mom—"

"There is nae time!"

A purple man in DS blue and a sash with four pins waved to people. "All of you who are ready, come now! We can go to pick up relatives later, and I can pack your houses."

Three people climbed in with us, and others stood with the man. Two other purple people carried the Elshar healer and Fana.

Charlie waved up a holo of Mom. It shocked her. "Kesi, what's wrong?"

I swallowed. "Remember when y'all named me, and you told me Kesi meant 'father's trouble' in Swahili?"

"Actually, it's 'child born when the father's in trouble'. What's wrong, now? Did he yell at you again? Oh, hi, Charlie." She frowned. "Where are you people?"

We sat on the floor of the van, and it looked funny, we were so crowded. A couple more came in before the doors shut.

"Mom, we have to leave Earth. Dad's—uh—going to Alb Seer. He's very sick."

She gasped. "Why didn't you say so? I'll pack—"

"Mrs. Cody, I can run packing progs and port you to the Spaceport, if you give permission." Charlie nodded. I held his head up.

"Yes! Port me to David, now!"

He waved. I cried. "How can I tell her, Charlie? Charlie?"

My friend sagged over my lap. Fana struggled to hold the Elshar healer, who was also passed out. Kelly and Cathy looked drained. I worried. Counted six of our 14 employees in the van. Will the rest make it? It's my responsibility, now. I felt old. I'm only 18.

I gasped! Above me, blue sky. Red-violet hull. Nu took my hands, and his blue eyes opened past wide! "Have you pains, Daughter?"

"I—did somebody Zheien share memories with me? That was so real, but—I was 18! I'm 15—Dad had a heart attack!" I cried out loud.

Charlie held me. "Be calm, dear—" Those blue eyes opened impossibly wide! He shuddered and touched my forehead. Slid his hand down the left side of my face. "Ejis faea naea! I did sin!" Yellow sparkles dripped off his arms.

Math~an sighed, and it rumbled on us. "My son, even Cevit Ion had to marry his Sara! When a couple sees their future and they are married, nae can hold his mind from it. You must marry her now, or die, both of you."

I cried louder. "I can't! I'm not—can I?" I clung to Charlie.

Another man ran to the bed. People sprang into graceful bows, all the blue Zheien, except these healers. "Rest and be well. Churl Ee, you must marry, and I give my permission, with all of my love! Tan Links is our lawyer and perhaps he can speak with your parents. I send him to your fa now. Let your minds reach, Children. There is nae help for you except to marry."

"Das, I need your help!"

"Be calm, my son." His mind connected us. "You must leave diplomatic work."

"Because of his feet?" I sobbed.

Math~an startled and waved Charlie's socks gone. "Nae hide from healers, my son."

When they rolled up, the outsides rolled looser than the insides. They're supposed to roll up evenly. His hands did. Their feet and hands are exactly the same, if healthy, except feet might be bigger. Charlie's feet were smaller, and the toes weren't the same size. That's not normal. And, orange blood from skint places seeped.

He waved, and a small bowl with ea fae, a white foam, appeared. Gently, he smoothed a lot of it on Charlie's tortured feet. Hummed. They rolled up evenly. But, Math~an checked Charlie's points from his forehead to the back of his head.

While he did this, Nu checked me, after getting my permission. I'm pretty healthy, but he did find a scar on my elbow and healed it. "What happened here?"

"Oh, I fell off my bike when I was little. It didn't break it, just left that awful scar. Will it still hurt when it rains?"

Charlie wept. "You have pains when rains come? Ejis nae!"

"My son, I healed her. I think nae. Was pain severe, Kesi?"

"Oh, I just heat up a warm pad in the microwave. It's not bad." But in Rainbow, after healing, I couldn't remember it ever hurting. Alb Seer just had mist at night, never rain. Or thunderstorms.

