The announcement starts. “All hands, we will be commencing jump. Non-essential personnel should remain confined to quarters. For your safety, do not look out any window, door, porthole, or any other viewing access to the outside. Instant blindness will occur. Once the jump commences, we have no way of communicating with the other ships. Do not attempt to establish communications. If anyone has a heart condition during the jump, report to medical immediately. We will be in jump for twenty four hours. God’s speed.”
Captain Long looks at the metal container containing Khla and Dzor. She enters and greets them, “Yarjen Jor. Helmdraff Craw. Good afternoon, again.”
Dzor taunts, “Theess joomp seem sooden. [This jump seem(s) sudden.]” He grins a toothy grin.
Long smirks. “Nothing slips by you, Yarjen. Any advice for a fellow ship captain before we jump?”
Dzor replies bluntly, “We tolk eenoof todaye. [We talk enough today.]” He crosses his arms and closes his eyes, “Wack me eef we don dee. [Wake me if we don’t die.]”
Long puts her hands on her hips, teasing, “Oh, I’ll whack you. Gladly. But, please? You were so pleasant earlier today.”
There’s a pause, and Khla asks gently, “Yarjen?”
Dzor grunts, “Fievegal rorly mock fleet joomps. Boot, wheen deed, use cobbles.”
“Cobbles?” repeats Long. She quickly realizes, “Cables! You strung cables between your ships?”
Dzor opens one eye to look at her. He replies, “Yuss.”
“What about the EMP? It’d fry the electronics we have.”
“NOT eleektreecall condookshun. Sohneek. Sond condookshun. Eevonchooll oopgrod tuu hihdrawleek. Hihdrawleek bottor condooktor thon meetol. [Not electrical conduction. Sonic. Sound conduction. Eventually, upgrade to hydraulic. Hydraulic better conductor than metal.]”
Long envisions the ships as cans and the cables as strings. It instantly makes sense. It’s low tech, but when it’s their only option, it makes total sense. She starts toward the door, but she stops. She turns and bows to Dzor, saying extremely gratefully, “Jor… Thank you so much. Truly.” Khla tenses a tiny bit when Long uses his name, but relaxes when he doesn’t growl.
But, he does reply bluntly, “Hoomin, eef sheep boarded bih Grodurns, I om leeveeng. Far worneeng. [Human, if ship boarded by Grodrrns, I am leaving. Fair warning.]”
Long’s smile disheartens, but she maintains her smile. She replies, “May you be safe, Yarjen.” She turns and jogs out, ordering the cables used for towing the starliners to be strung between the ships. Hammers will be used for Morse code.
She returns to and watches progress from the bridge. She wants to try to pick Dzor’s brain more, but he knows the jump is because of the Grodurns pursuing them. She’s honestly surprised he gave them this. It amazes her that it didn’t dawn on anyone sooner, for how simple it is. The winches allow them to keep a floating tension, as well as keep the ships from drifting apart.
The clock is ticking though. The ships are ready to jump the moment the cosmonauts maneuvering the cables can get back inside.
“CAPTAIN!” cries an ensign on the bridge. She looks where he points. She activates the radio, announcing, “Contact! Bearing two-fifty flat! All batteries align and fire! Boatswains! Emergency recall cable teams! Set General Quarters!”
The bridge springs to life, engaging all facets of combat. The Andromeda is first to fire, either thanks to Lieutenant Kane’s premonitions or Captain Dodge already having his guns aimed as spread as he could. Only the single white entity lit, signifying an arrival, but no battleships are visible. Still, all of the ships fire their newly installed artillery pieces. The Polonia still has the most, but Mr. Right at least came through on prioritizing armament of ALL ships.
The ships fire volley after volley as the cable teams are violently reeled in by the zip winches.
Combat Control announces, “Captain! All defensive teams standing by to repel boarders!”
She replies sharply, “Aye! Cable teams!?”
The deck officer replies, “Not yet Captain!”
“To Providence! Ready jump drive!”
“Jump drive ready Captain!” replies the comms officer.
“To Providence, come to one three zero for jump!”
Confused, the comms officer replies, “Captain?”
“Do it! All fire teams! They sent a scout! It MUST not report our direction or follow us! Report all hits!”
The artillery fires continuously as the Providence slowly banks. The deck officer shouts, “All cable teams retrieved!”
“Aye! Batteries! Find that ship and destroy it!”
“Contact spotted two four three and closing fast!”
Long tries to think. Worse than it knowing their direction is staying in the jump bubble and reaching their actual destination. But, if they can’t kill it, there won’t be long before the Grodrrns scan them down again.
She whispers when she closes her eyes, “Heavenly Father, please watch over us. Please give me the wisdom to protect this fleet. Please…” She flashes back to her chess game with Dzor. “Yuu alreedy lohze, hoomin. Fooleesh mohve.”
Dzor could have psyched her out, causing her to make bad moves in the beginning, but it was THE beginning. They have 24 hours from when they land for the Grodrrns to catch up even if they ping them right away. That’s enough time to adjust and jump again in a new direction. Perhaps for even longer. And, right back past where they just left. This is the first move. She shouts, “MAKE THE JUMP! NOW!”
