The 12 tales of Christmas: A first impression
For the eighth tale of Christmas Skye asked of me…for number 8 plus the word Holly. It’s time for another edition of the 12 tales of Christmas. This time my friend Skye put in her fifty bits. She chose the number 8 and the word Holly. So, for this one we’re returning to the world of science fiction.
This time it’s for a fun and thought-provoking time. Daniel Bjarnsen, the CEO of the Yeger Hotel chain is about to have an important meeting. He’s about to meet his future father-in-law. Said person happens to be the Primus (The elected leader) of the Regarian Alliance. And his fiancée happens to be the Primus’ daughter.
What craziness will ensue you’ll have to see. Get ready for A First Impression.
A woman with purple skin, long silvery hair, and pointed ears looked over herself in the mirror. She wore a sparkling and very slinky, form fitting light blue dress. A slit on the left side showed off a little bit of leg. The woman also wore high-heeled shoes and a necklace that matched the dress.
Nearby a man dressed in a tuxedo with a string tie and a cowboy hat looked over the woman in admiration. The chestnut-haired male walked over and wrapped his arms around her. “You look incredible Star Flower,” he whispered.
She flashed a perky little smile. "Flattery will get you everywhere with me mister Daniel Bjarnsen.”
“Only because it’s true Shayna.” He added.
The woman looked over the engagement ring on her right hand. “I still don’t understand why you chose me Dan.” The green-eyed female said to her fiancée.
“Because you’re an incredible woman Shayna. Not to mention you got an incredible amount of patience with this southern boy.”
The woman smirked and stated, “I should be thanking you. The fact I'm the daughter of the Ragarian Alliance Primus hasn't freaked you out."
The cowboy hat wearing man let her go and she slunk an arm around one of his. “Well, let’s attend the big Christmas celebration darlin'.” Dan chimed.
Then the Texan added, “This is the night our peoples sign their alliance pact. I only hope I don’t start an intergalactic incident when I meet your father.”
The Ragarian woman looked at her fiancée and said in an assuring tone, “You’ll do fine, my father will love you.”
The two turned and headed for their hotel room exit. A few short minutes later they approached the hotel ballroom. Good thing we expanded here to Washington D.C. The hotel CEO noted.
Many well-armed personnel stood at the ready. One of the security people nodded. “Good evening, Mister Bjarnsen and Miss Kaylanex.” The guard greeted.
Daniel recognized the sandy blonde man in his mid-fifities. “Evening Clarence, how are things tonight?”
“The police and the hotel security have this place covered. I suspect no trouble will come our way, but we’ll be ready in case.”
The executive nodded and said, “I don’t expect anything less from my chief of security.”
Clarence nodded then returned to keeping an eye on things. The CEO of the Yeger Hotel chain turned back to his fiancée. “That’s one of the reasons I fell for you. You have a knack for paying attention to the details.” Shayna pointed out.
Daniel chuckled and said, “When you’re the head of a major up-and-coming hotel chain you have to.”
As they approached the double doors one of the attendants approached. “Good evening, Mister Bjarnsen and Miss Kaylanex. Ma’am your father the Primus awaits you inside.”
She nodded her thanks before the attendant went and opened the doors. Inside were many men and women, all dressed in formal attire. Many were human, but many more still were the purple-skinned Ragarian race. The two entered arm in arm before the doors closed. Nearby a jazz band were playing a slow and mellow version of carol of the bells.
The room had various Christmas ornamentation and lights. “I can’t believe my designer Amanda got 8 sets of Holly for many of the wall decorations.”
Shayna whispered, “You did say she could overdo things sometimes.”
The CEO nodded and said, “Yeah I did.”
Amid the crowd was a purple skinned man in a set of golden robes and boots. The man had a trimmed white mustache and beard. He'd tied his hair back into a braid. Daniel knew this was the formal attire of office for the Ragaraian Alliance. This gold attire was for the Primus of the Alliance.
Daniel felt his nerves pick up, this was the moment he had both feared and anticipated. This was the moment he met the man who would be his father-in-law. Looking at the engagement band on his own wrist he turned back to the crowd. “Nervous still chinatha?” Shayna asked using the Ragarian word for beloved.
The Texas man flashed a sheepish smile. “You got me ma’am.”
Again, she flashed an assuring smile. “You’ll do fine Dan, stay calm.”
The CEO took a breath to calm himself. “Well let’s do this,” he said.
The two approached the Primus who was in the middle of a conversation with someone. He noticed the two and said, “Senator Grant if you’ll excuse me.”
