Gabriel leaned back in the chair and ran his fingers through his hair. Madeline gave him a sympathetic look while Khrussk stood up. “I will see if there is any news” He left the room closing the door behind him.
“Are you alright, Gabriel?” Madeline asked and touched his shoulder.
Gabriel shrugged and blew out a long breath. “Guess so?” He didn't know what to feel. “My sister is alive, or at least was in stasis two weeks ago. I might be able to see her again.” He shook his head and rubbed his face. “But...” Madeline squeezed his shoulder and he put his hand over hers. “But that’s the only positive way to see this.”
Madeline nodded, “It’s hard to see positives in kidnapping, but she is human and your sister. I’m sure she will be fine.”
Gabriel forced a smile. “You’re right, at least that’s what I’m going to tell myself” He sighed and shook his head, “I had given up hope of seeing anyone I ever knew ever again...but now my sister is in the same situation.” Madeline nodded slowly, saying nothing. He sat silent for a few minutes before shaking his head, “It’s not like I can do anything about it now...maybe Khrussk will let me interrogate the Igris”
“Are you trained in interrogation?” Madeline asked, surprised.
“Nope, but I’ve seen a lot of detective shows, and I’m fairly sure I can threaten him, or her.” He squinted, “I need some lessons in the union races, I can’t go around guessing about everything. And coming up with my own names for everyone would be disastrous.” He forced a smile.
Madeline chirped softly, “There's information available on your PCU, but you will need to learn how to read first”
“Top of my priority list, well after Victoria but you know what I mean”
Madeline nodded, her fur ridge rising once. “Yeah, I do” They sat in silence for a minute or two before Madeline spoke again. So...I’m curious, what would you name Zilgi if you had no choice?”
“Uh, you know, I’ve never thought about it” He lied.
Madeline narrowed her eyes at him and smirked. “Is it something offensive?”
“No! well, probably not? You and Quizeaterans remind me of animals back on earth is all.”
“Comparing sentient races to animals!?” Madeline said sounding shocked, but she could not quite keep her fur ridge under control. Gabriel raised an eyebrow at her and she started chirping, “Sorry, but I really want to know”
“Well maybe I don’t feel like telling you now,” Gabriel said and crossed his arms. Madeline tilted her head to the side and blinked her large eyes at him. “I’m sure that works on your father but not me...not at all” Gabriel lied. She smiled and kept it up, and to his credit, Gabriel lasted for over a minute. “Fine...”
Madeline chirped and grinned at him. “So?”
“This might sound strange, or rude,” Gabriel said.
“I’ll live, spill it,” Madeline said.
“You look like a human dressing up like a squirrel, who in turn is dressing up like a bird,” Gabriel said quickly, hoping it would be less offensive somehow.
“Well, bird maybe translated properly, they fly, have feathers and lay eggs, with beaks?” Madeline said, and after Gabriel nodded she asked: “What do squirrels look like?”
“They are small tree-climbing rodents, it’s mostly your tail and the fact you evolved climbing trees. And your nose is kind of...” He searched for words, “not human?”
“I would think so, being a Zilgi and all,” Madeline said smiling. “Do I look strange to you?”
“Well, yes?” Gabriel said and shrugged, “I mean we look kinda different but compared to the other Xenos I’ve seen, you look...”
“Human?”
“I guess, I mean is it not the same for you?”
Madeline pondered the question for a moment and then her fur ridge rose up. “I guess so...Yes, you look kinda like a Zilgi, just without fur and a tail, and claws”
“See?” Gabriel said smiling, “Quizeaterans, on the other hand, look like...well the long thick hair on their heads look like porcupine needles, but softer. But their faces look...” Gabriel shrugged. “I’m not sure, smaller nose than porcupines, human-like features, much larger ears.” He held up his hands to his head and wiggled his fingers.
Madeline chirped and shook her head, “Well, you’re not wrong”
“...Thank you for changing the subject,” Gabriel said after another moment.
“I have no idea what you mean,” Madeline said innocently and then chirped when she met Gabriel’s skeptic gaze.
Gabriel joined her chuckling as the door opened and Khrussk entered carrying two bags. He stopped and looked them over, his expression a little confused. “Your clothes have arrived.” He handed them each a bag.
“Thanks,” Gabriel said and looked at Madeline’s bag, “When did you have time to order?”
“At the embassy, while waiting for you” She said and stood, “Where can we change?” she asked Khrussk.
