Page 28 of I Married A Syllen

“Whatever you need, message us, and we’ll make it happen,” Kayog concluded.

“Will do!” Mirella said with a mix of gratitude and enthusiasm.

We took flight, and my mate relaxed even more against me. I almost argued when she gathered her hair over her shoulder to keep it from whipping into my face. She didn’t realize how much I enjoyed it. However, it was the air of pure wonder on her face as she feasted her eyes on the land that affected me the most. You couldn’t fake that type of reaction. It explained why the land claimed her. Mirella truly loved this world, and it reciprocated.

“I can’t believe I’m actually here and seeing this in person,” she said with a thrill in her voice. “Mazeria is so incredibly beautiful. Before I finally got to come here, I’ve visited this planet countless times through holodecks. But the real thing is far more mesmerizing.”

I stiffened.

“Hollow dicks?” I repeated, confused.

I’d only ever heard the human Settlers use the word ‘dick’ as an insult or in reference to male genitalia.

My mate snorted and glanced at me over my shoulder with an amused expression. The sun catching in her hair almost made it glow. Despite her pointy nose instead of rounded like ours, my Mirella truly was pretty.

“Not dicks, decks! It’s a ho-lo-deck!” she exclaimed with a chuckle.

“Explain,” I said.

“It’s a special room that uses technology to create the illusion that you are in a completely different place than where you truly are and allows you to physically interact with that illusion,” she explained.

“Physically interact?! But it’s an illusion,” I argued, baffled.

She nodded. “Various systems handle the physical aspect of it all. You have a force field, which is an invisible energy that can mimic solid items, including their weight, texture, and resistance. There are replicators that can materialize real physical objects that you can use and even consume. Then the tractor beams invisibly push back against us to simulate pressure and gravity. And finally, there are environmental controls that adjust the temperature in the room based on circumstances, can simulate wind, and emit smells. So the illusion is perfect and ultra-realistic.”

“Wow, all this with technology inside a single room?” I asked, both impressed and intimidated.

“Yes. That’s a great way for people to safely experience things they couldn’t otherwise, or to visit worlds that are forbidden,” she explained.

“Mazeria isn’t forbidden,” I countered. “There are too many off-worlders here already.”

“Yes. But strict laws make it very difficult—if not nearly impossible—for random people to come to your planet. That’s why I was so scared when Professor Ludwig fired me. It took me years to secure the visa allowing me to come here,” she said softly. “And that was specifically the reason for the holodecks. People were upset when they canceled all the guided tours over your lands, nearly forty years ago.”

“After the Birdman and Torokso helped convince them to leave us alone,” I said with sudden understanding.

She nodded. “There used to be a pavilion there where tourists would come and rent Nordjarimms to fly over your land with virtual guides explaining your culture. Once Kayog helped prove that your people were awakening soon, we wanted to return your lands to the way they were when you went to sleep. So they did extensive scans of the area to recreate it in the holodecks and prevent people from going there anymore.”

“That’s a pleasant surprise,” I admitted, stunned. “My experience with off-worlders had not been one where they ever showed us any respect or consideration.”

“We’ve changed a lot since then. I’m not sure what’s currently happening, but I promise you that we do all try to respect your land and your people,” she said with conviction.

“I’m glad to hear it,” I said, despite the lingering doubt whispering that off-worlders as a whole should not be trusted.

“Speaking of which, where’s the distressed land?” Mirella asked.

“It’s at least another fifteen-minute flight from here.”

“Okay, that means I can continue to enjoy the view a while longer,” she said timidly.

I meant to say something pleasant about her loving my world, but my mouth had a mind of its own.

“Who is Doopelok Moniuk to you?” I blurted out. “Why does he have such a sense of entitlement and power over you?”

She made a disgusted face that stupidly pleased me.

“Technically, he’s my boss. Basically the person that I report to for my employment,” I explained. “He has a massive ego and is offended that you and your companions were nice to me while not showing him enough deference.”

I recoiled. “Why would we? He’s ignorant and stupid.”