Chapter Text
Late 2140s, the Delphic Expanse.
Degra woke up in his and Naara's room to the sound of the high-pitched trilling of his communicator. He groaned, leaning over Naara to reach the panel to the right of their bed.
"Degra here. Who is it?"
"Is this a secure channel?"
"Relatively. What the hell is going on?"
"This can wait until morning. Meet me at the university tomorrow morning, 9 a.m, development block A. It's Jannar, I'm an Arboreal supervisor to the Xindi Council. We have something important to discuss."
With that, the transmission was cut short. Degra was still half-asleep, and not particularly in the mood for shenanigans. Not while Naara was pregnant.
She growled, turning over in the bed.
"Who was that?"
"I'm not sure. Someone at the university, I hope. Let's not worry about it now, okay?"
"Right. Degra... my back hurts."
He planted a kiss on her forehead, wrapping his arm around her as he finally settled back down.
"I suppose Trenia doesn't like being woken up in the middle of the night, either."
"No, she does not."
Mallora hissed inwardly as his eye muscles rapidly adjusted to the dim lighting of the Council chambers. All other species bar the primates were accustomed to such dismal lighting. With his pupils enlarged and working overtime, he glanced towards the other members.
"Where's Jannar?" he asked, and for some reason looked directly at Guruk Dolim.
"He's been sent to meet our probable weapon designer, a primate at the university of Enarchia 4. He's supposedly a very capable engineer and scientist."
"So soon? I'm impressed the aquatics voted so promptly."
An undulating wailing came from the aquatic view port, from which Qoh Kiaphet Amman'sor and her mate, Qam Amman'sor, observered and scrutinised the rest of the Council.
"It was neccessary."
"I see," Mallora responded.
He felt a bit lonesome, with only one Arboreal to possibly take his side. Luckily, this meeting didn't seem to need his argument. He was curious to meet this scientist, and assess if he had what it took to save their species.
Degra was the most sort-after scientist when it came to anything related to astrophysics, ship technology, or weapons. His theoretical studies had stunned even the sphere-builders, whom he admired in greater respect. There was no question that he was the Xindi's crowned RnD leader. Enarchis 4 was a well-off colony, lush compared to most other worlds in the Expanse, and Naara was content there. That's what mattered most.
Development block A was primarily a meeting room. Degra didn't think much of the building, bar that it lacked lab facilities and wasn't much joy to visit. He was always formal in the way he dressed, so he didn't stress much walking into a room with a Council representative.
"You're here. I assume the comm last night wasn't a ruse, then."
"Not at all, Degra. This is important."
Jannar tucked his robes beneath him before taking a seat in the stark conference room. He gestured for Degra to do this same.
"I assume you have heard word since the Council made the human threat public."
"In passing, perhaps. I've kept an eye on it."
"Degra, this threat is more immediate than we originally thought. The longer we wait, the higher the risk to our species--all of them--is. We need someone who knows defense weaponry."
"You're asking me to design a weapon?"
"More than that. We're asking you to take a seat on the Council. You have both the background and capability, and we need another primate representative. Are you up to this task?"
"Councilor, Jannar, as you call yourself--with all do respect, I don't know what this will entail. I have a family, I have research and a life here."
"The stakes are our entire species, Degra! We'll make whatever arrangements your family requires, but by the Guardians' words--the humans are a threat, and we need a solution."
"How long did they say we have?"
"A span of 10 years, maximum."
Degra paused, tapping his fingertips against the table--a habit of his. He wanted to think longer on this, yet he knew his desire to protect his family had already decided.
"Fine. What is this plan you have in mind?"
