Direction

Tahnia was surprised, but pleased, to see Meaghan at breakfast the following day. The junior chef swung herself into the vacant seat beside her friend.
      "When'd you get back, honey?" She smirked. "Did y'all get wet?"
      Meaghan chuckled.
      "A bit, yes, and I came back early this morning, or rather..." she shook her head in self-deprecation, "... Jimain rescued me early this morning."
      "No!" Tahnia guffawed, causing the other staff in the dining room to glance curiously at her. "Tell me everythin'!"
      "Do I have to?" Meaghan winced. "It's embarrassing..."
      "Aw c'mon, honey, y'all c'n tell me."
      The librarian grimaced.
      "Not much to tell. I got to the top, it started raining, I radioed back to say where I was. A little later I noticed the water in the lake was rising rapidly and next thing I know Jimain's there hauling me out." She sipped her feine. "'jariel told Jimain, who of course knows the caldera floods in heavy rain and that I wasn't going to be safe."
      Tahnia giggled.
      "Bet that's right up his alley - rescuin' damsels in distress."
      "Uh, possibly not," Meaghan mumbled into her mug, "I get the feeling he was singularly unimpressed with having to come out into the rain."
      The chef put her tongue-tip between her teeth and wiggled her fine, dark eyebrows suggestively.
      "Ah'm sure you'll find a way to make it up t' him."
      "Maybe," Meaghan half-smirked, "when he's stopped glowering at me..."

After breakfast - and promising to spend the evening with Tahnia and Jhon - Meaghan slunk off to the library, desiring nothing more than to stay out of everyone's way until she felt less... mortified. Plus she desperately needed some time to herself to think through last night's events, she'd been too tired to do more than fall into an exhausted sleep once Mr Monk had finished with her.

She'd instinctively stood up when her employer, accompanied by his ominously silent security chief, had walked into her room.
      "I really am very sorry, Mr Monk, for the trouble I've caused."
      He gave her a small smile and indicated she should be seated again.
      "What's done is done, Ms Govern."
      Meaghan nodded and sat, perched attentively - and a little wary - on the edge of her bed.
      "Yes, Kazestrel is an alien." Mr Monk's blunt statement took her aback a little. "He is alone on Heart - an ambassador, if you will. He is also part of Verbank's security, and it is vital that his presence here remains secret."
      Meaghan swallowed - Meren had told her as much.
      "I understand, sir."
      Mr Monk - who'd remained standing - loomed over her, rich golden eyes pinning her in place.
      "I need to be sure that you can keep that secret."
      The librarian clenched her hands in her lap, stilling the trembling. Her gaze flicked to Jimain's stony face and the dire threat implicit in his eyes.
      "I can, sir," she whispered.
      "Very well." Mr Monk straightened up and his smile was warmer and broader. "We'll leave you to sleep now - no doubt you're tired."
      Meaghan blinked; Mr Monk, Meren and Jimain were leaving - Jimain with a final hard stare for the librarian - but she still had no clear idea about her future.
      "Excuse me, Mr Monk, sir?" She stood up.
      "Yes, Ms Govern?" Perry Monk looked back at her with a polite, faintly curious expression.
      Meaghan flushed but held herself erect.
      "I... do I have to leave, sir?"
      Mr Monk raised his eyebrows.
      "Did I not mention? Remiss of me." His smile was almost apologetic. "No, you don't have to leave; in fact, I am very pleased with your work, Ms Govern."
      "Thank you, sir!"
      Meren couldn't help grinning at Meaghan's obvious relief.
      "Get some sleep, Meaghan, no doubt you'll be down in the library as soon as your eyes have opened!"
      Meaghan pulled her manic grin back into something a little more restrained and inclined her head to the trio.
      "Thank you again, sir, I promise you won't be disappointed..."

