Chapter 2, part 1
Listel Tozet Beryl felt overwhelmed by the weird mix of anxious glee and the feeling of inadequacy as she held the ‘vest’ that used to be the armor that the human wore when they found him. No one who examined it could discern anything about it, it felt and looked like an ordinary cloth vest while there was no hint at all of the mechanism that turned that armor into the unseemly vest she now held.
“Focus Listel!” Teidar Pallan Fireblade sent with an austere undertone.
“Yes, I am sorry.”
“So none of you have any idea how that thing works?” The Teidar asked.
“It’s too far beyond us…” Beryl replied instantly.
“We have no idea about anything about it; perhaps we would be able to discern something with specialized scientific equipment but nothing we have was of any use to us.”
“And we are going to give it back to the human because of that damn Mizol…” Fireblade replied.
“It’s nothing compared with what the salvage teams brought back from the derelict!” Beryl added, oblivious to the hostility Fireblade held for the Mizol.
“And you are all certain that there was no other crew on that ship?” Fireblade asked as they passed the killzone that separated the brig from the rest of the ship.
“It’s the only plausible explanation other than someone picking them up without staying put, everyone we know would stay once they realized how technologically advanced that ship is.” Beryl replied.
“And because of that we are now doing what the Mizol told us to do, are you transmitting everything to her already?”
“Yes, she will hear everything we say while observing us with the surveillance system.” Beryl confirmed as the reached the human’s cell.
“Alright then, let’s get this over with.” Fireblade broadcasted to draw the attention of the Soroin guard who kept monitoring the video feed from inside the cell as if her life was depending on it. The Soroin stepped aside relieved as Beryl took her place in observing their ‘guest’, who looked like he was taking a nap on the sleeping mat while covered on the sheet that he used as clothing while he was moved from the medical bay.
“Attention, the door will open. Do not approach it.” Beryl said and the cell’s loudspeakers instantly passed the message inside. Fireblade let out an audible sigh before composing herself in order to take an aggressive demeanor as the door slowly slid upwards, leaving Beryl to observe the human who turned to look at the opening door with an expression that could only be described as annoyed grogginess. Beryl could sense that the Teidar was ready for anything as she stepped through the open door, the human lazily stood up and eyed her closely before speaking.
“Hello Teidar Pallan.”
“Listel it’s your turn.” The Teidar sent and slightly turned her head towards her in order to subtly pass the message of who would do the talking.
“Greetings, Senator Alexander Jardin.” Beryl said as she stepped forward. “I am pleased to see you again.”
“I am pleased to see you too Listel Tozet.” The human replied and looked at the vest she was holding.
“I have been directed to return your armor to you, it has not been tinkered with.” Beryl said as she offered the vest to him.
“Thanks, I would hate to have to keep using the sheet to cover myself.” The human replied as he took it and examined it.
“I have also been directed to inform you that we have found the remains of an unknown ship, tell me, was your ship silver in color with red markings?”
“Yes, that should be my personal runner.”
“Your personal runner?” Beryl asked.
“Yes, it’s a class of fully automated ships; used for the quick transportation of various high ranking officians. Its autopilot must have malfunctioned and I ended up waking up with it taking fire.” Senator Jardin explained.
“I understand, I have also been instructed to bring you to the ship’s diplomatic officer. She wants to meet you as soon as possible in order to clear up any and all misunderstandings.” Beryl explained exactly as the Mizol instructed her.
“Of course, I have been looking forward to have a talk with the ranking Mizol.” He replied as he put on the vest as if it was just a piece of ordinary clothing. After zipping it up he waited for something to happen for a few solons before his expression turned into one of annoyance. “Should have expected this…”
“Is something wrong?” Beryl asked trying to hold back her alarm.
“Its charge must have run out, its battery lasts for about 3 nanapis but I didn’t charge it in a while and its emergency mode must have drained the remaining charge.” He replied before punching himself to the chest. The vest reacted instantly and the grey metallic liquid poured out of it again and quickly enveloped the human before turning itself into a black suit of armor.
“And you have no idea how that thing works?” Fireblade asked, her mind betraying the anxiety the Teidar felt as she tried to push back the thought of the human’s armor turning into some form of weapon.
“No Teidar.” Beryl admitted.
“That should do for now.” Senator Jardin said as he cursorily examined himself.
“You said that its battery had run out.” Beryl commented the moment he looked at her.
“It did but it has an emergency charge built in for a single transformation into a light armor in case of an emergency.” He replied and frowned. “Is there a possibility of me getting access to a small energy source in order to charge it?” Beryl instantly turned to the Teidar who was obviously torn between overriding the Mizol’s orders for the safety of the ship or going along with them in the hopes that the Mizol was right in this case.
