She wasn’t certain, because it was always difficult, if not impossible, to be certain about the Jao. But she suspected the assembly of the Naukra was about to begin. They had all been waiting for that, the past two weeks, with as much anxiety and fear as hope.
It was still hard to believe that only a few months had passed since the first rumors of a new high-ranking Jao assigned to Earth had filtered through to the university. So much had happened since then, and even more had changed.
Her father was hopeful. As long as Aille retained power, Earth could prosper again. It would not be the same, but she had read enough of her planet’s history to know not everything that had passed away had been good. No one except fanatics would miss the political chaos of pre-conquest Earth, with its seemingly endless wars and conflicts. And with the ongoing efforts to repair the devastation in south China still at the center of the world’s attention, every human was mindful of the overwhelming lesson of the Ekhat attack: find a way to live with the Jao, even under the Jao, or the human species would simply perish altogether. Left to their own resources, there was no way the human race could fend off the genocidal aliens.
As her helicopter came in for a landing, Caitlin could see her supposition confirmed. Almost the entire landing field of the huge military base was covered with Jao ships, all glittering in the last rays of the setting sun. Apparently, they had decided to convene the Naukra here rather than in Oklahoma City or St. Louis. That made sense—even reassured her, a bit—because it suggested that Jao of a more sane outlook and temperament than Oppuk were now in control. They would want the close proximity of the ocean.
The ships were of an amazing variety of shapes and colors, which surprised her. Somehow, she’d thought Jao designs would be more standardized.
Dr. Kinsey took her good arm, still mindful of her cast, and steadied her as they half-ran out from under the whirling blades. Tamt led the way, bent almost double. The Jao bodyguard was wary of human transport in general, and helicopters in particular. The first time she’d ridden one, Tamt had grumbled sourly afterward that with Jao transport you never had to worry about your head being cut off by the drive system.
Caitlin smiled at Kinsey as they straightened, doing her best not to grin outright at Tamt. “I won’t break,” she said, “at least not again. You don’t have to worry about me so much.”
“I don’t think I can stop worrying about you, so long as Oppuk is anywhere nearby.” He glanced around at the bustle of troops, both human and Jao. “I’ve heard the monster will be here in person. What if he—?”
“He won’t lose his temper in front of all those prestigious kochan elders,” she said. “He wouldn’t dare.” Her lips quirked in a little smile, as she looked him up and down. “Besides, Doctor Kinsey, be realistic.”
He matched the smile. “Well, okay. I admit I can’t see any way an elderly human—and a portly academic in the bargain—could protect you physically from that massive bastard. Even by Jao standards, Oppuk is an ogre.”
Tamt’s ears were now flat with displeasure. In truth, even Caitlin’s impressive bodyguard would be overmatched by Oppuk in a physical confrontation—but Tamt, obviously, did not like to think so.
“I appreciate the sentiment,” Caitlin replied, “but I really think you’re worrying too much. Oppuk’s temper tantrums are actually not normal for a Jao. He could get away with them so long as he was Governor, surrounded by flunkies. But if he tries it here, in front of the Jao’s most powerful representatives, they’ll give him short shrift. I hope he does lose his temper, actually. That would only hurt him—and help us.”
It was still hot at this latitude, even though autumn had technically begun. Caitlin peeled off her jacket, then carried it over her good arm. Thunder rumbled in the distance, far out in the Gulf. She could see storm clouds forming into the classic anvil shape.