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Freydon smiled at the frazzled couple before him, pleased to see their hands entwined. He knew they weren’t very far into their relationship, but a solid foundation now existed on which they could build. “I’m sorry to intercede so dramatically, and at the last moment, but I had to re-examine the data to ensure there was no other way out for you before I interceded. Pardon the touch of deus ex machina.” He chuckled at the words, and was also amused by the stunned expressions on their faces.
“You’re the celestial mate...thing...alien.” Heather’s face bloomed with color, and she was clearly embarrassed by the verbiage she had used.
Freydon chuckled. “I am, and this has been a particularly successful series of assignments. I can move around outside of time and space, so that’s how I was able to determine there was no other escape route for the two of you. I won’t have you harmed when you’re so close to being together, if I can intercede to protect you.” He frowned, not wanting to give them the wrong impression. “Of course, I can’t just step in and save you all the time. That goes against the rules under which I work as well. Once we’ve brought mates to the point of meeting, we’re only allowed to intercede in an emergency situation, and only as a last resort.”
“I’m grateful for your intercession,” said Heather.
He inclined his head as he said, “I’m happy to help, but please don’t grow complacent. As I said, I can’t save you all the time. The Celestial Mates expect you to do as much for yourselves as possible. Strictly speaking, our only purview is to pair up mates. We don’t really have a mandate for interfering with the events that unfold after the meeting of mates. Most of us take a little liberty with that, and the higher-ups overlook our slight manipulations from time to time.”
MX took a step forward. “I want you to take Heather somewhere safe, and then come back and return me to the synthetics’ base. I’ll have a chance to send a transmission while you’re securing Heather.”
Freydon let out a small sigh. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. As I just said, I’ve meddled all I’m allowed to at the moment. However, I did return you to your base, so there’s no need to send a transmission.”
MX frowned at him, clearly annoyed. “And how am I supposed to find the synthetics’ base again? I have the rough coordinates, but if I can’t find the entryway and have to go through the rock face that Heather and I entered through, it’s going to take forever.”
Freydon winked at him. “The way you entered is the stealthiest entrance, as you’ll discover. I’m sure you’ll want to start in a different direction though, so I think you’ll find the precise schematic when you review your data. That didn’t come from me though.” He winked again. “I must be off, but I wish you all the best.”
MX frowned, looking confused by his cryptic information. Freydon wished he could enlighten him, but that would completely break the rule he was already carefully bending.
Heather reached out a hand, but didn’t quite touch him, as though she was afraid her hand would sink through his cellular structure. He could have reassured her that the osmotic membrane covering him in place of an epidermis like humans had was too resilient to allow for that, but he didn’t bother.
“Will we see you again, Mr. Rote?”
He shrugged, but didn’t give her a straight answer. “Good luck, you two.”
Before they could speak again, he whisked himself away. He knew what would happen, but they still had to discover their future and experience it themselves.