“Offer something that doesn’t let out a lot of energy and cannot be used as a weapon.” She sent Beryl after some thought.
“I understand.” The Listel replied with some relief and turned to face the human again.
“We have small shipstone class batteries to power emergency equipment in case of a power outage by allowing only a set amount of energy out, would such a battery suffice?” Beryl asked the alien.
“That wouldn’t be ideal but it should allow me to change the outfit to something more presentable.”
“I will inform someone to bring us one.” Beryl replied.
“Soroin Passet Cloud, bring us a standard issue emergency shipstone battery. We will meet you at the elevator.” She sent to the Soroin Passet that the Mizol had assigned to them as a go getter.
“Affirmative.”
“Now if you please follow…”
“In case you forgot Listel, I am not going to do any talking for him.” Fireblade scolded her telepathically.
“Ah, yes… of course please allow me…” She replied to the Teidar vocally out of reflex, drawing a chuckle from the human as if he had understood the blunder. “This is Teidar Pallan Leinnol; her spoken name means Fireblade. Correct me if I am wrong but we have gathered from earlier that you are familiar with the duties of her caste.”
“Yes, the Unsheathed. Exemplar telepathic and telekinetic warriors who are also known to not speak any falsehoods. Judging by the size of her amplifier and the fact that I haven’t seen her with a sidearm, Pallan Fireblade must be someone who is very confident in her abilities and has been tasked to make sure I behave myself.”
“Smart alien isn’t he?” Fireblade sent with obvious amusement.
“Yes… that is correct… she directs me to…”
“The charade that the Mizol put you up to is too obvious…” Senator Jardin interrupted her. “Pallan Fireblade doesn’t have to worry for my part, I will not use telepathy or telekinesis without her permission and in turn she doesn’t have to present herself as overly intimidating in order to make you look friendlier.”
“Certainly smarter than the Mizol…” Fireblade commented.
“I am sorry for…”
“Don’t worry Tozet Beryl, I will answer the questions you have to the best of my abilities.”
“That’s great!” She cried out excitedly.
“Control yourself Listel.”
“Sorry.”
“Now if you please follow me.” Beryl said as she walked out of the cell. “Tell me Senator Jardin are you feeling well?” She asked him after greeting the Soroin guard who looked at his armor in disbelief.
“Yes I am fine, I am a little hungry though.”
“We will find you something digestible after the interview.”
“I will provide a list of what I can eat once that’s done.”
“Of course.” Beryl replied and decided to ask the very first thing that came to her as the first airlock of the kill zone opened in front of them. “Is it common for human males to be politicians and fighters?” He laughed at that.
“I am sorry, I didn’t expect that to be your first question.”
“That makes two of us.” Fireblade commented.
“I…”
“Don’t worry; it’s a good question that was bound to be asked. Traditionally the vast majority of human fighters are male and that has translated to a large majority of male politicians as well.”
“This seems to be surprising, we appear very similar but there must be significant behavioral differences.”
“You have no idea…” The Senator commented.
“What do you mean?”
“You will find out soon enough but for now I will start by mentioning that the use of ‘seems’ when saying a certainty could be interpreted as rude. I know that it is a polite form because Loroi don’t trust vocal speech as must as you do Sanzai but I would appreciate it if you were as direct at me as you are to your comrades.” Senator Jardin explained as the killzone’s exit airlock opened.
“I understand, I will try to be less polite. What I meant by differences is that only one in eight Loroi is male so they have been traditionally protected. We consider the large ratio of females to males to be a basic adaptation for a warrior species, to allow maximum reproduction capability while still being able to control population growth through restriction of… access to males. This is not the case with humanity? What is your ratio of females to males?” Beryl replied.
“About half and half, slightly more males are naturally born but we males have a slightly higher attrition rate and have a shorter lifespan due to our lifestyle.”
“Only half of your population can reproduce?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You have found this ratio acceptable to your needs?”
“You have to bear in mind that humans are a natural species, we evolved around this ratio. Human males are physically tougher and sturdier and are expected to provide manual labor and fulfill all dangerous tasks that life requires, in contrast human females are expected to take care of themselves in order to be at the best possible health when they give birth and raise their young.” The Senator explained.
“That’s different but I think I understand.”
“Also bear in mind that due to this ratio we humans form pair bonds between one male and one female both of whom come together in order to raise a family.” Senator Jardin continued.
“One for one, yes that is reasonable.” Beryl admitted.
“Okay then, next question.”
“Remember what the Mizol wants to know.” Fireblade reminded her.
“Yes… we Loroi find spoken words awkward so we find it odd that you choose not to use Sanzai.” Beryl asked.
