All That Glitters

All That Glitters -- Ch 44

Liramor-23 gets royal visits. Contact starts with the Maha-Rrin.

The Asoc of the Asocans, The Kumar-Pair of the Pod-Drran, and the President of the Union, all at once! Preparations are made and contact begins with the Maha-Rrin.

© bigtddybr February 2022. This story 'All That Glitters - Ch 44' or the series 'All That Glitters' cannot be transferred to any other site besides Literotica.com in whole or in part without the prior authorizations in writing from the author and bigtddybr must be credited for this work.

Due to the number of abbreviations, ship listings, and list of characters, in this story, I include a glossary that is now in a stand-alone chapter called

'All That Glitters: Notes'

. Any and all information that you want or need to know about the series is included in Notes. It will be updated frequently simply by re-issuing the chapter to Literotica.

There is little attempt to explain the back story, so it is necessary to read previous chapters to fully understand where we are.

As before, I claim sole responsibility for the story line. This story is a fantasy, with no basis in reality. Any similarity that you may perceive to current events, people, or situations real or imaginary is completely unintended. Look no further than the story line for its intent and purpose.

A big shout out to SaddleRider and my other editors, who wish to remain anonymous, for all their help.. With their guidance, I'm making fewer and fewer errors. If you find any errors still left in this chapter, they are mine, as I have ignored sage advise to make a silly point.

Please rate and comment. But keep your comments respectful. If you rant and rave or are disrespectful in your commentary, it will be deleted.

'Nuff said...enjoy.

Malihan Regional Hospital, Green's World, Harn System

, Twenty Light Years from Terra

Dr. Stephanie Brighton was just that, bright. And also extremely curious. She had recently seen the story of Junelliya's prophecy from Pod-La, the Goddess of the Pod-Drran. The proclamation still ran through her mind:

"There will be four in this brood, two males and two females, though one of the females will not survive long after birth. This brood will be exceptional in its growth, especially its mental growth, more so the female.

"The female will be the Light that will guide the combined people of the Pod-Drran and the Maha-Rrin, who must come together to move forward within the Community of Sentients.

"Learn from the humans and you will be granted status quickly. Ignore them, and the people will fail to take their place within the Community of Sentients, they will wither and die alone on the planets they live on."

The last line was the key, Stephanie was sure. She had come back to Malihan Hospital with a purpose. She looked at some of the samples of the Pod-Drran DNA and was not pleased by what she saw. She needed more information.

Stephanie took the samples to the maternity ward and asked them for their professional opinion. Not long after, she had her answer. She immediately booked the conference room.

************

Dr. Morina Holdar, Chief Teaching Doctor of Surgery, was not pleased to have an Intern call for her presence in the conference room using an emergency protocol. She met Dr. Aurelie Pendame, Administrator for the hospital, coming from the opposite direction as they arrived at the door to the room.

"Do you have any idea what is happening?" Morina asked of her friend and superior.

"None. This had better be good, or I will ensure that it takes another year for this Intern to earn her certificate," Aurelie growled.

They were surprised to see the Chief of the Maternity Ward and several senior laboratory techs in the room, as well as most of the Pod-Drran currently at the hospital, including Ambassador Kome-Nar Sai-Ro. They took their assigned seats and waited.

Stephanie had the doors closed and turned on the privacy lights, securing the room.

"I shall start this with a brief vid that is the prophecy proclaimed by Junelliya Harlen to Kumaraie Na-Maj Se-lam Pod-Raie," she stated and threw the vid to the large monitor. Many of the Pod-Drran had not seen the prophecy proclaimed and the humans were surprised when they all took a knee at the end.

"Now for the reason for this meeting," Stephanie said. "It all hinges on the last statement by Junelliya: 'Learn from the humans and you will be granted status quickly. Ignore them, and the people will fail to take their place within the Community of Sentients, they will wither and die alone on the planets they live on'.

"That made me curious. Why would they wither and die? Would they not simply live on as they have? The more I thought about it, the more curious I became.

"So I checked some of the DNA samples. I was disturbed by what I thought I had found and brought it to the Maternity specialists to enlist their expertise. Dr. Malinda Matay, if you please?"

"I will get right to the point," Dr. Matay stated. "Stephanie brought us a story and some of her findings. She did not trust herself to make a decision based on her own findings, which is bullshit if you ask me. Her findings were spot on...

