“Here.”
Zell took one, and the others followed his lead. Soon, they were scraping the waste off the ground. The Uncle was working a strange stick that made water spew into a trough.
Every once in a while, Zell looked up to check on the repair group. Sshirr was moving around, his weapon ready. Zell tried to keep the gueep hut between himself and Sshirr, and an eye on the Hunter when he couldn’t.
Finally, the Uncle declared that the pen was clean enough. They had dragged the sheet to the manure pile a few times already, and Zell was glad to have finished with the work.
“And now we have to clean the hut,” the Uncle said.
Zell hid a sigh.
The Uncle released the gueep which ran around the pen bleating and looking for food. “Two of you clean the hut, the others shovel the waste to the sheet. That’s the fastest way. And I will bring food for beasties.”
The two women went into the low hut, which made sense. They piled the manure in front of the door, and Zell and Ssursha shoveled it onto the sheet. Soon, it needed to be dragged to the pile again.
Zell took one end and Ssursha the other. They pulled, while Girma and Ssheyrra leaned on their shovels and watched.
Out of the corner of his eye, Zell caught the sudden lift of the energy weapon and instinctively dropped to the ground with an incoherent yell of warning. The Rraussha just stared at him.
A high whine sounded, Ssursha made a choking sound and crumpled to the ground, twitching.
“Ssheyrra!” Zell stayed on the ground, crawling over to the Rraussha as another discharge blasted over his head. “Ssheyrra!”
The scientist came running, and Sshirr lowered his weapon with a curse.
“Blessed Ancestors!” Ssheyrra knelt next to the stricken Rraussha and quickly checked his pulse. Zell noticed the open and staring eyes.
“Is he dead?”
“Almost.” Ssheyrra knelt next to him and pumped a spot just below his chest. “Close his mouth and breathe air into his nose.”
Zell crawled around to the Rraussha’s head and did so. He just hoped that Sshirr wouldn’t try to shoot him with more witnesses around.
Girma and the Uncle came running.
“Girma, get Shabs,” Ssheyrra panted between her pumping.
Zell came up for air. “Uncle, keep an eye on the guard with the weapon.”
“Yes, Wild One.”
Girma was already sprinting to the entrance of the Sanctuary.
“The guard is walking away,” the Uncle reported. “What happened?”
“We need to save Ssursha,” Zell said, gulping air.
“The charge… should dissipate… soon.” Ssheyrra panted.
Suddenly, the Rraussha’s body gave a massive shudder, and he gasped for air. Ssheyrra sat back on her heels. “Good work, Zell.”
Zell looked around for Sshirr, but the Enforcer was gone. The repair crew had stopped working.
“What in the world happened?” Ssheyrra stared at Zell.
Zell felt fury rush through his body, now that the danger was over. “That star-forsaken Dile Hunter obviously thought it was a good idea to eliminate Shabs’ Wild One.”
Ssheyrra’s mouth dropped open.
“Except he hit Ssursha instead of me.”
“Dear Ancestors.”
“I assume that his weapon was set to kill a Human, but the charge wasn’t quite strong enough to kill Ssursha.”
“Zell, that’s horrible. How did he miss you?”
“Well, I didn’t trust him, and dropped just as he lifted his weapon. I hope he’ll be severely punished for almost killing a Rraussha.”
“I will see that Shabs takes it to trial. We cannot allow anyone to just take shots at his Choomans.”
“I don’t think he’d be punished for that, Ssheyrra. If he had hit me, he would only have damaged property. He might have gotten a fine.”
She paled visibly. “You’re right. It’s injuring Ssursha that’ll do it.”
“What did the charge do to him?”
“It stopped his heart and all the nerves in his body for a while. That’s why we had to take over moving his blood and breathing for him.”
Zell filed away that information for the future. “Would that work with Humans as well? If the charge didn’t kill us outright?”
“Yes.” Ssheyrra watched Ssursha moaning his way back to consciousness, keeping a hand on his chest.