Meaghan let herself into the deserted library, settling at the circulation desk and logging onto her terminal, preparatory to beginning the day's work. She'd promised Mr Monk he wouldn't be disappointed with her and by the gods she had every intention of following through on that promise. She frowned, fingers hovering over the keypad; she had no reason to doubt her employer's statement about... the ambassador, but surely it wouldn't hurt to do a little checking of her own. Later though - Meaghan put aside the thought - there was real work of her own to get on with first...

Kazestrel watched curiously as his administrator first paled until his rich golden skin was almost colourless, then flushed darkly as his pupils shrank to the finest slits.
      "WHAT?"
      The Fohmatraan inclined his head.
      "It was not a deliberate act, sheyaa Lasqendeamyl."
      "You were seen!" The Caelixiin closed his eyes with a shudder, grasping for self-control: Kazestrel had never seen him so angry. "How could you have been so careless!?"
      "With respect, Administrator, this could not have been foreseen."
      "Nevertheless…"
      "Sheyaa Lasqendeamyl, we have taken steps to minimise the damage." He paused for a moment; this wasn't the best time to ask about having Meaghan considered for the post of first heartling Librarian, perhaps… "The heartling involved is under surveillance and has made no moves to reveal what she has discovered. Sheyaa Peridien trusts her. As do I."
      The Caelixiin grumbled something under his breath, something that could have been 'plarchinzg headstrong Fohmatraans', then glared at his operative.
      "Have you spoken to her?"
      "No." Not yet, he added to himself.
      "Good. See that you do not attempt to do so until I have had time to report this to the Prime Council."
      Kazestrel blinked. This situation hardly warranted such an extreme measure…
      "Might I ask why that is necessary?"
      "Because we are in the process of preparing a discussion document of procedures and tactics concerning situations such as yours. And because we do not want any harm to befall you."
      The Fohmatraan sighed silently. More bureaucracy. He sometimes wondered if the Caelixiin administrators did anything without consulting some document or other - then frowned to himself. That was uncharitable. In fact, as he well knew, the administrators were very liberally-minded compared to most of their species… He bowed his head.
      "My thanks, sheyaa. I will await your decision."
      Lasqendeamyl allowed his relief to show.
      "Thank you for your forbearance, Kazestrel. I know the official procedure can be galling at times, but how this first contact is handled will help form the basis for any other such circumstances in the future. We prefer to go slowly and ensure all contingencies are covered - especially after your first introduction to the planet."
      Kazestrel's eyes closed briefly, a sharp sudden grief spearing through him.
      "I understand."
      "I knew you would. Please take care, Mediator."
      "I will."
      Lasqendeamyl nodded.
      "I will contact you soon."
      As the screen blanked, the Fohmatraan rubbed at his forehead, then stretched, eyes widening as his stomach reminded him it was two full Heart days since he'd eaten. Night had fallen outside, and Jimain would be here soon, as usual, to take over while Kazestrel fed and slept.
      It was a pleasant night, too, the alien noted, checking the external camera view on the screen. And it had been a while since he'd hunted in the lagoon. If he used the marina cave entrance and kept to the volcano side of the island there was no risk of him being seen: the heartlings only frequented the bay and the beach closest to the castle after dark…