“That’s a good one, with a simple enough answer. We humans don’t like to have our thoughts read by those around us, it’s kind of similar to Loroi reluctance to touch others.” Senator Jardin explained.
“But Sanzai and touching are totally different.”
“For you but we humans consider our privacy of thought as paramount. Because of this we use Sanzai and telepathic touching only with those who are really close and dear to us. For everyone else we have a huge variety of touching traditions and we have developed the habit to think out loud.” She couldn’t help but burst out in laughter at that.
“Very good joke, that’s very funny.”
“I know but it is still the truth.” The airlock that lead to the intersection that oversaw the hangar opened in front of them at that moment, revealing Tenoins Talon and Spiral who were walking towards the elevator which would take them down there. Senator Jardin greeted them as they passed by.
“That’s the alien male? Is he a warrior?” Talon asked as both she and Spiral looked back at their odd group.
“Yes Tenoin and he told us that he was a warrior before becoming a politician.” Beryl replied to them before gesturing to the Senator. “This way Senator.”
“You said that your Lotai is an advanced adaptation of the mechanism that the Soians put in place in order to lock your telepathy and telekinesis away.”
“Yes that’s correct.” He confirmed.
“Why would they do that?”
“Mainly because they thought that our stone age ancestors were some sort of threat to them.” Senator Jardin replied. “However they did find it prudent to exploit our talents leading to your creation.”
“Are you certain of this claim?”
“Yes.” He replied and smiled when their small group reached the elevator where Soroin Passet Cloud was waiting.
“An emergency shipstone battery.” Beryl announced as she gestured to the Soroin novice.
“Thanks, that was fast.” He replied and took the small battery from Cloud.
“That’s the alien male? Its face is hairy and it is wearing an armor!” Cloud commented and almost drew a chuckle from both Beryl and Fireblade.
“Yes Passet, we know.”
“Will it suffice?” Beryl asked after calling the elevator that would take them to the crew quarters level.
“It should…” He replied as he examined it closely.
“If everyone we pass by asks if this is the alien male I am going to get a headache.” Beryl sent to the Teidar.
“Give thanks that the Soroin guards didn’t send anything at you.”
“Can you at least announce him so the others don’t get startled?” Beryl asked.
“I will but only because that joke was funny.”
“Positive…Negative…yes this should do nicely.” Senator Jardin said and pressed the small battery on the chest of armor, the metal seemingly coming to life and enveloping it after a few moments.
“That armor gets creepier by the Solon.” Fireblade commented.
“Does it work?” Beryl asked.
“Yes but it needs to draw a charge for a couple of Bima in order to function.” He replied as the elevator’s doors opened.
“Your technology seems to be very advanced from what we observed from your armor and your ship.” Beryl commented as they entered.
“You could say that, by your measurements we are currently at the cusp of tech level 14 and this suit represents the first generation of smart material clothing.” He explained taking her by surprise.
“What’s our tech level Listel?” Fireblade asked out of curiosity.
“Early 11. The Historians should be mid to late 12.” Beryl replied as she formulated a vocal reply. “That would make your species the most advanced race we have come across until now.”
“We have gathered as much in the two tozons we have been in contact with other sentients.”
“Your very first contact was just two tozons ago?” Beryl asked in disbelief.
“Yes, it was a freighter full of refugees from a race that the Hierarchy violently subjugated.” Senator Jardin replied and paused as if in thought. “However we had concrete evidence of other sentient life from the defunct Soian labs we discovered a couple of decades ago but this doesn mean that first contact wasn’t a shock to our society.” The elevator came to a halt at the crew quarters deck , snapping Beryl from her dumbfoundness which made her ask the very first question that came to her mind.
“Soian labs?”
“Yes, they were meticulously hidden at the empty space between starsystems near our homeworld. The investigation is still ongoing but we have gathered enough evidence and data to conclude that the labs in question are the place where the first iterations of your species were created by the Soians.”
“This way Senator.” Beryl managed to say despite her shock as she lead him to the Mizol’s cabin. “As a Listel I… know that many of my Elders would like to have access to… these labs and the data you have recovered.”
“That’s reasonable and something that can be arranged after certain measures are taken. For obvious reasons we are keeping the area and the artifacts recovered under close guard.”
“If I may ask… do you have an estimate of what the Soian tech level was? From the labs and the artifacts you have uncovered?” Beryl asked, fully believing that he would refuse to answer that.
“Somewhere between late 15 and early 16 is the current estimate of the scientists who are studying everything.” He replied and smiled when he saw her expression. “Yes, even the most advanced race in the local bubble is still primitive when compared to the empire that fell so long ago.”
Chapter 2, part 2:
http://www.well-of-souls.com/forums/vie ... 615#p23615