When Shabs arrived, the Rraussha was already sitting up, still looking dazed. Sshirr was nowhere to be seen, and the repair crew had drifted to the inside of the Fence. They were putting up the strong material and fastening it to the new posts.
“Girma says you were shot at?”
“Yes. Sshirr hit Ssursha, though. He’s a bad Hunter, if you ask me. He never considered what his shot would do if it missed.”
“He really shot at you?”
Zell nodded and pointed at Ssursha’s chest. “You can see the burn. The charge almost killed him.”
“Dear Ancestors.” Shabs sank to his knees. “I thought I could trust Sshirr. I thought he had accepted you.”
Zell decided to say nothing.
“I was shot?” Ssursha blinked several times.
Ssheyrra patted his arm. “You’ll be fine. And I suppose he didn’t even mean to hit you.”
Ssursha’s eyes found Zell. “How did you know? You just dropped.”
“I had an eye on him all the time. He’s a Hunter. He likes to kill Humans, and he must have decided to kill me.”
“But why?”
Zell sighed. “Because I am a Wild One.”
The Rraussha stared. “You killed the megaboar.”
“Yes.”
“But… but that means you’re dangerous.”
Zell smiled. “Would a dangerous Wild One clear out gueep manure with you?”
Ssursha frowned. “I would not have thought so.”
“Zell is intelligent, loyal and helpful,” Shabs said. “And he knows very well he can’t really escape with the chip in him. So we’re working out ways of cooperating.”
“I suppose that makes sense.” The Rraussha eyed Zell warily.
“Ssursha.” Zell was getting very tired of having to explain himself over and over again. “I want to live an acceptable life, as much as it is possible as Human here in this world. For me, that means being able to be outside sometimes, having something to do, and being allowed to love someone.” He smiled at Girma before turning back to the Rraussha. “Running around killing random Rraussha would not help me reach that goal.”
“I see.” The Rraussha gave a little chuckle. “I have to admit that’s very logical. And very much like the goals of most Rraussha.”
“We’re not so different, you know. Humans and Rraussha have much more in common than most people realize.”
Shabs looked at him with a hint of horror in his eyes, and Zell knew he was afraid he’d talk about traveling to the stars.
“We’re both looking for a good life and some love,” Zell said simply.
Ssursha sighed. “That’s true.”
Zell gave him a nod, reaching for patience. Would he have to convince all those Rraussha one at a time?
Shabs stood and sighed. “I will file a complaint about this. That will mean another court session with a judge, and I apologize for that, Zell. But I cannot let Sshirr get away with this kind of behavior, even if we need to use Ssursha’s injury as base for the complaint. I want him and everyone else to know I will not tolerate that kind of action on my grounds.”
“It would be good to deny Sshirr access to that kind of weapons and remove him from the Hunting Games,” Zell said. “That would give me much satisfaction.”
“I agree.” Ssheyrra got up and helped Ssursha to his feet. The Rraussha swayed a little, and Zell jumped up to steady him. He still kept a wary eye on the Fence, not sure that Sshirr had given up so easily. The Hunter might well lurk somewhere and try his luck again.
Soon, however, they were insi
de the hub building and Zell heaved a sigh of relief. Ssursha sank into a chair, and Girma ran to throw her arms around Zell.
“I’m so glad he missed,” she whispered. “So glad you ducked in time. I can’t imagine a life without you.”
Zell saw the longing in Ssursha’s eyes and hoped he had not made another enemy.
Chapter 24
The day of the court session arrived quickly. Once again, Zell walked into the room in full restraints and found himself chained to the back wall. This seemed to please Sshirr very much when the Hunter sat down at his table.
What seemed to please him much less was the fact that Ssursha sat next to Shabs and that Ssheyrra waited in a chair behind them.
The judge appeared in her white robe, and Zell thought it was the same one he had seen the first time around. He wondered if she would recognize him. She certainly gave him a long look after ringing the gong on the table.
“We have come here to investigate and judge a complaint filed for severe injury to a Rraussha. The complaint was issued by Shabssam, against Sshirr, involving Ssursha.”