“A few rooms over” Khrussk led them to two separate rooms and Gabriel opened his bag once inside. It contained three pairs of pants, similar to jeans but of course a different material, all black. He had received several t-shirts and a bomber jacket like one he used to have back on earth, same brown color as well, though not the leather he was used to. But It felt good having some familiar clothing. He also had a few button-up shirts for good measure. The shoes were comfortable for long walks, almost like low hiking boots. For now, all-purpose seemed the best option.
He dressed and looked into the mirror of the small room. He looked unkempt, his hair was getting a little long, even before being kidnapped his hair was getting long and the two weeks in space had not helped. His beard he would have to shave as well when possible. He walked out at the same time as Madeline. She wore pants and a shirt looser than the coverall. The dark red shirt almost fell off her shoulders showing an ‘apron’ like garment she had described back on the ship.
“I might have chosen a size too big,” She said and looked down at her baggy clothes, “But it feels nice not to have my fur squished”
“You look good,” Gabriel said smiling, he had always liked baggy clothes on women, always looked comfortable. Madeline smiled and her fur ridge fluttered, something he had not seen before, it was similar to her saying no, but more erratic.
“You don’t look half bad either,” She said and looked him over.
Gabriel grinned and spun around, “Thanks, It’s a little old school but my father is...was very into older fashion. The jacket, in particular, I’ve always liked the style. Can’t get leather but this does remind me of home.” Gabriel sighed and rubbed the cloth between his fingers.
“Leather? wait, I’m not sure I want to know.” Madeline said her brow furrowed.
“Well, it was fake leather” Gabriel admitted and sighed, now reminded even more of home. Madeline walked over caught his gaze, Gabriel gave her a small smile, “I’m just a little homesick”
She looked around the empty hallway and then walked up and wrapped her arms around his chest and pulled him into a hug, “I understand, I feel a little homesick as well. But I’ll have an easier time getting home.”
Gabriel hugged her back for a moment, “Speaking of which...when are you going home?” He pulled away from the hug.
Madeline shrugged, “I don’t know, I meant what I said that I don’t want to leave you here, but I can’t stay forever...Won’t you come with me? I can convince my father to hire you as my bodyguard, I clearly need one” She said smiling.
Gabriel chuckled, “I want to, but Victoria...”
“I didn’t mean to abandon her,” Madeline quickly added. “I know she comes first and If I can help you I will. But if we get the time?”
Gabriel nodded, “Yeah, If we get the time I would love to see your home.”
“It’s a date,” She said and grinned, “for some time in the future”
“Sounds good to me,” Gabriel said, “Shall we get back?” Madeline nodded and they wandered back to the interrogation room. Kzanti stood outside and let them in.
Khrussk was sitting down reading on his tablet, he looked up as they entered. “I have no news I’m afraid, we have permission to board the Igris ship and are on the way there now and will look through their ship's navigation after any clues.”
Gabriel nodded and sat down. “Thank you for that”
Khrussk nodded back, “The Union does not look favorably on trafficking. It was, unfortunately, more common in the past and many newer races suffered kidnappings. We are trying to stop it from happening, but with space as vast as it is.” He huffed, which might be a sigh for him as he looked sullen. “But we are getting better at it.”
“I understand, regardless I can’t do anything on my own. I can’t even read Station standard.” Gabriel sighed. “If it’s possible, would you tell me when or if you find anything?”
“That we can do,” Khrussk said with a nod, “This is a special case, and like it or not you are for the moment an ambassador for the humans.”
Gabriel felt his eyebrows creep up his forehead, “Really?”
“Yes, though that’s mostly for show if I am honest. Regardless you will be informed of anything we find. And I have heard that your languages are being put into text so your PCU can soon be updated.”
“Oh, that’s good news, I can...wait how did they get the letters? and how did the Igris get my language in the first place?” Gabriel asked puzzled.
“To start with, to copy a language into a translator requires plenty of text in that language, we have programs that can read and create translations. And it would require a small amount of audio from someone speaking in said language. Usually reading a few sentences for proper pronunciation” Khrussk said and then squinted, looking to the side. “I assumed you had letters with you, but maybe the Igris had those. I am an interrogation officer, I don’t look over the evidence so I, unfortunately, do not know.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“I certainly had nothing with me, Can you find out if the Igris did? and I would like to see what text might exist” Gabriel said and stood up.
