The Kloog? Olivia hadn't learned much more about them during her studies in the Clan Alpha house. The Pure Bloods' historic enemies had been given one small nameless footnote in their history texts, but Drucinda was implying the Kloog still existed as a menace. Now, she felt a twinge of guilt for trying to blow up the Alphans' dilapidated spaceship during the rebellion. Could it be the fear the Pure Bloods felt wasn't based solely on their ancestors' horror stories but on a very real and present danger?
Drucinda continued. "In a council very similar to this one, Clan Alpha was given the task of maintaining the defensive device, and they did so for many thousands of cycles. However, over time, increasingly violent storms caused the desert sands to cover it, and we lost the knowledge of how the device worked. We maintained the fiction of its existence and usability to provide a level of comfort for our people—all our peoples—to have and to hold onto so we would not dread the coming ages."
Olivia narrowed her eyes, incredulous at Drucinda's logic. It acted like sort of a Great Wall of China? The device might not prevent the barbarians from raiding, but it could make them think twice about it. How good could a useless defensive weapon be? Sooner or later the other side would find out it was defunct and attack. Olivia felt sick to her stomach with dread, and she assumed most of the room did as well.
"We have received data from Earth's space agencies since our opening of relations with the governments of Earth indicating the long ago enemy is still searching for us," Drucinda explained. "Word of BloodDark's inhabitants has been communicated across thousands of open channels on Earth. The enemy will undoubtedly be monitoring Earth's communications. As the keeper of this protective device, Clan Alpha feels obligated to repair and maintain it once again for the good of all."
Annara jumped to her feet and scowled at Drucinda. "So, why didn't you come clean about your ignorance and ask for help from the other clans? Why wait until now to tell the rest of us we're under the threat of attack by the Kloog?"
The Pure Bloods in the chamber flinched and screeched at the mention of the ancient rivals, their high pitch shrieks sounding like bat swarm in flight. Drucinda placed a hand on her chest, took a deep breath and calmed herself before she could speak again. "We do not say the name. It gives power to the enemy to say their name, so please..."
"If you need to sit down now, priestess, here you go." Caveman offered her his chair. "I believe one of your kinsmen can give the rest of the information."
Drucinda accepted Caveman's gallant offer and sat. Moreau rose and crossed to the podium. Olivia noticed his sullen glare and snarling upper lip didn't endear him to anyone in the room. She wondered what sort of story he'd weave to paint over the trespasses of his clan.
"It is true we did construct a smaller Portal," Moreau confirmed.
All eyes riveted to his face at the surprising admission. Not bad... He's using the guilty-but-we-had-to-do-it tactic. With his flowing blond hair and striking good looks, Moreau could have charmed his way out of any crime if he'd been captured by the authorities on Earth. They would have thought he was human.
The more Olivia thought about it, the more Moreau's looks did appear more human than Pure Blood. The fullness of his face and the stronger chin, plus his mouth wasn't quite as small as most of his kind. His full lips hid his fangs well like Hernando's—but Hernando was a Quadsang, a quarter vampire, and not a Pure Blood. Olivia furrowed her brow. She was certain Moreau didn't qualify as Quadsang or Overseer, but perhaps he had been bred to blend in better with humanity? Was he to become a liaison between worlds, a way to interact with humans socially and not solely through diplomatic channels?
"We admit to selling priceless artifacts and artworks to the humans, but we only sold those belonging to Clan Alpha. It was...necessary...as our human contacts wanted financial recompense for the technology and tools needed to fix our protective device. Their demand for more money has stretched our resources to the limit, and so we have stopped selling our items and are attempting to repair the device with the technology we've managed to acquire. The recent energy pulses the Portal Control Center noticed were from our first tests of the weapon. Its power curve mimics a Portal transportation device, and it's built of similar components. The weapon isn't working at optimum levels yet, but we have hope.
The room buzzed with excitement. Olivia sensed the fear of an imminent attack by the Kloog had subsided somewhat, but what Moreau told them still didn't add up. Was this recent trading of artworks for technology the only trades going on? She knew how greedy and inquisitive human beings could be. Helping the Alphans to fix an ancient protective weapon would have intrigued her kind. They'd want to know more about it and how it worked—and how they could get their hands on one of their own.
Annara must have held the same doubts. She stood and addressed the assembly. "On behalf of the security division of the ruling council, I have many concerns about this protective weapon and Clan Alpha's plans on how to use it. However, first I must ask Moreau the questions all of us are eager to know the answers to—who are your contacts on Earth? Which governments do they represent, if any, and why the subterfuge? Surely Alphan pride alone cannot explain your hesitation to reach out to your fellow Pure Bloods for help before asking Earthers to become involved."
Dradix rose and nodded