The comms officer relays, and she shouts, “Everyone avert your eyes!”
The white flash occurs. Lights click and blink. Fans audibly trip out. Long silently prays the reactors stay up though. They can hopefully restart everything else without issue. The guns stop firing.
Someone announces, “The reactor’s live! We still have power!”
Long sighs, nodding. Her bridge officers carefully block the windows so they can continue to work. Long asks skeptically, “Any word from our strings?”
The sound powered phone operator asks. A moment later, she says, “Reports coming in, Captain. Providence has heard from…” She pauses, listening. She sighs, finishing, “All ships.”
“So… It’s working?”
“Yes, Captain.”
Long sighs contentedly. She owes Dzor something nice for that. She grumbles dryly, “Someone remind me to order machine gun turrets next.”
A few of the crew chuckle. One replies, “Aye, Ma’am.”
She says more seriously, “To Providence, direct to all ships, enemy contact still unaccounted for. Assume inside jump bubble.”
“Aye ma’am!”
Long scratches her wrist bandage gently, thinking. She and the others have 24 hours to figure out how to deal with the Grodurn scout if it made it into the bubble. She wonders if any of the Grodurns would have any guidance, though she expects they’re all aware of what’s going on by now.
As she thinks though, something sends a small chill up her spine. She almost missed it. With everything going on, it was buried in the noise of the ship, the talking on the bridge, and Captain Long’s own thoughts. But, it was there. She doesn’t doubt it for a second. There was an anomalous noise that passed through the hull of the ship.
Long instinctively grips the announcing circuit’s microphone, nearly shouting, “All hands! Report source and location of…” She trails off. The intercom isn’t working. The ship may have power and sound powered phones are working, but sensitive electronics are having trouble.
The chill in her body grows colder. ‘Hoomin, eef sheep boarded bih Grodurns, I om leeveeng. Far worneeng.’
Long tenses. She has to stop him. She jumps up, calling out, “Gator has the Conn! Commence counter-boarding, NOW! I have to go!” She bolts toward the hallway. The navigator asks, “C-Captain?”
“DON’T QUESTION! DO! BOARDERS ARE ONBOARD!”
Long bolts for the containment area. She orders as she approaches, “Defensive posture now! Open the door!”
“Captain?” asks the guards.
Long takes a Grodurn sidearm from the rack. She says, “Boarders! And, the captives are a risk as well. I need to stop Dzor!”
“M-Ma’am, he’s…”
“I KNOW! JUST OPEN IT!”
The guards let her through the airlock door to the observation deck. Long storms to the conex box containing Khla and Dzor. She pauses. She prays there’s time.
She lifts the latch and opens the door. She aims the sidearm, unsure if she’s capable of pulling the trigger. But, she presses the button that starts the priming circuit. She does take a moment to thank God for Grey showing her how.
Khla is kneeling next to Dzor. She’s the only Grodurn not typically restrained. Dzor and Khla both look at Long. The large male curls his mouth into his reptilian smirk. He growls menacingly, “Three veezeet een oon dah? [Three visit in one day?]”
Long orders, “Step away from him, Craw. No one’s leaving.”
Dzor growls, “I worn, hoomin. Yuu hurd tuu, deed yuu? [I warn, human. You heard too, did you?]”
“Counter-boarding is already in progress. You, of all people, Jor, MUST realize I cannot let that ship leave.”
Dzor flexes his shoulders growling mercilessly as he stands up, “Yuu assoom yuu hoff cheece, hoomin.”
Long’s knees tremble a little, but she holds her ground. “Don’t make me do it, Jor. I don’t want to kill you. I want to return you to your people. WHEN we know how to protect ourselves more effectively. PLEASE.”
Dzor takes a step towards her, and she tenses. He growls, “Stond aseed, hoomin. I leeve weeth or weethott keel yuu. [Stand aside, human. I leave with or without kill you.]”
Long replies, fear starting to grip her, “No. I KNOW you’re honorable, Jor. Please! Don’t do this!”
Dzor grips the sidearm, but he doesn’t move it yet. Long thought she’d have the strength to do what she needed. But…
Dzor growls, “Brov. Fooleesh, boot brov, hoomin. Leeve NOW, or I tock weeth ooss bock tuu Fievegal. [Brave. Foolish, but brave, human. Leave NOW, or I take with us back to Fievegal.]”
Long’s grip shakes on the sidearm. The huge reptile could easily rip it away from her at any moment. Tears start to well in her eyes. She was truly hoping she could trust him. She chokes out, “Why?”
Confused, Dzor asks, “Whut?”
Long releases the weapon, solemnly gripping the cross on her shoulder. She whimpers, “You want to destroy us. Why bother? I thought… I thought you understood my position… But… You’re just a m-monster, aren’t you?”
Dzor looks at the weapon in his hand now. He growls, “Yuu osk me tuu reemann preeznor. How deeferunt thon I tock yuu? [You ask me to remain prisoner. How different than I take you?]”
Long looks down to the side, she says softly, “I want to help you, Jor. Truly. But, if your Fievegal keeps trying to hurt us, we will be forced to fight. We both want families of our own, Jor. WHY won’t you just trust me?”