The leader then turned and approached. “Shayna my dear it’s good to see you.” He greeted.
She slipped out from Dan and walked over to clasp hands. Father and daughter touched foreheads to each other in the Ragarian family greeting. The woman then turned her father to the executive. “Foranthia, that is father this is my fiancée Daniel Bjarnsen of Texas.”
He took off his hat and bowed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you honored Primus.”
The Ragarian leader looked over the young man. “So, you are the one who my daughter has…the human term is…been gushing over.”
“I am Excellency,” the 30-year-old businessman confirmed.
Shayna looked around and said, “Father, I thought I saw Caria and Miya over by the musicians. I will see you later.”
Before the two could say anything, she headed off. The Primus sighed and said, “That’s my daughter, always in a rush to do things.”
The Texas man found himself at a loss for a moment. But then he decided to try the honest approach. “To be fair Excellency, I’ve had to ask her to stop because she’ll go off in a rush. And I have to get a hold of her to keep up with her.”
To his surprise the head of the Ragarian Alliance chuckled at this. “Yes, that sounds about right. Even as a little girl my daughter was always on the go looking to do something. Her mother could be much the same way.”
The CEO looked around and asked, “I hope I’m not being too intrusive Primus. But I’m curious on where your wife is?”
The man waved it off. “Oh, it’s not intrusive at all! She and her fleet are busy dealing with some Space Pirates around Valmir-4. I don’t know all the details, but these pirates are a nasty bunch.
"I could tell she hates not being here. But well…duty calls.”
“And we can’t always have everything we want.” The Texas man observed.
“A universal truth young Earthling.” The Primus acknowledged.
“So, I am curious about the man about to marry my daughter. I understand you’re the head of a prominent chain of hotels.”
The Texas man beamed with pride. This was something he never had any compunctions about speaking of. “Well, I don’t like to brag but my brother, sister and I have really taken this hotel to the next level. Our father started this hotel chain. But with business savvy and luck we took it to the next level.”
“So how did you and my daughter meet?” the Primus asked in curiosity.
“Well two years ago when the Ragarian scout ship landed in Houston, it took us all by surprise. But as the shock wore off Shayna and I got to talking. And well as we learned more about each other things clicked with us.”
The CEO put in, “Your daughter is headstrong but she’s also very intelligent. She learned our language fast. And she’s a hell of a shot.”
The Primus nodded at this. “Yes, her mother and I have sought to teach her weapons and combat training to defend herself.”
But before they could continue a series of lights flashed in the room. Guests everywhere yelped in shock and fear. A large force of well-armed and armored troops appeared. “What the hell?” Daniel yelped.
The Primus looked shocked himself. “This abomination known as a peace accord ends now! All humans will prepare for subjugation or else!” One of the armored figures snapped.
The Primus’ face paled in shock, then horror…and embarrassment. “He couldn’t be planning to do…” the leader of the Ragarian Alliance said.
Then he grimaced and said, “Oh no, you fool!”
One armored figure stepped forward and pressed a button on his suit. The helmet visor pulled back to reveal someone who looked like the Primus. Save for the fact his beard was darker and looked like it hadn’t seen much in the way of care. “Mengalus,” The Primus shouted as he stepped forward. “Brother what is the meaning of…”
Everyone yelped as The Primus’ brother pulled out his pistol and fired it into the air. “Shut your mouth this instant!” He shouted.
“The fact that I’m having to speak to you in this inferior ape race’s language disgusts me!” he snarled.
Daniel meanwhile was already racing through what to do. “So, you’ve joined with the so-called resistance Mengalus?” The Primus stated.
The leader of the group now holding everyone captive looked at the others and nodded. He stepped forward and snapped, “Yes, I’ve joined. The Primus position along with all the glory of our family should be mine…not yours! You robbed me of what I deserved Mandar!”
The Primus sighed and said, “Brother we’ve been over this. Our parents felt I was the more responsible one. All you wanted was the power and prestige and none of the respons…”
Meanwhile Daniel had not been idle. He crept towards the scene taking care not to get noticed. He understood the dangerous situation he was in. And he knew one mistake could be fatal. So, he had to use his businessman instinct to get them out of this in a bloodless fashion.
“That’s enough,” Mengalus shouted.
The two’s conversation broke down into the Ragarian tongue. Then Dan noticed Shayna out of the corner of one eye and several other female Ragarians on the move. Then he heard energy weapons power up. “Don’t move uncle!” He heard Shayna say.