The judge turned to Shabs. “Why is there a pet present?”
Shabs’ lips twitched. “He is an exhibit, Your Honor. He might become a witness, though.”
“He is the reason,” Sshirr growled.
The judge took a deep breath. “Let’s be clear about the facts, before we look at reasons. It is stated that you, Sshirr, shot Ssursha with an energy weapon on the grounds of Shabssam. Is that correct?”
“Essentially, yes.” Sshirr sighed.
“Good. It is also noted that Ssursha would have died but for the quick intervention of Lady Ssheyrra and the pet named Zell. Is that correct?”
“Yes,” Ssheyrra’s voice sounded firm. “Ssursha’s heart had stopped beating because of the energy charge. Zell here and I were able to intervene and keep him alive until the charge had dissipated completely and his nervous system went back to normal.”
The judge looked at Zell, and he lowered his eyes immediately.
“Pet, what did you do?”
Zell kept his eyes on the ground. “I followed Lady Ssheyrra’s instructions and blew air into the lungs of the stricken Rraussha.”
“Thank you.”
The judge rapped her table. “The case is clear. My judgment is…”
“No!” Sshirr jumped up. “You have missed the entire point! It was an accident!”
“You accidentally shot a Rraussha?”
“Yes! I aimed at that misnamed pet!”
The judge cocked her head. “Why would you want to damage Shabssam’s property?”
“It’s a Wild One, Your Honor. He’s the most dangerous creature in our town, and Shabssam is letting him walk around unrestrained. He’s trusting that walking time bomb!”
“Shabssam, have you let your pet walk around unrestrained?”
“No, Your Honor.”
“That’s a lie! You took him Outside to check out the hole in your Fence, and you hired me to guard you. His hands were free. You even allowed him to wear clothes!”
“I do not deny that,” Shabs said very calmly and turned to the judge. “Your Honor, I needed to investigate potential sabotage to the Fence of my Sanctuary. Because of his origin, this particular pet has the ability to read animal tracks, which we needed for this investigation. And since it was possible more large beasts were nearby, I asked Sshirr to cover both of us.”
“He was not restrained at all. He was dressed and had his hands free!” Sshirr was half-rising behind his table.
“It is correct that he wore a cloth around his male parts and had his hands free.” Shabs smiled. “I wanted him to be able to keep up with us if we had to run to safety. He was still restrained, however.”
“Yes? Well, show me how?”
Shabs took a small instrument out of his belt and gave Zell an apologetic look. Then he pushed a button.
The collar on Zell’s neck tightened painfully and he quickly saw stars. Blackness crept in as he was gasping for breath in vain, his heart hammering, his knees weakening. He sagged into his chains. Shabs won’t kill me, he thought desperately, no, Shabs won’t kill me. Just as his vision went away, the pressure eased.
It took a few deep, shuddering breaths before he could stand again, trembling all over.
The judge nodded. “This proves the pet was under control at all times.”
“Really?” Sshirr snarled. “So what about letting this Wild One make a weapon and fight a megaboar?”
The judge whirled and stared.
“Is that true, Shabssam?”
Shabs took a deep breath. “Yes. He did so with my permission, on my property, saving the lives of several Breeders and their children in the process.”
“You allowed him to do this?” She sounded incredulous.
“Indeed, Your Honor. At that moment, he was the only one capable of saving my Breeders by defeating a savage megaboar. Which, I have to add, was only able to enter the Sanctuary we were in because of a vile act of sabotage.”
Zell managed to keep his eyes on a spot on the floor.
The judge stepped down from her dais and walked to Zell. She put two fingers under his chin and lifted it up so he had to look at her.
“Tell me. What is your experience with megaboar?” Her voice was calm, clear and rational, her eyes actually seeing him.
Zell opted for the full truth. “I have killed about four in my life, Your Honor. I have mastered a technique that is quite effective, even as they are vicious and dangerous. They tend to kill every person in sight if not stopped.”