Math~an looked towards a part of the ship where people were lined up and healers guided healers without Tessite on their robes to feel heads. Healer training? One left the lady he was seeing and ran over here. Frowned. "Is Churl unwell, Math~an? Why see you him?"

"Did you know the condition of his feet, Besen Pah, is it?"

"Eae, I heal him, and the next day, he is the same. When we went to Sigan Mas, an Elshar student swatted him. Churl fell! His shock, he nae meant to harm him! I took him home and kept him in my chambers for a week. He seemed recovered. But his feet bothered him oft. I suggested he change his occupation, for we were only in First Term, but he missed his parents so, I could nae discuss. He refused to let me bring him to you, Math~an. O, I am sorry, Churl, but he must know! You had many more severe injuries than this, because we rescued many. We are as bae, for we both lost our parents in diplomatic work." He sobbed.

Nu put him beside me and saw him. "My son, nae hide from me. Were you in Diplomatics before—"

"Our bae served on Dinse's Team. Dinse was Churl's ba, Master Diplomat to Kaleo before he had injury and returned to Sigan Mas for retraining. My ba, Sehpah, studied by him. The four of us shared a dorm that term and Sehpah taught us to rescue students. Dinse warned us nae, but when we would nae stop, helped us and taught us far more to protect ourselves. But, Seh only made Diplomat-In-Aid, and they died on their first mission! I—"

AnotherCouncillor—Me?

"Din's not dead, he's in that experimentation facility on Rachdach—"

Another man I knew from news holos in that other future gasped and ran over here! Cevit Ion put a hand on my forehead. "Maiden, how know you of this? Ejis! You are Kesi!" Memories flew between us, faster than Zheien speed.

Charlie wept. We can't get him, can't get near that facility, yet.

As he did in that other future, he tried to train me—my telepathy's awake? And, like the other time, I can't tell the diff between Outer and Inner Circle, that kids learn at 8 when their telepathy comes in!

Pirad came running! Bisillips look kind of like those gray aliens in a lot of sci-fi movies, but he's tall and had dark green skin. Half my width, twice my joints, like a walking skeleton that clicks! But those yellow eyes—his whites are yellow, irises are green, and three pairs of orange pupils split wide apart. "Another Councillor?"

"I wasn't a Councillor, Kieta was!"

"You are a Councillor. Think of your Cube. What color is it?"

I waved up the green cube that Judy gave me, but it wasn't like plastic, like the one she was thinking about. This one was a Kelly green Cube with people's minds in it! And, they are terrified of what I might do with it! Rentappenen laughed, someplace. He urged me to use it to destroy Adia's Ship—this red-violet ship—and come be his apprentice. Promised me power, worlds--

I imagined that everyone on Earth got a piece of Mast Chocolate, which retails for $36 and has tiny pieces that come in mint, tea, raspberry, lavender, hazelnut, oat milk, and more. The company has a surplus in their warehouse in California and like most businesses, bad supply chain problems. I made sure that anyone allergic got a similar treat that wouldn't hurt them. Babies just tasted something good. Everyone got their faves. One of the most expensive chocolates in the world, that most people will never taste. Few knew that, but they loved it. I emptied their warehouse. Barry Atherton, Sr was in negotiations to buy it. They called him and reported the loss and he called off the deal. Dad's company had been doing deliveries for them, but they were afraid of going under, so they got Atherton's offer and were considering it. Their orders went down a lot during COVID.

Surprised people's happiness fueled me and my Collective, who were all shocked that I would do something so benign with this powerful weapon! It's a weapon?!

Rentappenen got mad, but he couldn't see the ship to destroy it!

"What did you do?" Pirad held a tiny glass of something. Stared at it. Drank it and his pupils came together. Grew. His telepathy got more powerful. Now it didn't take him as much effort to hide us and all of the Alb System from Eriganh and Rentappenen.

"Rentappenen wanted me to join him. He hurt W'Vie." My voice broke. In Rainbow I met him, trapped in a boy's body because of that maniac!