"I had our techs look at the DNA of the Pod-Drran. The Pod-Drran are an old people, having existed in this current form for 300,000 years of their known history and probably as long before their recorded history started. They have been isolated on their current planet for some 24,000 years.

"Their history indicates that a few hundred thousand of their people came to their planet Pod-Saar. Many of those were lost in the next few decades as they fought to tame the planet.

"The gist of this is that the Pod-Drran are in a position where their DNA is now being subjected to issues from inbreeding. Effectively, the Pod-Drran are a dying species. They need an influx of new DNA to assist them.

"From the prophecy, I suspect that the Maha-Rrin are in the same boat. The two halves of the people can help each other, or slowly perish as more and more inbreeding occurs," Dr. Matay finished.

There was shocked silence in the room.

"What would we expect to see as evidence of this?" Dr. Pendame asked.

"There are a number of diseases that are particular to inbreeding, including problems with deformities, brittle bones, high fetal and infant mortality soon after birth. Here is a list of possible issues." Matay sent the list to the monitor.

"Dr. Kayl-Ur, are any of these items current problems with the Pod-Drran?" Dr. Pendame inquired.

"Yes, almost all of them. We have speculated for some time about why we are seeing these things more frequently," Kayl admitted.

"Are you saying that we have just confirmed a prophecy, Malinda?" Dr. Pendame demanded.

"It would appear so, Aurelie," Dr. Matay confirmed.

"We must contact Liramor-23," Kome-Nar said. "Pod-Saar is supposed to have ICS installed soon but I have no idea when 'soon' will be. The embassy can get a message to the home world swiftly enough. Can I ask for your support during this call?"

"Absolutely, ambassador," Dr. Pendame assured him.

Kome-Nar opened the link using the emergency code...

Interspecies Embassy Conference Room, Juliet Deck, Liramor-23, 109 Piscium System, 106 Light Years from Terra

Nar-Tre was sitting in a rather boring session of the Interspecies Embassy bi-weekly meeting when she received the emergency signal from her husband. She immediately opened the call, fearing the worst had happened.

"Kome-Nar! Are you all right?" Nar-Tre asked, worried.

"I am, and I am not, my mate," Kome-Nar answered cryptically. "The staff here at Malihan Hospital has just confirmed a prophecy by Junelliya, made to and about the Kumaraie's brood."

"The humans have confirmed this?" Nar-Tre asked, now very worried by the look on Kome-Nar's face.

"One of our rather bright young doctors, her name proceeding her, was curious about the prophecy when she heard it. She thought there was only one way that it could come to fulfillment. The staff here has confirmed her curiosity. We need to urgently get a message to the Imperial Palace," Kome-Nar advised.

"I suggest that Dir. Fiona Marsh, and the Atohan, be among those in this call," Nar-Tre directed. Pod-Saar has recently had the ICS installed. We can call them direct."

Nar-Tree turned to the other ambassadors.

"Ambassadors, if I could retain this conference room? Dir. Marsh, if you could ask for the presence of the Atohan?" Nar-Tre asked as she called up the Imperial Palace, using the emergency code. By they time she had the connection made, with Malihan Hospital and the Imperial Palace, Junelliya had entered the room, Juneya riding her shoulder. The Kumaraie's face appeared on half of the monitor.

The Kumaraie noted, on her end, that Nar-Tree was with Dir. Marsh and the Atohan, and Kome-Nar was with many of the Pod-Drran medical specialists at Malihan Hospital and some of the humans as well.

"Nar-Tre? Is there an issue with the procedures?" the Kumaraie asked, suddenly becoming nervous.

"No, My Kumaraie," Kome-Nar said with a low bow that was followed by all the Pod-Drran around him.

"We have been visited again by prophecy, My Kumaraie. This is Dr. Stephanie Brighton; she was curious about the prophecy that Atohan made. She looked at the DNA of the Pod-Drran and found something she did not like. She brought her findings to the maternity specialists at Malihan, I believe you remember Dr. Matay?" Kome-Nar asked, pointing her out.

"The one who imaged my brood, I remember," she replied. She gave a nod of her head and a Pod-Drran smile to the doctor.

There was no answering smile. The Kumaraie sat up a little straighter.