She nodded. “And what is your experience in killing Rraussha?”
Zell almost smiled. “None, Your Honor. The only time I may have hurt one or two was during my capture.”
She nodded again and turned to Shabs. “Has he ever disobeyed you?”
“Never, your Honor.”
“Have you ever punished him?”
“A few times. He has never fought back.”
She turned back to Zell. “Why is that? You’re a Wild One. Don’t you long to be free again?”
Zell had to fight down the sudden ache in his heart. “I would lie, Your Honor, if I said I didn’t long for the Wilderness.” He closed his eyes, swallowed against the knot in his throat and looked up again, meeting the judge’s eyes, letting her see his pain. “But that is impossible. I belong to my Master now, and he is kind and fair. I can recognize a good life when I see it.”
“Well spoken.”
She turned and walked back to her dais.
“Don’t let that sweet-tongued Wild One beguile you with his words. He is very clever, that one.” Sshirr’s skin had gone pale.
The judge gave him a hard look. “You forget who you are talking to.”
“This so-called pet dropped just as I pulled the trigger, and that’s why I hit the Rraussha, who shouldn’t have been there doing dirty work anyway. This Wild One is a threat to us all!”
The judge picked up the hammer and rapped the table.
“The case is closed. This is my judgment: Sshirr is guilty of severely harming a fellow Rraussha. He did so intending to destroy a pet that wasn’t his, making a judgment that was not his to make. Sshirr is to be stripped of his Enforcer position and his permission to wield energy weapons. He has demonstrated that he doesn’t possess the integrity necessary for this work. He will be spared his life because Ssursha lives, but he will lose all status.”
Sshirr sat in his chair and stared, shaking his head in disbelief. Then he turned to look at Zell, and that look promised murder.
The judge rapped her table again, and Zell froze. Would there be a repetition of what happened to Girma? No, the judge turned to Shabs.
“You obviously like to live dangerously, Shabssam. While this Wild One seems to be rational, loyal and even polite, I would advise you to be very careful with him. Do not rely on the collar restraint alone. You will be fined 50,000 credits for your negligence.”
“I
accept the fine, Your Honor. I will take your wise words to heart.”
“Dismissed.”
Her eyes met Zell’s for one last time before she left the court room.
He waited to breathe a huge sigh of relief until they were in the aircar.
“That judge was in a good mood today,” he said.
“Yes. And you did very well. I apologize for the choking.”
“It won us the day,” Zell said with a shrug. “And I really, really thought you wouldn’t kill me.”
Shabs gave a dark laugh. “I’m doing my best to keep you alive.”
“Sshirr will make trouble.”
“Yes.” Shabs sighed. “I hope we can deal with it. I have some plans already. And I’d like you to lie low for a while.”
Zell nodded. “Does that mean we should leave the Sanctuaries?”
“Yes. I think you and Girma should be back in my town home.”
Zell hid a sigh. He had very much enjoyed the Wilderness around the Sanctuary, even if he could only look at it. “I hope it works out,” he said. “I will miss Ssheyrra, though.”
Shabs laughed. “I’m glad she has taken to you. Right now, it’s only for a few days. I need to be in town to make business decisions, and I’d rather have you both with me.”
Chapter 25
When Ssheyrra heard about the new plans, she sighed. “When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning,” Shabs said. “I can’t protect him if he’s here while I’m in the city. And I need to take care of some business changes.”
Ssheyrra nodded, her eyes wistful. “May I spend the night with Zell?”
“Of course.” Shabs smiled. “I wish I didn’t have to take him away from you.”
“It can’t be helped.”
Zell was surprised by the strength with which she took his hand. And it was trembling.
Moments later, they were in bed. Ssheyrra held him tight, not even trying to caress him. “Now that I know about pleasure and about having it with you I don’t want to let you go. Ever.”
Zell just held her, wishing he could ease her pain. “That is beyond our choices.”
“I’m beginning to hate the way this world is organized.” She shook. “You should be able to make your own choices!”
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