Gentle Beast

by Margaret Afseth

  CHAPTER 11

  Standing at a distance off to the side, as Nyle and Kaudy stepped off the transporter pads, a tree-like being waved them over. Leaving the upside-down horseshoe shaped entry gate behind, they approached cautiously.

  “I am Theee,” that individual declared, when they came abreast of it. “I am a Root.”

  Seeing as the creature seemed quite serious, Nyle tried not to grin. To him it was obviously a tree not a root, but…whatever.

  It had the appearance of something that belonged in a park on Earth, with its gnarled rough brown bark, and rust and green leaf-like hair. It had eyes resembling knotholes, no nose, and a crack for a mouth. Tall and skinny, it stood approximately seven feet tall, and Nyle had to look up to it, as it continued its instructions.

  Theee turned to a waist-high square post at its side, studying the data on a computer screen. As the symbols scrolled by, Nyle wondered what they said. The device spit out a small glass inch-square card, and Theee handed it to him.

  “What is this?” Nyle asked.

  “Please do not speak. You hear my words in your tongue; but to me, what you say is gibberish.”

  Wonderful!

  As a second card shot from the console, and he was handed it, the Root continued.

  “These are temporary identity cards. Until you are processed at Universal centre, keep them on your person at all times, or you will get lost in the system.”

  Nyle slipped both cards into his front jean pocket.

  “Keep your female always within your sight.”

  Nyle didn’t need to be told that twice. Now that Kaudy was with him, he didn’t intend to part with her. He turned to leave, gazing about in perplexity.

  How am I to ask where to go, if the thing can’t understand? I have no idea what these signs say.

  “Just one more moment of your time,” Theee requested. “All beings must be fitted with a throat translator.”

  Nyle turned back. The Root held a small inch and a half wide circular band in its branch-like fingers. Where it had come from, he had no idea.

  “First the little female. Will you allow touch? Just nod.”

  Kaudy nodded agreement, and as Nyle watched protectively, the Root bent forward, fastening the instrument around her throat like a choker neckband. The centre held a quarter-sized medallion, which he pressed inward before stepping back.

  “I have activated your device. Please say something in your tongue.”

  “What should I say, dad?” Kaudy asked.

  “That will suffice. I clearly understood.” The Root turned to Nyle, and suddenly a second band was in its hand. “May I touch?”

  Nyle nodded. The band was thin, light weight, comfortable, and hardly noticeable, when he too was fitted with the instrument. Pressing the centre, Theee stepped back.

  “Speak, please.”

  Nyle cleared his throat, suddenly intimidated and tongue-tied. “Ah…thank you.”

  “Good. That will suffice. Now, you should both understand others, and they you. Please keep your translator on at all times while you are in Jump Centre. For a private conversation, one may deactivate by pressing the centre orb, but it is not recommended while in public. Now, please proceed to the tunnel at the far right. It will take you to your next destination.”

  Theee turned away, seeming to abruptly dismiss them with these words, moving to greet a group of many species just stepping off the transporter pads.

  Thus released, Nyle took Kaudy’s hand, and made for the exit to which he had been directed.

  The tunnel was made from what appeared to be see-through Plexiglas, with a moving conveyor belt running down the centre of the floor, much like what could be found at any department store mall back on Earth. Kaudy, immediately finding it familiar, stepped confidently on it, and Nyle followed. With awe, they watched the night sky of space, as they were slowly carried forward.

  “Oh, daddy. I can’t wait to tell mommy all about the things we’ve seen. She won’t believe we went to space for a holiday!”

  “It’s our secret. You can’t tell anyone.”

  He hadn’t told Kaudy this was permanent. He hadn’t wanted to deal with all the fallout, and it had been the easiest way to get the girl away. Telling her they were going on an outing her mother would object to had kept the girl excited by the mystery, and silent so her mother wouldn’t interfere, as Seline dropped their daughter off.

  “Not anyone?” Kaudy clarified. “Didn’t you even tell your mom…grandma?”

  Oh, crap! I forgot to call mom! Didn’t even get to say good-bye.

  And I forgot to call my sister too!

  I’ll never see either of them again. Dumb! Dumb!

  When he had failed to answer, Kaudy fell silent. A few minutes went by; then the panoramic spectacle outside the glass caught her eye, and sent previous questions to the background.

  “Daddy, look!” Kaudy pointed to the left, and when Nyle followed her gesture, his jaw dropped in amazement.

  Interspaced at various points out in the obsidian darkness were star-like clusters: a large centre star shape with ten smaller star structures circling around it. From the bottom end, similar to the one they rode, five tubes of varying length extended in a half circle, leading up to the star group. The entrance to each seemed to begin at empty space. The whole system gave an appearance of an enormous spinning shooting-star cluster, especially when it began to revolve.

  “What are they, daddy?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “There are more.” Kaudy pointed over to the right.

  As Nyle followed her motion, he found numerous other groupings spattered equidistant from each other.

  Are they spaceships sitting out there in space?

  An extremely large bear was approaching beside them, walking upright and faster than the conveyor travelled, apparently in a hurry to get to its destination. As it came abreast of them, it spoke in what sounded like a male voice. They could clearly understand his words.

