Memory transcription subject: Silvon, venlil biologist
Date [Standardized human time]: September 2nd, 2148
[Day 26]
My holopad buzzed. I looked up from the goopy hospital vegetables and popped the device open.
Dr. Silvon,
It’s with great relief to inform you that in the wake of Aaron Clemont’s death, your and Dr. Stat’s travel restrictions have been lifted. The late Nulon and Lew’s funeral will be held on the 4th at 8 am (SHT) in the Morva Falls Cemetary. A shuttle has already been arranged to pick the two of you up tomorrow morning as approved by your doctors.
Yours, Governor Maulo of the Venlil Republic
I sighed, putting the holopad back down, and stared into the mucky purple food congealing in my bowl. I rubbed my forehead with my paw, not even sure how to feel. In all the excitement of the past few days, my parents had been mercifully cast from my mind. I never got the proper chance to come to terms with everything. Tears threatened to spill over as I leaned back into the hospital bed.
“Hey, Silvvy, you okay?” Danny called across the room, a violet smear across his mouth.
“Yeah, just fine,” I lied. I swished the veggies idly as my brain was being pressure-cooked by endless memories of how great things were before the flu. How great things were before I lost them.
“Silvon,” he said a bit more sternly, “what’s wrong? I know what you look like when you’re distressed.”
My ears were pinned to the sides of my head as I doubled forward, the sobs escaping my throat with vitriolic fury. I smashed my paws through the cheap hospital tray, food splattered across the pale white blankets, the chunks like the brain matter painted in the lab hallways. “NOTHING, DANNY!” I roared, my voice shattered into a million pieces never to be reassembled as my whole body shuddered and doubled over.
Danny set aside the tray of food, swinging a cast-clad foot to the floor and stumbling his way toward me on uneven feet. I begged silently, only able to communicate with hasty, illegible tail flicks because the rest of my body was too occupied caving into itself. He put a hand on my shoulder and I flinched hard. “Silvon, please,” he whispered, “You can talk to me.”
“I-” I gasped, then babbled incoherently. I gestured toward the holopad with my filthy, purple-stained hands. The human leaned against my bed for balance as he took the device and opened it to the email. He read it all the way through, then somberly lowered the holopad.
“I’m so sorry, hon,” he murmured. “I’m sorry,” his hazel eyes shimmered. He sat down on the bed next to me, uncaring for the sloppy mess of food, and wrapped his arms tightly around me. I buried my face in his chest, locking him in my own embrace.
He knows how that kind of loss feels. I felt safe in his arms, but bad about hiding my misery. He rubbed a hand up and down my back, whispering secure little promises into my pinned-down ears. “I loved them so much,” I sobbed, “I don’t- I can’t believe they’re gone.”
“I know you did, Silvvy,” he breathed, “Those bastards can’t take any more of your life away.”
“I- I almost lost you, Danny. What am I- how am I supposed to move on?”
He paused a moment. I felt his grip get just a bit tighter. He was so warm. “I don’t know,” he said finally, “but I’ll always be by your side. Every step of the way.”
“Danny-” I cried, “how did- how did you ever get over this?” I asked, pulling my head from his chest to gaze into his dark, teary eyes.
He took a sharp breath, glancing around the room while thinking. “I don’t think I ever did,” he confessed. “I was afraid back on Earth, and I’m afraid now. I guess we’re afraid together.”
“Together,” I mused. The ring on my paw felt so natural now, even though we’ve only been engaged for less than 3 weeks.
“Together,” Danny urged. I put my paws on his cheeks and pressed our lips together.
~~~
Memory transcription subject: Governor Maulo of the Venlil Republic
Date [Standardized human time]: September 2nd, 2148
[Day 26]
The raids yesterday were a rousing success. Several hundred Humanity First members are either dead or locked up. I concluded the email authorizing Leirn to begin supplying our hospitals with the vaccine and hit send. If the Sapient Coalition is gonna try me for crimes against sapience, I’ll at least ensure my species’ survival before I get arrested.
My emerald-eyed assistant strutted into my office. “Governor, I’m happy to report that the infection has been largely contained to the Qalugh Hemisphere. We’ve had a couple of small reports in Taiza and Morva Falls, but quarantine procedures are being properly followed,” Servaen’s tone was chipper.
“Thank stars,” I sighed, prodding my temples with my paws.
His ears fell sensing my stress. “Sir, are you worried about the trial?” he asked.
“How can I not be? Everything I’ve done has been for the good of Skalga. If the damn Federation hadn’t gotten into everyone’s heads, a million people wouldn’t have died,” I slid open the drawer on my desk, withdrawing a bottle of scotch. “You want a drink? You’ve been working hard enough to earn one,” I asked, setting up two glasses.
“Uh, sure?” he answered hesitantly. I laughed, pouring both of us a drink and sliding him his glass.