There’s a long pause. Dzor stares down at the tiny human female standing in his way. Khla says nothing. She doesn’t want to choose a side in this case.
Dzor growls finally, “HOW.”
Long looks up at him, her eyes shimmering from building tears. She’s surprised. She states, “W-whatever will work, if you cooperate. We need to know what plagues your people. But, I’m confident, if you let us, we can undo it. PLEASE. I’m begging you.” She sinks to her knees, adding, “I’ll do anything to protect BOTH of our peoples. Please… Please…”
Dzor stares down at her for a long time. It’s impossible to know what he’s thinking for sure, but he IS thinking.
A deep rumble suddenly fills the air, and Khla cowers to the back of the box. Dzor’s growl shakes Long to her very bones. The air feels suddenly cold.
Long closes her eyes.
“STOND!” snarls the big alien towering over her. When she looks up at him in surprise, he roars, “STOND, HOOMIN!”
She is startled back onto her butt, surprised by the terrifyingly large alien threatening her. He snarls, “WEEK! Yuu arr week ond afrod! How sovv two rosses!? Tuu week. [Weak! You are weak and afraid! How save two races!? Too weak.]”
Long scrambles to her feet, crying out, “That’s not true! What we lack in strength, we make up for in mind! Passion! Dedication!”
“Feemahls sturill, hoomin. How solve? How reploss Saurmynnyka? [Females sterile, human. How solve? How replace Saurmynnyka?]”
“I don’t know!” She slumps, “I don’t know right now.” The captain sparks back to her passion, though, “But, we can figure it out! If it’s genetic, maybe we can supplement the ovum your females don’t have. If it’s biological, maybe we can clone or engineer. These things aren’t outside our abilities! Just give us that chance! I’ll take responsibility! ME! If we can’t, I’ll willingly let you take me for whatever strategy you planned on using! All I’m asking for is a chance to try it our way… the compassionate way…”
“Commposshun week…”
“I KNOW how you feel, Jor. But you’re wrong. Trust me a little longer, and I’ll show you.” She gently extends her hand, reaching to touch his chest. His breathing is still heavy and angered, but he doesn’t resist.
He just starts to relax when the announcing circuit comes to life, “All hands, this is the bridge. Boarding action has been stopped. Repeat, boarding action has been stopped. Oh-nine level frames one-three-zero to one-eight-zero isolated. Please use lower decks for travel. Again, boarding action has been stopped. No casualties. Electronic systems are still being restored.”
Dzor snorts, and he mutters, “Hoomins…” He locks eyes with Long, finally relaxing fully. The big lizard drops the sidearm and growls, “Yuu ween tuudah, hoomin. Boot, I weel not wott foreevor. [You win today, Human. But, I will not wait forever.]” He walks calmly back to his spot and sits down. He adds, “Neecks teem, yuu bottor keel me. [Next time, you better kill me.]”
Long sighs, relieved. She says as confidently as she can, “There won’t be a need. We finally know where to start looking to help you. I’ll… try to make sure your meals don’t get any smaller, Jor. Thank you.”
Khla sighs as well. She looks at Long apologetically, but says nothing. Long takes a deep breath and starts, “Craw…” Khla tenses, but Long relaxes. She says gently, “Thank you, Craw, for not taking a side.” Long picks up the sidearm and starts to walk out. The female Grodurn calls out, “Copton?”
Long turns, “Yes?”
Khla looks down and adds, “Th-Thonk yuu…”
Long nods with a smile. Khla quickly adds, “E-Eef mih bodih con hilp, Ih voloontur. [If my body can help, I volunteer.]”
Long nods. “Thank you. We’ll need to study your reproductive organs, to start. We falsely assumed it affected both genders.”
Khla looks at Dzor. Dzor snorts, grumbling something in Grodurn.
Khla nods and says to Long, “Whin feemahl discovered een eegg, tompurture conntrolt tuu steerlihz. E-Eef furtull feemahl born, keeled. Onlih Saurmynnyka mah lee eeggs een Fievegal. Hee-ist ovv deeveen reets for Saurmynnyka onlih. [When female discovered in egg, temperature controlled to sterilize. If fertile female born, killed. Only Saurmynnyka may lay eggs in Fievegal. Highest of divine rights for Saurmynnyka only.]”
“I have lots of questions, but later. To confirm, it’s not a matter of fertility down the line, it’s a matter of fertility only right now; you have no one currently?”
Khla nods. Dzor adds, even as he sits with his eyes closed, “Soom Baskylla’s hoont rumored furtull eescoppees, boot sceeunteests deescovor how closs hoomins arr beeohlogeeck. Seengull Saurmynnyka embrihoh een… stossees. Needs Chulm’chn -corrier-. [Some baskylla’s hunt rumored fertile escapees, but scientists discover how close humans are biologic(ally). Single Saurmynnyka embryo in… stasis. Needs Chulm’chn -carrier-.]”
Long replies, “I see… Truly, thank you both. I’ll pass this on to our science teams and we’ll work on it.” She bows and makes her way out.