Jimain perched a hip on the corner of Kazestrel's desk, eyeing the Fohmatraan as long webbed fingers slid over the touchpad deceptively slowly.
      "I can come back later…"
      The low, resonant voice was a little distracted.
      "I shall not be long."
      Jimain nodded and turned to watch the ranked monitors while the alien finished his report. The beautifully clear images on the screens showed that all things were as they should be in the castle and in Underhill, heartling and vourdaki going about their normal business…
      The faint sound of Kazestrel's mane shirring across his shoulders as he leaned back in his seat had the warrior turning back to his colleague.
      "So, how has she behaved?"
      Kazestrel inclined his head pensively.
      "With great discretion. And considerable restraint." He gestured to the screen, where a list of the 'netsites Meaghan had checked over the last twenty days were listed. Most were factually historical and geographical repositories, closely linked to the restoration and conservation work she was engaged in, in tending Peridien's priceless collection, but within those sites she'd very carefully, almost casually, followed links to a handful of less… legitimate sites. Most of these she'd left within seconds, but on just a few she'd lingered, long enough to save the information tendered - information relating to historical sightings of unidentified flying objects and their landings on Heart… Jimain frowned.
      "Are these genuine?"
      Kazestrel folded his arms across his chest.
      "I would say not, in the main."
      "In the main? You mean some of them are true?"
      The Fohmatraan swivelled slightly to regard the Elder.
      "The Known Worlds have no records of Heart, even as a possible source of sentient life - at least, none that I have been able to find. Which is not to say that your world might not have been visited in the past, by mercenaries, or non-aligned worlds."
      Jimain's eyes narrowed.
      "How would we know?"
      Kazestrel smiled slightly.
      "You would not, unless they had left physical evidence, and that would not be in the best interest of any species."
      The vourdak shifted, frowning.
      "The thought makes me… uneasy."
      "It is a moot point. It would no longer be allowed: Heart is under the protection of the Collective."
      Jimain gripped the Fohmatraan's shoulder.
      *For which I am heartily grateful!* He pulled back a little and grinned suddenly. "For my part, I can confirm that the fair Meaghan has behaved circumspectly and with becoming restraint. Not a word has passed her lips of her meeting with you, although Meren *tells* me she is very curious indeed. But her self-control is admirable. I am constrained to admit that your faith in her has been amply rewarded. So far." He added dryly. Kazestrel nodded.
      "I respect your wisdom in retaining a measure of caution." He paused for a moment. "How much longer do you wish to continue the surveillance?"
      Jimain sighed and rubbed his temple.
      "If it were me, I'd say for always. But - as long as you are willing to monitor her use of the communication systems for the foreseeable future - I believe another twenty days will be sufficient. Though I shall still have Meren *scan*, randomly."
      "Indeed. Very well. Another twenty days."

Lasqendeamyl looked unhappy but resigned.
      "It has been decided that, should you choose to speak to the heartling female, the Council will condone the action. Though we must insist that, should she choose to leave the Foundation's employ while you are still onworld, Jandruach will be sent to wipe the requisite parts of her memory before she is allowed to depart the island."
      Kazestrel considered this for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. It was not ideal, but it was considerably safer than leaving her with the memory and hence vulnerable to the ANOMM. That Jandruach would perform the... operation... came as no real surprise.
      "I would, of course, prefer you not to speak to her. Knowing you, however, I cannot see that happening. Please be discreet in what you tell her. Heart is not yet ready to know about us."
      Kazestrel half-smiled.
      "Indeed. I will be circumspect."
      "Then I wish you good fortune…"

It'd been over a month since Meaghan's little expedition up the mountain; over a month of holding her tongue and conducting guarded 'net searches. She'd found a lot of pointless information about what she considered spurious happenings but absolutely nothing about Kaz. Which made sense, in a way: if he was the only alien on Heart it was hardly likely he was going to leave evidence of himself lying about. It hadn't been as hard as she thought it might have been keeping the knowledge from anyone else, even Tahnia, but then Meaghan had always been circumspect. The librarian's life flowed on more or less in its usual, satisfying manner and Jimain had even smiled at her, once or twice. Meaghan began to relax.

Evening, and the end of a productive day. Meaghan carefully packed away the parchment she'd been working on, before locking the lower level and heading back up to the main library. The librarian ambled around, checking that the shelves were tidy and all the terminals, except the one only Simaeon had authority to use, had been shut down properly. Good, all was in readiness for tomorrow, time for a break.
      "Evening, Meaghan." Meren, smiling, stuck her head into the library as the brunette was about to leave.
      "Hi," Meaghan returned the smile; she liked the pretty little female, especially since her quiet support over the Kaz incident.
      "Are you busy?" Meren enquired. "Mr Monk would like to have a word with you if you're not."
      "No, no plans yet." Meaghan smiled, suppressing the flare of apprehension.
      "Good - I'll take you to his office now."