"Please let me know what is happening," she asked. Kome-Nar gave Dr. Matay the floor.

"Kumaraie Na-Maj Se-lam Pod-Raie," Dr. Matay began formally, which only heightened the Kumaraie's fear. "When our Intern, Dr. Brighten came to us with her suspicions, we were initially sceptical. However, a more extensive look from our experts only confirmed her suspicions.

"The DNA of the Pod-Drran is showing extensive degradation issues. We see this in inbreeding of a species. The only cure for this is an influx of new DNA.

"The Maha-Rrin are likely in the same position as the Pod-Drran and probably need the influx of new DNA as well. The prophecy stated that 'If the two halves do not come together, both halves will die alone on their planets,'. We now have confirmation of this part of the prophecy," Dr. Matay finished.

"What are the symptoms of this 'inbreeding'?" the Kumaraie asked.

"There are many things that can happen. Oddly shaped offspring, brittle bones, non-viable fetuses, non-viable births where the infant does not live long after birth..."

Dr. Matay was interrupted by a shocked exclamation from the Kumaraie and Junelliya who both brought their hands up to cover their mouths.

"I apologize, Kumaraie, I did not think. Part of the prophecy states that one of your offspring will not survive long after birth..." Dr. Matay stated, quietly.

"My Kumaraie, we must contact the Maha-Rrin and give them this new prophecy and the information that Malihan Hospital has just provided. It is time to unite the people. But, the admonition of the Goddess says that the two halves should not interfere with each other..." Nar-Tree stated.

"That is not quite true, Nar-Tre," the Kumaraie said. "Then Goddess once proclaimed: 'There will come a time where the two halves must come together to save the future'. I believe that time is now, especially with the confirmation of the prophecy provided by the Atohan.

"We must contact the Maha-Rrin and convince them that it is necessary for the people to come together again. This contact mission has now become urgent..."

Piscium Family Quarters, Lima Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

Guinevere was sitting on the couch with Juneya on her lap later that day. The Cat was in ecstasy at having a young human that could play with her all to herself, which kind of upset the other Cats. Fayea and Hanaya were flittering around trying to find a place to land on the girl but were hissed at by Juneya each time they got close. Hanaya finally decided to land on Junelliya, who was breastfeeding Zarrenia and Fayea landed on the floor near Ikekia. Hanaya cooed down at Zarrenia, whose eyes got very big as she took her in. That caused Guinevere to giggle.

"Are they always so jealous?" she asked.

"Always," Junelliya told her with a smile. "However, Juneya is the dominant Cat of the Pod. What she says goes. That is why the other two are now where they are."

"So, as long as they do not go against Juneya, all is peaceful?"

"Oh, you do not want to see a dominance fight with Cats," Junelliya warned. "With their teeth and claws, they can get quite bloody. Usually, an older dominant Cat will bow out of a Pod and select a human to bond with permanently in order to allow for a transition of dominance. Cats are quite intelligent and know when it is time to bow out.

"When one Cat decides that she wants to be the Matriarch, she will challenge the dominant Cat. If there is a large disparity of dominance between the two, the new Cat will bow to the older Cat or vice-versa. However, if they are close in terms of dominance, they will fight. It can last for hours and it is not uncommon for one or both of the Cats to die during the battle," Junelliya explained. "These three Cats are of the same age and young, which means that Juneya can be expected to be the dominant Cat for some time."

"Are all the dominant Cats female?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes," Junelliya replied. "Like the Pod-Drran and the Asocan's, the females are bigger and meaner than the males of the species. They are also usually more powerful in their empathic abilities. That makes them the dominant gender for Cats."

The door chimed and Hanalei went to open it. Two Toolend and Dr. Maya came in.

"Good day, Augraf, Mayute," Elizabeth said. That surprised Hanalei, who could never make out which of the Toolend was which.

"How did you know?" Hanalei asked.

"Mayute has the Ambassador's armband," Guinevere quipped, smiling. It was an old joke that she found was only used in the Piscium's home, however, she always liked hearing it, and saying it.

"Ha, ha," Hanalei replied cheekily, but smiling inwardly at how much Guinevere had opened up since arriving on Liramor-23.

The two Toolend noted the presence of Kurr and Utan>, from the Asocan embassy and Dr. Marla and Nurse Meela from the Byandi embassy.