Out in the hall, Long leans against the wall, finally panting and letting tears of relief flow out of her eyes. One of the guards respectfully retrieves the sidearm from her, leaving her be to de-stress. She straightens when squads of marines arrive, escorting newly captured Grodurns. Marines and Grodurns alike are injured, but supposedly, there were no casualties.
Jessica is helping Chief Grey as he limps, though, and the two make their way towards Angelica as Tachibana orders, “Two per cell, same setup as the others. Don’t underestimate any of them.”
Captain Long doesn’t often break formality in public, but with the stress her heart was just under, she melts instantly. She hugs Grey and Jessica without thinking before Grey can make whatever joke he was about to.
Long specifically kisses her sister’s cheeks, so relieved to still have the opportunity to do so. Jessica squirms a little, whispering, “An-C-Captain? W-What are you doing!?”
Angelica sighs. She replies tenderly, still hugging them both, “Y-Yarjen Jor… considered e-escaping… I… He listened to me, but… I… I was so scared…”
Grey replies bluntly, “Well, we brought him some new buddies. Hopefully, they’ll eat each other.”
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Captain Long asks, giggling a little, “What happened to you, Chief? Are you okay?”
He chuckles and replies, “Yeah. Just hit my knee on the bulkhead when one of these crocs shoved me off of him.” He nudges Jessica, saying softly, “You’d be proud of this little tigress.”
Jessica instantly blushes, whimpering, “Ch-Chief! You promised you wouldn’t say anything!”
Angelica releases them to ask, “What happened?”
Jessica pouts, still blushing. Tachibana explains as she salutes, “She managed to steal their tracking unit, Captain.” Long salutes, and both lower their arms. Tachibana adds, “We think it’s keyed to either something subdermal or the like on our captives. They were bee-lining straight for ‘em. During a firefight, Spaceman Long…” Jessica whimpers, glancing at Angelica and then pleadingly at Tachibana.
Angelica smiles and sighs. She says tenderly, “I get it. WHATEVER you did, Cottonpuff, I’m proud of you. And, I’m thankful you’re all okay. Did my message reach you in time?” She looks at the Chiefs.
Tachibana nods, replying, “Barely. Messenger told us, but we almost missed the crocs. If they had gotten here before we encountered them…"
The captain nods. She then asks, “How’d you defeat them without casualties?”
Grey jokes gruffly, “Well, we did our darnedest not to get shot, Ma’am…”
She smirks dryly at him. Tachibana replies, “Firehoses, believe it or not ma’am. They HATE the cold. Less than a minute’s jet saps their strength fast.”
Jessica squeaks, “We noticed they weren’t wearing EVA suits. Just their armor. So… we tried it… C-Captain!”
The captain smiles and tenderly strokes the teen’s cheek. “Well done. All of you. I think the Grodurns will let us help them.”
Grey asks bluntly, “Still think it’s worth it, Cap? They don’t seem keen on diplomacy if they have the upper-hand.”
“True, but I convinced Jor to let us try. If diplomacy stands a chance, I wanna take it. If, for no other reason, than to get them off our tails.”
Grey scoffs, “I’ll allow that.”
Long adds, “They finally gave us something to work with, so we will. But, first, we need to double-check that we’re in the clear so we can make our second jump immediately. Chief Tachibana, please order a full sweep of the ship. We can inspect exterior surfaces when we drop out. Jess-sorry- Spaceman Long, escort Chief Grey to Medical.”
Grey replies, “I’m fine, Cap. I’ll…”
“No. We have lots of marines onboard. We all need to be ready. Chief Tachibana, make sure we know where the boarding ship is attached. I doubt the pilot was part of the boarding team itself.”
Tachibana replies firmly, “Already on it, Captain. We identified the frames, but Fisher, Dumas, and Marvoni are preparing a strategy to disable the ship so it can’t uncouple, or if it does, it won’t go far.”
“What kind of strategy?” asks Long, semi-worried for their safety, more than anything.
Tachibana replies, “Apologies, Captain. I left it up to Marvoni. They’re engaging on site.”
Long nods. “Back them up, ay-sap. Ensure everyone in that zone is in EVA, and if the shuttle detaches,… Try not to look outside.” She glances uneasily at Grey.
Grey adds, “Could try welding goggles. Already heavily polarized.”
The auburn-haired captain replies, “Russell’s team have sensors in place right now for this jump to determine light output. Better to wait if we can.”
He nods, “Aye, ma’am.”
Jessica asks softly, “W-What will you do, Captain?”
The older sister smiles, replying gently, “Finally stop micromanaging and go back to the bridge where I belong. Inform me if there are any issues, please.”
All three reply, “Yes Captain.”
Captain Long makes her way slowly back to the bridge. She ponders her conversation with Dzor, particularly. She knows her initial visit for the day, as well as the other times she’s talked to him before, are the only reason he didn’t fight. He WANTS to see if Long and the humans can succeed. He WANTS the same outcome. Even if he won’t admit it. Otherwise, he would have fought ferociously to escape or die trying.
She ensures to repeat every detail he told her; only female Grodurns are sterile, it’s done intentionally while the fetus is growing in the egg, it’s not genetic, and humans are biologically close enough to Grodurns to be compatible in some way.