Khrussk held up his hands, “Yes, certainly, any material from Earth,” He said the name a bit clumsily, “Would belong to you and your sister as you are the only humans in this part of space but she is...unaccounted for.”
“Everything?” Gabriel said surprised.
“Yes, until it can be returned to its original owner if anything is found of course. This is to make sure no one can raid and sell from pre FTL races or even those just after first contact.” Khrussk confirmed.
“Huh, well I guess that makes sense, as long as you don’t have a greedy ambassador.”
“Even in that case the criminals will not profit, and we make sure the thieves are not working with the ambassador. But that has so far never happened.” Khrussk said, “Now what are your plans for the immediate future?”
“Finding my sister” Gabriel answered right away.
“Of course, but until you receive more information?”
“Well, didn’t you have tests to run? what kind I don't know” Gabriel asked and scratched his beard. “Oh, and could I get something to shave with?”
“Yes, It should be included in your bag. And the tests are physical and mental, strength, concentration and some to see how intelligent you are, as crude as that might sound.”
“You know I can’t read Station standard right?”
“Yes, we are aware, and those tests will have to wait for a few days.” Khrussk huffed, “I don’t see the point in those as you have explained humans are space-faring and might not be far from FTL.”
“Are the tests just to see if humans are smart enough for space travel?”
Khrussk paused and then gave a clumsy shrug, “mostly, but some” He leaned closer, “Phigos” He gave them both a knowing look and leaned back, “They want to know how smart every new race is, they want everything to be documented. Or some of them do,” He huffed again. “They probably have every race in any number of lists, with various advantages and disadvantages.”
Gabriel smiled at the officer relaxing and opening up. “It appears some humans were right. Kidnapping is not an unusual story, neither is experiments, though usually a different kind.” Gabriel was not keen on describing little grey men and would rather avoid any mention of probing.
Khrussk tried mimicking a smile, “They are not so bad really, hard workers and meticulous. It is more of a bad stereotype, which does fit some I have met. I don’t mean to insult or insinuate something about an entire species just to be clear”
“Sure,” Gabriel said smiling, “But I shouldn’t be too concerned if the doctor wants to throw me test after test?”
“Correct, but it is still early, with the access to the Igris ship, even the other tests will be postponed until after midday at least I would think.” Khrussk. “We observed you yesterday and saw no signs that anyone would be after you so you can feel free to explore the station for a few hours. We will ping your PCU later” Khrussk said and stood up. “If there is nothing else I will see you later later” When neither spoke up Khrussk nodded and left the room.
Gabriel looked over to Madeline, “What stereotypes exist about the Yavichians?”
“I haven't heard many, good at tinkering, you know electronics and small machinery but...” She shrugged. “Nothing specific.”
Gabriel nodded, “So, wanna look around?”
“Yes, If you want. Some fresh air would be good, and we could visit a park” She said, her fur ridge rising up.
“So you can climb a tree,” Gabriel said nodding.
She elbowed him in the ribs grinning, “You evolved from tree climbers as much as I did”
“Then we can both climb trees,” Gabriel said chuckling and stood, grabbing his jacket in the process but leaving the bag. “Lead the way”
Madeline sighed but stood up still smiling, “You know I’m as new to this station as you are”
“Yeah, but you can read” Gabriel put a hand on her back and pushed her forward, “Now let’s go, I want to see as much as possible while we can.”
“Fine, fine, stop pushing” She chirped and led the way out of the building. Gabriel got a good look around as they walked. The station was shaped like a dome, and he could faintly see stars through the glass ceiling. In the middle of the station was a spire he had not seen as they were on the outskirts. The spire pierced the dome and extended into space. He imagined it continuing down as well. Close to the spire were large cramped buildings with little space between them. On the outskirts, they passed buildings with more space and some even with yards, though not lawns or anything. But they passed what looked like residential buildings with a few small trees and benches.
Madeline pointed out different restaurants or shops as they walked. Or rather read the signs. He had gotten used to the curious looks he got as they walked and had taken to nod to passersby. Eventually, and after stopping a passing Yavichian couple they made it to a rather large park. Apparently, there was one in either direction from the central spire. All shaped like a wedge pointing at the spire with the widest point to the outside. But even here Gabriel could see the other side of the park through a wide slightly curving path.
“So which park is this? I mean there are not any directions in space.” Gabriel said and scratched his cheek, realizing he had forgotten to shave.
