Chapter Text
I rubbed my thorax and muttered an imprecation in a language spoken only by a hundred thousand tribespeople on a binary planet in the Telaris system. It was unlikely that it would pick up on any translators, but if it had, well... hopefully anyone in antennae-shot didn't have a working relationship with their bloodline.
I knew the Fyrix were paranoid, but that was taking it too far! It was strange enough that they insisted on living security officers, but to think that they would insist on a full cavity search! It's not like their fingers could do any better than a subatomic scan. I couldn't tell if they'd done it out of spite for my condition or they were really just that neurotic. This was the Fyrix, so I'd give the chances an even 50/50.
Unfortunately I now knew what it felt like to have a hook stuck up my flanges. Hopefully they didn't damage anything while they were in there, but now that I think about it, it's not like I'd been using them much anyway.
I stepped out into the morning light and stared up at the bluish, almost greenish atmosphere of Luoma. I'd seen better, but among all the atmospheric compositions I'd seen, it ranked up there, as much as I was loathed to admit. The space docks were even more deserted than usual, which was to say, I was the only person here.
I liked it that way.
The AG field ended at the bottom of the landing ramp and dropped my luggage onto the ground. It rattled and rolled tunefully behind me. There were some new holes in it. I should've expected that. They'd searched my terminal too, but obviously they didn't find anything. I wasn't stupid. I'd sanitized my memory cores until not even the entanglement residue could point to anything remotely Fyrix in origin, and so as far as they knew it contained some personal files and a translation schema indistinguishable from any other of the million languages on official record.
Getting a roller into Nelexy was harder than catching the space cruiser in. It would be so simple if I could just pay for it, but instead I had to barter with something I couldn't even see or smell. The Fyrix operating the lease-lot outright refused to give me one. She sat underneath an immaculately woven awning in the midst of a swirl of numbing smoke.
Every excuse was given with this facade of irritating cordiality. At first she professed (quite respectfully) that she couldn't possibly part with any of them lest she run out. After I pointed out the desolate state of the spacedock and the unrest in the sector, she claimed that such unrest would certainly bring in swathes of elevated Fyrix back home and she had to be prepared.
I questioned why I wasn't listen amongst that number, to which she paused and suddenly decried the state of her machines.
"I know it's because I'm you think I'm lacking in prominence." I said impatiently, "I could do without the theatrics."
"What an insinuation...! It isn't so, it isn't so!"
"I'm here on very important business. That I'm here at all should be proof enough of that. I've been off planet for a long time and forced to work with outsiders. That's why I'm lacking viraas."
"It must be as you say, and it is most unfortunate that you were not able to acquire more when you were here last."
I felt a flash of panic, and hated myself because I'd certainly given myself away. The flick of the antenna proved it, and the fact that that was most likely a courtesy on her part made me even angrier. How had she known...? Did she know of my deception?"
"Indeed!" She continued, "You still bear the scents of the trees and highland grasses, as well as many others, but it is understandable that such a thing may slip your mind when subjected to the dull drudgery of outsider speak."
"Regardless... I've got to reach Nelexy. I'm under orders of Admiral Nestiri to meet him immediately!"
It worked last time I was here, and I prayed it would work again, but instead her head vibrated as she let out a low, droning hum for a few moments. Despite being Fyrix, I'd never seen that kind of response in my entire life.
"Yes! Your importance is clear." She said tunefully, "That is why I cannot possibly allow someone as prominent as you to ride in one of my rollers. They are dreadfully beaten and broken down and altogether unfit for someone of your handsome rank."
I clenched my fist, "I assure you the importance of my assignment outweighs any potential risks to my standing, which I will bear with pride."
"Absolutely not! It would weigh much too heavily upon my heart...! The guilt would eat my gentle soul from the inside out until it paled my shell and soured my viraas! Please, you absolutely must go proudly on your own two legs!"
It took every ounce of self control to keep from lunging at her. It's how the Turbs would've settled things, and I was beginning to think they had the right idea. The only thing that quelled my anger was the knowledge that letting it off was only giving her satisfaction.