It’s all a huge leap forward, and she writes it down as quickly as she can when she reaches the bridge. Once full communications are restored, she can get any medical science teams not already tending to emergent work to start studying the female Grodurn physiology and go from there.
She finally relaxes, especially once Marvoni’s team reports capture of the boarding shuttle’s pilot. This pilot is also female, though Long is confident that it’s only a coincidence. Both Khla and Dzor have indicated a high level of equal gender mobility in the Fievegal, with only the Saurmynnyka being a definite gender-specific role.
Among things to ask is the obvious; what makes a Saurmynnyka special? And, why did they go to that system?
But, she’ll ask them another day. For now, she just wants to make sure they see the next one.
********
Several solar days [~1.5 weeks] have passed since the scout ship was deployed. All possibilities are on the table, of course. They could have been shot down immediately, just as they could have rushed to ensure they made it into the fleet’s bubble. The latter possibility means they will be silent until the human fleet drops out of falight travel, which could be any moment or months from now. The Humans are bold enough, making either option plausible.
Niolayt Jardzen Mrff is hoping it is NOT months. He’s already tired of the smell of humans, let alone sharing his private quarters with one. The air smells and feels dry, just to be suitable for the tiny mammals. Her body stinks of hormones, and her body’s waste could serve as biological warfare. At least, so it seems to the Grodrrn Executive Officer’s sensitive nose.
Mrff sits on his stateroom’s floor, meditating quietly. Mrff was born when spiritual teachings were still prominent in the Fievegal’s middle and lower classes. Though, they were phased out of the Fievegal as a whole, many Grodrrn households still practiced the meditation techniques to clear the mind, and they still prayed to the Bachsu for good fortune in all endeavors.
Mrff returned to his upbringing after the tragedy in his life. He began praying to the Bachsu again and meditating to try to relieve his pain. And, it all helped. The Fievegal has tried to replace spirituality with laws and medicines, but for Mrff, taking control of his own mind and spirit were the only ways he could keep functioning.
Thankfully, he has one of the only superiors in the Fievegal who allows the old ways to still be practiced. But then, it’s the same Baskylla Jardzen who asked him to house a primitive in his quarters. The human female is supposedly pregnant with a female offspring, and she's named ‘Laurel’.
Laurel is currently sitting on her new bed, about half the size of Mrff’s, and much softer. She is idly entertaining herself on an electronic tablet that would be small for a Grodrrn, but seems to work for her.
Her voice pricks at Mrff’s concentration, “Um… Y-Yarjen… Um… Is that your name, or…”
“Whut?” growls Mrff curtly. Khla may treasure this human suddenly for almost no reason, but Mrff doesn’t see it. She’s frail, weak, and impudent most of the time. She also has no respect for meditation, apparently.
The woman speaks, “Th-Thank you for sharing your space…”
Mrff sighs and nods without opening either eye.
She squeaks again, “Um… Y-Yarjen?”
A little more perturbed, Mrff asks again, “Whut?”
“A-Are you a… H-hull-min, too?”
Mrff rolls his jaw, finally opening one eye. He states calmly, “Hullm-hin. Hullm’hin.”
“Hulm-… hin,” repeats the human female. “W-Were you?”
Mrff nods, “Wuzz.”
“‘Was’?” repeats the woman nervously. “W-What happened to your… um… Z-Zhi?”
Mrff can give her some credit for TRYING to use Grodrrn terms, but she still has no understanding at all. He states calmly and bluntly, “Myzh. Feemahl eez Zshee.”
“Oh! M-Myz. Myz is son… Okay. So…?”
Mrff retorts, “Dead. Keelt een bottle. [Dead. Killed in battle.]”
Laurel asks quietly, “Against us?”
“No. Zarrakyssns. Chonj soobjickt NOW. [No. Zarrakyssns. Change subject NOW.]”
The human pauses and quiets down. She sits idly for a while. Mrff closes his eyes, attempting to delve back into his meditation.
“Um, Yarjen…?”
The large Grodrrn sighs. He grunts, “Whut?”
“Do… Do you hate me?”
Mrff pauses. He remains silent for a while. He finally replies calmly, “Duu not flattor silf. Yarjen Craw bihleev yuu arr hopp, I weel follauw ordors. I hoff no feeleengs on you. [Do not flatter self. Jardzen Khla believe(s) you are hope, I will follow orders. I have no feelings on(for) you.]”
There’s another pause. She softly says, “Thank you for protecting me, Yarjen.”
Mrff grunts, “Stopp thonkeeng. Orders. [Stop thanking. Orders.]”
“I… I know. But, y-you… You didn’t hesitate. A-and you…”
“Stopp. I duu nott vee ozz Hulm’hin. Yuu arr preemeeteev. Oneemahl. Yarjen Craw ordor proteck, I proteck. Nautheeng more. [Stop I do not view as Chulm’chn. You are primitive . Animal. Jardzen Khla order protect. I protect. Nothing more.]”
The woman smiles softly. She replies, “No matter the reason, Yarjen, I am thankful. Every day since Yarjen Craw spoke to me, I feel a little better about all of this.”