Meren chatted to Meaghan on the way, asking her about her current restoration. Meaghan was happy to have the distraction, she couldn't help feeling a little concerned about this meeting. Was it about Kaz? As far as she knew she'd not let anything slip...
      Meren grinned to herself. Meaghan looked and *felt* so worried…
      "I don't think it's anything to worry about."
      The librarian shot her a startled look.
      "It's not that obvious, is it?" She took a deep, steadying breath.
      The vourdaka laughed.
      "Yes, but don't worry about it."
      "Right, thanks." Meaghan chuckled but made the effort to smooth out her features anyway.
      They reached Mr Monk's office. Meren tapped on the door, waited for a reply then ushered in the librarian.
      Meaghan's polite smile froze on her face - Kaz was sitting relaxed in a chair beside Mr Monk's desk.
      Peridien inclined his head gravely, gesturing the librarian to another chair.
      "Please, Ms Govern, be seated."
      Kazestrel eyed Meaghan, calmly meeting her wide-eyed stare.
      "Greetings, librarian. I trust you are recovered from your ordeal."
      Meaghan blinked then half-smiled at him.
      "Quite recovered, thank you." She glanced at Mr Monk. "You wished to see me, sir?"
      Peridien smiled.
      "Actually, it is Kazestrel who wishes to see you." Meaghan's eyebrows lifted a fraction, then she shifted slightly in the chair, angling herself to face the - quite beautiful, she realised belatedly - alien. She tilted her head politely: not knowing what to say the librarian elected to wait and let him speak first.
      The Fohmatraan glanced at Peridien, who nodded, gathered up Meren, and left the room. Alone with the heartling, Kazestrel regarded her for long moments, automatically noting the tiny signs of nervousness - less than he'd expected, which was all to the good.
      "What do you wish to know?"
      "Where do I start?" Meaghan dared to grin. "Where do you come from? How did you get here? Why are you here? Is it just your species and mine in the universe?" She stopped herself, smiling ruefully. "Please excuse me, once my curiosity is piqued I have to know everything."
      Kazestrel nodded.
      "I had thought as much." He paused, expression pensive - how much would be safe to tell her? "No, we are not the only two species. And I am here because sentience was detected on your world."
      Meaghan couldn't help it, she giggled.
      "'Sentience was detected'? That could be taken to imply there's even more intelligent intelligences out there than us. There's some on Heart wouldn't take kindly to that thought!" She shook her head, impatient with herself. "How many species, though? Are they all humanoid? Bipedal?" She frowned, "A species' characteristics would depend on the planet where they evolved, wouldn't it? And I know it's been theorised there's... multitudes of different planets out there." She shook her head again. "I'm sorry, I'm babbling, but I can't help thinking that actually meeting an alien is too good to be true and I want to get as many questions in as possible." Meaghan smiled at him. "Is there anything you'd like to ask me while we're at it?"
      He ignored the invitation to question her - she was revealing enough about herself without the need for conversation. "We have recorded 174,203 sentient-inhabited worlds throughout the galaxy, to date. Of those, 2,211 support indigenous… humanoid, as you would put it… lifeforms."
      The librarian's mouth dropped open.
      "... Wow..." She recovered quickly though. "What are the rest like? Do you have um, images of some of them? I admit my imagination's galloping ahead - too many science fiction novels in my formative years, obviously."
      "Images are available, yes." He was favourably impressed by the ease with which she accepted him, accepted the situation. It could bode well for the species' future.
      "I would love to see some of them, if I may."
      "I will consider your request…"
      A quiet knock on the door, and Peridien entered.
      "I'm sorry to interrupt. Mediator, your administrator wishes to speak with you."
      Kazestrel rose to his feet.
      "Thank you for your time, librarian. We will speak again."
      Meaghan also stood, a fraction of a second after him. Grey eyes widened when she finally appreciated how tall the alien was...
      "Thank you, sir," she grinned, almost feeling shy under the steady silver gaze. "It's been an honour meeting you."
      He inclined his head as Peridien ushered the heartling from the office.
      Outside, the vourdak regarded the wide-eyed and flushed Meaghan with some amusement.
      "Yes, he usually causes that sort of reaction."
      "He's..." the librarian, shook her head, "... astonishing." She beamed at her employer. "I feel very privileged."
      Peridien smiled. "As are we all." As they entered the foyer he paused. "It's late, Ms Govern. I trust you sleep well."
       Meaghan smiled softly at Mr Monk's retreating back: if you could say anything about her boss it was that his dismissals were always polite...

