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6
By Gun Brooke Seven followed Janeway into a chamber at the other end of had to be described as a palace. They had shared a most pleasant meal with light food that suited Seven’s pallet very well. Slightly more relaxed than before; Seven looked curiously around her and saw a ring of large, plush pillows beneath some windows, similar to the beautiful ones in their palace quarters. “You will take place on two pillows next to each other. My staff will join us any moment now.” The Lady Graynce walked over to a pillow covered with gold and red fabric, adorned with a multitude of tassels and beads. Janeway sat down on another pillow directly opposite of the Lady Graynce and patted the one next to her. “Seven.” Seven sank down on the pillow and found it oddly comfortable, despite the fact that she was sitting more or less directly on the floor. One after another, eighteen alien men and women joined them, and soon, all the eighteen pillows were taken. Two guards had stood inside the doors, but now they bowed and left, closing the door behind them. “Vegasolians, we have gathered in these dwellings to begin the preliminaries of new negotiations. Our guests have been given the initial information, and claim they are prepared to show themselves worthy of trading with us. It will ultimately prove if we are a compatible species, socially and emotionally.” The Lady Graynce turned to Janeway. “Captain, it may sound strange to you, but our Gods, our Creators, stated many millennia ago that we need to find common ground with the people we trade or share with. If not, it may one day become our undoing.” “Lady Graynce,” a man to her left said, “you failed to inform us that one of our…guests, are Borg.” “Sir Famash, you should know that I leave nothing to chance.” The Lady Graynce nailed him with her silvery eyes. “Seven of Nine, was Borg, but as you can tell, most of her original features have been restored. You will disregard anything regarding her unfortunate destiny with that monstrous society.” “Yes, my lady.” Famash looked as if he would’ve liked to say more, but obviously thought better of it. “Good. Now face your partner and join both hands.” The Lady Graynce was the only one not paired up with a partner. Seven turned to Janeway and crossed her legs awkwardly. Janeway held out her hands and took Seven’s, squeezing them gently. “Look into your partners eyes, and find that sacred feeling that signifies your partnership. Reminisce. Acknowledge.” Confused, Seven looked into the blue-gray eyes of her captain. Definitely more blue than gray, they warmed her and pulled her in. Acutely aware of how much depended on their success, Seven allowed the same warmth to permeate her and was rewarded when Janeway’s pupils suddenly dilated and a faint blush crept up her throat to her cheeks. It was clear they were not indifferent to each other, but would that be enough for the Vegasolians?
To be continued
behind door 7 ...
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