Mrff grunts noncommittally. The humans seem satisfied as long as their words are acknowledged. Most of the time.
The speaker in Mrff’s room says quietly, “[Yarjen, your presence is requested in the bridge.]”
Mrff sighs and stands up. The world is set on interrupting his meditations today it seems. He points at the human, grunting, “I leeve. Duu nott hort silf. [I leave. Do not hurt self.]”
She nods, smiling suspiciously quaintly. She replies, “Yes, Yarjen. Thank you for caring about me.”
Mrff doesn’t respond. He simply walks out.
On the bridge, the communications team draws his attention. He approaches them calmly, asking, “[What is it?]” As the duty Jardzen for the evening, he can make most decisions for the ship, save going into battle.
The head communication Nordzen replies, “[Yarjen, we’ve received telemetry on our scout ship, but no communications. They’re about a single solar’s jump.]”
“[Any signal at all?]”
“[No, Yarjen. Their locator beacon just suddenly started transmitting. Telemetry could be inaccurate, though, if it’s going off only the automated location.]”
Mrff nods, scratching his chin. The Nordzen remarks, “[The Niodzen who discovered it already attempted a remote command, but the ship is unresponsive. If it is as close as suspected, though, a mid-range ping from the pulse generator SHOULD detect it and the human fleet.]”
Mrff nods again, “[We may have to, but let’s try to hold off. If the humans detect our pulse, they’ll just jump again. Their short jumps likely aren’t as draining as a standard long jump.]”
The navigator adds thoughtfully, “[Yarjen, is attrition an option? Our ships self-sustain, but our intel suggests the humans are far from this point.]”
Mrff shakes his head, replying, “[There’s no telling how long that could take, though. Yes, we could force them to stay on the move, but if they ARE self-sustaining, they’ll either draw us outside of Fievegal or neutral territory, or they’ll draw us into a trap. These aren’t the Myrneans.]”
“[Of course, Yarjen. Good points.]”
Mrff replies, “[Jump in as close to the marked telemetry as possible. From there, we shall attempt more passive detection and attempt to sneak up on them. If the humans are still in the area.]”
“[Yes Yarjen!]” is the unanimous reply. One of the housekeeping orderlies asks, “[Yarjen, should I awaken the Baskylla Yarjen?]”
He looks at her thinking genuinely. Mrff replies calmly, “[Not yet, thank you. Let him sleep. If we detect the humans, we will awaken him.]”
“[As you wish, Yarjen.]”
He then says, “[Please allow me to meditate for the jump, but do not hesitate if I am needed.]”
“[Yes Yarjen!]” comes the reply. He takes a seat on the floor beside the command chair. It’s quite surprisingly easy to find his center, in spite of the noise. Who would expect he would have more trouble in his own quarters than on the noisy command bridge? But then, it was the curious little mammal that kept drawing his attention specifically.
As requested, the crew leaves Mrff alone. Khla is the one who rouses him, stating, “[Yarjen Mrff, we are arriving.]”
Mrff’s eyes open. He was conscious, so there is no grogginess, but he is still a little surprised. He states, “[Yarjen? I expected you would rest longer than was needed for this jump.]”
Khla smirks and nods, “[I expected so. But, I wasn’t resting well. The crew caught me up. Any profound enlightenings from the Bachsoo, Yarjen?]”
Never once has Khla been condescending or mocking when he asks that. He accepts wisdom and ideas no matter how they were inspired. Mrff doesn’t have prophetic visions or dreams when he meditates. Instead, it’s more akin to a whisper he heard once, and only just recalled. Sometimes, it’s as direct and obvious as a sudden idea, and others it’s obscure and metaphorical at best.
Mrff replies, “[Not profound, Yarjen.]”
Khla chuckles, “[Let’s not forget what you said the day we met the humans, Mrff.]”
Mrff sighs. That day, he had the instinct or whisper for the phrase, “[Not all leaves burn in a forest fire.]” There’s always room for interpretation, and Khla took that one to foreshadow the humans’ escape -after pondering the phrase following their escape-.
Mrff suspects this time, Khla hopes to take it more seriously, and in so doing, avoid another embarrassing blunder. That kind of thinking gets dangerous VERY quickly, as even Mrff knows the vagueness can be double-edged. Not to mention, even he doesn’t believe it’s necessarily divine guidance, so much as a thought that suddenly comes to him and sticks in his brain. And, he certainly doesn’t believe himself to be a Bachsu.
Still, Mrff’s superior asked him a question. He said the same phrase on that day was not profound. Perhaps, today’s will also provide wisdom to those who interpret it wisely.
Mrff states calmly, “[Blood does not exclude Nynczyk.]” Khla scratches his neck scales in thought.
The navigator announces, “[Stand by for arrival.]”
Both Jardzens Khla and Mrff state, “[Acknowledged.]”
Mrff stands up, while Khla continues pondering. The Baskylla Jardzen wonders out loud, “[Perhaps it is warning us that continued aggression isn’t the way?]”
Mrff states calmly, “[Perhaps it is a sentence I heard long ago. Street prophets were quite common when I was a hatchling.]”
