u/Psychronia

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What is Seen with Clear Eyes

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(Neutral POV)

Niza Fouze's life had been an unpredictable one that put her in unexpected places one after another.

The first major change is happened when she outlived her birthplace of Doonarik.

Up until then, she had been born as the middle child of one of the wealthier estates in the city. Her parents were comfortable enough that the family's basic needs were all met without reliance on the rations of military service.

When she was four cycles old, a plague that would eventually wipe the city off the map and redraw national territories had struck her home. Despite her younger sister's sickly disposition, her family was able to stave off infection for a time with a supply of medicine and disinfectants.

In the end, however, the plague found them anyway as medicine supplies gradually became scarce. The desperation of the population mounted until, one evening, there was a break-in. The intruders found the medicine and escape shuttle they were looking for, but they found Niza's elder brother first.

He was meant to be a hostage. A mere bargaining chip for someone to get what he needed to survive. Just another child like any of their own.

Because of that, they did not-

That was the first time Niza first encountered death. She was too young to truly understand it, but old enough to recognize the grief.

While her family was hesitant to leave their lives in Doonarik behind in the early days of the outbreak, that resolve finally broke three weeks later when her father became ill.

Medicine remained too scarce to obtain, even for the Fouze family.

Niza did not understand her father's words to her at the time and could not remember them, but she later came to recognize them as a comforting farewell.

Her mother took her and her frail younger sister on a long journey to the city of Rostarls where relatives lived and medicine was made. That month would become an arduous period in her memory that many future labors in her life would be compared to.

Partway through the journey, her mother had also begun to teach her how to care for her sibling. It was, perhaps, a miracle that her runt of a little sister made the trek without becoming ill.

Niza's own memories of events were a blur, but she is certain that she must have complained a lot at the time, as children that did not understand naturally would.

Even so, she obediently did as she was told. There was no choice. As they approached their destination, her mother had gotten more sluggish and a fever that never seemed to leave her burned.

After several more days of this, her mother suddenly recalled that she had forgotten something important at their camp the previous night. Niza was given a note, a heavy sack, and told to go ahead while her mother retrieved the lost item.

Camping alone after that was troublesome, but the sisters somehow managed to reach their destination with occasional help from a concerned refugee.

Upon reading the note, the clerks at the borders of Rostarls took her sack. After a lengthy examination with a doctor at the checkpoint, she and her sister were escorted to their relative's home.

It was not until a week later when her new family was allowed back out of the city and they visited the last campsite she shared with her mother that Niza understood that they would never meet again.
It would not be until many cycles later before she understood her mother had wandered away to die before the children were seen associated with the sick.

Although Rostarls closed off the city not long after that, she was nonetheless able to enjoy her new life for a time.

Her cousins were close to her in age, so she and her sister adapted quickly even with the fewer comforts and a need to contribute to the family for the first time.

Their friends were also welcoming. Not only were they invited to play, but they rose to her sister's defense even as the older children came to harass the runt.

Unusually for an Uven, the first time Niza encountered and engaged in violence was a happy memory for her.

She was old enough to remember her parents by birth, unlike her sister, but her distant aunt and uncle were nonetheless as second parents to her.

When Niza was ten cycles old, she and her friends began working in Rostarls's greenhouses, harvesting and processing raw materials needed in medicinal factories for one reason or another.

Their employer was not kind and their pay was worse than what the adults made, but they persevered.
Even within a city of medicine, all of the children had connections to someone who had succumb to the plague.

Perhaps it was just the naive wish of children, but the band wanted to save up money to build and run their own medicine factory so they would never be in need again. They would take care of their own, and give what they could spare to those who needed it.

It was the wonderful dream of nine children for a time.

But in just four cycles, it became the wonderful dream of six children.

First, a fire broke out in one of the greenhouses with both her cousins trapped inside. When her uncle forced his way in to save them, he only carried one of them out while bearing severe burns.

Next came bombings from a hostile nation.

Niza's family had ducked into the bunkers when the attacks began. With her uncle's burns still fresh and antibiotics running thin, she waited for a lull in the rumbling before risking a scavenging run on the surface.

If asked, she would say that she didn't regret her decision, but it nevertheless led her to be the first to find their neighbor's collapsed bunker, where one of her friends' families were once hidden.

She also caught the city's local crime lords raiding her employers' medicine stores with a handful of workers held at gunpoint guiding them.

Niza was

She was still just a child. When she spotted a storage bags of antibiotic drugs and painkillers in the soldier's vehicle, she simply took what she could when the soldiers weren't looking and fled. She ran home as quickly as she could.

When the bombings ended and she found another friend among the bodies of workers at the factory, she said nothing. For the next ten cycles, until she was addressing reporters questioning every detail of her past, she said nothing of what she saw.

While her uncle was able to heal from the burns well enough by the time the enemy nation retreated, the scars of their attacks lingered.

The city's infrastructure had suffered and a number of her friends' became orphaned or homeless.

Over the next cycle, the children persevered. Even as Niza labored more than she had ever had to in her life, they made sure to take care of each other.
As busy as they were, they were always prepared to fight off any Uvei that thought her younger sister would be an easy target.

And yet...it was clear that they were just barely staying afloat. Their savings barely changed as small emergencies sapped away weeks of earnings and reconstruction taxes were implemented.

When her remaining cousin became ill, Niza came to a decision alongside the two eldest among their friends.
The three of them would enlist in the military.

There was the soldier's stipend of rations, the somewhat less meager wages, and preferential treatment in state-sponsored medicine, of course. But it was also in part because she cursed her weakness at the time of the bombings.

Her two friends were just barely old enough at fourteen cycles old to join.
Niza herself had a hometown razed to the ground during the plague; there were no records to reference when she lied about her age.

Thus began the second major shift in Niza Fouze's life.

As a recruit, she endured harsh combat training beyond her years and within a cycle was engaged in small-scale skirmishes where she took lives for the first time. She was mistaken for a runt and harassed a handful of times, but she had allies to fight with and for her as always.

While she was away from home more and more, she could exchange letters if not calls with her family often enough to stave off homesickness and rally her strength.

Combat was relatively easy for her by the time two more cycles had passed.

Rather, it was a far greater ordeal to navigate and argue with the bureaucracy that frequently denied medical support for her cousin that was rightfully owed.

It frequently needed to be proven that treatment wasn't secretly to her sister as, soldier or not, a runt like her sister was not covered and had to be cared for without support.

Niza came to view this frustration as a mixed blessing, however, as it gave her sister and last memento of her birth parents an opportunity to visit the soldiers often.

Life was...tolerable enough.

Until another cycle had passed, putting her at her proper enlistment age.

The damage to Rostarls had extended to its sanitation measures. Ironically enough, the city of medicine was suffering of plague.

Medicine with limited production that was already being rationed became all the scarcer. Delays in deliveries and doctor's visits became more frequent. Contact with her family had been reduced to the occasional phone call.

While her cousin had recovered in time for this disaster, his mother her aunt became bedridden in his place.

Because of this, when Niza was told that her country would invade a neighbor to secure necessary medicinal farms, she had fought harder than she ever had in her life.

Even when she was wounded in the leg during a charge, she fought on.
When she learned one of her friends had been caught by an explosion during a battle and lost limbs, she fought harder.
When she received accolades and promotions to officer ranks, she kept fighting anyway.
Combat was a blur over those two cycles, and an excuse to stop thinking as she stepped over many bodies towards what could be a peaceful life for her loved ones.

What eventually brought her mind back to composure was news of her uncle's passing in another bombing and news of her other enlisted friend's desertion. For reasons unknown, he and the rest of his battalion had broken formation in the midst of war and fled to parts unknown.

There was no notice to Niza, and no hidden message came. He was simply gone and now registered as an enemy of the state.

By then, the war was approaching its conclusion. Although the sickness left its marks on her aunt's body, treatment would be possible with the spoils of war.

For her accomplishments and recognition as a soldier, she was assigned to transporting these spoils. When she was quietly told that it was customary to pocket a modest amount of loot at the escorts' own discretion, her focus was not on treasures or meals, but medicinal seeds and blueprints.

The children's innocent dream deserved an honest attempt, at least.

That's when Niza was told by the commander of the operation that those prizes alone were not permitted and offered gathered stacks of plundered medicinal ingredients instead.

She was told that the state would directly purchase these from her at a good price as consolation.

Dissatisfied with this explanation, she investigated and stalked her commander until she overheard an explanation.

She learned that even the plundered medicinal ingredients were primarily to be sold and secretly given to local drug lords.

She learned that a monopoly over resources essential to life was very convenient to the powers that be.

She learned that sometimes they would sabotage factory or greenhouse systems to induce scarcity, and the embezzlement of funds in medical systems was overlooked as "special compensation" for certain officers.

...

She learned that a soldier of sufficient accolade could have her execution by court martial delayed indefinitely even after tackling a superior officer out of a two-story window and violently biting at him until an arm and tail bone broke.
...As long as she forfeited her plunder and framed the attack on revenge for an old friend's war injury.

Of course, simple discharge would not be enough for such an offense.

Niza eventually found herself in the Rostarls guard barracks that had been sealed and turned into a makeshift prison.

Her anger continued to stew, but in truth, she found herself comfortable here. Her fate was uncertain, but after a long campaign, she was back home. There was even opportunity for her loved ones to visit her by the windows when circumstances permitted.

For the next half-cycle, she would write and exchange letters with her friends and family. It seemed that, in their absence, her cousin and the friend that remained behind had grown close.

She couldn't say she understood the feeling, but the idea pleased her sister and aunt. She had no reason not to celebrate with them.

Then...the letters stopped.

There seemed to be a tension in the city she couldn't recognize.

Finally, news in the form of a personal visit by her two friends and cousin came. By now, Niza could recognize a grim expression and braced her heart.

While her cousin was out with her lover, a drug addict had broken into their home to steal painkillers...and her sister was killed in a struggle. Though she wasn't directly harmed in the ordeal, her weakened aunt powerlessly saw it all.

The cycle after that passed painfully slowly and quickly all at once.

Niza had a lot of time to herself to think, and after a great deal of contemplation, she had come to a resolution just as she received news of her aunt's passing as well.

She wrote a letter asking to meet everyone-her cousin and her two remaining friends.

Her cousin had come first. She vaguely registered grieving and some consoling words when they came, but the conversation felt as if it were someone else having it.

To every visitor that came, she made the same proposal.

A proposal to gather up all the funds they had saved up over their lives...and giving it to the three of them to start a new life elsewhere.

It wasn't nearly enough to fulfil their childhood wishes.
But it was enough to buy one Uven decent prosthetics and, if she sold enough personal items, give three of them a fresh start. Perhaps they would go to a different city, or perhaps they could go off-world.

Niza saw that to be more worthwhile than a dead dream.

It was an odd comfort that she didn't know how long she would be confined or indeed if she would live to walk free again.
With her fate as it was, it was easier to persuade her three loved ones to leave her behind.

There was a hollow promise that they would reunite if she became free or they established a comfortable life, but Niza held no expectations behind her parting smile with them.

It had been a long time since she thought about her parents, but the circumstance was not dissimilar from how her mother acted in her final moments.

Niza was of two minds between considering it an act of hopelessness, or an act of putting all her hopes on the ones who could live on.

The third great change in Niza came soon after this parting.

A mere half cycle after their farewell, the city of Rostarls was brought to ruin by a surprise attack. By chance, this opened up a portion of the walls in her prison and she was able to slip out before the section of the fortress collapsed altogether.

For many, it could be called a fortunate development, but she couldn't help but see it as a misfortune.

She was given her freedom, but Niza was also all alone and with nothing to her name. She had survived to no ends at all.

After a stop by the pile of rubble where she once grew up, the Uven escaped out of city limits and began a journey with no destination in particular.

At first, she wandered the area, scavenging the remains of the city she knew well to survive. In her solitude, her mother had been on her mind more often than before.

After nearly a cycle, with the perishables gone and a supply of food and medicine that would keep, she chose to retrace her first journey from over ten cycles ago.

The road back to what used to be Doonarik had changed in that time, but not unrecognizably so for the most part, with one notable exception.
As she traveled, a new structure came into view near the final campsite she shared with her mother.

This change was striking, as it seemed to be a fully established rest stop, with paved ground, and even a plumbing system that gathered and filtered rainwater. It would have been a small blessing as a child.

As she explored the rest stop, Niza inevitably found a plaque built into the walls. Her mind was thrown into chaos.

In Memoriam

Layna Fouze
Niza Fouze
Voula Fouze

It was a memorial. An epitaph...for her and her mother and sister.

Niza soon began a run-rather, a gallop-down the road to the ruins of Doonarik.

For over a cycle to come, she investigated this riddle. It was a time that returned a strange, precious purpose to her in bitter truths and strange comforts.

She learned that her mother did not die alone. That, as she wandered delirious from fever, she came upon two other children that were abandoned in their sickness.
Whether it was pity or to mend the loss in her own heart, her mother stayed with them to the end at that time.

She learned that her father had managed to recover from the plague a cycle after they parted ways. That he had left Doonarik before it was burned to search for his family and was inconsolable with what he found.

She learned that he was picking up the pieces in a different city for the next ten cycles, starting a new life of his own and even eventually remarrying.

Now 20 cycles old, Niza arrived at the doorstep of what had been her father's new home in the wealthy district of a new city. There, she met his second wife and her stepmother, who was a wealthy woman in her own right.

There, she learned her father had died 5 cycles ago.

Her stepmother was skeptical, but kind to her. When she had lost all her strength after reaching the end of her long journey, she was invited in as a guest.

After proving her identity by blood, she was even offered an inheritance. By right, her father had left her money and resources many times greater than what she and her friends had accumulated for most of their lives.

Yet, when Niza saw the relatively opulent home her stepmother lived in, old memories of the home she was born into stirred.

She could not help but think of the home she grew up in, and of her childhood friends. And the more she did, the more it seemed the comfortable life promised in front of her would not be her life.

If she were given the choice and opportunity...she would choose to rebuild Rostarls. She would revive that dream of nine immature children.

Niza would take what she needed to obtain the knowledge and tools to accomplish what she wanted.
The rest, she would forfeit to the woman who saw off her father in his final years.

After leaving a message in case her cousin or friends ever came looking for her, she set off for the stars.

If her goal was medical technology and operations, then a Gisali Coalition school would be the best choice. Even in her childish adolescence, she would not have dreamed to reach so high, but now it was a means within reach.

The two cycles that came after that was...a bitter reality check.

Not only did Niza have a great deal of basic education to catch up in, but she had been exposed to the Coalition's melting pot of cultures.

And she learned that an Uven was a creature to be feared and avoided. A Micket classmate looked like he would faint every time their eyes met. A Tisal conspicuously maintained a three meter distance from her. A Vesnin seemed to jump every time she spoke.

Bombs were not falling. Her stomach was not empty. She was not at risk of being killed by unknown enemies.

And yet, she was just as alone as she was when she had nothing left to her name. It was a solitude journey, or perhaps a fight, towards her objective.

The silver lining is that she was able to wholly devote herself to her studies, with only the memories of her childhood friends to keep her company.

And then...she entered a university on a scholarship, where the most recent great change in her life found her.

She encountered a funny little simian nearly half her size. He had wide, curious eyes and a propensity for smiling akin to an Uven.

His first words to Niza brought to mind her younger sister in their childhood.