"We are here to see the children," Meela gushed, happily, explaining the presence of the Byandi who were on the floor with Ikekia. For some reason that nobody could understand, the Byandi had an affinity with human children, making the openness of the Piscium family very popular with their kind on Liramor-23.

"Hanalei promised to make my favorite meal tonight," Kurr rumbled, while Utan> nodded enthusiastically. She had tagged along when Kurr had told her of how good Hanalei's cooking was.

"We're going to have to open a restaurant," Hanalei said to Junelliya, getting a bark of a laugh.

"Why does Hanalei owe you a meal?" Mayute asked, curious.

"I have been teaching Beth our language," Kurr rumbled. "She is surprisingly adept." He always had trouble saying Elizabeth, as it was a tongue twister to most Asocans, so had her permission to use the short form of her name, which was easier for him to say.

"Mother has, apparently, always been good with languages," Guinevere explained.

The Toolend looked at each other and then at Elizabeth.

"May we touch your mind?" Augraf asked of Elizabeth, who gave her consent having seen her daughter being touched by the Toolend and noting no ill effects.

The two approached and placed a tentacle on either side of her forehead. She had expected them to be slimy, however, they were anything but. The Toolend spent a few moments touching her mind, which was a unique feeling for Elizabeth. She found it somewhat of a disappointment when they broke the link and it showed on her face, bringing a giggle from her daughter and Dr. Maya, who understood what had just happened.

"Your Mother has the spark," Augraf explained to Guinevere and those present. "We had wondered where you got your telepathy, Clotticod (a Toolend term of affection meaning 'little one' usually used for family members). It is very unusual for it to suddenly appear so strong in a species. Your mother has the spark; however, she will likely never further develop her telepathy. She is like many of our young, who have the spark but never move forward in their abilities."

"You, Guinevere, have been given the spark by your Mother and have surpassed her in capabilities as your spark has grown to a more competent form of telepathy," Mayute continued. "The spark explains why your Mother is so good with languages and also why she was able to identify us as we entered this space."

Guinevere squeaked and ran to embrace her mom, upsetting Juneya who had to swiftly climb up onto her shoulder, scolding the girl for disturbing her nap. The Cat endured the embrace with the two woman, and even let the older pet her head, something that she would only do with strong empaths or her own family members.

"Oh, Mum, I am so happy for you!" Guinevere gushed.

"Hug!" someone called out and everyone turned to Ikekia, who was holding her hands up while sitting on her blanket on the floor, her toys and the Byandi suddenly forgotten. Whenever hugs were given, Ikekia always demanded her fair share.

That brought laughter to all and Guinevere was the first to pick the child up and hug her before passing her around. Even Kurr held the child, and the Toolend made a hammock of pairs of their tentacles for the child to sit in. She was content when Urano finally came to collect her, having gotten hugs from everyone but her Mamma, who was busy cooking and her Mommy, who was busy with her little sister. Ikekia knew her mothers would see to her soon enough.

Guinevere returned to the couch, but Juneya jumped up and floated over to Junelliya, displacing Hanaya, who immediately scooted over to claim Guinevere.

"Is it time for my training?" Guinevere asked of the Toolend, wondering why they were here.

"It is; however, food comes first," Augraf stated. "We find that when the student is content, they tend to perform better."

"That's good, because supper is ready," Hanalei stated, placing a large pot on the extended table. Everyone took a place at the table except the Toolend. The Toolend did not eat with other members of the Interspecies Community. Their mouth parts were situated in the center of their 'pad', the portion of their body that their tentacles attached to and was under their bodies. It was often unnerving for other species to see Toolend eat, putting food up between their tentacles and hearing the crunching noises that ensued...

After the meal, which Utan> happily gushed about, Guinevere was playing with Ikekia and helping her stand and walk a few steps.

"How old is Ikekia now?" she asked.

"A little over ten months. She is starting to stand on her own and take tentative steps." Hanalei told her.

"I think she is ready for more than just tentative steps," Guinevere stated. She helped the child stand, then took a few steps backward and held her hands out to Ikekia, who clumsily walked toward her, a bright smile on her face. She made it into the embrace of the older girl who gave her a warm hug and words of congratulations.

Dr. Marla sat down where Ikekia had started her walk and called to her. Ikekia turned and stumbled over to the Byandi, getting another warm hug.