“If I get impeached, at least I’m going out with a bang,” I grinned. “For Skalga!”
“For Skalga,” he agreed. We clinked our glasses together and drank. He set down the glass, a look of bemusement written on his features. “Stars, this is weak,” he commented.
“It’s human,” I told him, savoring the flavor of the drink. “Practically water, but it takes the edge off a bit.” I slid the bottle back into its drawer and set the glasses aside. I put a paw to my chin, “humans,” I breathed.
“Humans?”
“Humans. Complicated, enigmatic, and our closest allies for over a decade,” I mused. “They’re political leaders who want peace among the stars and terrorists who want to subjugate us. I strive to understand them, but every turn something like this happens that makes me reevaluate where I put my trust. There were hundreds of Humanity First. Hundreds. Right beneath our snouts, they operated. And sure, we’ve stamped out plenty, but who’s to say we’ve gotten all of them? That they aren’t lying in wait for another disaster to capitalize on like the flu? Justifying the Federation’s fear-mongering among the masses, and giving the populace a reason to lash out like Ransu,” I shook my head, sucking in a deep breath and sighing heavily, “Skalga stands with the UN through and through. If infighting is inherently predatory, then we’re all predators.”
“Well said, governor,” Servaen said nodding. “Maybe save that for the trial though. You and Mesu standing against the entire Coalition.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I don’t know how I can smooth talk my way out of this one,” I grimaced at the thought of the kolshian and farsul representatives, still in their prejudiced cahoots, shooting down every possible defense I may have. I clenched my paws in rage. “For Skalga,” I spat.
~~~
Memory transcription subject: Jakiv, arxur scientist
Date [Standardized human time]: September 2nd, 2148
[Day 26]
“How are you doing, Jakiv?”
“Fine.”
“Have you been eating well?”
“Yes.”
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“I heard about the breakthrough, when can I expect to see you back at work?”
“Never :)”
“How come?”
“I filed for citizenship on Leirn. You wouldn’t catch me dead on that hellhole we call a home planet.”
“Citizenship? On a prey planet? Have you finally lost it?”
“Long ago, Vilvit.”
“What prompted you to endure the leaf-lickers permanently?”
“A friend did.”
“A friend?”
“Yeah. I met someone. One of those ‘leaf-lickers’. I think you’d like her.”
“Is that so? I find it hard to believe the same man who refused to even speak to his own species is suddenly buddy-buddy with prey.”
“Well believe it, because I’m not coming back. I’ve found something here on Leirn that I’ve desperately been missing. I can’t return to Wriss after everything I’ve been through here. Not ever. Thanks for taking care of me when I needed it, but I don’t need it anymore. I’m all set.”
“Do they really make you that happy?”
“More than I thought possible.”
“Take care of yourself then, Jakiv.”
“You as well.”
I closed the holopad, resting my head against the couch’s armrest. Vilvit only cared as much as she was allowed. A Dominion war vet with a mean temper on a bad day, and barely enough empathy to scrape by. Her help was genuine at least, if a bit grating and robotic.
I craned my head over the back of the couch to see Nuri furiously typing away on her holopad surrounded by a mess of papers and pictures. The bullet wounds on my chest and shoulder were still a bit sore as I got up. The marsupial’s gaze caught mine and she gave me an inviting smile. “Morning, Jaki.”
“Morning, Nuri. What’s all this?” I asked, gesturing to the papers strewn about the table. She lifted her mug of coffee and took a sip. There was a brown ring left on the paper she’d accidentally used as a coaster.
“I’m finalizing the report on the Humanity First purge on Skalga. They’ve got peacekeepers all over the place raiding buildings and showing those terrorists who’s boss,” Nuri answered.
“Ah, nice.”
“You got any plans today?”
“Not that I know of. The lab’s still closed indefinitely, so I might have to find a new job soon. Until then it’s television and the local library.”
“Psh, nerd,” she grinned, still typing furiously.
“Oh whatever,” I chuckled, “How’s that carpal tunnel gonna feel from all this writing?”
“Terrible if that was something I could even get,” she replied slyly. “Hey,” she said suddenly, “You hungry?”
“I could eat,” I responded.
“Good, cause I found this place I wanted to try out,” she answered.
“Like a restaurant?” I questioned. “I’m not really much of a salad guy,” I chuckled.
“Jakiv you dingus, it’s a steakhouse, I’m not gonna take you somewhere you can’t eat at,” she giggled.
I sheepishly smiled, “Oh, yeah, right.”
She finished typing up her report and sent it to her boss. “Come on then, Jaki,” the marsupial took my hand. We buckled into the car and I watched her type the address into her GPS.
“‘Earthen Eats: Steak and Salad’,” I read aloud.
“The reviews are pretty good,” she smiled as we drove down the street. “And it’s the only place in town with food we can both eat.”
“So,” I said, “What’s the occasion?”