---

#Partial Transcript of the Press Conference by Niza Fouze, Eineld Program Chief Director

Niza: He said to me... "You look so cool. Just like a diner-sore."

(A mix of confusion and soft laughter erupts amid certain members.)

Niza: As you may have surmised, this little human that greeted me was Asher Isaacs. He made a habit of greeting and speaking to me from that day forth. I imagine I was not the most sociable or pleasant to be around at that point, but he befriended me nonetheless. Later, he introduced me to one Sjorn'l of Zhine'e.

(Niza closes her eyes and takes a breath.)

Niza: I...was more grateful for their companionship than I realized. It was to the point I was prepared to once again abandon my goals and any hope of returning to Nysis if it meant supporting Ori in her strange new position. I thought, at the time, that I would ultimately do more good with her than I ever could have on my own. Imagine my surprise when I was somehow given the opportunity to build and direct a medical institute anyway. But that shock was mild compared to the surprise when I took a measure of my surroundings and the bureaucratic systems we were to integrate with.

(Niza's face turns to a frown and she leans forward unto the table.)

Niza (speaking lowly into the microphone): I saw a system that withheld the preservation of life for influence. Again. I saw parasites that secreted away money and goods to illicit activities for personal profit. Again. And I could not help but lose my temper. Again.

(Niza straightens her posture and takes another deep breath when her breathing becomes labored.)

Niza: Apologies, but this concludes the press conference. Recounting my life has been...trying.

(Niza Fouze walks off-stage.)

---

(Vesnin Reporters' POV)

Soon after Niza Fouze's closing statements, the crew of the Horizon Independent slipped off to the corner of the auditorium.

The reporter scanned a pass against the door's sensor, which clicked open moments later. She spoke softly toward the camera.

"Hello everyone. Join us for this exclusive segment with Horizon Independent."

A Terran had secretly approached the reporter in the middle of the story while the cameramen and other attendees were distracted.

He made a quiet offer to her at that time. He was willing to lend her a backstage pass for a private interview if she agreed to respect the wishes of anyone that refused and broadcast the footage they obtained without any cuts from the moment they gained access.

"That was...quite a story we heard from the Eineld Program Director, wasn't it? Perhaps the events and lives of the residents of Nysis deserve some more scrutiny. What do you, dear listeners, think about it? I confess, hearing all this has left me with a strange feeling."

In truth, she had almost forgotten about the whole deal in the excitement. It took seeing the pass card in her hands to jog her memory.

As the camera crew pressed on backstage, Niza once again came into view.

More surprisingly, the first group to greet her were Balau police officers.

"Director Fouze, we've come to take you in."

"...What happened to me submitting myself to the authorities?"

"Well, you certainly confessed to quite a lot, didn't you? We would like to take you in for further questioning. You don't deny any of our charges against you at this point, do you?"

The Uven stared down the officers, which seemed to unnerve them a little and cause one to settle a hand on his baton.

"I stand by what I said on the stage. I've no idea what your charges are, so I'll-"

"NIZAAAA!!!"

Interrupting them both was a loud cry as a young Terran man burst unto the scene, followed closely by Councilwoman "Ori".

"T-That wush...glaff dat yoon...buh sho s-se....orr hiffber! ORR BLIBBLE HIFFER!!"

Asher had his arms tightly around the Uven as he sobbed profusely.

"....Asher...I don't understand anything you're saying."

"G-Gguuh....bah fuh fouh uuu eeel gaah...isssh ang-"

While he continued his unintelligible rambling with his wet face pressed into Niza's chest, their Haneer friend floated up in her hover pod and pressed close to the Uven.

"He is saying how the tale grieves him immensely to be learned you have suffered so."

"....Ah...But it's not such a unique story on-"

"Sttuuutch aaaph! Ig gaus bhag aau oou nungh heel gahd tuh!!"

Ori was hued a dark vermillion as she, too, stretched out her vines and coiled them around her friend's upper body until Niza was practically wearing her.

"It grieves me to hear too, but Haneer can't make messy water for it as humans do. You are also my dear friend, Niza."

"....I see."

The Uven settled her hand on the Terran's back and carefully pat while he hiccuped and babbled away. The Balau police have been left forgotten.

"That's..."

The Vesnin reporter turned back to the camera. The thoughts that echoed in her mind after that scene came out before she knew it.

"Just a few rotations ago, we...heard a miss Justine Bolotin's interview following her time as a prisoner. In that interview, she emphasized the importance of learning about and 'seeing' a person. Today, we learned a great deal about Miss Fouze for the first time, so...are we and Mister Isaacs now 'seeing' her?"

---

=Author's Notes=

Because Asher is the sentimental sort, Niza actually ended up having one of the more mild cases of Uven Catharsis. Or rather, her feelings had a disassociated outlet in the form of her crybaby human friend who would always react strongly to anyone anywhere experiencing a hard time.

There's not much resemblance in the final product, but the base I built Niza's life story from came from a scrapped draft of Gretal's story after deciding her story will have much deeper ties to medicine and medical industry.
Before I decided any of that, though, I had settled on Niza representing an Uven that comes from relatively privileged roots.

Because it's a personal account to an audience, I considered telling the story from a first person perspective for once. It went back and forth a few times, but I ultimately settled on third person so I was free to include details and commentary that she herself might not register or know.

First | Previous | Glossary |

Quelling

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(Garag POV)

Tap. Tap.

"Kara...? It is Garag."

Garag Vedin lightly tapped the blunted ends of his claws against Kara's door.

When there was no response, Elora Lewis called out from beside him.

"Sweetie, we have news on Innus. He showed up on a new video."

There was another long pause and extended silence. Just as he was about to give up and turn to leave...

Click.

The door unlocked and Kara slowly stepped out. He wasn't very knowledgeable about human styles, but even he could tell she was unkempt.

She looked as tired as the day Garag reunited with her after the incident at Nysis.

The Uven quickly suppressed the urge to frown. The girl's face looked...unnatural without her usual broad smile or grin.

The ambassador cleared his throat.

"Let us watch together on the larger monitor in the common room. I have already transferred the data to it."

"....Okay."

---

[SAY SOMETHING!]

When the abhorred warlord on the screen snarled in Innus's face on the screen, Kara's hand balled into a fist and her face tightened.

[I despise you, Karnak. You are a brute. A wild animal that makes our kind seem like barbarians, and somehow you boast about that embarrassing fact.]

Garag took time out of his schedule to personally share this with Kara in hopes that she could find encouragement in Innus's defiant, brave face as he stared down Karnak. It was a brave face that seemed to smirk without a smile.

[But I wonder if you've started to feel it yet? How you'll one day be trapped and put down like a helpless, feral animal...]

The ambassador was as surprised as anyone when he saw this video of his nephew for the first time. While there was still a sense of stiffness to his movements, he had become so...decisive.

Innus had grown out of some of his hesitations.

Other than faint rumors that he was leading a small guerilla faction, news of him or his movements were sparce since his disappearance from his prison. As the last living direct relative on his cousin's side of the family, he could only hope for the best while fearing the worst.

[Graaaah!]

In the video, Karnak seemed to lose his temper, swinging the butt of the pistol in his hand down on the young lad and knocking him down.

As he leaned down to grab the younger Uven by his head and started banging his body against the ground, one of the soldiers accompanying him directed her attention to the camera. Without a word, she took out a pistol of her own and shot it, ending the footage.

...Well, the footage to that camera, at least.

Rather than simply ending, the broadcast shifted to a new camera angle, albeit one with worse visual quality.

The new footage showed Karnak continuing his angry attack on the smaller Uven while snarling and growling in a glorified tantrum.

It was something that only became obvious upon reviewing the footage a second time, but a second, compact camera had been attached just above roof access's doorframe. Perhaps the larger camera was always meant to be a decoy.

If so, that would be a level of misdirection that neither Innus nor his father Vellick ever excelled at. Did the boy learn this on his own, or was it due to someone's influence?

"Innus...!?"

...?

Ah!

It took seeing Kara clasp her hand over her mouth with wide eyes for Garag to realize she and her mother may be misreading the video.

While it's true that Karnak was acting rather savagely towards a youth that was half his age...

"In case you two are unfamiliar, let me clarify something..."

He gestured towards Karnak's hands in the video.

"He might be leaving some light cuts, but he's not actually swinging his claws at Innus, see? Since he's not using those, he must intend to take him prisoner. Alive."

As if confirming the speculation, the warlord eventually stopped his assault and got off the youth while panting heavily.

After a slam of Karnak tail as he stormed off, the soldiers accompanying him grabbed Garag's nephew. Soon, he was dragged limply away.

Elora looked over to him with concern in her eyes.

"Is he...really okay...?"

"Uveo are fairly hardy by Coalition standards. You have my word that something like that is far from lethal."

...In truth, he had already reviewed this footage at length when he first obtained it and again with Councilwoman Lana.
Had the video actually shown his nephew's death, he would never have allowed young Kara to see it.

He wasn't too familiar with humanity's psychology or mental resilience, but the time he'd spent with the Lewis family was enough for him to at least understand that the girl's mental state was in a delicate state at the moment.

"Then..."

Kara spoke up again.

"Can you...rescue him? This is in Kristole. You should be able to find him, right?"

Ahaha...

The girl's expectations might have been a little too high for a mere ambassador like himself.

Even setting aside the political fallout of betraying his technical superior command and indirectly stripping the protections that Vellick's duel granted them all...there was a new consideration now.

"I...I will promise to try. But it seems that there's a bigger goal at play right now. Innus chose to do this, and I don't want to waste his bravery by making a thoughtless move."

"But...!"

It was only natural for her to protest. But how should he explain this? Rather...where should he start?

"This video has been spreading all over Nysis, you know. Less so out here in core Coalition territory, but whoever Innus was working with, they really want this video to reach as far as possible."

More and more broadcasting devices, whether including video or only with audio, were surfacing all over Nysis.

The videos that previously alternated between active and hidden video towers were now all playing with no apparent exception. Instead, they were spread out over even wider areas than before. Based on what he's heard, some of them were even salvaged from previously destroyed towers.

"Why would he plan for himself to have who-knows-what done to him though?!"

"Kara..."

Elora gently held Kara in an effort to soothe her.

In truth, the ambassador couldn't make sense of it either. It certainly made Karnak looked bad, but was it enough? Just what were they aiming for with this smear campaign? Would he be of more help here advocating to the other Coalition species or back home assisting directly?

Why did Innus...?

He needed to give an answer.

"Because...he's a brave and dutiful boy. He would do anything to help his people like his father before him."

"..."

The young lady's pained expression showed a...bittersweet understanding.
If nothing else, he was grateful that Innus managed to get a friend who knew him well.

Garag gently curled his tail around both her and her mother's bodies.

"I can't promise anything in sincerity until I know more, but...Innus is my nephew. I've cared for him like I would a son. Believe me when I say that I care greatly for his safety. I will...make plans to return to Nysis and get a better grasp of the situation at least."

"....Yeah."

Kara was listless. The poor girl seemed so very tired.

Was there anything he could do while he was still at the S.S. Kevak?

"...Kara, would you join me at the gymnasium for another gallop? We could both do with clearing our heads."

"Oh...a gallop...?"

His offer got her to look up at him, at least.

"...If you'd like, you can ride on my back for it again."

"....Okay."

Both Garag and her mother nodded with a slight smile at her.

"Elora, this offer is also extended to you. On both counts. When was the last time you did something to relax yourself?"

"Oh, me?"

Elora Lewis would have been within her rights to be angry at the Uven ambassador, if not Uvei as a whole, for the pain inflicted upon her family.

Her kindness towards him in these harsh times had also been a precious source of hope that the Uvei's future was not yet sealed.

---

(Doque POV)

Doque Rirel walked toward the crowded auditorium in the S.S. Kevak's outer chambers.

He walked without breaking pace, wordlessly having his entourage of bodyguards clear a path ahead him toward the front seats.

"Excuse us."

"Please make way."

The very presence of an elder councilmember inevitably invited looks and whispers. He'd been running around meeting people in dull locations recently thanks to Sjorn'l, but it was still a rare sight for someone of his status to come out into places like...this.

In truth, he didn't want to be here either. But it was agreed that he had the most pretense to intrude on matters involving medical infrastructure and forfeiting that risked letting one of his peers stake a claim on his industry.

It was a sacrifice that simply came with the job.

Now then...

The Balau set his eyes on his Haneer colleague's pet, which had grown to be a nuisance with this "Eineld Program" that rivaled its master.

At first, tearing it down was just an impersonal matter of damaging Sjorn'l's credibility. It was just business.
But suddenly, the lizard began making accusations against the Balau police force on the S.S. Kevak and ripping out Balou underworld infrastructure with reckless abandon. Now, this had become necessary damage control.

His eyes briefly glanced at some of the reporters in the room. Their preparations should be sound this time.

He still couldn't read these lizards' faces at all, but now was a chance to see what a surprised Uven looks like.

A seat in the front row would give him a chance see it clearly for himself.

"I apologize for the commotion, miss Fouze. I hope I'm not disrupting things."

The supposed star of this little press conference, Niza, had noticed him by now and stared back at him from its table on the stage. Cameras and lights surrounded it while it activated the microphone.

[No, we've only just begun. I did not expect you to join us, however. You must be very busy.]

Was it planning to do this all alone? He expected it to have Sjorn'l or at least a public relations expert accompanying it. Even if it was accustomed to media presence by now, it was still an Uven.

How conveniently reckless.

"Well...the Balau have something of a vested interest. Will the Haneer Elder Councilwoman not be joining us for this? Or perhaps your Terran friend?"

[Ah...Ori and Asher are here. But they're both merely assisting me with selecting questions and organizing my information if necessary.]

What the-!?

It was having a councilwoman...An elder councilwoman...perform errands and glorified secretarial work?!

The Terran often seen with Sjorn'l poked its head out from behind the corner to the side of the stage. It waved at the crowd with one of those "smiles".

...Somehow, this smile only made it look unintelligent rather than menacing. The reporters seemed to take it well, however, and merely laughed at its sudden enthusiastic appearance.

---

#Partial Transcript of the Press Conference by Niza Fouze, Eineld Program Chief Director

Niza: Ah. Ori and Asher are here. But they're both merely assisting me with selecting questions and organizing my information if necessary.

(Terran Asher Isaacs pulls aside the curtain behind Niza and waves his hand quickly before ducking away again, inciting a wave of light laughs from the crowd.)

Balau Elder Councilman, Doque Rirel: Ahem...so I see.

Niza (after a pause): Allow me to repeat my statement from beginning now that things have settled. Then I can start answering any questions after that.

(Niza gathers up her some notes.)

Niza (speaking with a level voice): After a few rotations of consideration and consultation, I've concluded that I demonstrated excessive force and an overreach of authority during the incident at the docks. While reasonable efforts to arrest and detain smugglers suspected to be involved in a drug trade upon the Kevak was warranted, I was not justified in exerting violence against surrendering individuals that were offering to comply. I was acting on my temper and used the authority vested in me by the Haneer administration unwisely.

(She directs her attention towards reporters at Horizon Independent.)

Niza: I also should not have used official authority to call you to the docks. As it was ultimately a personal matter, it was not my right to make demands. I am sorry.

Vesnin Reporter, representing Horizon Independent: O-Oh. Well, I believe our team would have taken interest regardless, and we did not regret accommodating your request.

(The Vesnin Reporter looks over at a camera crew at the ends of the room before returning her attention to Niza.)

