Zeeannssii finds herself in a strange position. Of course, physically, her position is relatively unchanged; she is a prisoner of the humans, but they have not tried to torture or interrogate her aggressively. Of course, they had internal issues that endangered her, but they allowed Syretia to save her, and though she’s lost all feeling in her leg, she can still walk. And strangely, she doesn’t blame the humans at large. Syretia was provided all of the medical facilities at the humans’ disposal, which has some equipment the horde doesn’t have, and some that they’ve co-opted from her cooperation. Syretia is just about as much of a traitor as an individual could be, and she’s very close to getting a source for a new army; a particularly powerful human being. The very fact that she considers it is a blasphemy against all the horde preaches.
Of course, the Azure Queen has different views, and Void Queen Zeeannssii exists because of them. She finds no irony in the humans’ behavior. They see value in even enemies, and she can tell they would be overjoyed to turn her to their side. They’d turn the Azure Queen too, if she allowed it.
And, as if on cue to make an attempt, so arrives the Admiral of the humans herself; the de facto ruler without specifically identifying as a ruler.
Of course, Admiral Long probably has more reason than most to hate Zeeannssii. Even now, she is missing her left arm, though she is wearing her uniform as proudly as ever before. She passes the guards with a warm expression, and the giant Grodrrn ducks into the area behind her.
Zeeannssii twitches her antennae with amusement. While she definitely underestimated her adversaries on all levels, Baskylla Jardzen Dzor is by far the most impressive. Zeeannssii has seen a lot of what grodrrns can do via the Azure Queen and her battles with Mrrk’lah. Dzor grievously injured himself, but managed to fight viciously. Even the other grodrrns are surprised by his feat.
Now, it shows, even [months] afterwards. His limp is still there, slowing his gait and likely causing him a small bit of pain with every step. Regardless, Zeeannssii isn’t foolish enough to try anything again.
Zeeannssii hums, murmuring in grodrrn, “[Admiral. Baskylla Jardzen. Humans prefer titles over names, yes?]”
Dzor replies bluntly, “[Situational.]”
She hums in amusement, “[‘Situational’? That sounds awfully confusing.]”
Long speaks in her own language, and Dzor translates, “[Admiral Long asks if you are feeling okay.]”
“[Ahh, checking my mental state, yes? I am in my normal state of mind.]”
Dzor snorts, retorting, “[No. She is asking if you still hurt from your wounds.]”
Zeeannssii looks at him, and then the human. She doesn’t feel any real animosity. “[Does she intend to change that if I say I am well?]”
Dzor chuckles. “[You and I are used to each other. You are not prepared for the Admiral’s form of torture.]” Long looks at Dzor, speaking briefly to him. He replies to her, likely explaining the brief conversation. He then asks, “[If you require further treatment, Admiral Long will make arrangements. She knows information extraction will not be effective on you.]”
Zeeannssii is silent. “[Tell me… Did she forgive you?]”
Admiral Long replies for herself this time, “[Yes. I did.]” She then speaks to Dzor, and he nods. “[She is learning, but regrets she cannot converse fluently with us. She says she forgives you as well.]”
Zeeannsii paces, looking at Long from a different angle. She chatters in confusion, saying, “[She’s a fool, then.]”
Dzor chuckles, “[I agree. But she is my fool.]”
Long seems to change tones with Dzor, and he smirks. “[She understands more than she can say. I would kill you if it was my choice, but I defer to her because I would be dead if she was like me.]”
“[I see. So, you are okay that I crippled her?]”
“[I have accepted that she is still alive. That is more important. We both accept that you protected loyal members of the fleet, which is why you are still alive.]”
“[Mmm… Human forgiveness is cheap.]”
“[No. It isn’t. It is attained easily to us, but its weight becomes apparent. They will do anything to survive; even rescue their enemies in hopes of creating treaties or alliances… or even friendships.]”
“[So, I am to become the Admiral’s next friend, am I?]”
“[If you wish for her to offer something no one else can give you.]”
“[I highly doubt the humans have anything I want.]”
“[You’re correct. They’re insane enough to attain it for you.]”
Zeeannssii laughs, stamping her feet to show that, not only does she know grodrrns, but to mock him. She asks, “[Oh? And what is it, then? Tease me with this treasure the humans can attain.]”
