Colonial Prime by KD Jones

try to observe their conversation.  With his best efforts he remained sitting forward in the co-pilot’s seat.  But he longed to know what they talked about.
    “ Are you okay?  You’ve been distant and distracted since after lunch,” Lizzie asked Lola.
    “ I can’t talk about it right now.”  Lola glanced quickly at LarIS to see if he was looking her way.  He didn’t.  She felt disappointed.  She may have messed things up with them for good.  A tear threatened to fall.  She closed her eyes hoping to hold back the sobbing that she so wanted to let go.
    Lizzie touched her shoulder gently.  She opened her eyes and turned her head to look at her friend ’s concerned face.
    “ I am here for you always.”
    “ Thanks, Lizzie.  I am not ready to talk about it yet.”
    “ Should we make an appointment with Dr. Garrett first thing when we get back?”
    She paused for a minute.  “ Yes.”
    Lizz ie nodded her hand and turned to look at the viewing screen.  Lola closed her eyes again and laid her head back against the seat.  She just wanted to forget everything for a while.  Just a little while.
    *****
    The next day LarIS walked into his meeting room.  Commander TylOR and AshOR were waiting for him.  “Good morning,” he greeted them.
    TylOR nodded his greeting , “Morning, sir.”
    LarIS sat down at the table.  “ Thank you for meeting with me so early.”
    “ Is this about the Morins?” AshOR asked.  His normal relaxed expression turned serious.
    “ Partly.  We will discuss the Morins in a few minutes.  The first part of this meeting is about you, AshOR?”
    “ Me?” he questioned in surprise.
    “ Yes.  I spoke with the Colonial High Council.  It is agreed that if Commander TylOR thinks you are ready, then you can be released from the punishment and may return to the Colony again.”
    His eyes lit up.  “ Will I get my old position back?”
    “ No.  The council feels that you should not be a co-leader again because you took advantage of your position and endangered a breeding female.”
    “ I understand.”  Some of AshOR’s excitement died.
    “ So, I recommended that you become a commander instead.”
    AshOR looked up at him.  “ I accept.”
    LarIS raised his hand.  “ But this is only if Commander TylOR feels that you are ready to be released from his command.”  Both males turned their head to look at TylOR.
    TylOR looked at his younger brother.  The male had irritated him from day one.  But he was a fine warrior and would make a great commander one day.  But is this the day?
    “He is ready,” TylOR said.
    “ Commander AshOR, welcome back to the Colony.”
    “ Thank you, Leader LarIS.”  AshOR paused before he spoke again, “Thank you, Commander TylOR.”  That sure hurt to say.
    “ Now that that is settled, let’s talk about the Morins.”
    *****
    Dr. Garrett looked between the two women before her.  They had requested an immediate session with her as soon as they came back from visiting the mountain villagers.  But then they have said nothing for almost ten minutes.
    “ Did you want us to postpone this for a later date?” Dr. Garrett signed.  She was getting better with it.  Soon Lizzie would not be needed to interpret for them.
    Lizzie was the one that spoke first , “Lola has been acting very reserved ever since the village.”
    “ Did something happen there that upset you?” Dr. Garrett asked.
    Lola looked down at her hands as she signed her response , “We kissed.”
    Lizzie looked at her in shock.  “ You and Leader LarIS?”
    Lola nodded.
    “Was that unpleasant for you?” Dr. Garrett asked, motioning gently for Lizzie to remain quiet.
    “ No, I liked the kissing quite a bit.  He’s a really great kisser.”
    “ Was there more than kissing?”
    Lola nodded her head.  Then she signed , “That’s when the problems started.”
    “ Describe what happened from the moment you first kissed to the moment when things went bad.”
    “ We