Horizon Independent: I cannot speak for the member that was absent, but I believe your apology is fully accepted.

Niza (slowly nods): I see...

Horizon Independent: What brought on this decision?

Niza: I believe I would have come to this conclusion eventually, but if I had to cite a significant influence...I suppose it would be the recent interview videos.

Palluto Reporter, Luton News (speaking with a light snort): Ah, yes. The one about forgiveness and justice? Terrans sure are a...generous lot, aren't they?

Niza (frowning): Indeed they are. But I speak of the matter of consequence and responsibility. When reflecting objectively, there were things I should take responsibility for.

Luton News: Would you say you believe that the ends justify the means?

Niza: I believe there are some things I would never be willing to do no matter what reward I thought it would grant me.

Luton News: What if it was a request from your dear friend, Elder Councilwoman "Ori"?

Niza (frowns): She is my dear friend whom I would devour fire for. And so I don't believe she would ask such things of me. But even if she truly did, I would not comply. I follow her in accordance to my feelings, not because she owns my obedience.

Luton News: Would you say your "feelings" factor into your decisions and actions as Director often? Have there been any other altercations or violence by you since you arrived on the Kevak?

Niza: No.

Goblle Reporter, representing Belle's Broadcast Service: Then would you say the attack was more the work of some sort of primal instinct? Perhaps you saw prey species like Ramell fleeing and...

Niza: Such instincts don't exist for Uvei.

Belle's Broadcast (skeptical tone): Uven don't...have the instinct to use fangs and claws? To stalk targets unnoticed like you were clearly shown doing on video?

Niza: I did not use my fangs or claws in that encounter. My movements to corner the smugglers was honed through military training in my adolescence on Nysis.

Luton News: Do Nysis militaries have a habit of training their fighters to attack noncombatants?

Niza: That category does not really exist on Nysis. At most, it would apply to diplomats and those of a special status. Participant in harmful criminal activities would certainly get no such privilege.

Horizon Independent: Speaking of which, last time you told us that you suspected the smugglers were involved in drug trade on the Kevak and stations connected to it. Have you obtained any more information on the matter at this time?

Niza (pauses, then slowly nods): Yes...I believe it should be safe to speak on. As mentioned previously, we discovered discrepancies in our inventory regarding certain medicines and equipment. The smuggling at the dock in particular involved theft and transport of drugs that could be used to create addictive substances. Following this incident, I have employed private investigators and made a number of personal inquiries of my own.

(Niza briefly glances at Doque before returning her gaze to the Vesnin reporter.)

Niza: My investigations have led to the conclusion that there seems to be three or four small distribution networks within this station and two of the nearby trading stations. This is my opinion, but the efficiency at which the contraband is distributed suggests the yet-unknown leadership has some measure of influence over space travel checkpoints.

Horizon Independent: That sounds quite serious. Which stations seems to be suffering from this?

Niza (frowning): Well, I am not at liberty to discuss that. Recently, I was contacted by certain authorities and asked to keep quiet for the sake of investigation.

Horizon Independent: I see...that's unfortunate. Which auth-

Belle's Broadcast (standing up to point a microphone at Doque): May I direct a question at Elder Councilman Mr. Rirel?

Doque (standing up formally to face the cameras whilst fixing his clothes): I don't mind.

(Niza remains silent and watches.)

Bell's Broadcast: Will there be any administrative consequences for Miss Fouze's admitted overreach of authority and excessive force?

Doque: Well, we take matters of abuse of authority rather seriously. We would typically, following investigation to verify any claims, sentence an offender to imprisonment for up to two cycles. However, seeing as we were given what strikes me as a remorseful confession, I suspect the majority of the councilors will agree with me in that we can leave the matter of disciplinary action up to Elder Councilwoman Sjorn'l's discretion.

(Doque looks to Niza with relaxed body language.)

Doque: So long as she is reasonable about her ruling toward her own staff member and does not show a bias that calls competency into question, I don't foresee a problem with the arrangement.

(The reporters all begin speaking at once until Niza's voice cuts through on the speakers.)

Niza (glancing to the side of the stage): I decline those terms.

Doque: Excuse me?

Niza: This was my doing, and I'll not put my friend in a difficult position nor force her to set aside our relationship because of it. I would sooner make preparations for imprisonment.

(The room quickly becomes noisy again. A few moments pass.)

Doque: I see...well, if you elect to submit yourself to the authorities early, we shall ensure that time you serve between then and your judgement will contribute to your final sentencing as well.

Niza (glancing to the side of the stage and making a dismissive gesture with a hand): I see.

Doque: Don't worry. We'll also ensure the Eineld Program is well cared for in your absence.

Niza (turning her head to the side and waving away more rigorously): You will not.

(The room becomes quiet for a moment.)

Doque: Excuse...me?

Niza (turning her head to look straight at Doque): I don't intend to yield any authority over the Eineld Program to the Balau administration.

Doque: But we're the greatest experts in the field. If your concern is compensation...

Niza: That is not the problem. It is because do not trust you.

(Murmurs spread through the room.)

Niza: I've mentioned before that the operation at the docks was in part a test for information leaks. The smugglers' time, location, and contraband of choice all told of secret listening devices hidden within the warehouse and inventory provided by the Balau administration.

Doque: That...is just an unfortunate coincidence. We do have some security measures involved, but nothing so intrusive.

Niza: Are you saying you were aware life-saving supplies were being stolen from the Eineld Program and chose not to tell me, the program Director? Or perhaps your security measures, which I was also not informed about, were insufficient to notice such a problem? There is also the matter of the Kevak police force following me around for the past several rotations...

(Cameras flashes start filling the room and some recordings zoom in on either Niza or Doque.)

Doque (taking a deep breath): I...understand that you may be frustrated with the Balau, but these accusations don't seem fair. Especially considering your position, is it wise to be so...disagreeable?

Niza: My position is that I will submit myself to fair and lawful judgement so Ori will have minimal involvement. Are you saying being "disagreeable" would cause either of these outcomes to change?

Doque (fur begins standing on end): ...No. Of course not. I was merely advising you.

Niza: Furthermore, my frustrations with the Balau have been present for much longer than merely this incident. Suspicion is the only recent change.

(Doque stares at Niza without speaking.)

Niza: My grievance is this. While Nysis is in need and suffering famine, the Balau medical industries withheld both meat synthesis technology and medicinal formulas that could have saved millions of lives.

Belle's Broadcast (standing up and pointing a microphone forward): On that subject, when you were on Nysis-

Niza: Apologies, but please sit and wait a moment. I wish to hear what Councilman Doque has to say on the matter right now. You have my word that I will answer your question once the matter is closed.

(The Goblle reporter shuts his mouth his scales shifts hues a few times with agitation.)

Doque: We...have taken great steps in assisting Nysis as soon as we learned their plight, which hurt us to our soul to learn. The Terrans already arranged the meat synthesis technology by that point and we have been delivering medicines. A planet engaged in civil war cannot be approached so easily and patents for the formulas don't belong to my administration...

Niza (checking her datapad): Petition #M1929, Petition #M1926. Hearing AR-1726.

(Niza pauses while the press conference attendees note down the citations.)

Niza: Those are the reference numbers for petitions by Nysis's ambassador for medical aid and famine relief. There were 63 petitions in totall directed at both your predecessor and yourself. Circumstances were no less dire than they are today, and yet we were denied or given terms far beyond our means. So, Elder Councilman Doque...if our well-being was of such concern to you, why did your administration deny us relief at the time? What had changed between that time and this one?

Doque: I...will need to review the documents myself before I can answer that. It may have been simple clerical error, or perhaps a member of my predecessor's staff acting on their own...

Niza (staring intently at Doque): Very well.

(Niza directs her attention to the rest of the reporters.)

Niza: However, circumstances hardly inspires confidence. Regardless of my eventual judgement, I am still Chief Director of the Eineld Program. Before imprisonment, I will appoint a proxy or successor in my place as I see fit.

(Talk among the crowd escalates. Doque speaks to someone beside him and quietly slips out of the room while Balau Deputy Linde takes his seat.)

Niza (looking through the reporters): Now...I promised to answer a question earlier. It was to...you, Goblle from the Belle Broadcast Service, yes?

Belle's Broadcast: Yes...I wanted to inquire whether you had anything to say regarding the rumors of actions and life on Nysis.

Niza (tail sways with confusion): The...rumors?

Belle's Broadcast (baring teeth in a faux smile): Yes. They say that you were dishonorably discharged at a young age after violently attacking your superior officer and a Balau dignitary visiting to inspect a new Coalition hospital.

Niza (puzzled): Who...is "they"? I was under the impression that most records of my hometown had burned with the rest of it.

Belle's Broadcast: We're not at liberty to disclose our sources or the forums we gather information from. But these same sources also expressed suspicions towards the amount of money that came into your possession soon after your discharge. Your final unit was responsible for handling valuable treasures at the time as well, weren't they?

Niza (speaking slowly and with confusion): In...a manner of speaking, yes.

Belle's Broadcast: Considering you made your way to Coalition space soon after that, you had access to quite a lot of funds for an Uven your age. How did that happen?

Niza: It...was obtained by inheritance.

Belle's Broadcast (flipping through some documents): Oh? Our records say you were already orphaned with no blood relatives at that point. I don't believe our sources are mistaken.

(Niza is silent.)

Belle's Broadcast (after waiting a few moments): That doesn't make sense to me. Would you care to explain in detail?

(Niza's tail sways as she remains quiet for another minute before speaking up.)

Niza: First, I will correct two things. You can count the number of Coalition hospitals in Nysis on one Balau's paw, and the last time such a dignitary visited Nysis was when I was two cycles old across and the continent from the nearest hospital. An altercation with a dignitary never happened. My last assignment was also not to merely handle valuables, but to escort a convoy.

(Asher Isaacs poorly skulks onstage and drops glass of water unto the table before scurrying off the stage again. Niza quickly pours the glass into her mouth before resuming.)

Niza (looking to the other reporters): Before I speak any more on this...does anyone have any more questions they would like to ask first? I believe the press conference will be ending once I do.

---

=Author's Note=

Sorry for the wait! I kept scrapping sections and redoing them because I was dissatisfied with how they turned out.

I've wanted to make a Garag and Kara scene about Innus for a while, though I'm not sure it came out how I hoped because it both feels too mundane for the occasion and like a conversation that should have happened earlier. There were just too many things that took priority, so it got put off until I had a big plot development to transition into it.

Innus and Vellick weren't necessarily bad at deception, but the misdirection in this case is something they'd rely on Garrag or trusted aides for. In this case, the idea was given by Pyjek the reporter, who had in turn learned it from the sleight of hand in magic tricks his human friend loved.

Horizon Independent is the smallest news station on the Kevak and tends to employ more solitary species like the Vesnin and let film crews have the freedom to pursue their own stories in exchange for greater personal liability. Because of this, it tends to have less coverage of more popular events, but also includes more unique stories.
Niza invited this crew specifically to the docks because she had already begun to distrust the Balau police force and Horizon Independent has had the most unfavorable relationship with the local police.

First | Previous | Glossary |

Investigation

---

(Verlon POV)

"Bang. Bang. Bang."

Agent Homps pointed a finger gun and dryly mimed out gunfire at the three bodies near the doorway leading into the ship's bridge.
She turned towards Verlon, who was investigating a different corner of the bridge with a light.

"Some of the crew were killed clearly in a gunfight. Single decisive blows to the head or other vitals. Why do they get to remain clothed while others don't?"

A few of the bodies such as these were different from the ones on the path leading toward the life signs on the ship. At the moment, the path had been sealed shut. Currently, a technician-a different one from before-was working at restoring the power so they could regain access.

Verlon picked up one of the many plastic restraints scattered across the floor in front of him. They came in two sizes; one was for Fendansi limbs, and the other was for their trunks. They were clearly used by the attackers, but...why were they all also cut open?

At his colleague's question, the agent returned his attention to the body a little less than three meters from where he was. It was the only one that was still bound.
It was the only one that both kept its uniform and yet didn't suffer from an instant killing blow.

Thanks to the uniform, the pair were able to identify it as the captain of the ship.

"If I were to guess, the attackers had a...change in temperament partway through. Fendansi skulls are rather tough, and yet someone took the trouble to do this to it. That's an act of passion."

Indeed, the uniform was the only reason the agents could identify the captain on-site, because no other quick identification was available at the moment. The captain's head had been bludgeoned until it was crushed into paste. Shards of bone were scattered about as well. Nearby were various heavy pieces of machinery marred with blood and dents.

Homps slowly nodded.

"It doesn't seem likely that two separate boarding parties attacked. Then would that be what set the attackers off?"

The Ramell followed her gaze to the hole in one of the computers. Specifically an empty slot in one of the computer chassis. The only object that seemed to be unaccounted for in the ship so far.
Whoever did this, their motivation was not robbery even at the time of boarding.

"Engineer. In your opinion, what information would have fit in that slot?"

"Huh?"

Pausing his work, the technician squinted at the missing hardware before returning to the power panel in front of him.

"I'd need to check in detail when there's power to be sure, but that looks like it's hooked up to the surveillance. Security stuff, y'know?"

Perhaps it was too much to hope the attackers were caught on camera. There was a concerted effort to cover their tracks when they departed.

Actually...

Verlon circled across the room, walking past two bodies with their heads turned two full rotations. His focus was on a dented piece of machinery hanging on the wall.

"Homps. You said this spot had chemical cleaning?"

"I did."

"Perhaps one of the attackers was wounded here then."

A graze wound or impact may have left blood or other biological traces that they proceeded to purge from the area. It was unlikely to yield anything, but they should get a team in here to test every inch of the ship for non-Fendansi DNA in case anything slipped through.

That said...

His gaze went to the body right next to the chemically cleaned spot. This crew member had been forced on his knees and had his trunks pinned to the wall behind him to crane his head back. A cluster of thinner metal rods were then forced down his throat until he'd suffocated.

The fact that this kill was slow and he was also stripped of his clothes meant it was after his speculated "temperament change".
Did the fact that he was able to fight back mean the change happened mid-combat? Surely something as elaborate as this meant the culprits had already subdued all immediate threats?

Verlon leaned down to check the body's forearms. A faint bruised ring could be seen around them. Pulled together, they match the size of the plastic restraints.

No, this fellow was definitely already a captive before he met his fate. Then...he struggled the moment they freed him to arrange his body this way? Did their captors cut those restraints themselves?
But there was no need to do that. The restraints wouldn't have gotten in the way at all.

Was the temperament change hypothesis wrong? It didn't seem likely, but could a second group have intruded after the first one left and executed all these restrained prisoners?

...It was too soon to tell. He should gather more information first.

Whirrr....

"The electrical system is back online!"

The lights overhead flickered back on, and the agent rose to his feet. With better lighting, something else caught the agents' eyes.

It was a black cable previously hidden in the shadows of a corner of the bridge. It seemed to be for data transfer.

Homps picked it up and attached one end to her data pad. There were four ports near the cable's location, and on trying the second one, an automatic download began.

"...Verlon."

He approached and looked over her shoulder at the information appearing on screen. It seemed to be a communications log with an employer or client. A list of prior missions conducted by the ship, it seems.

Specifically, with a proxy account with one of his employers. This was probably the reason he and Homps were sent to investigate instead of leaving it to Pateily authorities.