Dzor looks at Admiral Long, and he speaks to her briefly, with her replying with her seemingly-normal tone.
“[The same thing the humans gave us; restored fertility.]”
Zeeannssii stares at him. She retorts coldly, obvious particularly to him, “[Your humans are arrogant to make such an offer…]”
“[They are. But, they’ve held off both of our empires.]”
“[They will ultimately lose.]”
“[Probably. Which is why they’re dedicated to offering to fix the largest problems of their enemies. On Grodurra, we have a saying; a single scale is not worth endless pain.]”
“[I am not grodrrn.]”
“[I think you know the saying.]”
Zeeannssii is silent for a moment. Grodrrns fear and shame scaleless grodrrns. It’s a derogatory term for cowards, but is actually typically more associated with old age. He’s saying that trying to let a rotting and painful scale stay just to not become truly scaleless isn’t worth it; shed pride in the interest of living.
“[What makes the human think she can fix my problem? And why should it make any difference?]”
“[She is willing to find people who will try. Humans don’t have the luxury of longevity or a large empire; the stability that comes with ancient-found successful practices. They are still in the stage of development. Their minds deconstruct problems quickly.]”
“[You realize you’ve told me more about them than I have about myself?]”
“[We’ve learned enough.]”
Zeeannsii recoils. “[Impossible. I’ve given you nothing.]”
“[You are resistant to intelligence-gathering. But, I suspect you are rather young. Your pheromones speak volumes to me far more than your words ever could.]”
She instinctively looks around. The air can’t possibly be cycling that quickly. And, he couldn’t possibly know her smell so astutely. He’s a grodrrn, and she’s a Void Queen. In fact, she’s sterile. She shouldn’t have shifting pheromones. Not enough to say anything.
Dzor says calmly, “[Your mind is racing. Some of it is facade, but I know you are not the only one with your affliction, and it is clearly something that interests you just as it interested me.]”
“[I will not betray the Horde for something personal!]”
Dzor is silent for a moment. “[I hate what I see in you.]”
“[Intelligence?]” asks the Void Queen sarcastically. “[Loyalty?]”
Dzor retorts, “[Myself.]”
She buzzes in disgust, but shifts to laughter. He adds sincerely, though. “[I agree. However, you lack the realization it took me a long time to make; the Fievegal would not come to rescue me. You are a statistic to the Horde, just as I am to the Fievegal.]”
“[You know nothing! I knew the risks, and I made the choice to accept this mission! I regret nothing!]” She buzzes angrily, and Long steps up, saying something in a soft tone. Zeeannssii hisses at her, “[Don’t try to utilize duality of tone on me! I am not so easily fooled! I regret nothing! I am alive because of you! I would not have spared you! This;]” She gestures at Long’s severed arm, adding, “[I am proud of! That’s right! I am proud. I am HAPPY that I took your arm from you! I never dreamed the grodrrn would take your arm, but it is so perfect! And yet, in your weakness, you forgave him so he would protect you! Unlike you, I need no protection! I will die if it is my destiny, and you can do NOTHING for me that my Queen could not do!]”
Both of them listen patiently, and Dzor states calmly, surprisingly level-headed; “[Not long ago, I would have crushed this container with you inside. But,... I see why the humans do what they do… Such feelings of independence and pride are just a lonely place to die.]”
“[I accept.]”
“[Then why did you protect the target you were ultimately supposed to kill?]”
Zeeannssii is silent. He’s not talking about Long this time. The egg was supposed to be recovered alive. But, the traitor was acceptable to be killed on sight, and instead, she dragged Zeeannssii to medical -knowing this- and saved Zeeannssii’s life at risk of the scorn of the humans and grodrrns.
“[You don’t have to accept right now,]” adds Dzor. “[You don’t have to do anything right now. Admiral Long’s offer stands for now. But, she doesn’t regret that you’re alive.]”
Zeeannssii studies the human for a long moment. Long places her right hand on the transparent panel separating them. Long says something in her soft tone, and Dzor translates, “[If there is something else that you would like to ask for, we can consider it, but Long bears the weight of much that has occurred. Many humans want revenge on you. On me as well. Humans like Long see value beyond the actions of war. They turn mercy into a strength, instead of letting it destroy them. Mostly.]”
