The ceremony hall glittered with a thousand colors, each representing a different species gathered to celebrate their heroes. David Reed stood near the back wall, trying to make himself smaller. It was difficult when you were the only human in a room full of beings who could crush stone with their bare hands.
His wife, Kira, stood on the central platform, her scaled skin reflecting the light like polished copper. She was beautiful, even by draconian standards. 8 feet tall with horns that curved back from her temples and eyes that burned like molten gold. She wore her military uniform, decorated with medals earned in battles David could barely imagine.
"And for exceptional valor in defending Colony 7 against overwhelming odds, we present the Star of Valor to Commander Kira." The announcer's voice boomed through the hall.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Kira bowed her head as the medal was placed around her neck. David clapped along with everyone else, pride swelling in his chest. She had saved 12,000 lives that day, fighting for 16 hours straight without rest.
"Such a shame." A voice rumbled behind David.
He didn't turn around. He knew what was coming.
"That one of our finest warriors is bound to such a weak creature," another voice agreed. "Look at him. No claws, no scales, no natural armor. What use is he?"
David kept his eyes on Kira. He had learned to ignore the whispers. They followed him everywhere in coalition space. Humans were the newest members of the galactic community, and they were notoriously fragile compared to most other species.
"I heard he was a clerk or something, a paper pusher. No wonder she never brings him to military functions. I would be embarrassed, too."
David's jaw tightened, but he remained still. Getting angry would only prove their point. Humans were emotional, they would say. Unstable, weak in body and mind.
Kira finished her speech, thanking her fellow warriors and the coalition for the honor. As she stepped down from the platform, a massive draconian warrior blocked her path. "Commander Roth Tal," David recognized him immediately. Roth had served with Kira for years and made no secret of his feelings for her.
"Kira," Roth said, his voice carrying across the suddenly quiet hall. "You honor us all with your courage, but I must speak plainly as a warrior should."
Kira's eyes narrowed. "Speak then, Roth."
"You deserve a mate worthy of your strength. A true warrior who can stand beside you in battle." Roth glanced toward David with unconcealed contempt. "Not a human who hides in the shadows while you fight."
The hall went silent. Every eye turned to look at David. He felt his face grow hot, but he didn't move. This was Kira's moment, not his.
Kira's voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "You dare question my choice of mate?"
"I question your judgment," Roth replied. "What can this human offer you? Protection? He cannot even protect himself. Strength? A child could overpower him. Honor? He has never seen battle."
David finally moved, stepping forward through the crowd. Aliens parted before him like water. When he reached Kira's side, he placed a gentle hand on her arm.
"It's all right," he said softly.
"It is not all right," Kira snapped. But her anger wasn't directed at him. "Roth, you forget yourself."
"I forget nothing," Roth said. "I remember when you were the pride of our people. Before you married this human."
David met Roth's gaze calmly. The draconian warrior towered over him by 3 feet and could probably tear him apart without effort. But David had learned something during his years in space. Physical strength wasn't everything.
"You're right," David said, his voice steady. "I'm not a warrior like you. I can't breathe fire or bend steel. But I love her and she loves me. That's enough for us."
Roth snorted. "Love, a human concept. Warriors need strength, not soft feelings."
"Then perhaps you don't understand what makes a true warrior," David replied.
The crowd gasped. Several draconians growled low in their throats. Challenging Roth's honor was dangerous, even for another draconian. For a human, it was practically suicide.
Roth leaned down until his face was inches from David's. Heat radiated from his breath. "You have courage, little human. Foolish courage. Perhaps you wish to back up your words with action."
"Roth, enough." Kira stepped between them. "This is neither the time nor place."
"She protects you," Roth said, laughing. "Like a mother protecting a child. This is the mate of our greatest warrior. Pathetic."
David felt something old and cold stir inside him. A memory perhaps, or something deeper. His hand unconsciously moved to the sword at his hip. It was an old blade passed down through his family for generations. Most aliens found it primitive and amusing, a weapon from Earth's distant past, useless in an age of plasma weapons and energy shields. But the sword felt warm under his touch, almost alive.