"Very well, and as soon as I arrive in Nelexy, I'll inform Nestiri of your generosity. I'm sure he'll reward such a gentle soul accordingly."
"Oh, see that you do! See that you do!" Again that strange and subtle rattling, "Forgive me, it is only courtesy, considering as these things seem to slip your mind, but before you go about this assuredly important business, you should cleanse your chitin of all those offworld odours you've brought along with it. Sadly the others will not recognize your importance, but there are some cleansing stalls set aside for the manumit that you may use."
I flashed another curse from an aquatic species of vermiforms that communicated via a series of semaphores with their anal flaps. I had to use my fingers, but it was the thought that counted. I didn't even want to imagine what emanations she'd been using at my expense. The fact was, lending to someone as undesirable as me brought her no prominence and would only invite scrutiny from her compeers. She couldn't have that.
And that's how I found myself walking all the way to Nelexy. At least the countryside was nice. The hedges were in bloom and the long red fronds of the gnarled trees glimmered beneath the sun. The twisting, weathered trunks were so a caricature of nature, something so perfectly imperfect that it could've only been guided by conscious minds. This was where my admiration of the Fyrix began, and exactly where it ended.
I switched arms on my luggage, shaking out the tension. I should've expected as much. I was able to get by with Nestiri's name last time, but maybe my subconscious emanations had betrayed that I'd been lying this time. Or maybe she just hated Nestiri, who knows.
I tracked the sun as it drifted down the horizon and swore in sovereign standard. I didn't even know if the thing was still alive. The path grew more dense with buildings, and when there was no more room left to spread, they started going up.
The city engulfed me, and I wish I could say it was just as bad as I'd remembered it, but it was actually better, and that's because the streets were curiously desolate. Nelexy was dominated by the tower in the center.
"Excu..." I asked as a Fyrix passed by, and trailed off as they kept walking as if I'd never even existed, "Why'd I even bother..."
There were few places where you couldn't catch a glimpse of it. It made finding Central Command easy, even for an offworlder like me. I made my way up the raised slabs, and was stopped at the entrance, and then the expected started.
"Remind me again, why am I not allow me inside?" I folded my arms defiantly, but glanced up. It's hard to believe the ever-so-fastidious Fyrix would leave that dent in the door to their seat of power.
"Your presence is noxious to me. Even if that weren't the case, only relevant individuals are permitted to enter until the matter of the howler is dealt with conclusively."
"Did you even hear me?! I'm telling you, I have information on the howler!" I continued shouting, "I've got a way to communicate with it! Get your saratan or whatever and explain it to them!"
"Away already, manumit." The Fyrix repeated, physically blocking my entrance, "This isn't the place for you."
"I'm not a manumit, I'm a citizen of Tirotiro!" I pointed angrily, "I have information on the howler and it's imperative that it's delivered to whoever's in charge! If you'd just let me explain...!"
"Try your ploys somewhere else. It is tiresome, the things you manumit can conjure to approach the Apex." He spoke, and as he did, another Fyrix walked past and into the building. I saw a flange twist, sharing some impalpable message between them.
"I...! Can...! Communicate with it...!" I said slowly, "Shouldn't this supersede all these contests of yours?"
"It is a beast." He put his fingers against my thorax, "If you insist on making me denigrate myself to remove you by force, you will not appreciate the results of your own foolishness."
"Right, you'll efflugate all over me." I backed off, wiping the spot he'd touched as if it were a stain, "Well it's not like I'd be able to smell it anyway..."
"That much is obvious."
"...If you could contact Admiral Nestiri and explain what I've told you, it's possible he will vouch for me."
"That will not be necessary." He said with a curious twist of his palps and then spun me around, leaving no ambiguity.
I walked away, clenching my fists tight. I tried to keep my body language under control, but it was impossible to suppress. I didn't even have any foreign curse left to accurately describe how much I hated the Fyrix. At least I knew the howler was still alive, even though I could hardly believe it.
