“What happened to the Gloom?” I asked. It was a rhetorical question. “They were destroyed after releasing the virus, weren’t they?”

I turned toward the women. “You’re to protect your king… and I’m sure others. Is this the best way to do it? What do you think the Volardi would do if you attack with another biological weapon?”

“There’s no guarantee they would know it originated from us,” they said in unison.

“Nor one that they won’t.”

“We didn’t create this to give to the Volardi. We’re not their servants. They’ve taken much of our planet.”

“One that would be empty if it wasn’t for us,” said Matros. “We took less than half.”

“And we’ll trade it back for respect and all Volardi off the planet,” shouted Fuath in the background.

I knew there was no way the Volardi would leave but maybe I could find a middle ground.

I spoke slowly to convey the hint. “Fuath is stressing out my baby. To keep him safe, we require privacy.”

Both women turned toward each other and stared hard. Whether it was telepathy or instinct, I don’t know.

Hope I didn’t push too much.

“We will find you a place to ensure the safety of your child as per our agreement.”

I let out a long breath I didn’t know I held.

It took a few minutes, before we entered another room and left Fuath’s shouts behind us. I’m not sure what room’s function was, but Aquatic Observatory could work. Instead of a roof, there was a large dome under various forms of oceanic life of all shapes and colors. Some darted back and forth quickly, while others meandered with the ocean current. I saw something large that reminded me of a lobster yet with squid-like tentacles.

I sat in a chair while I held my baby close. For now, he was quiet, and I hoped that would continue. Matros said I didn’t know how to engage in politics. Maybe that was true, but I wondered between us both, who was best at reading people.

I remembered the city politicians who came into my old hometown. They made all sorts of promises, yet none ever planted corn, fed pigs, or brushed a horse. They were too separated. Matros was a good king, but for the Volardi. I couldn’t claim moral superiority. My own country was America First. Other countries had similar policies with their individual allegiances. Still, the right ruler could make the difference. We needed someone… less angry. I love my man, but I wondered if he too had ‘water in the ears’ as Sammen would say.

Fuath and Matros for whatever reason, had a hateful animosity, which made it near impossible to talk to each other. Even when they could, they were both stubborn men. Hell, it’s our trait – even those that birth a kid.