"We need to stop talking about this. Do not use your abilities or he will find us."

"Teach me how not to! Kieta had to train me—"

"Kieta does not have sense! Ry'nao must—but he is busy." Pirad's lips did the fan blade thing and he buzzed.

I waved up another kind of drink for him. How do I know what Bisillips need? But, he drank it.

And, another person came. This one had black fur and pointy ears, like a cat! His brown eyes studied me. "Oh, I can train you. Come—"

"Pinda, you must not! If she uses her abilities—"

"I promise, she will not. Come." He pulled at my arm.

Math~an's blue eyes were past wide, and so were Nu's! "Pirad, Churl Ee will die if he takes her! They must marry—"

Pinda put a—paw--on Math~an's head. "Oh, I see the problem. Charlie, I can fix you. Marry your maiden." He put another paw on Charlie's forehead. Charlie smiled and stopped sweating. Kneeled on the bed with his left leg behind him. Took my right hand in his right.

Mom, Dad, and all 14 members of Dad's company appeared on and around the bed! Pinda lifted a baby girl, who giggled! She got bigger and he put her in Kelly's arms. "She is now healed. Her bones are not brittle. Put an aandat on her."

A green cube spilled one on her, then floated to her. Her green eyes watched everything. I'd gone to a nursing home to see her with Kelly. He felt awful that she had to live there with skilled nurses. "What does that do?"

But Charlie waved and I wore a satiny white wedding dress with a modest neckline and skirt over my ankles. I loved it! And a lacy veil that caught the light in rainbows! He now wore a white tux with his white sash. Behind him, his brother and all those people we rescued appeared on the floor! A horde of healers ran to them. Charlie didn't notice. "Kesi Miriam Cody, Trader Of Earth, I love you." He sobbed. "We knew each other three months, in that other future, and we had great happiness in our marriage, despite our great trials. If you feel that I am faithful to you and only you, Kess, I wish to ask that you consider this Petition of Marriage Without Courtship, by the Ancient Protocols of Zhea~, Escet Vu, and Atlanta. Will you marry me, Kess?"

Dad opened his mouth to protest, but that man everyone bowed to held up a twin-fingered hand and he stopped.

Sweat dripped off Charlie's arms.

"Yes! I want to marry you, Charlie!" I raced through our names and titles. All the Earthans, Dad's employees, cheered! Then, they asked a lot of questions, but Pinda carried me and Math~an carried Charlie to a room that had our picture—and the background wasn't Rainbow. White sand, blue sky, lots of flowers and mud marshes and the buildings that looked like glass jewels pointing to the sky, and homes were sky blue domes. That's Escet Vu! I remembered how it looked when Charlie shared memories of it! His home's still there?

Charlie saw it, too. "O, Kess, I nae asked where you wish to live! There are 25 worlds, and some with star systems, that now orbit Alb Seer—Escet Vu moved with his star and now is in Alb, 8 hours from us."

Pinda didn't stop but put me in a leiwege that Math~an waved up for Charlie. It had scenes of his rescues of several students. And, his parents and ba. After slavers took Escet Vu, he had another one made.

He put his paw on my forehead. Taught me how not to use my Cube. Except, to wipe the memory of his visit from everyone but me. Including him? Then, he vanished. Everyone? Even Rentappenen! I quit thinking. Listen to Charlie, Stupid, use what he taught you.

My poor husband sweated. I hugged him and he fell asleep. My innocent Charlie, who got caught trying to rescue students at Sigan Mas and slavers took him to that facility! Because they wanted him to convince his brilliant brother to sign that false treaty.

Din's giving his report right now. Pirad's healing him, as much as he can. All those men. He thinks they were brought by one of the diplomats and came to Earth by mistake. They know there's a slaver facility someplace in our solar system. There are other ships attached to this one, that Pirad is using for his—can't think about that. Don't use it. Hug Charlie.