She was hungry, Meaghan realised, but then it had been how long since she'd last eaten? Better get something or Tahnia would come looking for her… the thought of the chef made Meaghan pause. It was probably a bad idea to spend any time with her friend just at the moment; euphoric as Meaghan was about meeting Kaz there was a greater chance she'd burble out something she shouldn't. Oh well, it wouldn't be difficult to sneak into the kitchen, grab some food then sneak back up to her room...
       "Y'all missed dinner again!"
       Meaghan almost winced at the sound of her friend's voice. As luck would have it, Tahnia was in the kitchen clearing up. Hands on hips, the dusky female paused in wiping down a bench to scowl at her.
       "I got caught up again." Meaghan shrugged an apology. "I'm sure it was delicious."
       "Delicious or not there's some things are better eaten while they're warm." Tahnia clucked at her, frowning. "Y'all gonna wear away to nothing at this rate."
       "Hardly!" The librarian laughed. "Not with you chasing me up if I miss a meal."
      The smaller female smirked, prowling purposefully towards Meaghan.
      "Ah'd hate for you to lose your curves, honey."
       "Very considerate, I'm sure," Meaghan grinned and stroked the chef's smooth cheek, tucking a gleaming black curl behind her ear.
      "C'mon, let's get you fed," Tahnia turned her head to kiss Meaghan's palm, "and then we can go play."
       The librarian sighed regretfully.
       "I'm sorry, love, I'm half-asleep on my feet."
       "Y'all work too hard." the chef grumbled.
       "What can I say?" Meaghan grinned. "I love my job."
       Tahnia's dark eyes narrowed.
       "We've got our off-time comin' up, remember? Y'all better not be too tired for that!"
       "I'll pace myself." Meaghan assured her friend with a smile. "Now..." she said briskly, "what can I have to eat?"

Tahnia had insisted Meaghan sit down for her meal then stayed with her throughout. The women chatted about their upcoming time off, making plans for the short trip down the coast from Whalebay and smirking at Jhon's naïve belief he was going to be spending his time fishing. When Meaghan had finished eating Tahnia kissed her cheek, wished her a good night then sent her on her way with a playful slap to the behind. Meaghan grinned and almost changed her mind about her friend's offer to play, but no, she really needed this little time to herself to assimilate what she'd experienced earlier this evening with Kaz. Meaghan smirked, grey eyes gleaming; there was always tomorrow...