The argument between the Ragarian males stopped. Mengalus turned to see Shayna with a laser pistol aimed at him.
Daniel sighed in mild consternation. Babe, can’t you go anywhere without carrying a weapon. But then again you have been fighting that damned civil war for some time. So, it would make sense but still this is a bad situation.
The armored Ragarian sighed and said, “So Shayna, you would turn against your father’s brother too? Even after all the wonderful experiences we shared?’
“Uncle I cherish the times we shared, but you’ve let that maniac Vargus poison your mind! I remember when once you were content to be a military commander. Now you talk of what my father stole.
"I remember when you said and thought different.”
“It was another time and another place Shayna I…”
At which point Daniel had reached their location. He cleared his throat and said, “Excuse me.”
The terrorists in the room turned their attention and weapons on him. “You had best speak fast Earth ape I am not a patient man.” Mengalus warned.
The Texan knew he had to be careful as his own life was on the line. “So, you’re Shayna’s uncle? Now it seems to me my fiancée wouldn’t be happy if something were to happen to you.” The Bjarnsen man began trying to sound reasonable.
The armored Ragarian’s face wrinkled in disgust. “You’re actually engaged to this…this primitive ape?!” he snapped in outrage.
"Yes, she’s engaged to me and she’s proud of it! Now I don’t pretend to know what your rank in the Ragarian military was before you joined this Vargus character.”
The Ragarian snapped, “You will not speak ill of the true Leader Vargus.”
Daniel was afraid as he saw the man pointing his pistol at him. But he stayed calm and approached. “Listen Mengalus, I like all my people am sick and tired of hearing you rebels put us down. I reckon it’s time we settled this, as the Earth term goes, like men!”
The businessman flashed a nasty smirk. “That is unless you’re a coward?”
The Ragarian’s eyes blazed with rage. “I am a male of the noble and supreme Ragarian race! We are the master species of the universe! I fear nothing, so what do you propose ape?”
“My name is Daniel Bjarnsen! You'd do well to remember that mister and what I propose is this.”
He looked around and said, “First off, we’ll need a good stable table. If someone could fetch one for me."
Two of the attendees went to get one. Daniel explained, “Place it at the center of the room. Mengalus if you’ll follow me.”
The Ragarian looked at the other armored troops and said, “Watch them but do nothing!”
He then followed the Texas man to the center of the room as the table got put down. The CEO took off his hat, string tie and tuxedo jacket and handed it to one of the attendees. “Would you mind holding this for a bit.”
The attendee nodded at Dan. The businessman then unbuttoned his shirt and rolled up the sleeve. The arm underneath showed quite a bit of muscle to it. The CEO set it down on the table.
“If I’m so primitive and inferior Mengalus why don’t we see who’s better. Face me in an arm-wrestling contest!”
Recognition came to the armored man. “Battle arms? You would dare challenge me to a battle arms contest?”
“Is that what you call it in the Alliance? Well then yes, I am!"
The armored rebel nodded at this. “I accept your challenge earther. It will be a pleasure to beat and make an example out of you. And once I win, Shayna and my accursed brother will come with me!”
“Now hold on mister! You seem a little too overconfident, what if I win?”
The Ragarian let out a snort of derision. “You…beat me? I am one of the strongest warriors in Vargus’ legions. No one can defeat me!” The rebel commander spat.
"Overconfidence can come back to bite you. If I win you and yours will set down your weapons and turn yourselves over to my world’s military. Furthermore, you will not touch a hair of my fiancée or her father!”
Mengalus snapped, “Very well, I agree to your terms.”
He put his weapon away and took off his chest armor. He rolled up a sleeve of his shirt. Fair bit of muscle with him, this won’t be easy, Daniel thought.
The Ragarian male set his arm on the table. The two men clasped hands. One of the armed rebels stepped forward. Mengalus said, “Every one of you, do not interfere. I will win this without any difficulty, am I clear?”
The other armored troops nodded their compliance. The purple-skinned humanoid turned his attention to the businessman. The Texan was nervous because he knew what was at stake. But he knew he had to take this risk to avoid tragedy. “Prepare to lose human!” The Ragarian stated.
The Texas man said nothing but prepared himself for what was to come.
The soldier overseeing the match put his hand on the two then pulled away as he shouted, “Begin!”
Daniel felt the Ragarian push his arm downwards. Damn this guy’s a strong one, very strong. But I’ve got a surprise for him.
The human pushed back slowing the descent. A sneer washed over the Ragarain’s face. “I see you too have a good amount of strength. But it’s no match for my training Earth Ape!”