  “I could not but overhear what your female asked,” he stated timidly. “What you see, are the different jump stations to other star worlds.” He waved pleasantly, and continued on pass.

  “Daddy?” questioned Kaudy with astonishment. “There are giant teddy bears in space?”

  Nyle chuckled. “ ‘Peers so, munchkins.”

  ****

  When they arrived at Universal Centre after the third transporter jump, they were ushered into the immigration office without delay. By now, they were both very tired, and Nyle hoped this would be the last stop.

  He left Kaudy in a chair in the corner behind him, as he took the seat in front of the desk. The attendant behind the table was a cross between a humanoid and some kind of rodent.

  After it fed their small identity cards into the base, it studied the readout that appeared on the computer screen. With a fat finger, it seemed to be flipping through the data, as one would browse through the apps on an iPod.

  Speaking at last, it did not introduce itself. “I am afraid I have bad news. It appears you have no equity…”

  “I had a condo…”

  “Of little value. It was under financing; you owed more than its value, therefore your furnishings had to be sold to balance out what was owed. Also, some of that property was also financed.”

  Nyle couldn’t argue with what was fact.

  “So where does that leave me? What happens here?”

  “It leaves you in limbo. You cannot be trained until you are placed. With nothing to begin with, you must have a sponsor.”

  “I thought my former employer was my sponsor?”

  “It says here, you came of freewill.”

  Again he couldn’t dispute the facts. It was true.

  “So…what do I do then? Can I go back home?”

  “All ties to the Forbidden planet are cut. You are here now. Must make the best of situation.”

  “Okay. What happens now?”

  “As you have nothing but small property, and
no saved currency; also no sponsor, you could remain here, and wait out a year to be accepted on your own merit…”

  “What does that mean?”

  “If you have a special talent that is in great demand…”

  “Such as?”

  “Physicians; computer programmers; mechanical repair…”

  “I’ve tinkered with cars most of my life,” Nyle supplied hopefully.

  The mole-like face frowned in puzzlement. “Oh! No, no! Mechanical repair does not mean what you think. It refers to the repair of the mechanical…sorry. I believe you would call them robots on your world. Also, it includes the boards…computers in your terms. You were scheduled to be trained in that field, but now as you cannot pay your way in, it makes you unacceptable...unless you have a more in demand talent.”

  “But, you said that was in demand.”

  “Indeed. However, you must first get off this station and be accepted to another world.”

  “And how do I do that without any money? I can’t even pay for food…or lodging for that matter.”

  The creature grunted. “Know you not that basic necessities are supplied? You need only do your appointed labour for four days a week, and you will receive what you need.”

  “But you said I can’t work.”

  “One may take menial task while waiting. The first week’s needs for you and young one will be given free bonus.”

  “Okay, then I’ll go that route. How do I get off this station?”

  “You can wait out the year to be accepted on your own merit, which is highly unlikely, or you can place yourself on the Universal mating list, and hope some female of another world will have the credits to sponsor you, and be willing to accept you for mate.”

  Nyle didn’t much like the sound of that.

  “Why can’t a male be my sponsor?”

  “Most planets have a ratio of fifty to one…”

  “How do mean?”

  “Fifty males to every female. Males are unwanted; we have a glut of them.”

  “Then even a female wouldn’t sponsor me?”

  “You have other factors in your favour…the little female with you.”

  “What! You want me to sell my daughter?”

  “No sir. Not sell. A widowed female may have a son who does not qualify for mate. This would then make you of interest to her, as some would choose mate from extended or attached family.”

  “Ho…ly crap! What kind of universe is this?”

  For a second the male was silent. At last he spoke carefully. “I am aware, these ideas are hard for you. I am undesired myself. I have been on this station for much of my life. Some worlds are much stricter; males are killed if they indulge in rape, and same-sex relationships are forbidden there. Believe me, this is your best option…think of the young one. Do you wish her to be stranded here? And what will become of her if something should happen to you? Males have been known to kill father or guardian for a female. At least if you are accepted into a family, you have protection for her.”

  Nyle felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. He bent forward, running his hands over his face in consternation.

  What am I going to do? I sure messed up this time! My bridges are burned, and I can’t undo the mistake.

  Worst of all, I dragged Kaudy along with me, thinking we’d both be free from Seline’s controlling vindictiveness. How can I protect my daughter? What kind of life will she have now?

  She’ll almost be like a hunted animal; never safe. I almost wish I’d left her in the hands of her mother.

  Nyle lifted his head. There was only one way to go.

  Maybe later when I have a job, I can get out of the marriage, and take Kaudy somewhere safe. For now, I'll have to try the spousal sponsor.

  “So, how does the mating thing work?”

  “Both you and the young one will be assessed physically, emotionally, mentally, and your history taken. Then you will be placed on the waiting list, compared to available females. Your compatibles will then be notified. I must warn you; new females will not be choosing you. It is set to be age appropriate, as well. But there are many widows denied second mate, and others…forbidden to ever mate…these will be considered also. Then you wait for one willing to sponsor and accept you.”

