Hara's Legacy by Bianca D'Arc Page B

where I believe your advanced exploration folk probably settled. Many thousands of O’Haras lived there before the cataclysm. But a lot of O’Haras immigrated to other countries, as my ancestors did when they came to the North American continent in the late twentieth century. I don’t know how the other O’Haras might have fared, but my family all shared psychic gifts that allowed us to
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    adapt to the new vibration of the Earth that your people caused. I assume if we did, other O’Haras might’ve survived as well. But why are you so interested?”
    “Hara was one of the Founders. He was one of our greatest explorers and leaders. It was he who led us away from the homeworld when our sun exploded. It was he who found this planet and several others for us to tame and settle. He was lost to us on a long ago expedition, but if what you say is true, he settled here on Earth and you are of his line.” She again fingered the pendant. “I cannot believe otherwise. If you are not descended from Hara, there is no way you could have claimed a piece of the Home Crystal. Only the Founders were allowed shards of the Home Crystal and many of them disappeared with the Founders. Justin, do you really want to give this to me? It is a sacred relic of my people and worth more than I can tell you.”
    She held it out to him but he closed her hand over the pendant once more. “Take it for the child.
    Promise me you will give it to him or her from me in case something should happen to me. That’s all I ask.”
    “But, Justin—”
    He held a finger to her lips, staying her objections. “It was foreseen that you should have this. I never argue with my brother’s powers.”
    “He can foresee the future?” Her clinical tone was back, but she was still stroking the crystal in her palm with her thumb.
    Justin nodded. “His precognition saved us from the cataclysm. He knew what was coming months in advance and we came up here and set up our ranch. He also sent me to you. He told me there would be a woman waiting for me in the village, and that I should love her as well as I knew how and give her this crystal. As the eldest, it was his to guard and pass on, and he foresaw that it must go to you. I don’t know why, but I don’t question his vision. He’s saved my life too often for me to question him now.”
    “I don’t quite understand, but I will keep this safe. For the child, as you request. And when the child is born, I will seek you out so you may see it and learn if I have developed love feelings for it.”
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    “As long as you come in peace, you’re welcome on our ranch.” He quirked his head up at her as he secured his saddlebags. “I think I’d enjoy seeing you while you were still pregnant.” She looked at him with that darned clinical curiosity, but he still felt a need to tell her how he felt. “I’ve never made a woman pregnant before. I’d like to see it, feel the roundness of your stomach and feel the baby kick. The drive to procreate is very strong in most human males. I guess I’m no different. If you can manage it, I’d love to see you while you’re still big with my child. It’ll probably be the only chance I’ll ever have to have offspring.”
    She nodded calmly. “I will try to accommodate your request but I can make no guarantees. I will have much work to complete in the coming months.”
    He strode up to her, pulling her close for one final kiss. “Just promise me you’ll try to remember that we humans have deep feelings. What seems inconsequential to you is devastating to us. Remember that when you perform your tests, and be kind, Mara. I sense you have a kind heart buried somewhere deep down inside. Look for it, Mara. Let it guide you in your dealings with humanity.” He knew it was asking a lot, but she looked as if his words were at least making her think.
    “I will leave now,” she announced, putting on her shoes.
    Justin stepped up behind her, taking the necklace from her hand and