Chapter 14: The Emperor Uses Public Transportation

"I have a feeling Zotheans don't take baths, so this is a privilege only humans have." She chuckled. Laurel nodded in approval. 

"You really are highly intelligent and adaptable." She had wonder in her voice. "It's rather weird. They take dust baths," Laurel giggled. 

Logan smelled pretty good, so those must have worked. 

"You let Logan court you." The words were said more as a statement. "Good on you." 

"Well, he said it was like dating. As a teenager, I always thought if I could date a man who had the soul of a cat, so..."

"Well. You like cats but usually, women aren't able to resist Zotheans. And Logan... he's a wonderful guy. If you take him as your mate, he'll make sure you get everything you want to make you happy."

"I could see that he gets upset when he thinks I am dissatisfied," Ellis told her. "I was a little shocked by the whole slave thing." 

"Be careful about that," Laurel warned in a low voice. "Zothean males are very touchy about women getting friendly with Kolns."

Ellis shrugged. "So, women cheat on their mates here too. So much for having very persuasive alphas." Well, that wasn't different here. 

"Well, Kolns can't get women pregnant. So, no unplanned pregnancies. Women only get pregnant with their mates. Don't ask me the science," Laurel shrugged. 

"Oh my." Ellis sipped on some coffee. "Do Kolns get married? Is there anything like adoption here?" 

"Kolns don't marry. They aren't allowed to."

Ellis's eyes fired up. "Aren't allowed to mate because they can't reproduce, right?"

Laurel nodded. "Don't start..." she groaned. "I know... there aren't enough women to sustain the species, so... it's a state of emergency at this point." But it didn't seem like they had done much to find out why the female population died away or how to facilitate the birth of females.

- - - - -

Dinner was a grand affair. She found out that she had to ask people to stand up because they bowed down when they saw her. It was a grand but unsettling experience. If she had some time, she would get these people to drop formalities. 

During dinner, she heard some unsettling conversation. Logan was speaking to his brother and friend about a war. She waited until they were done before asking Logan. 

"Is there some kind of war going on?" she whispered. 

"Yes. The rebellion. It started when my parents were on the throne. They are protesting against my rule for now." Logan stared at her face trying to understand her expression. 

"What is the condition right now? How is it affecting the economy and safety of the people?" Ellis asked in a worried voice. 

"I have contained the economic effect for now and the citizens are safe. But there is still an element of danger." He stopped and thought about what he was going to say. "Especially to the royalty. With Nin by your side, you will be safe," he proclaimed. 

"That's not what I was asking," Ellis said hurriedly. "I want to know... where is the civil war?"

Logan tried to explain. "Have you seen the solar system yet?" Ellis shook her head. "So far the rebellion is contained in the seventeenth planet. I'll show you once we are in our nest." 

Ellis nodded. Dinner was done. 

"What are we doing after this?" Ellis asked, looking at him curiously. 

"You wanted to see my world, didn't you?" He tilted his head to the side, his tail up in the air. "I'm going to take you out to see the planet."

Ellis smiled. How could she resist this offer?

Logan took her back to the nest so that she could change into more appropriate clothes. She rushed into the wardrobe and tried to find the warmest clothes she could find. She was going to burst from excitement. The wool-like material was as warm as those thick coats. She even found some nice socks to go with them. 

Ellis was sweating by the time Logan helped her put on a cloak. Logan didn't put on any extra clothes, though and she was a little envious. The thing that she was most curious about was the sandals. She really wanted one. 

But she couldn't speak up.

Logan went towards a box in the wardrobe and pulled out an electrical ring. Ellis only realized it was a high-tech leash for the Koln when Logan put it around his neck. 

"You can't do that," she protested softly. "That's... not right." She gulped when Logan turned to her with confusion. More than confusion, she saw discomfort in his eyes. 

"It's the law to collar them when they are on the surface," he said carefully. "I can take it out if you want," he compromised. 

Ellis nodded quickly. "Thank you." Laurel had been right, Logan would do anything to make her happy. 

"Don't wander away," Logan warned the smaller Zothean. 

"Yes, Emperor." He gave Ellis a small smile. 

When Laurel had told her she would be treated like a princess without hands of feet, Ellis had wanted to run away. But as she climbed the endless stairs to the surface, she really wanted someone to appear with an elevator. 

Ellis really thought she was in good shape, so she comforted herself by saying the gravity was higher on the planet. The layers of clothes didn't help either. Logan must have noticed that she was breathing heavily, so he stopped and scooped her up without a word, carrying her like she weighed nothing. 

She was already embarrassed, but then she saw people at the top of the stairs. She hid her face in his chest until Logan came to a stop. She could see an unmanned train with all-glass walls. She looked at Logan incredulously. 

Well, the Emperor used public transportation. That was a surprise. Ellis was put down on soft cushions and she tucked her knees and watched outside. Logan sat cross-legged, watching her face. 

The vehicle began moving through a long tunnel until it suddenly emerged into the bright sunlight. Ellis hopped up in excitement. 

They moved through fields and meadows. The plants were humungous, the leaves along would work as boats. She craned her neck as high as she could to see the top of the plants. She shuddered when she saw a massive insect the size of a dog land on the window. She suddenly appreciated the sheltered life underground. 

She could figure from the lands that agriculture was a major industry. Not many livestock could be seen. The conical roofs meant to let the snow slide down looked beautiful dotted amongst the crops. Moreover, the herbivorous animals which somewhat looked like horses and cows were also seen. 

The vehicle stopped at a platform where a handful of people waited. 

"We're here," Logan announced, pulling her up and scooping her into his arms once again. The door slid open and they walked out. 

Ellis felt regret. She should have worn more clothes. The sharp wind bit against the exposed skin.