He turned to the technician and flashed a badge. "Good work. You may leave now. Be sure tell everyone outside that this ship has now become a C3 classified location. Nobody without appropriate credentials may enter once you leave, and you are to open fire on anyone that tries."

"Y...Yes, sir."

Homps started making their way back towards the infirmary, where active life signs were found.

"I'll go on ahead. You get remote access and catch up."

"Understood."

---

Verlon approached the formerly sealed door with his mind racing.

While he waited for the system to authorize his remote override, he poked around their data a bit more. It seemed that about 90 hours ago, another piece of communication data had been downloaded.
Specifically, it was the calls and messages that the crew had exchanged with friends and family at various planets.

He carefully stepped past the bisected corpse laying on the ground where the sealed door was. This one had its limbs cuffed to the walls on either side of the door and forced to lay on his back right in the path of the metal slab.

Whoever these attackers were, they bore an enormous animosity for this crew. It wasn't hard to imagine what they would do with the knowledge of their loved ones' locations and identity.

His report later should probably include a recommendation to have men shadow those loved ones. If they were lucky, they would catch the culprits this way. Though the lead would slip away if the observers were caught.
Maybe...they should simply plant surveillance devices on them and try to deduce patterns from the eventual killings.

[Verlon, please unlock the doors to Infirmary 2.]

"Unlocking now. ...Ugh..."

As the stench ahead got worse, the Ramell increased the filtration on his mask to full strength. It was harder to breathe like this, but it was preferable.

The path ahead branched off into engineering while the main path went through crew quarters.

The visible pools of dried blood made it clear that the stench came from the former, so Verlon elected to quickly investigate it so he could seal the doors on it sooner.

Inside, there were a few intact and dressed bodies by the entrance. There were four of them behind a barricade. Two were also clutching steel panel shields that seemed caked in dry blood.

In front of the barricade was another body. It seemed to be a stripped one, but it was hard to tell as most of its front had been blown open.
Agent Verlon nudged this body's head upwards with a foot. There were multiple burns from a plasma gun, but there were of a higher caliber than the ones that killed the clothed bodies at the bridge.

While its chest cavity had burst open, the signs of cutting could be seen at the very edges. Based on this and the blood spatter...
The intruders had cut open a captive and placed an explosive inside-one of a small enough yield enough to safely use in the engine room. After using them as a living shield to press through the corridor, they set it off in the defender's faces.

But...there were barely any signs of burns anywhere else in the hall. The meat shield may have absorbed most of the impact.

When Verlon stepped over the barricade and observed the defenders, he found the final puzzle piece. The arms holding those shields were badly burned. The intruders had used some form of high-voltage weapon and got around the insulators on the front of the shields by "smearing" them first.

There were three more bodies deeper in the room, but their executions didn't glean any new information.

Kachunk

With that, he could seal off this room for now.

---

Cursory glances while passing through the crew quarters gave the biggest clue yet.

The fact that the crew quarters became something of a laboratory told him that these mystery assailants didn't know Fendansi biology particularly well.

There were a few vivisections being done where the arrangement of internal organs and vital spots seemed to be studied. And more importantly, there were several apparent stress tests for trunks testing how far they could be forcibly stretched and extended with experimental cuts.

Fendansi twin trunks were among the most complex manipulators in the Gisali Coalition and had more distinct muscles in each individual trunk than some species had in their entire bodies.

For an Elder species, which was prominent in the military sector and influential across the Coalition, being able to provide services that accounted for trunk care was practically required if a species wanted to gain favor with most of the Elder species.

Among the vassal species of the Fendansi, Palluto, or Goblle, access to knowledge of their biology comparable to their cradle world native animals was practically required.

That meant the culprits only had species that were not closely tied to any of those vassal species. They likely also never had any prominent military collaborations with the Fendansi, nor an education system under the purview of the Kenia.

Despite that, they also had sufficient military expertise to subdue an entire ship's crew of Fendansi. And, very clearly, they had at least one extremely aggressive species among them.

The Ramell took a breath.

If it weren't for the fact that the Pateily were likely victims on the other ship, they might have been a decent suspect.

The Uvei, perhaps? The temperament, motive, access to these spaces, and ability all match. But there were no signs of claw marks anywhere. Would they be capable of hiding any sign of their presence like that?

Based on his recent unpleasant experiences with them, the Terrans had the ability to do this...but not the temperament. He could so easily imagine that sanctimonious and obnoxiously friendly captain reeling from disgust at these scenes.

A collaboration between the two, perhaps? But would the Uvei be able to convince the Terrans to defy their own natures to this extent?

He sighed.

Even if it were the case, Verlon wasn't sure if the higher ups were prepared to believe it, but they would likely appreciate any political ammunition, but something like this needed to be minimally believable to the public to be useful.

He was just going to have to create a list of suspect species to report to them for now. Thinking any more deeply on this wasn't his job.

Up ahead was the infirmary. Right by the door were large words burned into the walls in Fendansi script that was far too clumsy to be written by one.

[DO NOT OPEN - CONTAGIOUS DISEASE]

"...?"

Verlon squinted with slight confusion. What...was the point of this message in the midst of all this carnage? What could the motives of the markers possibly be?

Homps interrupted his questions as she pushed open the doors from inside. She flashed her chemical analyzer at him.

"Verlon. You're here. Come in and help me. The message is a lie."

"Ah..."

As he followed her inside, he was lead up to Infirmary 2.

Inside were three Fendansi slumped against the walls beside a gurney. They were all seemed to be in the same terrible condition with their trunks, forelimbs, and ears sliced off. The wounds were even cauterized.

"Those two no longer have a pulse. Help me load this one up."

"Alright."

A Fendansi was generally too heavy for a Ramell and a Palluto to lift, but mechanical gurneys were made to assist species like them.
This one was...lighter than usual and a bit limp. Based on the IV stand nearby and the fresh bandage on his arm, he probably had a paralytic in his system. His chest had a wound-sealing agent thickly applied as well. It must have been a grueling time adrift in space.

As Verlon got a closer look at him, he noticed that his tongue had been cut out as well and his eyes were stained with fresh tears. Did the attackers think that they had taken any way for this survivor to communicate their identities?

"Hey, can you hear me? I want to try asking you some questions while you're here and before your memories get any hazier. If the answer to my question is yes, look at her. If it's no, look at me. Got it?"

His eyes glided over the Homps. Yes.

"Were you a member of the crew on this ship?"

Yes.

"Do you know what your attackers wanted?"

No.

"Did you see them?"

Yes.

"Was it multiple species?"

Yes.

"Could you name those species if we listed them out?"

No.

"...Were their appearances obscured?"

Yes.

...This would be troublesome. But perhaps they could go through a process of elimination with pictures once they let this one recover a bit.

"Alright. Let's get you to the station's medical wing. You're safe now."

At his words, the Fendansi quickly drifted to sleep while the pair pushed the gurney towards the exit.

Ping...

"...? Hold on."

Verlon's ears twitched as he heard a faint sound from the room just as the three left it. Letting his colleague push ahead, he returned to give the room a second look.

...ping...ping...

Following his ears, he eventually found a hidden device behind a curtain. It was attached to the wall and let out a quiet sound that was muffled by the fabric in front of it.

At first, the Ramell jumped back with panic, but closer inspection showed it was nothing but a transmitter and receiver of a signal. A spying device?

No, it was too short-range in design. A monitoring device? Or perhaps a-

Verlon's eyes widened as he recalled the victims in the engine room.

"....!!"

He sprinted for the doors.

"Explosive inside him!"

"!?"

Her response was almost instantaneous as she dashed for the door that he was holding open.

BTOOM!

It seems the range-sensitive bomb was a beat ahead. The best he could do was duck behind cover while holding the door open.

After the explosion sounded out, the Palluto agent landed right by the doorway.

"Homp, are you alright? ...Homp?"

....

His ears were ringing too loudly to hear her response.

When Verlon inspected her more closely, he found her bleeding from her mouth and nostrils. Her eyes were bloodshot and unmoving. It looks like she wasn't able to escape the shockwave.

The survivor was...gone, of course. The hall now had a fresh coating of viscera and any extra leads he had were lost.

"......."

Perhaps the warning message was scrawled on to increase the chances that only the crew's allies would fall into that trap.

He scooped Homps into his arms and started making his way out. He couldn't feel a pulse so her odds were slim to none. But nobody else was going to use the medical staff waiting outside, so it was better than not trying at all.

...he should also get himself checked while he figured out just how he would phrase this report to his employers.

---

(Niza POV)

"The more we look around, the more these sorts of machines feel wrong for Ori."

Asher and Niza were wandering the novelty section of an appliance store at a trading station a short distance from the S.S. Kevak.

They were both off-station on errands for Ori's work and decided to secretly meet up here. Asher picked up a box with a lava lamp patterned and shaped after white dwarf star.

"These are all kinda heavy so it might mess with the balance on her hover pod if she brings it anywhere. And we run around so much during work that there's not as much chance to just sit and enjoy it in a particular room."

Niza nodded in agreement.

"I concur. Perhaps returning her gesture in kind with an item in kind would be the best decision. I believe the accessory shops are...that way."

The Uven was...more nervous than she expected when her Haneer friend called her into the office after the footage of her at the docks was released.
But Ori didn't say anything about it. Instead, she was...given something.

She reached to her clavicle and once again touched the leaf clip that was precisely snagged against her scales. It was a beautifully colored design modeled after Ori's very own leaves.

She didn't know what exactly the emotions bubbling up in her at the time were, but receiving a present certainly caught her off-guard in many senses. It wasn't quite as intense as her catharsis when Asher gave her one for her "birth day", but being able to keep her wits about her this time only made the event more memorable.

"....."

She wasn't sure if it was guilt, notoriety or something else, but ever since the dock incident, she'd felt more sensitive to the fearful gazes of those around her. It felt like any conversation spoken in whispers around her was gossip about her now.

Perhaps...she had gotten too comfortable living with her guard down due to Ori and Asher always being around her. She'd forgotten why she needed to tread lightly with other Coalition species.

What if she ended up scaring the soft-hearted pair when-

The human's warm hand touched hers.

"Hey. Don't mind them."

Asher flashed her his usual reassuring smile.

He was always attentive to not just her and Ori's condition, but the feelings of everyone around him. This little human has surprised and impressed her more than she could ever have expected since the day they met at that cafe.

"...Right."

"Of course I am."

"No. I mean that the accessory stores are after the next right turn."

"...Oh."

A slight smirk formed on Niza's face as Asher's face did that human embarrassment thing again. No, perhaps her two colorful friends were always too good for her.

Beyond checking on her condition and immediate incident report questions, they hadn't said anything about the incident to her at all.

She almost wished they did. The occasional sting of doubt that her low-aggression friends were angry at her for her violence or wouldn't accept her explanations was...dreadful.

Distracting thoughts like these weren't very welcome in the midst of her own investigation into the parties targeting the Eineld Program.

"...Why don't you head into that store first? I need to step away for a moment."

"Huh? Okay."

No. Regardless of how her two friends might reevaluate her, she should be more focused on taking responsibility for her actions and making sure this doesn't impact Ori's standing.

Niza waved at Asher as he entered a shop before stalking ahead around the corner and waiting.

"Good evening, lady and gentleman."

""!?""

When the Balau investigators that had been following her also turned the corner, they found the two meter tall Uven looming over them. She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms expectantly.

"Well? Do I get an explanation?"

"Erm...pardon?"

They elected to play dumb then.

"You have been following me. I would like to know why, and on whose authority."

"Y...you must be mistaken. We're just normal-"

Haaaaaah...

Niza let out a deep sigh. How tiresome. She would much rather be picking out a bracelet or whatever with Asher right now.

"It can hardly be called a coincidence that you were trailing behind me when I left the Inner Council chambers, during my work visit to the Vasteu station, then my leisure visit here."

"W-We weren't at-"

She quickly stuck her data pad in their face, featuring some security pictures she had the Council chambers send her, along with some spontaneous selfies Asher took with her that had caught them in the background.

"....!"

"Anything else you want to lie to my face about, or can we get to the point?"

Seeing them shrink back like this could have been amusing if it weren't such an obstacle to diplomacy. The incident at the docks did her no favors either.
Though she had heard that the Kevak police could get overbearing sometimes, so perhaps this was working in her favor for once.

In which case...

"If you're here on anyone's legitimate authority, I'm going to need to see some proof of identity. If not, then I suppose I'll have to..."

She turned her head to very obviously direct her gaze at the local security office while trailing off to let their minds finish her statement for her.

"Hmm. Vacant."

"-!!"

It seems the fear was a bit too much for one of them. A pistol was drawn and pointed at her.

Slowly and sloppily though.

Click.

"Wha...?"

Her hand launched forward to grasp the weapon from above and her half-grown claw precisely flicked on the gun's safety, keeping it from going off.

Thud.

After that, a firm tug was enough to pull the weapon from the officer's grip and Niza promptly dropped the weapon to the ground. The Balau found herself pinned to the ground with an open palm moments later.

The other one hesitated briefly before turning tail to run once their eyes met.

"Hmph."

The Uven then directed her gaze to a Pateily who had been recording the interaction while backing away.

"How about you? Will you identify yourself?"

"Me? I'm...not with-"

"Also...as the subject of that video, I would like you to either delete it or send a copy to me. In exchange, I can send the pictures I obtained of you and your two companions."

"............"

The Pateily turned her data pad over to show her the video being deleted.

---

"Sorry for the wait."

"Niza! That was quite a commotion outside. Almost like there was a street performance or something."

"Something like that. It wasn't as interesting as you might think though. Did you find anything good?"

Asher beamed as Niza walked up to him and gestured to a few pieces of jewelry on the counter.

"I was thinking we could get this. Look, look."

With a gentle tug, he separated a colorful stone into two parts. Then he did the same for a medallion. The process repeated for every piece.

"If we have a three-piece version made, then Ori can have one and we'll have the others. I can even wear it on her present!"

He held up the modest necklace he was wearing. Their friend had given him something custom-weaved from her own vine fibers. The fibers were treated and dyed with the same colors as her clip, but it was otherwise a fairly subdued accessory.

"Would that not be another gift for ourselves?"

"Kinda, but I think Ori would get more out of the sentimental value, don't you? This can also count as us getting each other something."

"Alright then. You would likely know more than me on that matter."

"You should be the one to choose the design though!"

...

As usual, the little human's eyes were shining and he carried a bright smile.

A three-segment piece seemed to be more of a custom job, so they would need to return another day.

Now, they were just taking a leisure walk to their transportation home.

"...Asher."

"Mmm?"

"Why hav-"

Niza's question died in her throat, forcing her to take another breath. When did she become so timid?
For that matter, she shouldn't be feeling like she did anything wrong. So why was she so hesitant to explain herself in the first place?

"Why haven't you asked me about the docks? Are you...upset about it?"

Asher stared up at her and had a thoughtful expression. He considered his response over a few agonizing moment of silence.

"Well...I didn't like seeing you attack people like that. And I definitely don't like seeing the way some people started acting like you're some wild thug. But..."

But...?

The Uven's tail had stiffened anxiously.

"Even if I don't know if I'll agree, I know you had a reason. It seemed like you were really upset about something in that video."

"...."

The human settled his hand against her arm, causing a fist she didn't realize she was clenching to relax.

...Ouch.
Her dulled claws had been digging into her hand.