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“[Why keep me alive? What does she hope to get out of me? Another little pet? Another insight into the Horde? Perhaps how to defeat my Queen?]”
Dzor replies bluntly, “[She wants the human fleet to be left alone. If giving you back to the Horde would end the pursuit, she would have you on a ship bound for Zarak space already.]”
“[Deal. Release me, and I’ll-...]”
“[The humans are not that foolish. It’s a careful game, one where destroying one piece in retaliation for another dooms the fleet. Keeping you alive poses options.]”
Zeeannssii twitches her antennae again. “[So, they hope to bargain using me, not with me.]”
“[I earned my place outside of one of these cages, and I have grown from it. You have not grown yet, but you might. Fear the day that chess begins, Void Queen. You will turn quickly.]” Dzor chuckles menacingly, and Zeeannssii is given true pause for a moment. What could chess be? A form of torture? If they can genetically engineer… can they alter minds? She gives no sign of her thoughts -at least, she hopes not-. But, she is left wondering.
Long speaks again, and Dzor says, “[We will visit, Void Queen Zeeannssii.]”
She watches them leave, wondering if that was truly their strategy; to attempt to get her to feel sorry for or compassion for a filthy mammal. Should she grovel before them for sparing her life? She didn’t ask them to. In fact, she specifically told Syretia not to bother. If they think mercy can win her over or the Azure Queen, they are sorely mistaken and will pay for it with their lives.
Something draws her attention to the two just as they’re reaching the door to the main chamber the containment is in. A human soldier intercepts them, saying something to them. This seems to startle Long, specifically, but Dzor also seems to be highly alert to the news.
Zeeannssii has gathered less of the human language than she would like. She can recognize a few words, but not enough to make sense of what little she can hear now.
However, Long shares a look with Zeeannssii that suggests something strange. And, given the events of the galaxy at large, Zeeannssii feels a strong pull to a singular idea; the Azure Queen. She is a master of manipulation; a master of espionage and counterintelligence; and a master mind-reader. If she is the one pushing the human's buttons now, they are already doomed.
So, why does it feel strange?
***
Hancock jogs into the meeting room with Lopez, Fisher, and Spaceman Long. The entirety of Alpha Team, Bravo Team, and the command crew have been summoned. Helmdraavv Khla is also present, but she looks distraught. And that's saying something; she just had a hatchling that's healthy and energetic, and is being celebrated by the fleet at large. She's standing behind Admiral Long and Dzor, but it's clear she's distressed. Hancock's first instinct is a critique, where she did something wrong and is about to be yelled at, but then he realizes it's a combat collective, not an administrative collective.
Admiral Long says, "Hancock, good. I wanted you specifically."
"Me, Admiral?" asks the Ensign in confusion.
"Yes. As the only officer in the TEAU battalion not involved in Commander Hitch's actions, you're now the acting commanding officer of TEAU and I'm field promoting you to Junior Lieutenant, with a review board for Lieutenant next week. Until then, we need you."
Hancock snaps to a crisp attention, stating proudly, "I'm flattered and honored Admiral. But, I don't understand…"
"I don't have enough trust in line officers outside of TEAU, and you demonstrated great care during first contact with the Cave Queen. You need experience, but you're the best I have. When… you see this, you'll understand more I hope…" She starts a video, and the display screens around the room show Baskylla Jardzen Khla's face. He looks like he's been in a fight, and is currently bound.
A cold voice seems to growl from behind the screen, and the computer translator translates: "G:[Begin.]" Simplicity is the creativity of technology, and Hancock knows the 'g' in this case means that the translator is recognizing and translating grodrrn.
Jardzen Khla hesitates a moment, but he begins, "G:[Neezha… my Zhi… I am being permitted to send this message by my captor. I don't know the right things to say, because she wants me to say whatever I say… It's difficult to explain. I am bait for a trap. Our ship was captured in what felt like moments. She is surrounded by white Zarakyssns loyal to her… They call her sister and Queen. She is not a Zarakyssn, though. She is… it is difficult to believe. Difficult to describe.]"
The same voice ordering him to begin growls quietly, "G:[I am flattered.]"