“No, there is not, but all major stations use them anyway just for directions. This is...” She paused and glanced at a sign, “The east park”
Gabriel looked around and oriented himself after the skyscrapers he saw. It made sense to have some form of cardinal directions. Madeline pulled on his arm and they walked into the park. There was little grass, more like plots or large planting boxes built into the floor of the station. It looked artificial, which Gabriel found a strange thought. Of course, it was. There were many strange trees and flowers he had never seen before. Trees with blue leaves, some with yellow. One had almost black leaves, and the bark ranged from white to all shades of brown and green in two cases, some large, some small and all in all a great variety.
The grass in the boxes he assumed was from the same planet as the trees and often matched in color or looks. The flowers as well and it looked less like a park and more like an exhibit of different flora, all neatly arranged in same size boxes. “It’s pretty but I prefer real nature,” Gabriel said and sat on a bench in front of a greenish tree with red leaves, looking at a patch of flowers shaped like four-leaf clovers with blue leaves.
“Me too,” Madeline said and sat next to him looking up at the tree. “Good choice though, this tree is from my home.” Gabriel looked at her and saw the red in her fur almost matched the red in the leaves and the green stripes matched the bark.
“The colors are beautiful,” Gabriel said smiling, before turning back to the tree.
“Yeah...” Madeline said studying the canopy. “And I’m not just saying that because I’m wearing them” She smiled.
Gabriel turned back to her, “Would you look at that, you’re right!” He said feigning surprise.
She rolled her eyes and gently punched his shoulder, “Like you didn’t spend enough time staring at me to know” She teased.
“Fair” Gabriel grinned and looked back at the tree, trying to imagine an entire forest of them. “So...want to climb it?”
“I’ll pass, but you go ahead,” Madeline said with a smirk.
“Suit yourself,” Gabriel said, looked around to see them relatively alone, then he stood and walked over to the tree jumping up and catching a thick branch.
“Gabriel!” Madeline said shocked and looked around.
“Yes?” Gabriel asked as he pulled himself up. “With the lower gravity this is easy” He grinned.
“Get down before someone sees you!” She stood and looked around approaching the tree.
“It is forbidden to climb trees?” He asked and sat dangling with his legs.
“Well...no I don’t think so, but who would?” She looked around again.
“Well, I for one” He climbed a bit higher, “There is quite a nice view up here.” The tree was one of the taller ones and he could see over most other trees in the park and saw even lines of different colored leaves stretching to the central spire.
Gabriel heard Madeline sigh from where she stood under the tree. “Great, now please come down”
“Alright, fine” Gabriel climbed down and even jumped from higher than he would deem safe back on earth. He landed without falling and without pain, “But when we get to your home we’re climbing a tree”
Madeline sighed again but her fur ridge stood up, “Alright, I’ll agree to that, can we go back now?”
“Yeah, but let me lead, I want to see if I avoid getting lost” Gabriel grinned and after a moment of catching his bearings started down the street with Madeline in tow. He did relatively well on finding his way back with only a few ‘suggestions’ from Madeline. They ended up two streets further into the station than intended and decided to cut through a couple of alleyways to get back faster. “You know, I just thought of something,” Gabriel said as they exited the first alleyway.
“How surprising” Madeline said and gave him a quick grin when he glared at her.
“Did you ever tell me the name of your planet?” Gabriel continued.
“Maybe not, I just call it home. Anyway it's called Zilg”
“Hmm, that makes sense, Zilgi for the planet Zilg.” Gabriel said and shrugged, “Maybe I should have said humans were called Earthlings or Terrans after Terra.”
“I do remember you saying your planet was called Earth” Madeline nodded. “And what does Terra mean?”
“Earth,” Gabriel said.
Madeline stared at him for a moment before chirping and shaking her head, “Of course it does”
Gabriel grinned at her and was just going to ask what Zilg meant when Madeline looked into the next alley and frowned. Gabriel looked over and saw a group of three Phigos and two Yavichians standing in a group facing a wall with someone in the middle. They were all dressed conspicuously like a gang, or maybe they just worked in the same building. Gabriel glanced over to Madeline who sighed, “Go, I’ll keep back”
Gabriel smiled and headed off towards the group. He walked quietly on purpose and they didn't notice him as they were occupied by insulting whoever was in front of them. Gabriel first though they had beat someone up as they all looked down but then he was one of the four-eyed bats with Turian...