"You're one of my best friends. But that doesn't mean you have to tell me everything, and especially not something that's unpleasant for you to talk about. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to know, but that isn't what matters most here."

"....Hah. Ahaha..."

She should probably have just talked about this much sooner. It was just a brief talk, but it felt like a great deal of tension had been carved out of her.

"Do you...know what Ori thinks about this?"

"Uh...no, but she did ask me for my thoughts too. I said more or less the same thing at the time."

Since neither friend had come questioning her, she could only assume they were in agreement. A pair that was almost certainly better than she deserved.

"You are correct in that it's to do with an...unpleasant subject I'd rather not talk about...Which is why I'll aim to do it only once. For everyone."

"...? What do you mean?"

"I intend to hold a press conference on the matter. Apologies and my gratitude for your patience until now, but if you and Ori could wait a bit longer, I'll answer any inquiries you have of me after that. Is that...acceptable?"

"Huh...well, if you think that will make things better for you. Are you sure that's how it is though? Won't the pressure of the spotlight kinda make it worse?"

"Hah! If it were just about me alone, I would have been content to just ignore the matter. They do not bother me."

It was just that...the lurking pyjeks following her around could become a nuisance for those around her as well. It may well be better to clear things up plainly.

"I guess a press conference doesn't sound very 'Niza'."

The human laughed lightly before wrapping his arms around her in another human hug.

"Well...alright then. I'll support you however I can. Just say the word."

"You've supported me plenty as is. It's true this is a tad unorthodox. I hadn't even considered it until Hunter came with this suggestion yesterday. I consulted Councilwoman Lana about it after."

"Ah...Say, Niza...what do you think of Hunter?"

...?

Asher had an odd expression when he asked that question.

Because the lad in front of her was the first human she'd ever met, the Uven admittedly felt her view of them was skewed.
Asher was always a merry, optimistic, and caring soul. While all the others she'd met since entering the S.S. Kevak had familiar human quirks, they also had an atmosphere to them that was different enough to feel like they were a different species from her friend.

She'd met a good number of them during the excursion to Earth, and those didn't quite line up with Asher or the Kevak encounters.

"I suppose...he's no odder than any other human I've met. Why do you ask?"

"I'm...not sure. He seems like a nice guy. And he's been pretty helpful like Miss Lana. I just get kind of a weird feeling from him. I don't even know if it's a good or bad one."

"Hmm. I shall...keep an eye out then."

The two approached the transportation hub on the station. The atmosphere had become...a bit awkward now.

"...ah. That's right."

She cleared her throat and shared some news that she thought would please Asher.

"Tuzel talked about visiting Folstur with me at some point. To explore and get to know the new Uven settlements."

"Oh? Oh oh oh!? What did you say?"

His eyes were large and radiated excitement once more.

"The truth. That I was interested, but likely won't have that much spare time for at least a few cycles. Possibly not until Ori's term is up."

"Aw...maybe we could make time if I just-"

"Asher. This is more important, and I'll not have anyone burden themselves for such a leisure reason."

"....Fine..."

---

=Author's Note=

The first part of this chapter was somewhat inspired by an idea in the Grudge movie series. I never watched it myself, but I recently learned that the monster isn't actually the ghost of someone who was killed. Rather, it's based on a belief that even actions have spirits and is actually the ghost of the brutal act of murder that manifests in the form of its victim. I found the concept pretty metal when I heard it.
I'm not going to introduce or confirm any supernatural elements in this story, but I wrote the ship scene so that they would definitely have become cursed locations if such a concept were real.

There were a few other deduction scenes in mind, but I decided to cut the ones that didn't offer Verlon useful information so the pace felt smoother. Niza explaining herself was also supposed to happen much sooner with it being more of a forced questioning, but the pacing kinda just kept pushing it back so I turned it into a voluntary press conference.

At Garag and Lana's advice, Ori prioritized making Niza's gift more durable and Asher's gift more personal. She probably would have wanted to use her actual leaf for Niza's clip, but the process of preserving it inside something durable would have taken too long.

I keep thinking of "interview", but as far as I understand those are defined by Q&A between the journalistic party and the subject of the interview.

In this one, the journalist arranges the meeting and environment for the meeting, but doesn't speak at all once and just lets the two parties talk when the camera rolls.

First | Previous | Glossary |

Line of Sight

---

(Pealy POV)

"It's been a while since I heard whistling like that. You're in a good mood."

The Mardile Elder Councilwoman Vimlu flew by Pealy Kauti in a miniature hover pod.

The Palluto Elder Councilman was indeed chirping away as a subconscious show of delight. It seems it was too obvious.

"Ah, that's no good. I shouldn't be letting it show, considering the news."

In reality, it wasn't wholly good news for him and his colleagues.

The recently released footage regarding Terran captivity on Nysis was going to make it harder to increase their aggression rating.

He had to assume the embassy made edits to highlight their more virtuous-looking members while dialing back the accounts of angry victims. Retrieving and publishing the unredacted footage would have to come another day.

On the other hand, the footage was quite bad for the Uven image.

He slipped into the private dining hall for Elder Councilmembers with Vimlu, where the pair ordered some food and seated together. They had finally found enough of a lull in their overwhelming piles of paperwork to squeeze out free time for a leisurely meal.

"According to Pava'dee, most of the public feels bad for the Terrans, but disagree with their...generosity. He's working on smothering any sympathy for the lizards that might come of it."

"That's the obvious conclusion, isn't it?"

Her nose twitched as their meals promptly arrived. A stir-fry of vegetables with cheese for Vimlu and a perfect roast for Pealy.

The Mardile let out a derisive snort.

"They overplayed their role, I'd say. There's empathy, and then there's faking virtue to the point of being self-destructive. So what's it to you? What part of it put a song in your throat?"

"Well...we can ride this public sentiment to bring down Sjorn'l's pet lizard. At the rate we're going, she's the greater destabilizing factor."

These videos truly could not have come at a worse time for the Uven accompanying their Haneer colleague.

It was already under scrutiny for that savage attack at the docks a few rotations ago, but Pealy and his peers had chosen to tread carefully until they could verify what it knew and let public interest in the case cooled off.

If it suspected the Balau in the Kevak Police Department, being overbearing could have been bad optics.

But now...Uvei were savages. They were brutes who beat their prisoners and rewarded sadism. It could be perfectly justified to suspect one of being excessively violent.

Vimlu looked up at him as he paused to dig into his meal.

"I see. Perhaps you can chip away at that rookie's influence and popularity then. Are you going to arrest it for excessive violence now? Or perhaps vigilante justice?"

"Well. Not 'arrest' yet, but we'll be detaining it on suspicions of those things, yes."

And, of course, Pava'dee will be drumming up and directing criticism towards Sjorn'l for the company she keeps in the meantime.

"Sounds like a plan. But are you prepared to assign the Terrans to the role of victims? The greater the impact you make now, the harder it will be to change course later."

"Yes, it's a bit unfortunate that we'll be closing off that approach, but we haven't made much progress on that front for some time. I'm still sure they're aggressive schemers, but we need a new angle."

Having eaten his fill, Pealy stood up and wiped his beak with a napkin. His roast was mostly untouched, but he was primarily here to chat with Vimlu anyway.

Best show some moderation so he doesn't end up looking like Golhti. He happened to like flying as a pastime.

"Committing to this route might even turn out to be a good thing. At this point, we may be better off equipping those savages and just...pointing them at the right target."

"And once that happens, we would be justified in eliminating a danger to the galaxy as well."

Vimlu tapped on the table affirmatively.

"I can see why you're so relaxed now."

As he tossed his leftovers into the trash, Pealy began to mull over the list of warlords most suitable for this role.

---

##Transcript of Famineer Rebellion Interview 2 - Uven Guard, Serial#235████ Sole Interview

(Video begins in an isolated room with Journalist Pyjek sitting across from an Prison Guard locked within a cell. A microphone is placed nearby.)

Pyjek: Hello, ██████ . I'm a reporter and I'm here to ask you a few questions.

Soldier 235X: You're not going to get anything useful out of me. If that's what you're after, you might as well kill me now.

Pyjek (clearing throat): Like I said, I'm just a reporter. This is less an interrogation and I won't be making you talk. This is more of a...debriefing. If you're willing to answer me, I will personally bring you one of the hot meals being prepared in this camp.

Soldier 235X (scoffing): Using the same approach as the General, I see. I'm not interested in being tamed like some Wolikk.

Pyjek (leans forward): That was one of the questions I had for you, actually. According to the prison's records, you're credited with the third most violence against the humans among the ones captured alive. However...

(Pyjek reaches over to the table beside him and shifts through some printed files. He looks over 235X's body.)

Pyjek: It's also recorded that you've rejected a good amount of the reward meals you earned. A total of 174 meals rejected. And, if you don't mind me saying, I can tell you've been eating less than most of the soldiers there. Why is that?

(235X is silent.)

Pyjek: If you weren't taking the food, why hurt the humans so much more than the quota?

(235X slashes at the base of the cell with a sudden, loud snarl.)

Soldier 235X (growling): Because they DESERVED IT**!**

(235X starts pacing within the cage with growing unrest. Uven guards outside peer inside with weapons drawn.)

Soldier 235X (gradually increasing in volume): They had no business even being on Nysis! This is our home, not theirs. They should have just...STAYED AWAY FROM US AND OUR BUSINESS.

Pyjek (gesturing for the guards to stop): ...The humans? You hate that they're on Nysis?

Soldier 235X: They were...infuriating with everything they did. They creepy way they stare at you. The incessant prattling and questions. Those maddening...songs.

Pyjek: Songs? The humans were...singing?

Soldier 235X: They kept going and going. When Uvei were around. When we weren't around. When they were hurt. When they were starving. The noise was always there.

Pyjek (taking the paper sheets and writing implement): And you say they also talked a lot. What sorts of things did they ask you?

Soldier 235X: Nothing strategic, if that's what you're hoping for. Meaningless nothings.

Pyjek: Could you give an example?

Soldier 235X: Our names. Our hometowns. Why we enlisted. And they talked about ways they played as younglings. Nonsense like that.

Pyjek (pauses, then writes on his sheet): That is odd.

Soldier 235X: The only way to shut them up was to beat them until they couldn't continue.

Pyjek: Talking and asking questions bothered you that much? Singing? Do you hate the sound of their voices?

Soldier 235X: I detest the sound of their voices.

Pyjek: I...I see...

(A 50 second silence passes)

Soldier 235X: They made the rations taste rancid.

Pyjek: Huh?

Soldier 235X: Their voices. I don't know how they do it, but hearing their voices makes your meals taste like nothing and swallow like ash.

Pyjek: That's...strange. I've never experienced that nor heard of an account like that before.

Soldier 235X (looks away with a scowl): It's no concern of mine whether you believe me.

Pyjek: Is that why you skipped meals in the prison? You decided not to eat on days you heard the humans talk?

Soldier 235X: It was a chore to eat.

(Pyjek again looks over Soldier 235X's body.)

Pyjek: ...Well, what matters more than if I believe you is if the people who hear this will believe you.

Soldier 235X: I do not care.

Pyjek (shuffles to a new page): Ah. I meant to inform you at the start, but ended up launching into the talk right away. We've confirmed the location of your younger brother.

Soldier 235X (quickly snaps his head to Pyjek): !?!

Pyjek (continuing to read off the document): Some of the Kepal rebels have delivered a fresh supply to him since the jailbreak operation. Last they've checked was two rotations ago and he seemed to be recovering nicely at that time.

(235X slams his tail against the cell's bars with a fury.)

Soldier 235X: ...I'm done talking. Leave.

Pyjek: What? But... Alright. Okay. Before you go, would you like that hot meal? You did answer some of my questions in the end, and I would like to publish them. There are still humans in the camp that prepared them, but none of them are from the jail. Do you want to try?

Soldier 235X (turning to face the other way in his cell and sits down): Do whatever you want.

---

##Excerpt from Transcript of Famineer Rebellion Interview 3 - Justine Bolotin Interview #2

(Video is set in an infirmary with Journalist Pyjek sitting beside a bed where a bandaged female Terran is slowly sitting up. A microphone is placed nearby.)

Pyjek: Good morning, Miss Bolotin. How are you feeling today?

Justine: Much better, Pyjek. Sorry we had to cut the last interview short like that.

Pyjek: Please, no need for apologies. You're still recovering. If you feel low on energy again, we can end it early once more. Your fleet won't be leaving for a few more days, so we don't have to rush.

Justine (smiling): I'm not in a rush. I just don't want to end it early. I just like chatting.

Pyjek: That reminds me, I heard something peculiar yesterday. I'm hoping you could shed a little light on it.

Justine: Oh?

Pyjek: I was told that the humans in prison were singing and asking the guards a lot of strange questions.

Justine: Ah...

Pyjek: I've been trying to inquire with the aid fleet's officers, but they've been busy recently.

(Justine pauses thoughtfully for a few moments, then nods.)

Justine: It's not like it's some grand secret. I can only speak for myself and my cellmates though. Where do I start? First of all, it's just to keep our spirits up. Morale, I guess you'd call it. We talked to each other a lot too.

Pyjek: Morale? Right...I believe I heard that humans are a rather sociable species. So it was for your...Err...what was it called? "Imagined health"?

Justine (laughing): You mean mental health? Yes, that sounds about right. Though from what I've seen, Uvei seem to be a pretty sociable species as well. Every one of you I've met seems capable of a deep love for your fellow man.

Pyjek (curls tail in surprise): Us? Social? We're constantly killing each other. You could hardly call what happened to you in that cell a "deep love" either.

Justine: Well, that's because we were an Other. That's the other reason we-

(Justine cuts herself off and seems to be thinking silently for the next few seconds.)

Justine: It's complicated, and I don't think it'll make sense if I start at the end. Let me...start somewhere else and we'll work our way up to the explanation.

Pyjek (with a confused tone): ...Okay? Don't strain yourself while you're still recovering, but I'm happy to listen.

Justine: For starters, you believe the Famineer Footage is real, don't you?

Pyjek: Of course. Even if there are some Uvei that deny it, I find the evidence supports it.

Justine (nodding along): And what do you make of the prison policies?

Pyjek: They were...terrible? I'm not sure I understand your question.

Justine: They were weirdly dedicated to attacking Terrans, right? They were harsh on us for no reason. What do you think about that?

Pyjek (curling tail up in discomfort): Oh...yes. It was overly hostile to your people when you've done nothing against it. Nothing more than a giant, efficient waste of precious resources.

Justine: Well, the cruelty isn't an inefficiency. The cruelty was the point. The Famineers need to be cruel.

Pyjek: They...why would anyone need to be cruel?

Justine (gesturing with her hands): To make someone else an enemy. When I say Uvei look like a social species, I don't just mean you enjoy being around people. I mean you're mentally wired to cooperate and take care of your "family" while fighting off "the enemy".

Pyjek (nodding slowly): Then you're saying...humans are targeted so Uvei don't focus on the Famineers they should see as the enemy?

Justine (frowns briefly): And to keep the masses in control overall, yes. It's...something we have experience with.

Pyjek: You do?

Justine: Of course. That's the other...or rather, the main reason we tried our best to get to know the jailers.

(Pyjek thinks quietly for a moment before speaking.)

Pyjek: Because you didn't want...them to think of you as an enemy?

Justine: There's that, but it's more about our perception of them than the other way around.

Pyjek: You didn't want yourselves to think of them that way? They're working for Famineers though. Are they not exactly the enemy?