Khla continues, "G:[She is not merciful, she is not interested in negotiating. She will hunt the humans and the traitor to the ends of the universe; into any empire and to any world. I do not think she's bluffing. This… creature… She is unlike anything or anyone I have faced. If you kill their sister, they will hunt you. If you try to hide, they will hunt you. If you try to plead for help from the Fievegal, she will find you. I have been told only one thing I must tell you, but I must urge you and the humans to abandon us. The Queen offers peace and freedom… if the human fleet presents themselves before her. Survival is not guaranteed, but she claims it is the only way to save the fleet… and us as well. Neezha, do not come. I beg you. Her price is not something that can be paid.]"
"G:[That is enough. Humans, I know you will see this message because I know Neezha is not foolish enough to attempt to come alone. I want nothing from her. I understand you are compassionate creatures.]"
The video zooms out as Khla looks down in shame. The entirety of his ship is gathered behind him, from shocktroopers to Niolajt Jardzen Mrff, as well as the humans that stayed with his ship to go to the Fievegal. Laurel's infant is being held by a young-looking grodrrn who does not appear to be captive, though it's obvious that grodrrn is not the one who has been speaking.
"G:[I desire only a single sister back, and in exchange, I am offering this entire crew AND the life of Syretia the traitor. The catch is what you must do once you arrive. I assure you, it is nothing as permanent as slavery or subjugation. We shall discuss those details in person. Come willingly, or the offer will expire. So sayeth the Stones.]"
The video goes black, and everyone is silent for a moment. Hancock looks quietly at Khla, who is particularly dull in color and emotion.
Hancock is a calculator, though. He's not a genius like Lopez, but he suspects this one is not very difficult to figure out. "You want to consider sending an extraction team."
Admiral Long is silent. Dzor says quietly, "Deliver deadly payload is more reliable. Asset denial is what humans call it. Fievegal will not allow grodrrns to be held."
Pwalkynn says from behind Senior Chief Tachibana, "We are not Fievegal, and it is unexplainable how Khla ship captured."
"Do you believe fake?" growls Dzor.
Admiral Long says sternly, "Calm down. We need this to stay a discussion. Our only asset right now is that she doesn't know where we are, or we would already be dead."
Pwalkynn growls, "Humans save humans. Grodrrns save grodrrns. This discussion is predictable."
"No, it's not. Anyone here knows I'm not the right person to make this call. I want to save everyone. We owe more than enough to Khla and Khla, both. And that's without mentioning the others, to whom we also owe our lives. To pick any one or two is not right, nor is to risk our safety as a whole for the whole right as well. Certainly… not a second time. So… Hancock… Chief Grey… Someone here, tell me what you think. Someone tell me the right answer without telling me to abandon them… Please…”
Khla murmurs, “Admiral… Is not always possible to have what we want…”
Long looks partially at Khla. “You brought this to me for an answer, Helmdraff. I don’t have one.”
Hancock asks, “This Queen of theirs, do we know where she is? I didn’t see a location in the translated text.”
Kane shakes his head, “No. And there was none.”
Senior Chief Tachibana adds, “Only thing Helmdraff Craw could find was the origin location of the message.”
“Which they could have scrubbed and didn’t,” remarks Grey.
Hancock ponders the thought. Long states, “In every sense this is a trap, so I cannot ask…”
“I’ll go,” states the newly-promoted Junior Lieutenant. Everyone pauses for a moment, and he looks at Lopez when she tugs on his sleeve. His reply is to everyone, though. “I can try to find out what this Queen wants.”
Grey growls, “You’re not going alone, Rookie.”
“Chief, don’t make me pull rank. Either we sacrifice one, or one is enough.”
Grey steps toward him, growling, “I remember when you were pissing your pants, Rookie. You going to have the grit to pull the trigger when you’re facing down a thing that makes a grodrrn shake like that?” Grey is now face to face with Hancock, but for once, Hancock feels calm in the face of one of his mentors. Hancock replies calmly, “Most of what I know, I’ve learned from you Chief. And the first and most important thing is that we don’t need heroes. We need to figure out what we’re doing before we’re feeding a meat grinder.”
Grey pokes his chest. “If that ain’t a lemon callin’ a lime sour.”