Khla replies as the digital displays build the environment around them, “[Maybe… but you recalled it specifically now.]”
“[There is a reason street prophets are outlawed, Yarjen. Their ‘wisdom’ is often misleading or dissenting.]”
“[What was legal once is now illegal. And what was immoral and unlawful once is now the norm. Let me think…]”
The scanning crew replies, “[Yarjen, we’re about [10,000 km] from the signal source.]”
Khla scoffs, “[Not quite worth a jump, but a bit long to cruise. Can the ship be remotely accessed from here?]”
“[Negative Yarjen.]”
He nods. He repeats softly as he thinks, “[Blood does not exclude Nynczyk… Nynzcyk has many meanings… cautioned kindness… fair warning… divine judgement, in old… interesting…]”
Mrff says calmly, “[Yarjen…]”
Khla nods. “[Short range pulse and charge falight drive again. If we detect the fleet, we’ll attempt to intercept.]” He pauses as confirmations come back. He quickly changes, “[Wait!]” Mrff looks at him, surprised. Khla says, “[Cancel that. Perform pulse. If they are present, we will attempt communication from here.]” Khla looks at Mrff, stating, “[Just in case we’re being warned of aggression.]”
“[Regardless of source, I do agree, Yarjen. But, if they escape…]”
“[If they escape, I shall blame you.]” Mrff looks at his superior, who smirks.
The pulse goes out, and the scanning Nordzen remarks, “[Yarjen, only one ship within [0.37 AU]. Grodrrn lighthelm scout ship.]”
Mrff states, “[The one we deployed.]”
Khla stands up from his chair, saying, “[I’ll take a scout ship and jump there to investigate. I wish to see with my own eyes. Yarjen Mrff, you have command.]”
Mrff growls, “[Yarjen, this stinks of a trap.]”
“[Which is why the battleship won’t be approaching. But, my gut is telling me to go.]”
“[Your gut is for determining hunger,]” growls Mrff.
“[I didn’t trust my instincts on the invasion, Mrff. I HAVE to trust them now.]”
There’s a tense pause as the bridge awaits Mrff’s response. Somehow, it so often comes down to him, as if he is the Baskylla Jardzen and Khla is his junior in rank in addition to age. But, Mrff knows better than to offer he go. Khla thinks Neezha is somehow involved, or he’s hoping so. His judgement may be off, but Mrff may be able to offset that.
The Niolayt Jardzen states sternly, “[Very well. BUT you WILL take an advance vanguard team. Their explosives and trap detection skills are highest.]”
Khla sighs and nods, “[Agreed.]”
Mrff nods. “[I have command.]” He helps Khla don his combat armor and then watches from the command chair’s console. Khla’s helmet is recording all he sees.
The scout ship is derelict. Its main power is shut down. It drifts lazily, pinging its location occasionally. The away team manages to dock safely to the ship, and the vanguard cautiously scans the ship from the outside by walking the hull.
The squad leader reports, “[No explosives detected, Yarjen.]”
Khla acknowledges, “[Good. Open the door manually and slowly.]”
Mrff warns over the radio, “[Yarjen, that ship may still have falight capabilities. If it powers up, your team needs to evacuate immediately. Remember what the humans did to Dzor.]”
Khla replies calmly, “[Agreed. We’ll be careful.]”
Mrff still doesn’t like it. There’s still too much that can go wrong if the humans spring whatever trap they’ve set. He just hopes Khla can be fast and wise enough to avoid it.
The squad equalizes the atmospheres of the ships. The derelict scout ship still had most of its pressure, so the team can rather easily open it.
The ship is almost empty. There are no bodies or weapons. The main computer has been taken, as well as the pilot’s seat. Khla remarks, “[Tenacious little scavengers, aren’t they?]”
Mrff hums thoughtfully. Every second that passes, the humans become more dangerous. Without Grodrrn technology, this bunch outwitted dozens of the highest Fievegal Jardzens in service, as well as the Khlychlln.
A light flashes and Mrff’s gaze snaps to the screen. The vanguards and Khla have dived away from a distinctly non-Grodrrn device sitting on the floor. However, it appears to be no more than a human computer.
The surprise doesn’t stop there. The main wall of the ship energizes, displaying a Grodrrn female’s face. There is no doubt in Mrff’s mind that Khla recognizes the face. Mrff easily recognizes her, and he isn’t her Chulm’chn.
Khla murmurs, “[Mrff, are you recording?]”
“[Yes Yarjen.]”
“[A-Are you sure?]”
Mrff scoffs, “[Yes, Yarjen.]”
Khla whispers, “[Neezha…?]”
The image starts talking though, indicating it’s prerecorded. She says calmly, “[My name is Helmdravv Neezha’Dzor Mvon Khla’chn. This is a message meant for Baskylla Yarjen Khla.]” She pauses a moment, breathing. Jardzen Khla’s hand gravitates to her image. She looks unharmed, if a little thinner than she was.
“[Yarjen,]” continues Neezha. “[The humans know you are still pursuing. They hope to ease your mind by showing you my face. I don’t expect you to believe it, and they don’t either, but I’m not scripted. So… Um… First of all, I’m okay. The humans have treated all of us as well as they can, given the circumstances.]”