Math~an finished singing beautiful healing. "I will stay with Churl." His cloned brother is on that ship, Pirad's ship.

Pirad came to get me. He sent the others to Alb Seer to the Rainbow there on Escet Vu. There's more than one? "Come with me. I can learn from your memories. You can share fast, to a biome, and I can create clones of you later. For now, I can reclone both of you after I have your memories. Churl Ee already shared his. I was to send one of his clones to Sigan Mas, and one of Besen Pah. We found a ship entering this solar system with his brother and many Escet Vuans. I sent them to Rainbow Escet Vu with one of my clones to heal them.

"I want to wait to send you until Ry'nao can see these memories, if you give permission. Do you?"

"I am loyal to Ry'nao, as my husband is. He may see them all, and I hope they are useful, Pirad."

"Molly also named all the couples in your group Elders, as I did you and Churl Ee. I can reclone you to make use of your Gifts." He gave me all kinds of options, greater intelligence, telepathy of a Chor, hundreds of times greater than a Zheien's but with very fine control, skills to be an operative, all sorts of skills. And, healing for Charlie. I wanted it all!

Then, he got Roger, a man who taught programming for business at GSU, to help me. This man helped me learn a little programming, though I hated business and just worked on my BA to please Dad. I'm still in high school and my grades dropped and I had to stop college and just work on my 10th Grade AP courses. He and his wife write progs for healers and he offered to teach me those. What a great idea! I said yes.

He waved and held a purple cylinder and his blue eyes filled. "This hurts. I wish I could make it less painful." Oh, I was tempted to make that happen, but I held back. Rentappenen wants me to flub. I could create a world—or destroy Earth—with a thought.

"It's okay. Let's go."

That cylinder usually burns like a hot poker, but it didn't hurt.

I watched myself being born. Watched my sister not grow, not pass milestones, and she just got thinner until she couldn't live. Uncle Percy and Aunt Minerva had the same problem. She tried three times to have a baby and they all died before the first year and she left him. Percy killed himself. Oh, that hurt Dad! And Uncle Peter. Percy worked as a middle school teacher, and he could spot suicidal students and saved a lot of lives. But, he didn't get help. We couldn't understand how sweet, quiet Minerva could be so cruel as to leave him without a word! I read up on marriages and over half get divorced after the death of a child. I felt sorry for Aunt Minerva after that and kept in touch. She's on this ship.

Bullies got to me all the way through school, but last year when COVID hit, they ruined my social media accounts. I had to create new accounts and start over, and no more streaming.

Then, January came and I'm in high school now, and I learned a girl got raped after the school Christmas party. My parents wouldn't let me go. They almost killed her and she's in Rainbow Head Injury Center. His buddies had been after me. So glad I don't have to go back there!

In the other future, I managed not to get hurt, but had some close calls. I went to GSU and did an internship in Dad's office that I absolutely hated, and watched Dad become a real grouch and a perfectionist during our work hours.

Now that I knew healing, he had all the symptoms of addiction after Cindy came into our lives. Stupid Elshar! She gave stuff to Charlie that didn't let him remember what she did.

But, we went to Rainbow. He nearly died, and I saved him. I learned some healing and healed almost all his damage. But, I couldn't control it, even after Cevit Ion tried to train me to use my telepathy like a diplomat. I could find people to help who didn't have the Diplomatic Link, that special mindlink that all diplomats have. It lets them get help from other diplomats, and healers who have it so they can heal through it.

I could hear slavers' minds through it. I'm hearing them now.

Pirad got more cylinders. I saved details of slavers' lives to them, secrets they wouldn't tell anyone. Pirad filled a ridiculous number of cylinders, and I kept going.

They found slaves on Titan—another Earthan—Molly found them through her because she was linked with Jog Sa, Cynthia. Healers healed 'em through the link. I wanted to help, but Pirad told me, don't. Not yet.