Hancock chuckles. “I also learned, sometimes we need a hero. Better known as the idiot willing to go.” He turns to Long, “Admiral, I know you’ve just promoted me, but I am not willing to send anyone else on this mission. I intend to go to the origin location alone and spring the trap. Hopefully, if they spared the others, they’ll present me to the Queen, where I can attempt to negotiate.”
Tachibana remarks, “Sir, if you go alone, we’ll have no way of knowing the outcome.”
“I realize that. If the mystery Queen is there waiting, I might be able to relay through the ship. You’ll need to move immediately after, though.”
Chief Grey states to Long, “Admiral, send me with him.”
“Chief,” starts Hancock.
Long waves her hand to stop them both. “Don’t. This isn’t a time to authority wrestle. Do we have any other options?”
There’s a moment of quiet, and Rena Coulson offers, “Could… We send Zeeannssii back? A trade offer maybe?”
Dzor replies, “Zeeannssii may be only reason tactical response not sent to destroy us.”
Pwalkyn replies, “They would still have to find us, but agreed. Returning Void Queen to allies would not be beneficial.”
Rena replies, “It’s an offer of peace. They want their sister back.”
Chief Marvoni asks, “Shouldn’t we be worried that they already know she’s still alive?”
Long replies, “We know Zeeannssii was connected for a brief time during the insurgence. Syretia admitted as much, though she believes Zeeannssii may have hidden both of them from the divine bond, somehow.”
Rena asks, “Even if you’re considering going, Sir, how will you reconnect with the fleet?”
The team is silent, and Khla steps forward. “I volunteer as pilot.”
Hancock replies, “No.”
“I am the best pilot fleet has. Most experienced. Experienced in long range missions.”
“You have a newborn. Admiral…”
“Wars are not fought by the childless.”
Dzor states, “I will go. This enemy, I can defeat in combat. If Hancock…”
Hancock retorts, “Sending an obvious combat asset will send the wrong message. We need to go in light and quiet. Khla, you have too much to lose. I am the new Tactical Exploration and Assault Unit Commanding Officer, yes?”
Admiral Long admits, “I’m not happy where this conversation is going…”
Chief Grey seizes the moment, “You have willing volunteers, Admiral. You must determine who goes, at least. I’m willing to go. I’m not keen on Craw going, but I’m not excited about not having a grodrrn pilot either. Baskylla Jardzen, no offense, you’re not in top form. Neither am I, but I’m more expendable…”
Long growls, “Everyone stop. No one here is expendable. Hancock, I’m not even certain I’m going to let you go. Or anyone. We need more options.”
Hancock replies, “My promotion was for a reason, yes? Lopez’s armor will get me through. The ship can get me through. Just give me a crash course or a guide book, and we’ll take our chances with one. Let me give it a shot, and if you don’t hear anything, come up with a new plan.”
“I’m not happy about this mission suggestion either, Sir, but respectfully,” Senior Chief Tachibana adds as respectfully and sincerely as she can, attempting to keep the picture clear and see more possibilities, “Should we not be concerned that sending a fraction of what she wants might insult this Queen? She doesn’t sound particularly… negotiable.”
Lieutenant Commander Kane replies, “I don’t suspect Zarakyssns take insults the same way we or the grodrrns do. Most of their decisions are made in consensus. If we offer an olive branch with Zeeannssii, she may be open to at least clarifying what she wants.”
Moody suggests from his seat in the back, “Why not just have Zeeannssii tell the Queen we want to talk? This divine bond of theirs spans the galaxy, doesn’t it?”
Kane answers him, “An option, true, but the divine bond is not private, to my understanding. The entire Horde will hear if she attempts to communicate, and thus…”
Long finishes the thought, “The entire Horde will know where we are.”
Moody replies, “That part, I assume, was a given, Ma’am; Sir.”
Fisher puts his hand on his chin, asking, “Didn’t we just mention that Zeeannssii can turn it off, apparently?”
Kane replies, “We’re not sure of the mechanism, as Syretia isn’t sure how to describe why she thinks it even happened.”
Long adds, “And, Void Queen Zeeannssii is careful about what information she lets us have.” Kane nods in agreement.
Dzor grumbles, “Too much discussion. Strike mission still most effective.”
***