Justine: They are, but it's said that the only way a monster becomes a person is if you love it.

Pyjek (speaking incredulously): Then you're trying to...redeem them with kindness? I'm sorry, but...I can't imagine such a thing will work.

Justine: That's not...Well, how do I put this...

(Justine pauses and looks over at Pyjek for a few moments. She then shifts in her bed to face him directly.)

Justine: What do you see when you look at me? How would you describe what happened to me in a headline?

Pyjek (tilts head with confusion): Well...an injured human woman. For the headline, something like "Kepal prison incentivizes guards attacking human prisoners", perhaps?

Justine (gestures to herself): Yes, all correct. But what I'm getting at is you see a person. All the worst things large groups of people have done to other groups of people have been because they were convinced to no longer think of them as people.

Pyjek: And to avoid that, you didn't want to stop seeing the prison guards as people, even when they were actively beating you?

Justine: It's...the easiest thing in the universe to do lose your empathy when you're hurting. You're pulled back to more primal survival instincts. We wanted to be better than that, and learning details like how "Rodul got married last year" or "Luzel has five young kids at home" helps...ground us a little.

Pyjek: Do they deserve that sort of consideration with everything they did to you?

Justine (shaking her head): What if it turns out the Terran friend you mentioned yesterday did something just like the guards did? Or if one of us prisoners killed our cellmate so we didn't have to share our food. Would you say the same thing?

Pyjek (sways tail anxiously): Surely that isn't comparable? You are victims.

Justine (smiles and reaches out to pat Pyjek's snout): But our actions would be under the same principle of "hurt someone or go hungry". You can feel differently just by understanding us and our circumstances more. You can see the person.

(Justine lays back into her bed. Her breathing becomes more labored.)

Justine: We just wanted to give those Uvei the courtesy of b...being judged as people rather than monsters. I don't th...think we were being saints or anything. We're...avoiding the worst-case scenario...is all.

Pyjek (slowly rises to his feet): It seems you're tired now. I'll let you get some rest. May I visit again tomorrow, Miss Bolotin?

Justine (smiling broadly): Please do. And call me Justine.

---

=Author's Note=

Pyjek ended up coming across as a bit more put-together and professional than what I intended standard Uven journalism to be portrayed as. He was meant to be intelligent, but by our standards professionally inexperienced. Chalk it up to human influences, I suppose.

I kept flip-flopping between versions of the Justine interview that included vs excluded the breakdown of the Famineer administrations trying to other the humans. Ultimately settled on including it because interviews are almost meant for exposition, but maybe leaving it out would have made the conversation smoother.

There's one more video transcript to cover in the next chapter. Also, I should give a warning that there will be depictions of graphic scenes of violence.

It's something treated as unlawful by the local authority, but contraband implies it's something carried around or possessed.

I'm looking for something that's a more rooted structure.

Examples would be things like:

1. A protest stage that has been set up

2. A basketball pole installed in someone's backyard that turns out to be against zoning rules or lacking a permit.

3. A grave complete with a headstone placed somewhere wholly unwelcome like a park.

First | Previous | Glossary |

Looming Deadline

---

(T'abi POV)

"We've finished takeoff. It will be a 5 hour journey once we get into position to enter FTL. Can I get you fellas anything before then? Some water?"

"Is that...alright?"

Corporal T'abi Ree attempted to do that friendly teeth-bearing that the Uvei and Terrans often used to emote.

"As representatives of the Coalition, it is our solemn duty to maintain ethical and dignified treatment of anyone in our care. Especially prisoners."

The Kenia was posted by the G.C.S. Rohvin's brig to watch over some Uvei they've captured.

These were the more compliant detainees, but it seemed being around Uvei still made most of his teammates nervous, so he was posted here as someone who had a bit less fear than the rest.

They really weren't so scary once you took the time to get to know the friendly ones. In fact, this was the same one he had been taking time to talk to ever since that encounter with the Terran who led them into a trap.

...he thinks, at least. It seemed that Kenia like him were a bit face-blind with Uvei. It was a little hard to tell them apart, so he had to rely on identification numbers and minute nicks in their scales.

"Then...we'll be much obliged."

While the Uven in front of him accepted the water gratefully and passed it around the cell, a different one spoke up from a different cell. He was tucked away in the corner with his tail curled around himself.

"...What would 'ethical and dignified treatment' require?"

...?

"Well, it means we can't deprive you of food, water, clothing, or basic medical care."

"Even for the ones that resist and try to cause trouble?"

Naturally, some Uvei were less cooperative than others. The actively hostile and aggressive ones were locked separately in another area.

T'abi planned to go offer them food and water after this, but those captives required more safety measures like an armed guard.

"Well...we need to subdue them, but excessive violence would just be abuse. We're responsible for their well-being too."

"...."

The mood in the cells seemed more...glum after that exchange.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just..."

The Uven trailed off, letting the silence linger until another finished the thought for him.

"It's rare to take prisoners in a war on Nysis."

Huh?
But they had so many locations to keep the Terrans. It ended up taking quite a bit of manpower.

"But we encountered...Even if they weren't that big..."

"Those are for citizens, people too important to just execute, or suspects in a crime. One way or another, they aren't held for long."

The Uven speaking to T'abi explained. Narrow eyes like that meant...discomfort? Or perhaps sadness.

"The point is rules like these are...foreign. Not to mention, giving away food and water defeats the purpose of fighting at all."

They were implying something...very illegal and serious under intergalactic law. But, somehow, prospective legal troubles didn't seem to be what they were most worried about.

"Oh..."

That's right. Some of these Uvei were guards for captured humans. The Corporal had seen firsthand how the Coalition's second most peaceful species frequently left a profound impact on Uvei they interacted with.

"Did...the human prisoners do or say something special to you?"

Most of the humans they rescued ended up leaving on the aiding fleet. Because of that, and how the ones that were left behind stubbornly refused to evacuate, the Haneer fleet didn't have many humans aboard.

Still, there were a few in their care. They weren't in the best condition, but maybe T'abi should ask them to come talk to these guys...

"They didn't."

"...Pardon?"

The Uven's bitter response caught him off-guard. The original sulking prisoner gave a low response.

"They didn't do or say anything special. They just...talked to us."

...

The Kenia couldn't help but feel that he was missing something. Rather than lacking context, it was more like...there were two lights in front of him and he could only see the colors that overlapped.

The intercom booted up.

[Notice: We will be entering FTL warp in 20 minutes.]

Oh, it was that time already? He began scurrying around the cells passing out the water he brought.

"Sorry, I let myself get distracted. I want to check on the other Uvei too. I'll...come back later with snacks if you want."

"Well...we'll appreciate it, but you don't have to."

...

T'abi let out a soft sigh as he watched Nysis shrink away on the overhead display in the hall.

They had managed to capture a few leading figures over the course of this operation so it wasn't an outright failure, but it was hardly enough for the Corporal to consider it a success. The Famineers were still commanding nations and people of all sorts were still in danger.

The fact that more rank and file Uvei surrendered to them than they expected also disrupted plans.

Eventually, they had simply run out of room on their ships and supplies were dwindling.

Would this upset the Haneer Councilwoman that funded them?

It was tough to enlist in the Fendansi or Balau Fleets. The only species they recruited outside their own had high aggression.
Kenia had above average aggression ratings, but it was still just short of the cut-off. His status as an Elder species also led to many recommendations he join the Kenia academia scene instead.

"Corporal."

As he scurried down the hall, T'abi came across Inspector Verlon.

"Ah, Inspector. How are you feeling? I heard you were captured for a while."

The Ramell made a sheepish, embarrassed expression.

"Yes...it's quite humiliatingto have been caught like that. Conditions under the Uvei were wretched as well. I can't thank your crew enough for negotiating my release."

"Well, we have some time until we return to the S.S. Kevak. You should take the time to rest, then get yourself checked out once we're there."

"Well...I was actually on my way to talk to your captain about that. Do you mind passing something along to any crew members that aren't on the bridge?"

....?

"Of course. What do they need to know?"

Verlon continued while tidying himself up. He looked impressively composed and professional after what he had just been through.

"You see...I recently received communications from my administration, and they need my help with something at a Ramell station in our territory. It's on the way, so it shouldn't be more than a 20 minute detour."

"Really?"

After everything he'd been through, the inspector was throwing himself into more work?

T'abi couldn't help but feel a bit concerned.

"Well...I'm not in a position to protest, but make sure you properly rest and see a doctor, alright? It seems like you're working too hard."

At this, Verlon gave a light-hearted laugh.

"Haha! I appreciate the concern. I'll be sure to do that, but a few duties come first. For example...your own little expedition's witness report."

"Ah...right..."

In all the excitement, the Corporal had forgotten why they even brought him.

"You can rest assured that I found nothing out of order with your conduct for your entire time on Nysis. I should be able to send out my report from the station I'll be going to. It may even reach the Council before you do."

The path ahead split, and the Ramell stopped by the hall leading towards the bridge.

"Well then. It has been a pleasure. Take care of yourself, Corporal."

"You as well, Inspector."

---

(Zedal POV)

"Ten hours left. We need to try again."

[..- -. ... ..- -.-. -.-. . ... ... ..-. ..- .-.. .-.-.- / .---- ----- / .-.. . ..-. -]

At Zedal's word, several of the 205th ran out to comb throughout the Votier's Spring Preserve for a fourth time.

He tapped out an update into their temporary radio station with a sigh.

Even now, forcibly taking over this place didn't feel like a mistake to him.

The conditions of the humans they brought had stopped deteriorating once they got a steady supply of fresh water. Their bodies were managing to slowly filter out whatever it was that was making them sick, and there's no telling where the point of no return would have been for them.

That said, the runt could feel his blood run cold when he saw the massive log of security footage and audio recordings on this facility's computers. The jig would be up once Karnak, who was apparently coming here personally, saw them.

These Haneer devices were awkward for Uvei to handle and the total amount of data for the past ten days alone was staggering, so it took four hours to find and delete all references to humans from their visits.

...but then the Haneer database turned out automatically restore site data that was inconsistent with itself once every hour.

Now, everyone was scrambling to identify and disable the machine responsible for the connection to the database.
Nobody knew what it looked like, so they could only attempt trial and error.

[.-- .- .-. -. .. -. --. / - .... .. .-. -.. / ... .--. .. .-. . / .-- .. .-.. .-.. / .--. --- .. ... --- -. / ...- --- - .. . .-. / ... .--. .-. .. -. --. ... / .- - / ... --- ..- .-. -.-. .]

...?

A message came in from Innus. This was...

As Zedal decoded it, his expression grew more and more grim.

[.--. .-. . ... . .-. ...- . / .-- .- - . .-. / ... - --- -.-. -.- .--. .. .-.. . .-.-.- / -... . / -.-. .- ..- - .. --- ..- ... / .-- .... . -. / ..-. .. ... .... .. -. --. .-.-.-]

Karnak was going to poison...the Spring's source? How would he even...Did he plan to lug a large pump all the way to the origin of the spring?

For that matter, was it safe to do this? Even if Uvei could survive drinking these waters, there was no guarantee that aquatic animals would survive. Both the animals that they hunted directly and the ones that were preyed upon by those animals.

Votier's Spring spread all across the southern end of the continent with water flowing into lakes, ponds, streams, and the ocean.

Was it a bad move to seize this place for Uvei use after all?
It was starting to feel like the real point of no return was the moment they brought humans into the museum to be caught on camera.

....

Zedal opened his communicator to the rest of his team while he started coding a radio message of his own.

"Everyone, listen...I just got some news, that-"

The words died in his throat briefly.

"Karnak plans to poison every-"

Their odds weren't good, but...maybe Karnak won't bring many of his soldiers. If he thought about this positively, this might be an opportunity. If they fortify the museum and plan carefully...

"I'm sorry. I'm trying to organize my thoughts. The important thing is, I'm considering making a last stand against Karnak here."

[Understood.]

?

[I'm going to want more details than that, but I'm in.]

!?

Just like that?! They could very well all be marching to their deaths.

[I doubt Karnak will be kind to any runts that surrender, so if any of you want to back out, you should probably just desert if it goes badly. I recommend trying to link up with my human Jean in the mountains.]

....

Right. Everyone here has been to Folstur and was supported by a human at some point before and after returning to Nysis. Of course they'd join him for this.

He started tapping into the radio station.

[.-. . --.- ..- . ... - .. -. --. / .- -. / .- .-.. .-.. -....- -.-. .-.. . .- .-. / -.-. --- -.. . / .. ..-. / ...- --- - .. . .-. .----. ... / ... .--. .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .- -. / -... . / ... .- ...- . -..]

In case anyone else was listening to this broadcast, they needed a way to rescind the warning for humans and allow them water access again.

[.. ..-. / - .... . / ... .--. .-. .. -. --. / .. ... / ... .- ..-. . --..-- / .- .-.. .-.. -....- -.-. .-.. . .- .-. / -.-. --- -.. . / ... .... .- .-.. .-.. / -... . / .-.. . .-- .. ...]

...Alright. He would have to pass that code out to the rest of the 205th so any...survivor was able to broadcast it.

Just then, a voice came from the radio.

[Don't be hasty.]

That voice was...Innus? He wasn't encoding the message this time.

[We're still not out of cards to play. So just persevere for now. Do what you can to live on. Do the only thing you can. Every extra day you live is a day closer to a better future. I've just about finished preparations on my end, so stay the course and take care of each other. If you can find it in you to trust me, I'll guide you as far as I can. Let's see this through together.]

It was a message asking them to stop, and a general broadcast to encourage anyone who would listen.

...

It was a serious risk, but Innus hadn't failed them so far. Besides, he also owed Vellick some kindness.
Alright. They can try trusting him with this.

"Everyone, did...?"

[We heard it. Is the suicide mission canceled?]

"Um...yes. I guess I'll explain myself now. But...keep looking while I do."

[Don't sound so deflated, Zedal. Maybe we can fight to the death next time.]

Snickers came from across multiple channels on his communicator.

---

=Author's Note=

The common Uven soldier wouldn't have known this, but there actually are unspoken rules about minimum comforts. But these are reserved for the highest ranking leaders of nations when they've been captured for negotiation and ransoming purposes. The only right that the soldiers are aware of is that said leaders may demand a parley with the highest rank individual available.

Back when the Authority Rings were taken from the Haneer museum, Zhine'e was able to manipulate the information on database directly. Once evidence that the rings were ever in Haneer possession was removed from the back-up, the edited version of the footage overwrote the museum's records.

I'm currently dealing with some computer issues. It might be manageable, but just giving a heads-up if the next chapter is delayed.

First | Previous | Glossary |

Aftermath

---

(Verlon POV)

[It's coming in now, sir. I'll send you the photo right away.]

"....Fuwahahah!!"

Karnak was letting out a crude guffaw when the smaller Uven on the other end of his video call was replaced with an image.

In particular, it was an image of a partially wrecked facility with Coalition staff being driven off-planet at gunpoint. A flag representing Nysis as a whole was hung from the highest window and several flagpoles..

Agent Verlon rolled his eyes but kept his thoughts to himself.

At the moment, the Ramell was draped in a cloak and hidden in the camera's blind spot to conceal his identity. It would be inconvenient if anyone started asking questions about what one of his kind was doing in the Third Spire's chambers.

"That's quite a sight. Quite a sight. You didn't kill any of the aliens?"