It was ridiculous! To think that I could do so much and come so far, only to be stopped at the final hurdle by the stubborn stupidity of the Fyrix! I could come bearing the universal truth and they'd still ignore me simply because I couldn't cover it ten layers of nuance and nonsense.
I stopped in the square and watched the patterned ground as Fyrix passed me by. My presence was an odious one, something that didn't fit into their neat little world. I had to do something. I couldn't let this be the final hurdle...! I turned my head. It felt like someone was watching me... but I suppose after that display it wouldn't be unheard of.
Hard to believe that I thought Luoma was bad when I had Nestiri's name at my disposal. This was like arguing with sand. I allowed myself a silent scream, but after that, I was focused. I grabbed my luggage and went looking any kind of public terminal.
I was turned away, time after time. I could only endure so much ridicule, contempt, and disrespect. Even when I was on deployments as the only sentient thing on an entire planet, I didn't feel as alone as I did right now. I sagged against the wall and thought about Chaxa, imagining the deep breaths she used to calm herself once more. When this was all over, I'd have to let her give me one of her strange, slimy embraces.
My searching brought me further and further from the city center, and while Fyrix establishments never edged into 'seedy' territory, these were certainly the closet thing to it. I couldn't say for sure, but most of the Fyrix around here were probably manumit. The most salient evidence was how little they attempted to avoid me, though that would change the moment they learned about my condition.
There were hierarchies, even in these places. I was turned away from a few more establishments, but they weren't as vigilant as the others, and so it seemed best to ask for forgiveness instead of permission. I slipped in through a window. Fitting my luggage was a task, but soon enough I was in front of a terminal with access to the general Fyrix network.
The first thing to search for would be any prominent Fyrix in the area. Speaking to whifts would get me nowhere. Even with my condition it was possible that the actual big shots would listen. I hesitated, and then looked up local news instead. I didn't need to look far. It was in every publication, every issue, every topic.
Just what had the howler been up to...?
Escape into the drainage system... Ambushes...?! Terrorizing the countryside, and... immolated and devoured a djeni...?! Sabotage?! Explosions?! An attack on Central Command and the attempted... ASSASSINATION OF THE APEX?!
I sagged back in my seat and swooned a bit. The other Fyrix there looked at me before turning back to their terminal. He... he had been genetically altered after all. I knew he was intended to be a weapon of war, but this was beyond anything I... The djeni was unfortunate, but predators had their instincts just like anyone else. At least he hadn't actually killed anyone.
I read on...
Mauled an innocent vyrek named Nithry on the outskirts of Vhenem before dragging his body into the bleeds, where the howler is assumed to currently remain. I shook my head. I still thought there was value in trying to communicate, but I had to admit, I was demoralized. When the howler had spared one of Nestiri's whifts, there seemed to be a flicker of empathy inside of it. The rest could be written off as instinctual self defense, but preying upon an isolated Fyrix in the countryside was... regrettable.
In a way, I was responsible for that. I closed everything and tried to push it from my mind. If we could use my translator to... I glanced at the door. I thought someone was about to throw me out, but it was empty. I shook my head and opened up a recent database.
The Fyrix were obsessed with this stuff. Roughly ten percent of the network traffic on Luoma was anything of actual substance. The rest was pointless gossip. Who's rising, who's falling, 'you won't believe who did this!' 'can you believe they said that?'
More prominent Fyrix could hardly appear in public without incurring a fierce debate on their choice of neck accessory. Most cultures had their own games of skill, endurance, or mental fortitude which inexplicably suffused the populace like a commensalistic organism. Gossip was the Fyrix's.
Reading through some of this, I suddenly felt that the roller lender had had good reason to turn me away. Regardless, the result was near real-time tracking of any Fyrix's prominence and habits. Well, any Fyrix beyond Vyrek at least. It seemed that all the big decision makers were currently holed up in Central Command, but there were a few prominent figures still outside.
I marked it all down into my interface then grabbed my luggage and strolled out the front entrance. What were they going to do, throw me out?