One of the vanguards asks excitedly, “[‘All of us’?]” Khla hisses to silence them.
Neezha continues, “[Severe rationing is taking place in their entire fleet. They’re doing their best to catch up, but if I look skinnier, that’s why. However…]” She smiles faintly, “[The humans have actually tightened their own rations to feed all of us, including the scout team you just sent. The scout team suffered no casualties, by the way. Before them, there were only twenty survivors, myself and nineteen others mostly from Baskylla Yarjen Jor’s ship, including Yarjen Jor himself.]” Cheers resound on the bridge, and Mrff growls, “[Quiet!]”
Neezha nervously fidgets with her hands. She says softly, “[Actually, the only thing the humans asked me not to say because they know what it means is this; I’ve… been assisting the humans. I’ve taught them what I could about navigating and scanning, and… I’ve been teaching them to fly… I hope you can understand… I want… I want to help them survive because… because they’re helping all of us survive.]” She looks truly nervous and afraid, not of the humans, but of what she just said and its consequences.
She adds more proudly, though, “[Because I’ve cooperated, as well as Yarjen Jor’s passiveness, the humans made us a vow. You don’t have to believe it, because we’re still skeptical too. But… they want to… undo the cur-… um… sterilization on us. So… t-take your time finding us, Yarjen. Truly. Because, if you do…]” She smiles softly, replying, “[M-Maybe I can make up for what I’ve done to our name by helping all Grodrrns. Also, the humans say a ‘daughter’, which is like a ‘Zhi’, would normally ask for her father’s -that would be you- blessing in choosing a mate in some of their cultures, and I thought that was charming. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to ask for your blessing in advance, but I hope, if the humans succeed, that I can have your blessing to choose Yarjen Jor for the test. If it works, we won’t need the humans anymore, and they’ll give us all back, no questions, as long as the Fievegal forgets all about them.]”
She smiles more happily, adding, “[Sorry, I know I’m getting ahead of myself. As you’ve probably realized, the humans baited you to the location of this message and made another jump. I know I haven’t been the ideal prisoner of war, and I understand my fate may be better in the humans’ hands now, but if you DO keep looking for us, please know I am the only one openly cooperating with the humans. But, we’re alive and will stay that way for the foreseeable future. So personally or professionally, please continue your search slowly and carefully. The humans have been preparing every day for an eventual future encounter.]”
Neezha wipes tears from her eyes, saying tenderly, “[We’ll meet again, Yarjen. I promise.]” She smiles and presses a button, ending the message.
Mrff’s brain goes straight to tactical analysis of the message. The humans are rationing? Good. Maybe it’ll weaken their troops. They’ve been preparing? Interesting. He wonders if she secretly cued how and to what extent. They’ll have to review the video thoroughly. Dzor’s alive? Undoubtedly, he can be counted on if he can be…
Mrff’s mind slows down when he notices Khla still touching the screen where his precious Zhi’s face just was. He seems to be frozen. It dawns on Mrff that Khla hasn’t been separated from her for more than a few days since she hatched. Even this current deployment, which took years to reach Earth, is an exception because she was brought along as a child and grew into the pilot she is during the trip. She’s seen almost equal amounts of time in space as she ever saw of Grodurra. She wasn’t the only hatchling to accompany battleships, but she is now among the youngest Grodrrns in existence.
Mrff relaxes. This wasn’t a military move to stay hot on the humans’ trail. Khla knew what message was waiting, just as the humans knew which Grodrrn ship pursued them. Like Khla, Mrff isn’t convinced the humans are as savage as they set out on deployment believing. Perhaps rather than a taunt, the message truly is an ungloved hand of peace.
But, they are a Fievegal battleship with a duty to uphold. Mrff asks cautiously, “[Yarjen?]”
Khla finally turns away from the screen, saying, “[We’ll recover the ship and see if anything of use is left. Yarjen Murf, deploy jump forensics team. Perhaps they can discern the human fleet’s direction. During that time, we’ll scout our vicinity and determine if we need any resources around us. Additionally, if what Helmdraff Craw said is true, have the analysts compile the expected needs of the human fleet. We may be able to narrow our search if we can identify what they want.]”
Mrff smiles. The Baskylla Jardzen is back in form, revitalized and refocused. He replies proudly, “[As you wish Yarjen, it shall be done.]”
Mrff relays his orders. He doesn’t trust the humans the way Khla seems to, but he’s glad Khla can focus again. If the human Laurel works out, fine. If what Helmdravv Khla said works out, good. But in any case, if the battleship catches up to the human fleet, even better. They’ll have both methods at their disposal.
Mrff watches the crew ready the derelict scout ship to be brought back via a jump using the scout ship they’re piloting, which can jump both ships. The recovery goes smoothly, and the forensics teams deploy on the two remaining operable scout ships to begin scanning, the first being used by Khla joining them soon after.
Forensics teams have found trails before, but it is a highly precise art. All they can do for now though is search. Because the humans are carefully listening for the pulses now, they’ll have to find a new way to hunt them.
Fortunately, it seems time is on everyone’s side this time.
********