[N...No. We did not have your permission, and thought you would prefer to focus on your enemies on Nysis for now. Is that...a problem?]

"Hrm...Not for now."

It was obvious to Verlon that the smaller Uven was trying to placate a foolish superior. He knew that experience all too well.
Were Karnak's people still sensible enough to fear the Coalition? The warlord himself certainly wasn't.

If there were people trying to delay a rash decision on his part, then perhaps the higher ups had more time to deal with the Terrans than they thought.
Not that an organization as large as the Gisali Coalition would lose to a mere two insurgent factions.

Nysis's defenses were high, but by the Ramell's observation it would take as few as eleven direct hits to glass 90% of Uven civilization.

"However, something that you should have done is fly Kepal's flag too. This is a victory for the heritage and culture of all Uvei, but everyone should know that it was who it was that brought dignity back to us all."

[I'll...arrange that right away.]

"Now, for the waters..."

[Should we arrange with Kristole units to lay down temporary aqueducts for now?]

"For Kristole and Kepal, sure. But cut off water flow to any other nation."

The soldier on the other end seemed taken aback. Was this not part of Karnak's plan?

[Even...Kepal's allies?]

"Only for now. I just want to ask our neighbors to show a...token of their friendship in these turbulent times. Just a formality, really. I doubt I'll be there for more than two days."

Watching the warlord here reminded Verlon of the story how the Haneer Elder Councilman secured the Tisalin as new vassal species during the loss of their cradle world. It was a bit before his time though.

[You'll be...here, sir?]

"Of course. Terrans will be scrambling for that water source, I'm sure. So we'll need to station a garrison to exterminate or capture them as they come."

[I...Apologies for taking up your precious time like this.]

"Fuwahaha! This time, it'll be my pleasure. It's better to broadcast to the others with the Spring itself behind me anyway. Anything else to report?"

[...No, sir.]

"Then that will be all. Make sure the aqueducts are laced with Terran repellant too."

[U-Understood.]

The video call concluded with a click.

...Hmm.

Was the Uven on the other end...nervous at the end there? Perhaps he was a Terran sympathizer.

It would be easier to justify purging the Uvei without these elements complicating the story, so should he expose them? It would certainly drive further division between the species if the friendly ones kept dying.

No...better not make such a big move without approval from the higher ups. It's still unclear what the Terrans' reputation will be at the end of all this. There's still time to tip the scales later, and keeping both factions active leaves more options down the line.

That said, it wouldn't hurt to further drive division between them. That part is within mission parameters.

"Look, little messenger! Isn't it quite a sight? I was expecting the runts to get gunned down, but they're still Uvei, it seems."

Karnak snapped him out of his thoughts as he pulled up the image of Votier Springs from before and gestured to it with an unnerving, toothy grin.

"Indeed..."

Verlon cleared his throat. Now then...how to guide this buffoon to the desired conclusion?

"You've figured out a poison for the Terrans that's harmless to Uvei? That's impressive."

"Ha! Not even that. Just something with nutrition."

"And nutrition is something all living things, including those dreadful Terrans, have to have. Truly an elegant solution to monopolize a key ingredient to life like water for it and spread it as far as possible."

"Yes, yes. Enough of your flattery. Have you finished installing the device, yet?"

The Ramell spy pressed a remote, activating the hover pod under the advanced communication unit.

"Here you are. FTL contact with my bosses right at your fingertips. I'll run a test call right now."

"Excellent..."

"You can count on the Coalition's splendid technology, and I quite look forward to what you do with it."

"You'll see soon enough. Jokan has already verified your supposed stash in his scanners."

Ugh. It seemed the brute didn't get it yet.

"I do wish my superiors were as clever with their resources as you. Just by seizing control of the Votier Spring at its source, you're able to put a chokehold at least nine nations. If I recall, water from the source of the spring spreads across over a third the continent, right?"

"You're well-read. Yes, it extends to...hmm."

Karnak paused as he seemed to get an idea.

Fucking finally. Verlon couldn't wait to return to actual civilization.

Beep.

The Ramell pulled the cloak over himself.

"Well then. I've confirmed that the device works. As I've witnessed the EMP deleting your footage, I've taken the liberty of securing the new plasma gun schematics. It's time I stop bothering you and return to the dungeon."

"Excellent. You're dismissed."

...He does remember their arrangement, doesn't he?

"As a reminder, the Haneer fleet is preparing to retreat in about three rotations. If you're going to send me back in a prisoner exchange, you'll need to do it before then."

"I get it, so stop moaning and leave me be!"

Karnak snapped at him with irritation as he turned to his primary communicator.

Verlon moved to leave the room, but slowed his pace just enough to eavesdrop on his final comments.

"Gather up the Terran repellant pumps we've had installed. We're going to move them all to a new location to...increase our scope a little."

---

(Asher POV)

"It feels like the sort of thing Ori would talk about too. Gimmie a sec."

Asher took out his data pad to search through chat logs and records just in case.

It was an unusual encounter while he and his friends were at the bustling shopping district.

The Uven Ambassador Garag had come to smooth things over regarding an incident that apparently happened on a Haneer facility recently.

"...No, yeah. I agree that it sounds serious, but this really is the first time I've heard anything about it. No report or anything."

"All the same, I've come to offer apologies. We aren't really in a position where we can spare reparations, so..."

"Hey. Mr. Vedin. Are you okay?"

Asher interrupted the older Uven while placing a hand against his arm.

Even if the Uven were in the wrong here, he knew that Ori would want to know the facts before she made any judgement. More important than that was...

"Your scales are shedding. When was the last time you slept? Or ate?"

He withdrew his hand to show some loose scales on his palm.

"Oh...No, I'll be fine."

The young man crossed his arms.

"That's not what I asked."

"There's just a lot to do right now. I shouldn't sleep while Nysis is struggling."

"Do you expect these problems to be resolved before the next time you fall asleep?"

"....."

Asher sighed. Niza got like this too.

...Well. That just meant her friend had experience handling it. He fished out his data pad from his pocket again and started typing away.

"Do you have any food allergies, Mr. Vedin? I'm ordering delivery right now."

"?? Pardon...?"

"The pot pies at this place are premade so we'll get them fast. Niza loves 'em, y'know."

"N-No, you shouldn't trouble yourself..."

It was a bit of an odd sight for a human to lecture an Uven over a head taller than himself, but he felt it needed to be said.

"Listen here. Sometimes, taking your job seriously means keeping yourself in a good enough condition to sustainably and healthily handle your workload. Healing deserves the same respect and energy you put into fighting."

"Even so-"

"I think you're a good guy, Mr. Vedin. But how do you expect to heal Nysis when the fighting is all over if you can't even let one Uven heal himself?"

"!"

Ambassador Garag's eyes widened.

"..."

After a pause, Asher scratched his head awkwardly and gestured to a bench. He'd already ordered his group's usual, and it should be here by drone in 20 minutes.

"Mr. Vedin, I can't imagine what you're dealing with right now, and I'm still just some newbie amateur to this scene who somehow ended up here trying to help Ori keep up."

He gently put a hand on the larger Uven's back.

"But I can tell it's been really tough on you, and I know that the only way through is by taking the time to care about the value of every life involved. Even your own."

"...I believe...Ambassador Kent would agree with you."

Who was...? Ah. The ambassador who got attacked on Nysis. Ori and her team never really had the chance to meet him, but it sounds like he was friends with Garag.

"Let's just sit for a bit and get some food in you. Ori and the gang should be out soon. We can take our time figuring this nature preserve thing out then. After that, you should really think about getting some sleep, Mr. Vedin."

"I...yes. Call me Garag if it pleases you. You were...Asher, correct?"

---

"I have found a new report. It is this, yes?"

Ambassador Garag, Haneer Elder Councilwoman Sjorn'l, and Asher were gathered together as she checked her own messages for anything involving Votier's Spring.

While the Uven had tensed up, Ori slowly shifted into a light green hue that her human friend recognized as confusion.

"I do not understand."

Asher leaned in curiously.

"What does it say?"

"There is a complaint from the director for being evicted, and a complaint from a Haneer tour group that was turned away when they visited."

The human tilted his head and furrowed his brow, mirroring his friend's confusion.

"They're...still holding tours? On Nysis? In the middle of a civil war?"

Haneer were generally a passive species with a weaker sense of urgency than most species, but...not that passive. They were still capable of comprehending the idea of danger.

Were they...somehow not afraid of the most aggressive species in the Coalition?

"This talks about Uvei demanding water, but does not mention any humans, nor multiple visits."

Garag reacted with slight unease.

"I...I'm sure I can get the people in question on the line for formal testimony, or perhaps trace their vehicle trails, or..."

Asher perked up with enthusiasm.

"Oh! I know this one! During our tours on Viera, they said every Haneer preserve and museum has high-quality camera footage and records that goes back a full five cycles, just in case they need to track small changes to their exhibits! We can just look it up in the Haneer database."

"....!!"

The older Uven suddenly tensed up.

"....Can this information be accessed at the facility too?"

"I think so, but only for facility itself. The Viera grand museum even let guests browse through all of their footage to show the system off. Do you think it'd be faster to send it from the Votier's Spring place?"

"Ah...probably not. I was just...curious. The Haneer database will do."

"Ambassador Garag Vedin."

The Haneer Councilwoman turned to face the ambassador.

"It will matter in the details, but I do not think it is wrong to let the Uvei use an Uvei root planet resource. It belongs to your people, and drawing water to save lives is perfectly the Spring's history. Violence is...bad. But I perceive stopping the Spring from helping any peoples will hurt the culture more than sharing it."

Asher covered his mouth to hide his smile and stifle his giggle. Ori was trying really hard to be solemn here, but she was starting to hit the limits of her Uven vocabulary.

"I...thank you."

At least Garag seemed to have taken it as intended.

Beep. Beep.

"Oh! Food's here!"

---

While Garag and Ori continued hashing out the details with what information they had, Asher elected to deliver a share of the meal to his other friends.

In the warehouse tucked behind the retail stores, Niza was talking to a mutual acquaintance, Tuzel.

Tuzel was another Uven that the two of them had met early on in their life on the S.S. Kevak when they were running an errand for Ori...and had gotten lost until he offered them some directions.

Ever since then, Asher would occasionally stop by to greet him when he was in the area. He even invited him to an informal get-together once.

This young Uven was why they were out here in the shopping district, in fact.

Asher didn't quite get all the details, but it seemed Niza had a personal favor to ask of Tuzel after that incident at the docks.

He didn't like thinking about it, but the Kevak's police frequently came to her with questions these past few days once the incident aired. She seemed to be cautious, but they hadn't done anything...yet.

The pair were crowded around Niza's data pad when he approached. She was going through some instructions in a low voice while Tuzel nodded along.

"We can register your biometrics whenever you have time to visit the clinic with me. You must keep your own inventory and make sure to double-check at the end of each week, if not each day."

"Alright...a private log I'll keep in my home. Or on me. I can go as soon as I close up if you're available."

...?

"Fine by me. "

"I understand. I'll check it in varying intervals."

"Then I suppose we're set. I shall wait for you outside."

"By the way...ah...I saw you get hit by a car on the news. Are you...alright?"

"Only a mild sprain in my tail. It seems to be better now."

Asher cleared his throat.

"Ahem...Hey guys! I got food. Your favorite, Niza. You want any, Tuzel? We got two to spare."

"Ah..."

He passed out the packaged pot-pies. Other than a heat-preserving wrap, these meals were cooked in edible "pots". They were essentially pastries with a filling stew inside.

"Oh, I'd love some. You like these too, Niza?"

"Mmgh."

More than her verbal affirmation, the Uven quickly tossed the unwrapped meal right into her maw. She occasionally huffed out hot steam, but otherwise munched away with intent.

Both of the boys ended up grinning a bit at her stoic chewing, but Tuzal soon decided to mimic her with similar results. Their tails swayed back and forth in tandem while they chewed.

??

"Mm...gulp...Just one of these are a bit small for Uvei, but did you know they have specials on the family meal on certain days?"

"....I did not."

"I can send you a message the next time they have their special if you like."

"Certainly. If I'm available on the station."

???

---

"....."

"....."

After they had their quick snack, Tuzel hurried off to close up the warehouse as per his duties. The young Uven had a couple of jobs on the station, though they mostly involved labor with shipments and cargo.

"...."

"....What is it?"

While their acquaintance did that, Asher was leering at Niza with wide, teasing smile.

"He liikes you."

"What...?"

She responded with a perplexed look. The human responded by playfully nudging her.

"Tuzel. He fancies you."

"Where did you get that idea?"

"He was trying to ask you out on a date."

"Just because he will share when best to get food doesn't mean he'll join me."

"He was trying to put his tail around yours."

"Tail movements can be involuntary when we're doing something we enjoy."

"His voice is lower when he talks to you than when he talks to me. That's, like, a sexy trait for Uvei women too, right?"

"Asher."

Niza let out a light growl and pushed him away with a nudge of her tail.

"Alright, fine. I won't tease you about it any more. But are you interested?"

His friend went quiet briefly.

"It isn't the time or place to consider such things. I have a task I need to focus on, and I don't want him distracted for his tasks either, even assuming you're right."

"Is that what you'll tell him if he asks you out?"

"I'll tell him that I'll consider it seriously after everything is over. Which I will do if possible."

She glanced down at Asher.

"Why are you so interested in such a silly thing?"

"I just think it would be nice if you had someone you could bond with and relate to in ways you can't with me and Ori."

"...."

It had been several days since the incident at the docks and, in truth, it still felt like Niza was keeping something about it a secret. She was open about her investigation and movements, but...she was holding something back.

Asher didn't intend to force his friend to talk, but something had struck a nerve for her at the time.

---

=Author's Note=

It's been a while since chapter 35 so as a reminder, the Elder Council demanded this new communication device be used in future dealings after Karnak recorded their conversations for blackmail.

He's usually too busy to spend time with them, but Asher remains a friendly, social butterfly. Whether or not they would call each other friends may vary when they've probably only hung out once or twice, but there are at least dozens of people aboard the S.S. Kevak that like Asher and are liked by him in turn.

One of the reasons Tuzel was going to be suspected of liking Niza was him suggesting her birthday for the password code without her realizing. I scrapped that idea firstly because I didn't want to make an official intergalactic date format and secondly because it felt a little creepy for him to know even if Asher is the one that told him.

https://preview.redd.it/8jx7qidclihh1.png?width=387&format=png&auto=webp&s=2ae4a9f2e81632a99011bb1885d5ca23fcc2875b

It's always piles of paperwork like this, but just what sort of work would require this many documents? Best I can think of is that most of them are large research documents 50-100 pages long, but would medieval/Renaissance era administrations have that much?

https://preview.redd.it/jkhqwbzr67hh1.png?width=546&format=png&auto=webp&s=661fcc94213135208292426bca4db7b835cc58af

First | Previous | Glossary |

Retaliation

---

(Zedal POV)

[What do you mean!?]

Zedal nearly slammed his tail behind him.

He had done what they asked.
It took all night to coordinate, the reservation of an examination room, and a long careful trek to bring three poisoned humans to the Votier Spring Preserve.

Even moving these humans in their condition carried a risk, though small, to their health.

This was...what did Alan say back on Folstur? This was "catshit".

The Haneer director hued orange with annoyance. The chief of security put his hand on a pistol at his hip, causing some of the 205th squadron on edge as well.