The CEO said nothing but struggled against the grip. Even as the Ragarian continued to force him downwards. “Give it up human. This will all be over in a matter of moments.” Mengalus snarled.
Daniel glared at his opponent as he felt the fury building up in him. The arrogance and contempt of the alien humanoid was disgusting. It reminded him of those who had looked down on him when he was younger.
An angry look crossed the Texas man’s face as he turned on his own strength. The rebel’s face paled as the earth man pushed his arm back up despite the other's best efforts. “No,” Mengalus growled.
“You can’t do this…I’m Ragarian, you’re a primitive ape, slave labor like the rest of your people!”
Understanding dawned on the human of what the rebellion had planned for humanity. And that sent more waves of anger rushing through the CEO. He pushed the arm back to where they’d started and then downward. Mengalus’ eyes widened in shock as the human pushed his arm downward. The Ragarian military commander tried to push back but the Texan stared at him in cold rage.
The commander struggled against the grip. But a mixture of rage and determination fueled the human. In a matter of seconds Mengalus’ hand was near the brink of getting pinned. The commander tried one last time to push him, but Daniel’s grip was like iron. Finally, he slammed the commander’s hand to the table.
Everyone human and Ragaraian stared in stunned disbelief. Daniel panted and wiped beads of sweat from his brow. He calmed himself down before he spoke. “Funny how it goes,” he began.
“When my fiancée arrived, she showed me the gravitonic training equipment you use. Lifting compressed pockets of gravity works even better than bulky physical weights.”
The Ragarian commander gaped at this, “How, how?!”
The Texan leaned over the table at the commander. “Consider this one man. You got beat by a human businessman. How do you think you and your forces will hold against two sets of military troops?”
Mengalus stared at him and said, “You…you wouldn’t dare!”
Daniel snapped, “Son, your people have tried to ruin a peace accord. And you've made it clear your rebellion means to enslave humanity. What do you think is going to result from that?”
The commander stared at the human…and began to tremble as the Texas man said nothing else. “I’d be afraid if I were you uncle.” Shayna ventured.
“I know enough about humans from the southern United States to know this. When they go silent you should either surrender or run, your choice.”
Mengalus didn’t waste time but activated his comm device. Another voice rang out from it in the Ragarian tongue. The two exchanged words at a fast pace. Then the terrified commander stated, “Parliamentarian Vargus speaks your language.”
The human grabbed the comm device and stared at the image of another Ragarian with a thin mustache. But the usually arrogant face looked terrified at the sight of the human. “You…you defeated one of my best warriors?” he asked.
The Texan nodded and snapped, “I got a message for you and your boys. Ya’ll had better surrender and call this civil war off. Or else we humans will have to show you what we do to those who try and enslave us!”
The CEO stared down at the leader of the rebellion that plagued the Ragarian Alliance. “I submit, I submit.” Vargus stammered out.
He then looked off screen and made a series of calls in his tongue. Then he looked back at Daniel. “It’s done, my forces will lay down their weapons and surrender. I will turn myself into the Alliance forces at once.”
The Texas man nodded at this and said, “Mister you’ve saved yourself from a world of hurt!”
Thirty minutes later the businessman was back in his tux and looking cleaned up. The last of the rebels that had come in were getting escorted out by the Army’s military police. Shayna said to her fiancée. “My love you do realize your Earth military has only begun using the Gravitonic training gear.”
The CEO nodded and said, “Yeah I do, but Vargus, Mengalus, and their boys don’t know that.”
The Primus looked at the two in stunned shock. "Wait, did you…as the human term goes…bluff them into surrendering?”
The Texas native nodded his confirmation. The leader of the Ragarian Alliance nodded his approval. “You’ve ended a long and nasty civil war in my home space and saved us all without bloodshed. You Americans are quite unorthodox.”
Shayna nodded as she leaned in closer to the man she loved. “Yes, these Americans are very unorthodox…and effective.”
“Mister Primus with all due respect we Americans pride ourselves on being unorthodox. It’s what‘s allowed us to become and remain the greatest nation on Earth.” Dan put in.
He then looked at his fiancée and said, “Merry Christmas Shayna.”
Phew, it's all done at last! That story took longer than I thought. Getting distracted didn’t help much either. But it’s done now, and I hope you enjoyed this story. There are still four more stories to go.
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Until next time this is Animeman73 signing off. Stay true to yourselves, stay classy, and God bless you all. Enjoy the Christmas season.
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Next: Story #9 - Snow time like the present
Previous: Story #7 - On the hunt