“That was what they were called, Turians!” Gabriel said out loud to himself. Everyone spun to look at him with various levels of surprise. Gabriel ignored them and looked at the small alien. Its mouth looked from the front like the Turians of Mass effect, almost like a beak, or shell but the sides looked like cheeks, not the mandibles that the Turans had. He turned to the surprised group, “So...what’s going on?”
“None of your business,” The largest Phigos said and stepped in front of Gabriel. He was almost a head taller but in shoulder width, they matched. “I suggest you leave before you get hurt”
Gabriel decided to call this one Biggs and looked over to the small alien who looked back at him, then around clearly afraid. “No, I don’t think so,” Gabriel said with a sigh and fixed Biggs with his best glare.
“No to what?” One of the Yavichians asked another Phigos, this Phigos had green skin and Gabriel cleverly decided this one was called Greeny. The Yavichian he talked to were Pinkie as his skin were a dark pink/purple. The other Yavichian he saw nothing special about.
“No to both statements,” Gabriel said, naming the other two Phigos Smalls, and Spot. Smalls for obvious reasons and Spot because his chitin was spotted. “I am making this my business and I will not leave.” Biggs reached a hand for his jacket and Gabriel grabbed it twisting and kicked Biggs legs out from under him. He crashed to the ground with a grunt and Gabriel twisted him over to his back, then looked at the rest. “I, however, suggest you all leave, I don’t want to hurt you more than necessary.”
“I’d take his offer,” Madeline said from several steps back, “Yesterday he fought ten armed Igris with a piece of metal”
The group shared a glance between them and Greeny huffed. “Yeah, right” He pulled a baton from his jacket and advanced on Gabriel. Gabriel let go of Biggs and brought up his hands in a boxer stance. The group started laughing, “Look he is cowering” Greeny held his arms wide and advanced twirling the baton. “You should not have messed wi...” Gabriel grinned as Greeny got too close and jabbed him in the face, throwing him on his ass.
“Sorry, didn’t catch that,” Gabriel said grinning, “Wanna try again?” Biggs got up from the ground and charged, catching Gabriel around the waist but then stopping when Gabriel spread his stance and lowered his center. Gabriel slammed a palm on Biggs back and heard Biggs getting the air knocked out of him. He lost his grip and fell, gasping for air. “Next?” Gabriel addressed the rest.
The so-far unnamed Yavichian grabbed Greeny’s baton and produced one of his own. He raised both and ran forwards shouting. Gabriel simply put up a boot to stop his charge and Purple, which was not the most clever name Gabriel admitted to himself, ran straight into his foot and with an 'oof' collapsed as well.
“Alright, let's stop here,” Gabriel said, “You are not a match for me and I don’t want to hurt you anymore. None of you is injured right?”
Pinkie was not having that and grabbed the small bat alien and drew a knife. “You should have just left us alone.” He waved the knife around towards Gabriel, then put it to the small alien's throat.
Gabriel growled and walked forwards. “That was a stupid thing to do, put the knife down before I get really mad, besides I'm the threat here, aim the knife at me” He walked forwards and Pinkie slashed at him, far from the speed of humans and Gabriel caught his hand and squeezed. Pinkie shouting in pain and letting go of the bat alien who scrambled to the side. Gabriel held Pinkies arm up and grabbed his shirt with his other hand lifting him clear of the ground. “You just turned this form a brawl to at best assault with a deadly weapon.” He squeezed harder and heard a finger break.
“That’s enough,” Kzanti said. Gabriel turned to see several officers entering the alley. He let Pinkie fall to the ground and stepped on the knife that fell from his hand. “Arrest them,” Kzanti said as the officers approached.
The small alien stepped in front of Gabriel, “This one helped me, It is not responsible!” He or she wore overalls low cut on the sides to hinder the wings as little as possible.
Kzanti gave Gabriel a look that was not mad, nor amused. “I expected as much, can’t keep out of trouble?”
“It’s one of my many faults,” Gabriel said smiling.
The officers quickly arrested the group of miscreants and Kzanti turned to Gabriel and Madeline who had walked over. “Let’s get inside before you stumble over something else” She turned to the small alien. “And you will have to come with us Miss, just for a statement”
Gabriel looked at the group being led towards...Gabriel realized he didn’t even know the name of the building, Guardhouse? Police station? Probably not. He smiled at the small alien before heading after Kzanti. “So, what’s for lunch?...”