"I do, and we can spare a few for such a noble cause. If we make several trips, we won't over extend ourselves." Kagan reasoned.
"Do you truly believe we can support that many more Toufik?" A man asked.
"We will not be supporting them, they will support themselves." Kagan countered.
Many of the Cadi felt the Toufik were child-like and had to be cared for. Though from what Providence had seen, they could easily fend for themselves.
"Daimio, I meant our planet. The combined population growth concerns me. It is something to consider." The man corrected.
Providence nodded. That would indeed be a concern. Two apex species vying for the same resources on a planet could rapidly pose a problem.
"Yes, of course. We will need to run those numbers." Kagan replied.
Providence listened to the gathered Cadi as they debated the merits, pitfalls and all the details in between, of rescuing the Toufik. Providence's gut reaction was to organize a mission without delay. She had to bite her lip to keep from insisting on it in the council room. But of course rescuing those in need was what she did best. Providence never dealt with the logistics of permanently moving an entire population. Many of the Cadi regents had valid points, though not all were logical, some were fear based.
The group broke for lunch and Providence sought out Giselle after eating with her men.
"I'm glad I was never a politician." Providence mused as she and Giselle took a walk around the garden, instead of returning to the heated debate.
"I know it's enough to make your head spin. Kagan's life isn't any easier with the war over, that's for sure." Giselle grimaced.
"It's sad the fate of the Toufik depends on finite facts and figures. But I guess all these things have to be considered."
Giselle nodded then a wicked little smile spread across her face as she glanced at Providence's neck.
"So I see you bonded. So who's the lucky warrior?" Giselle beamed.
"Both of them." Providence blushed as she admitted what she had been up to with her men.
"Both?" Giselle turned with a surprised expression that turned to a broad grin. "I'm glad things worked out. I was worried."
"Me too."
Providence's head turned at the ruckus outside the garden wall. Men were shouting. As she and Giselle approached, Providence could hear the protesters.
"No more foreigners!" Several yelled. "Cadi for Cadi." Others chanted.
"Someone must have leaked the details of today's meeting." Giselle said with concern. "I can't believe how fast they've gathered."
It was a good thing the regents were meeting. The concerns of the protesters had to be addressed because the nay sayers would probably only grow should more Toufik be brought to Cadi. It was sad but true.
"How many people are against the Toufik?" Providence asked as she peeked through the staggered bricks in the wall.
There appeared to be a mob of at least a hundred people out there. It was more than the gathered rabble that had caused trouble down by the river.
"We figure that as much as eight percent of the population is up in arms across Cadi. It doesn't sound like much, but we both know how a determined group of people can cause trouble for the rest."
Providence recalled the uproar back home about the number of Hispanic immigrants entering the States. She'd always thought it was a foolish debate. There were pros and cons to the issue, just like here on Cadi. But it seemed that no one remembered the lessons from history class. The U.S. during every era had seen an influx of immigrants from one region or another for various reasons. At the turn of the century people had been up in arms about the influx of Irish. On more than one occasion Providence had giggled, as she debated going to Arizona to stand among the anti-Hispanic mobs, holding a large sign that read 'Irish Go Home.' However she doubted few people would get the joke.
There was a sound and Providence turned her head in time to see a Cadi male leap from the wall into the garden, several yards away. When he turned Providence saw that it was Geirr, the bigoted male that had approached the Toufik at the fishery.
"Shit. Did you bring your communicator?" Providence asked Giselle.
"No it's inside."
"Where are the handful of guards usually wandering around?" Providence wondered out loud.
"They must be dealing with the protesters." Giselle said as they quickly started back towards the manor house, to get away from the belligerent man.
Giselle was suddenly yanked back, her hand tugged at Providence's, nearly causing her fall. Providence whirled to see Geirr gripping Giselle by the back of her shirt.
"The Daimio needs to seriously listen to our demands." Geirr growled as he shook Giselle.