The first one was... An upper ranking vyrek who is responsible for the acquisition of enforcer's equipment. All I needed was one prominent Fyrix to vouch for me, but as the first door was shut in my face, I was crudely reminded of just how difficult that will be.
The next one fared no better. I'd tried to aim lower, a middling vyrek in charge of overseeing the cleaning the sleeping hollows of central command, but he just seized the opportunity to use me for stress relief. I stroked my antennae and headed to the third one on list.
The longer I walked amongst them, the more I realized just how much they valued their prominence. For the first time in my life, I truly realized just how much they struggled and just how much I was asking for them to risk on an indigent. All my arguments were rebuffed as a matter of course and all my rhetoric pointless. When they weren't balking at my station and my temerity, they were aghast at my aspect. How was I meant to convince them of anything when my every word was taken as an insult?
I went from estate to estate, and even bumped into them in the streets, though they were hard to recognize. Any complete Fyrix could pick a Fyrix they'd never met out from a crowd of thousands from a scent that had only been described to them, and yet here I was fumbling with appearance.
No matter how hard I pleaded, or how much prominence I promised at being the one to bring such important information before the relevant authorities, it all fell upon broken antennae. The sun was setting.
"You do not understand. You are afraid of the Howler...? Wouldn't you like to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible? If you'd only---"
"Back to your place, manumit." Snapped Khuli, the viraathi who oversaw the decoration of Central Command, "Better yet, you should head back to wherever you came from, khyllar. The affairs of Luoma do not concern you."
I leaned forwards to speak, but he cut me off, "You want to communicate with the beast...? What use is that? Even if you secured an audience, you'd only be wasting everyone's time. That thing is to be killed. It cannot be allowed to exist for a moment longer. Take this knowledge and begone." He efflugated nanthe at my feet and strode away.
I stood there in the middle of a broadway, staring at the black stain between my feet. It was supposed to be utterly noxious, and yet it might as well have been an exotic perfume. I'm not sure what I was going to do after this. I wasn't even sure where I was going to sleep. I listened to my luggage rattle as I walked. Even if I couldn't smell it, it wasn't a good idea to stand near it.
"It's getting dark out."
I whirled around to the voice, "Pardon...?"
There was a Fyrix staring at me, and I was so utterly unprepared for one of the Fyrix to initiate conversation that for a moment all my mouthparts could do was squirm.
"I said it's getting Dark." They repeated, "You look like you could use this." They held out their hand and I opened mine on instinct. The moment it was dropped into my palm, the Fyrix walked away.
...What just happened?
I looked at the thing in my palm. It was a little hand-light. I turned it over and clicked the button. Sure enough, a glittering cone of light cut through the deepening darkness. I clicked it off. What an odd thing to do. That Fyrix looked like they were a Vyrek just from their fastidious grooming. I guess there were kind Fyrix out there after all...
No, that was impossible. There had to be some joke at play. I inspected it more closely. Was it going to explode? Leave some kind of stain on my hands? I unscrewed the cap to the energy cell and felt two lumps drop into my hand. I tilted my head, and then gagged. I threw them back inside, sealed the cap, and threw the whole thing into my luggage.
My heart pounded in my abdomen. I looked around the deserted street and trotted off. That wasn't what I thought it was, right...? Because it looked a lot like a System Spiker and a Cep.5 Network Grafter...! I picked up the pace. If I was caught with these I could say goodbye to ever seeing Chaxa again!
Was this a setup?
I found a secluded alley and ducked inside. I crouched over the light to inspect its innards once again. Sure enough, in my hands were two of the most powerful network penetrators illicit funds could buy. I couldn't believe I'd pulled those out in the middle of street! If a satellite happened to catch even a glimpse I was done for. If this was a setup, it was an incredibly expensive one. I rubbed over my pounding heart.
Then it hit me.
"It was getting dark..." I whispered in disbelief, "Dark...?!"
Who were you, and how in the galaxy had you managed to get one of the Fyrix onto your side. I was suddenly terrified, but even so... I clutched them close to my chest. If that's really what you thought it was going to take.