  “I’m wondering about something here. Why, if there are so few females, would anyone refuse her a mate?”

  “Some are old; others too dangerous to you to be accepted into their clan…”

  “You mean, like violent?”

  “That too, but with some, it is dangerous for you to be their partner. A threatened or perhaps, mixed species, of which either or both of the parent species consider them outcast. Then you also would be viewed as adversary. But not to worry, not many of those.” Going back to his original spiel, he reassured. “There is only one species prohibited from reproduction, and that is because this infected species carries a blood anomaly others do not wish passed on. It is unlikely you are compatible with such a one. They are of the highest intellect…”

  Nyle made a rude noise. “So, in other words, you have elitist bigots out here too?”

  Silence filled the small chamber. Apparently, he had been understood all too well.

  Nyle cleared his throat, wishing he’d kept his thoughts to himself.

  That certainly is no way to get out of this darn place.

  “Ah…guess…I suppose, we will be placed with any species?”

  “It is unlikely you will be compatible to any but a humanoid…or one of mix: part human, and say…cat or such. Do you prefer she look mostly humanoid? It will lower your chances.”

  “I suppose, any species will do. If she was willing to take us, and…if she can get used to me, I’ll get used to her…eventually. When will this all happen?”

  “I will put you on assessment for tomorrow. After that, it is simply a waiting game until one replies. I’m certain you must want to rest now, as the little female with you has fallen asleep. Wait one moment; I will call a mechanical to accompany you to your quarters.”

  CHAPTER 12

  “Arf!” thundered Bom, with a bellow that could be heard all through the breeder kennels. “Arf! Where is that beastly cur?”

  Trembling visibly, the prison supervisor hurried to the side of his warden.

  “Is there a problem, sir?” he asked timidly.

  “Problem! Problem? You bet we have a problem! What have you done with Red Toes? She’s not in this stall, where I left her.”

  Arf swallowed back bile.

  If something is wrong; if they’ve mistakenly taken the she to the breed tank, Bom will blame me. My life will be over!

  Three of the other sentries joined them.

  “I had her put in another section, in a cell by herself,” declared the youngest male, Par. “She’d been fighting with a female who’d just given birth, so I thought it best to separate them.”

  “I don’t care what she did!” Bom yelled. “Show me where she is!”

  Like a pack on the hunt, Bom and the other three followed, as Par led them through the passages to a remote corner cage.

  “In there.” he pointed.

  Just inside the sliding gate, four bowls filled with food lay still untouched.

  “She’s not been eating?” Arf observed.

  “She doesn’t like the gruel, sir; will only eat fruits. When she was with the pregnant cow, she ate, but we don’t give fruit to those not carrying.”

  “Don’t care,” Bom growled. “Open it up!”

  Par slid the door gate back; he and Bom went in to stand over the woman. Arf held back at a distance, while the other two males remained in the hall.

  The younger male kicked at the female. “Get up! Your master wants you.”

  “Turn her over,” hissed Bom.

  Par nudged her over with his foot, and the human flopped to her side like a rag doll.

  Bom growled deep it his throat.

  Without warning, he turned, grabbed the young male by the thro
at with one hand, ramming him against the side of the cage. As the second paw came up driving violently in, his claws came out: vicious, sharp and deadly, penetrating deep, just below the ribcage. Bom mercilessly twisted his wrist, and his victim gasped, went rigid. Then in one swift motion, the razor-sharp weapons were drawn down the belly, slicing his opponent near in half.

  Arf stepped back, terrified for his life.

  Bom let go of his prey; and Par slid lifeless to the floor. Bom spun toward Arf with venom in his eyes.

  “My meat is damaged; you will pay for that! Get this worthless piece of garbage out of here!” he ordered to those watching at the gate.

  The two hurried in, fearing his wrath would turn to them, gathering up the bloody pieces, escaping at a near run.

  Bom turned again to Arf. “Get out of my sight before I kill you too. Report to gladiator. I will watch you die hideously by another’s hand. Be gone with you!” he bellowed.

  Arf turned and fled.

  ****

  He ran like a banshee was chasing him.

  My life is over, but I'll not die before Bom! I’ll not give him that pleasure!

  As he passed the weapon’s room on his way to the gladiator pens and pit, he turned aside.

  Arf stopped, stepped in, surveyed the array of sharp sickles and long cutting swords. He grabbed up one of excessive lethal potential, stood for a mere second, then fell with all the force he could muster upon it.

  ****

  For the second time in a week, Bom came charging into the med bay with a human female slung over his shoulder. He brutally deposited her on the empty bed in front of Loki.

  “Can you fix it, Noor?”

  He wasn’t ordering, he was asking, an unusual attitude for Bom. It was almost as if he cared about this one.

  Loki turned her gently over, as the overseer stepped back to give him room.

  Her face was skeletal, the body emaciated. She was filthy.

  “Did you do this?”

  Indignant, Bom bristled. “She’s my meat! They abused her in the cells, where I had them keep her, until I was ready.”

  Loki shook his head. “Don’t know as I can do much. She won’t be able to run from you; her neck’s broken.”