“Does there need to be one?” Nuri asked. “Can’t a gal get her friend a good meal every now and again?”
Something was off about her demeanor today, but I couldn’t say what. I decided to just shrug it off and go along with things. But I couldn’t shake a nagging feeling that something was going on.
~~~
We parked outside the place. It was bustling with mostly humans enjoying the food and drinks. We stepped inside together, hand-in-paw, and waited for the human waiter to seat us.
“Table for 2,” Nuri chirped. The human didn’t seem too put off by my appearance, but he also didn’t seem fond of me.
“Right this way,” he said mostly to my marsupial friend.
He sat us down all the way back in a booth and handed us a pair of menus. My translator worked to identify what it could, but human culinary expertise was unheard of in my native tongue. They seemed to have a word for just about everything when it comes to food.
“Well,” Nuri said, “The salad options are pretty diverse. You see anything that looks good?”
“Maybe a New Liberty strip,” I mumbled reading the description.
“Howdy, what can I get you two to drink?” a human waitress, different from the man who led us here, broke my thought.
“Oh uh, I’ll just take a beer,” I said.
“Alright. Would that be skalgan, human, or yotul?”
“Yotul please,” I smiled.
“Weak!” Nuri giggled under her breath.
“Oh go ahead and show me up then,” I grinned, “Last time you had booze, you permanently stained my hoodie with drool.”
She held up her middle digit, “I’ll have the same thing,” she told the waitress. The human jotted it down and retreated to the kitchen. “It’s nice being out and about with you,” Nuri said finally. “Not just lazing around the house… not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
“Nah, I get it. The only place we ever go is that bar,” I chuckled. “I think it’s nice trying out something a little different.”
“Agreed,” Nuri concurred.
The waitress returned, setting down two pints of yellowish liquid with a faint blue hue. “Have you two figured out what you want to eat?”
“I’ll take the South Seito garden mix,” Nuri read off.
“I’ll have the New Liberty strip.” The waitress took the orders and the menus, then again left for the kitchen. “Oh if only they had gojid,” I sighed with faux-longing. We watched a zurulian flinch and couldn’t hold in our laughter.
“You’re sick in the head, Jaki,” Nuri said.
“Glad you finally noticed.”
~~~
The food came and went. My steak was delicious. I didn’t fully understand the merits of cooking it until now. Nuri’s salad was a collection of vibrant leaves. I took one, which she protested, and tasted it. I’ll never understand how anyone enjoys those bland plants.
The yotul leaned back in the booth, a satisfied look on her face and her paws on her stomach. “That was really good,” she said satisfied.
“Glad you think so,” I smiled. “My food was good too.”
“That’s good.”
“Yeah,” I trailed off and stared at the cushions on the seat of the booth. It was suddenly very awkward. That feeling from earlier was back, though I had no idea what it even was.
“Jaki?” Nuri asked.
“Yeah?”
“You know, there’s a reason I brought you here,” she began, tracing a circle with her claw along the table.
“There is?” I asked.
She sucked in a breath. What was that, nervousness? I’ve never seen Nuri so unsure of herself as she shuffled awkwardly in the booth. “I wanted to tell you something, but I’m- I don’t know how,” she confessed.
“Tell me what?” I questioned.
“That you’re like, my closest friend, and I- I love you,” she said finally.
“Oh, well I love you too,” I stated.
She fell into a fit of raucous laughter, “Jaki, no, oh my god,” she caught her breath, “Dude I mean I love you, I want to be with you,” she expressed.
“I- you what?” my brain was on the fritz. My heart was threatening to pound out of my chest. I opened my mouth to speak, but my words failed me.
She gave me an amused look as I fumbled for my words. My claws were shaky and my breathing was quickened. “Jakiv,” she smiled, “Come here.” I followed, leaning forward, where she quickly put her paws on either side of my face, and pressed her lips against mine.
In that moment, I couldn’t think of anything. My mind went completely blank as my lips yearned for her to keep kissing me. She broke away, but I just stared ahead, my jaw slackened.
“Did I go too far?” she asked, suddenly worried.
“Nah,” I smiled, finally regaining my composure. The yotul broke into a grin, taking my hands in her paws. My tail swished wildly behind me. “How long have you felt this way?” I asked.
“How long have you?” the marsupial shot back.
“Shit,” I chuckled, “Too long. I don’t think I’ve ever cared about someone as much as I care about you. Or been cared about half as much,” I sighed.
“Have you never been on a date before?” Nuri asked.
“I haven’t even had a friend before.”
“That’s awful, Jaki.”
“Nah, it all worked out for me. Because now I’ve got you,” I smiled.
“You big flirt,” she chuckled.
I leaned forward again, “I love you, Nuri.”
“I love you too, Jaki,” we kissed again, to the abject horror of every other person in the restaurant. But we didn’t care, all that mattered was us. Together.