The librarian lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. The moon was coming up to full again and Meaghan had left the window coverings open to take advantage of the silvery light bathing the island. The moon was beautiful but it couldn't compare to the... shimmer of Kaz' hair, or his eyes. A part of her still couldn't comprehend what had happened. Aliens were the province of writers and others with overactive imaginations, that'd she actually met one was staggering. But then again, Kaz wasn't that alien, undoubtedly not from this planet but not disconcertingly different. Meaghan grinned to herself, it would be interesting to see her reaction if she met another type of alien, one that looked like a blob of mucus perhaps, or like one of the big, ferociously armoured insects native to Verbank, the ones she knew were harmless but still startled her when they leapt out suddenly from where they'd been lurking.
      Meaghan rolled onto her side, the better to watch the moon's slow rise. Where was this all going though? The fact that something so momentous had happened to her should mean something equally momentous was to follow shouldn't it? The librarian frowned at herself - that was just a reaction to the rush of excitement - what was more likely to happen was that she'd carry on with her life here, do her work until she was no longer needed, then leave and find another job somewhere else. Just because she'd experienced one miracle in her life didn't mean there'd be more. Be nice if there was, though - Meaghan snuggled into her pillow with a small sigh - it'd almost seem like a waste if nothing much else happened in her life. Meaghan could see the road of her existence stretching before her and now, for the first time, she wondered where it would lead...

As the door closed the Fohmatraan turned to the sliding panel that hid the access to the underground corridor leading from Underhill to the security room and the main library - Ffarsa's solution to Kazestrel's need to be able to move quickly between the levels. Moments later, relieving Jimain at the security console, he gazed at Lasqendeamyl's face on the communications screen.
      The Caelixiin looked a little harried.
      "I trust I did not interrupt anything important." Without waiting for a reply the administrator folded long digits together on his desk and eyed Kazestrel warily. "Jadanareior has requested your aid for his forthcoming assignment, a somewhat delicate matter on Triptith."
      The Fohmatraan blinked, then shook his head.
      "I have stated my intention to remain here for the next seven local years. I cannot leave the terminal unattended."
      "It would not be. Kelendris has offered to take over for you for the duration of the mission."
      "Please thank Kelendris for me. I remain here."
      "Jadanareior is insisting that as one of the original team, you are by far the best person to assist him."
      The only person, the Fohmatraan thought bitterly, since Triskayen and Vrelissyn are no longer… here… He shook his head again, a little more forcefully.
      "I must refuse."
      Lasqendeamyl nodded resignedly.
      "I knew you would. You understand I had to make the attempt."
      "Of course." He thought for a moment. "Can Kafraxis be spared? He would make an ideal substitute."
      "It really requires a corps-trained Fohmatraan… Jaivrenan perhaps."
      Kazestrel nodded; he'd met Jaivrenan several times. The older Fohmatraan was even-tempered and tactful: his colouring - faintly green-tinged bronze skin, mane and eyes a rich orange-gold flecked with silver - would appeal to the artists, and his incisive mind to the scientists… "What is the mission?"
      The Caelixiin scowled.
      "Something we should have seen coming. The scientists have asked us to mediate what they term a 'truce' between themselves and the artistic class - I understand they're tired of having to deal through arbitrators. The artists are of course horrified and refusing to even consider the idea… Fortunately the scientific community has not - yet - refused access to its technology, but we anticipate it happening if we do not at least make the effort. And that would not please Mazc."
      Kazestrel's eyes half closed in thought.
      "You might consider denying the artists access to art in the Collective. As we discovered, sometimes a veiled threat can serve the purpose more usefully than rational debate. The artists did not like confrontation when we were there - I assume the same is true now."
      Lasqendeamyl nodded.
      "They haven't changed. I'll tell Jadanareior: he won't like it, but he will listen." He sighed and smiled. "All is well there?"
      "As usual. The details will be in my report."
      "And in yourself?" His petalled eyes softened minutely. "Are you well?"
      Kazestrel lowered his gaze.
      "I… endure. I have sufficient distractions to keep me fully occupied. And I like it here."
      "Good… Your kin send their greetings, as does the corps. You are missed, but we understand your reasons for staying."
      "Thank you."
      A faint chime sounded in the Caelixiin's far-distant office, and he sighed, the personal moment at an end.
      "I will speak to you soon. Our best wishes for the success of your… first contact."
      Smiling, the Fohmatraan closed the connection. Now he had to seek out Meren and *see* what she had *picked up* during his brief conversation with Meaghan…