[I'll thank you not to raise your voice at me.]

[...As you requested, I brought three humans all the way here as proof of their lives being imminently at risk. So why can't we get them some clean water now?]

[As I've just said, last time I only promised that I would ask for permission. I do not have the authority to make exceptions, after all. And, after carefully explaining your circumstances to our very busy Elder Councilwoman, it was her opinion that the sanctity and preservation of the Votier's Spring takes priority over a mere handful of Terran lives that weren't supposed to be on Nysis to begin with. We simply cannot help.]

...!!

One of Zedal's teammates practically snarled this time. He hoped she wasn't baring her teeth.

[Those "mere Terran lives" are our friends! They're only here on Nysis because of us!]

...ow.

He was clutching his own arm to restrain himself, and his claws dug into his arm a little. Oddly...the pain helped the runt calm down a little.

He reached out and gently stopped his agitated companion from getting in the Fendansi security leader's face.

[Hey...don't light your fusion.]

....

The semi-confused expression on the other runt's face told Zedal that his attempt at quoting Alan in a human language failed.

When Rizal did it to reassure him at their first meeting since Karnak's takeover, it really put his mind at ease, so he wanted to...

Well.

At least the confusion managed jar her out of it. He'll take what he can get.

The chief of security spoke up with a false enthusiasm as if he were talking to children.

[Since it seems you people clearly have an excess of energy, why don't you rely on your specialty and simply seize a water source for yourself? When that country west of us was attacked a while back, some people seemed to have moved into our desalination plant and activated the facility. They don't seem to even be sending it to any nation, so I imagine they're just hoarding it all for themselves.]

He gestured to a photo of a shore on the wall. The director nodded and voiced her approval.

[It's to the south of this place. We haven't gotten around to chasing those vagabonds away, you see. If you clear that place out and make sure it stays that way in our place, we might be willing to let you draw water from the desalination plant once in a while.]

...These two mentioned something like that last time. They said it was only used once a year, didn't they?

People...moved into that place? If they weren't going anywhere after claiming the place, they were likely just trying to escape the fires of war. They could be humans escaping the prosecution by the Famineers too.

Zedal's gaze fell on the suffering humans laid out nearby. They only recently succumbed to the tainted waters, long after the human ships left. Their breathing was labored and their faces were a reddish pink.
Without medication or treatment tools, the only way to help these guys was give them clean water and hope their bodies could process out the poison themselves.

Alan and Natalie worked near Kepal sometimes. What if...what would he do if it was them laying here? The humans in front of his eyes were probably an "Alan" or "Natalie" to someone out there if they were here on Nysis.

[Mm. Oh, right. We can't accommodate your Terran friends either, so you'll need to take them with you on your way out.]

.............

Zedal turned to look at the other members of the 205th here with him. It seems they were of two minds as well.

How did that human phrase go? Alan said this sometimes when they played games, but humans in general seemed somewhat fond of it.

Right.

It was...

["Fuck it."]

[...Excuse m-?!]

With his words as an implicit signal, the rest of his team leapt into action. The chief of security was tackled from above and tripped from below. Nearby Fendansi guards weren't able to draw their weapons before they were toppled by galloping Uvei runts.

For Zedal himself...he had spun around, clenched a "fist" like he'd learned on Folstur, and smashed it into the Haneer director. She went flying off her hover pod and landed with weighty thud.

---

(Eckstein POV)

Space pirates usually had second-rate equipment.

Sure, sometimes they were defectors from the military and usually took their vessels with them. And sometimes, they could even establish a base with maintenance equipment.

But the fact was that the more high-end a spaceship was, the more expensive regular maintenance became. At a certain point on that chart, maintenance costs either overtook the income from robberies or demanded enough activity to get the outlaws more notoriety than they could handle.

Which is all to say, the Terran military had plenty of experience with actual space pirates. But this was going to be their first engagement with an actual military force and that is different. Either Fendansi or Pateily. Time would tell if there were any differences that they failed to account for.

"Ready to launch."

Sergeant Anne Eckstein cast her gaze at the control panels in front of her. The vessels she and her team were on this very moment were prototypes with price tags she was probably better off never knowing.

They were here to hunt down the bastards that ambushed a defenseless humanitarian fleet, but it seems it was also a field test for these new compact 2-man vessels that blurred the line between ship and pod.
They were a tad claustrophobic and it was a bit scary having such relatively thin walls between herself and the cold vacuum of space on all sides, even if she already had a space suit on.

Even so, she could endure it. These weren't meant for long journeys anyway.

"Launching in 3...2..."

Pomf!

One by one, she and her squad were launched from a larger ship towards the suspicious ping on their radar. She took control of the steering and coasted along the momentum of the initial launch.

[Any issues?]

[None here.]

In exchange for its small size, these "Syringe Ships" had designs supplemented with alloys that kept them off enemy sensors or disguised as space debris...probably.
And in exchange for poor fuel efficiency and needing to be ferried by larger ships, they were built for extreme speeds that accelerated at the very limits of the human body.

Her partner for this mission murmured from behind her.

"It looks like they've already started circling around."

"Now we wait."

Anne nodded and kept her eyes fixed on the stars ahead of her. To reduce the chances of detection, power was kept to a minimum while the Syringe Ship drifted through space.
Because of that, stars were the best guide for keeping their movement straight.

It was hard to maintain your sense of time in total darkness while focused on a task, but Sergeant Eckstein estimated that 30 minutes had passed before their communicators picked up a broadcast.

[The first nurse mentioned that the Kala is blue today. Sungsa might be green tomorrow. Yesterday...]

She immediately released the side-stick and sound of typing came from her partner's seat as he translated the instructions. Nurse-2 would be for them.

"...3.23 degrees to port. 7.51 degrees aft."

Anne was confident that she could make the adjustments by hand, but for precision's sake, pre-programmed controls to turn the ship by specific increments were built in.

This continued back and forth for a while until...

[Action in one.]

As she braced herself, she heard her partner gulp. They strapped themselves down to protect from any whiplash.

One.

One minute until the bastard "pirates" fled the carrier right into their path. The timer was already counting down.

...Maybe she should warm up her vocal chords for this.

"Ahem. Hooo..."

"Will you be okay?"

"I'll be fine. This will work."

Boom

The faint vibrations of the thrusters activating was the last thing they felt before the inertia of speeding up forced them both back against their seats.

They endured this until the detachment point.
The front shell of their ship, which had the thrusters attached, was separated from the rest of them.

Technically it was launched to both speed it up and slow the passenger half down, but at their speeds it felt more like detachment.
Gradually, the front half gained ground on them while reverse-thrusters activated on the back half.

Finally, the enemy fleet came into view, with their target ship coming in fast in front of them.

When the Syringe Ship's front shell, which were built with pointed tips, rammed into the enemy ship's shield, it let out a disruptive pulse to disable the barrier. Some of the force carried through, allowing it to ram into the metal exterior and puncture it partway.

...And then came the follow-up, wherein the passenger half rammed into the shell and pushed it further in. The Syringe Ship was once against whole and locked back into a full vessel.
Anne's seat swung forward, slamming her into an airbag that burst and dropped her into a cushion buried inside.

It was unpleasant, but slowing down in stages was certainly a better fate than stopping all at once.

...

Anne took in a breath and turned a crank until she heard of click. The stun grenades had been loaded.

Enough of that. She needed to recover quickly while they still had the element of surprise.

She then grabbed a lever and yanked it. A panel opened to the chamber which was formerly exposed to the vacuum of space, consequentially sucking the grenades right off their safety pins and launching them into the room.

Two explosives meant to stun Fendansi. Two meant to stun Pateily.

Now, it was the moment of truth on whether these new ships worked at all. The Sergeant maneuvered to the front of the vessel and opened hatch built into its nose.
She ended up dropping out right into the ship, which was success enough for her.

"What's going on?"

"What was that light-!?"

It looked like the crew was almost entirely Fendansi. Luckily, they seemed plenty stunned. Even more luckily, it seems this was the bridge. Anne quickly sealed the hatch behind her before attaching her harness to the closest wall on the ship. Soon after, her partner withdrew the ship.

Naturally, since the ship left a large hole where a wall used to be, this exposed the interior to the vacuum of space. Air rushed out of the hole and the various crew members seemed to stumble briefly.
Luckily for them, the automated emergency system formed a plasma barrier over the hole and slammed bulkhead doors shut to seal off the rest of the ship.

Anne pulled out a grenade, pulled the pin, and squeezed the handle.

"Alright, listen up you 'pirates'! What I have is a dead man's switch on an EMP that will disrupt your emergency systems! My grip on this thing is the only thing between you and the vacuum of space, and I demand your immediate surrender! Step away from your consoles and twist your trunks above your head if you yield."

Her gaze went over the enemy crew as she unfolded the shield strapped to her side.
...twenty-seven of them in all. With nobody behind her but a sealed bulkhead door, this should work.

---

[Nurse-5 has secured the ship. Cleanup crew requested.]

[Nurse-1 has secured the ship.]

[Nurse-4 failed to breach. Shooting to reduce target's mobility for pursuit.]

Anne slipped the pin back into her grenade and put it away once the last prisoner was confined in the crew quarters. Every Fendansi had their twin trunks coiled around each other and fastened to the ceiling. Life support for every area other than crew quarters was also disabled.

Her partner had come aboard and was reporting in.

"Nurse-2 has secured the ship. Minor mess to tend to, but no casualties."

She looked up at the blood smear on the wall and shook her head.

Fendansi were big, bulky elephant-things. How did one manage to duck out of the camera's view? Either way, he tried to ambush the two with a dagger in engineering and ended up getting a gash on his forearm in the scuffle.

It wasn't too serious, but their orders were to leave as little sign of brutality as possible.
It seemed these ships and even the crew on them were going to be used in negotiations. To that end, blood stains would be bleached and injured prisoners would be fixed up to the best of their medical ability.

For now, they'll try to take control of the ships and regroup with the mother ships.

[All available teams, we're sending new coordinates.]

""...?""

A strange order came in. Sergeant Eckstein decided to double-check.

"Nurse-2 is en route to rendezvous. Say again?"

[For all Nurse units, unless you're in the middle of securing targets, this takes priority. Leave the ships for later. We have a new urgent target that requires pursuit.]

---

(Mercenary POV)

"Hurry! Hurry!"

What started as a merry start to the day with the crew became a chaotic mess in less than an hour's time.

It wasn't unexpected that the Terrans came for them. In fact, their new mission was to linger near the border of Pateily territory and see if they could lure the Terrans in-or at least land some damaging parting shots.

What they didn't expect was for there their FTL capabilities to get suppressed. Did the Terrans have a dampener on their pursuit ship? How could they?

Even setting aside the fact that production of FTL dampeners was only permitted for Coalition public projects, it was prohibitively expensive to do so anyway. Many species wouldn't be able to make one even with all the wealth they generate in a full standard cycle.

Did the Terrans have one of the extremely wealthy species backing them? Or perhaps they formed a secret alliance with a large number of other species?

The mercenary captain rubbed his temples with his trunks. He would have to pass it up the chain of command and leave the investigation to them.

"How much longer until Pateily space?!"

"Two more minutes!"

With FTL off the table, they had to travel the old-fashioned way.

Whatever the hell hit their fleet on the way back, this was one of the few lucky ships that managed to escape unscathed.

At first, it seems a second barrage of the Terran's mystery weapon had come, but...something happened.

An unknown third party showed up and drew the Terran's full attention, allowing his own fleet's survivors to flee.

"How many ships are still with us?"

"Just two others, sir. The A.S. Gulia and one of the Pateily tagalongs."

That was a bad look. Would the people that got captured implicate them? No doubt the politicians would cut him and his crew off the moment they became a liability.

...Maybe they should raid the Pateily outpost currently expecting them and commit to piracy.

"We've entered Pateily space!"

The captain could feel a collective easing of tension at that announcement. The Terrans turned his bosses' own schemes into a trap using potshots to drop their guard before hitting them hard with a mysterious new weapon.

Even if he felt a head-on confrontation would have gone differently, that encounter did not align with a peaceful species. Whatever the hell those simians were, calling them "peaceful" was utter bullshit.

He inquired with his detection systems officer.

"And the Terran ships?"

"According to the radar, they're slowing down right at the border. The mystery third party crossed right through, so it looks like they're using it as a safe zone too."

"Any clues to who the third party is?"

"Nothing, sir. It seems to be a remodeled civilian merchant model though."

If they're hostile to the Terrans, they could be a friend.

"Well then...let's approach them to learn more."

As they pulled further and further away from their Terran pursuers that sat impotently at the border of Pateily space, they eventually got a lock on the strange new vessel. It had gradually slowed to a stop under the cover of an asteroid cluster.

It...seemed to be in bad shape. The Terrans must have really been shooting to kill, with scans showing a compromised hull, engine, and even life support.

Suddenly, their comms officer spoke up.

"We're being hailed."

"Patch them in."

What came up on the screen was...nothing.

[....ssssh....ory.........ut...sssshhhh....-ogh....]

No, it seems there was a very faint signal of "something".

The screen was dim with an image that was hard to make out and there was a muffled, low audio. Whatever was being said, it seemed panicked.

"Their communications was damaged too, it seems. Dial the brightness and volume up."

"Yes sir."

Slowly, their ships drifted closer.

[...dinary, but when you.....on't app...]

Just as the visuals seemed to start clearing up into something that looked like two feathered wings folded across from each other...

[BZZZZZZZZZT!]

Suddenly, the screen displayed a close-up image of an Iniya, an insect on the Fendansi home world,, followed by a series of rapidly flickering lights.

"Wha-!?"

The captain flinched and jumped back along with several of the crew. It was irrational, the Iniya tended to set off a primal fear in some of his kind.

It wasn't a big deal, but it was inevitably startling for an instant.

And it seemed an instant was all that was needed.

THUMP.

THUMP.

THUMP.

THUMP.

Their ship jolted from four impacts in rapid succession.

"!? We're surrounded on all sides!"

He couldn't make any sense of the situation. All of a sudden, their band's three surviving ships were surrounded by at least 15 other ships. Moreover, they were literally pinned down on all sides by said ships.

The electric crackle of their shields burning each other out sounded, but with four power sources against the one, the Fendansi ships were naturally the first ones to burn out. Immediately after that, gunfire unloaded unto their weapons and propulsion systems.

They were now trapped and exposed. Just what was going on!?

---

=Author's Note=

A majority of a Haneer's silhouette is in their leaves and leafy vines, but these parts are gently flexible, soft, and airy, so something like a punch would generally pass right through. Where they actually have mass is in their roots and a 25-30 centimeter diameter trunk. The roots can be spread out and take root when they're in open fields, but Haneer mostly keep them folded or bundled up in a compact space to fit their hover pods. Think "brain wrinkles".

On that subject, the equivalent of their brains is a neural core located just a little below the mid-point of their trunks. Their version of neurons run throughout their roots and trunk, but they're particularly concentrated in that specific spot. Even if it wouldn't be pleasant, they can survive getting roots or the upper part of their trunks cut off. Not so with their neural cores.
If, for example, a big reptile punched the part of a trunk where the neural core was, you can expect the Haneer to end up very dizzy and disoriented.

I'm not sure how much the strategy used holds water scientifically or logistically, but it's sci-fi so I decided to have fun with it and somewhat show of how they approach warfare.
By the way, the military branch Anne is part of is called Revenant.