The Shadow Among The Stars

by Dylan Sanchez

  Bel’Wa neatly folded the outer, decorative layer of her robe and tied it over her chest in a broad, even band tightly secured about her with a knot in the back. The Qixing looked down and bounced on her heels a couple times, then nodded in the slightly diagonal fashion of her people.

  “All right, all secured. You?”

  Kirby smirked. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ve got the same issues there that you do.”

  Without further ado Bel’Wa placed a hand over each of Kirby’s narrow hips, and easily lifted the jockey into the air.

  “You really are so thin! Humans get so slim it amazes me sometimes! I could throw you like a spear! The Ly Aulth I can believe, but you Humans have live births like us! How?”

  She put Kirby back down, a shocked expression on the jockey’s face. “Uh, yeah, we manage. Damn, woman, how much can you bench?”

  “Enough that I could throw you like a spear, clearly,” the Storm Mother quipped with a smile.

  Bryluen spoke up from behind her. “She gets like this with Humans and weight. I had to lose a couple pounds once to fit in a particular article of clothing for a mission—very long story—and Bel’Wa cried when she saw me because she thought I was extremely ill.”

  “I was so worried! I didn’t know Human faces could just lose their cheeks like that!” Bel’Wa finished the statement by putting a hand to either side of her face, as if she were afraid parts of it were going to run off.

  Soon afterward Kirby was crashing onto the mat, bouncing on her back as Bel’Wa once more tossed the jockey over her shoulder like a discarded fruit peel. Bel’Wa was healthy and fit, but her body was no subtle instrument. She was sturdy as a bomb shelter, built to stand immovable on the front line.

  “I’m much shorter than you, so I’ve got a low center of gravity. Don’t loom over me—use your reach, because I have the advantage of leverage. Every time I get under you, I am going to flip you over. Again!”

  Kirby saw a military woman much like herself in Bel'Wa, with the disciplined combat style that entailed. Bel’Wa was a fine teacher, helping Kirby sharpen her stances and motions as well as renew her knowledge of bodily momentum and defensive maneuvers. The Qixing was innately skilled in close combat, her steps certain, her attacks concise and punishing. She was as much an embodiment of her people as Bryluen was of the Human race.

  Bel’Wa enjoyed many traditional practices and carried the spirit of Torva’Ang wherever she went, but never sacrificed her forthright way of speaking or the dependable practicality she brought to every task. Her affections were every bit as strong as the blows she delivered in battle, and in both of these things she had no hesitation or remorse. Bryluen watched her Bel’Wa coach Kirby through a series of harsh grappling maneuvers before the pair graduated to weighted practice weapons. Bel’Wa’s expertise with a blade was evident.

  Bryluen smiled. Bel’Wa couldn’t conceal her grin—she had always loved fighting. The discipline required to maintain control in a life or death situation appealed to her on a fundamental level. That need to control and weaponize her passions, as the world around her resounded with blood and steel, was the axiom on which she thrived in all things. She adored not just the rush of adrenaline but being able to ignore it, to set it aside until the perfect moment of release at her command.

  The Qixing still held warfare to be an art, and were therefore less shy about confronting the joys found on the battlefield when compared with Humans. Many Gate Sentinel personnel had fallen afoul of accusations of fetishizing war in interviews with Humans for that reason. Bryluen thought, however, that such a thing was fundamentally more true to the warrior’s experience. While on the whole war was a bloody, ugly, and horrid affair, few experiences could make an individual feel as alive and connected to their fellows as a battle.

  Kirby was laying on her back, with Bel’Wa’s practice sword held upward under her arm in imitation of having been stabbed. The Qixing sighed happily before she strolled over to Bryluen and kissed her—Bryluen realized Bel’Wa’s lip paint was vanilla flavored, a taste repellent to Qixing taste buds. Bel’Wa turned back toward the jockey. “You did really well, Kirby! You should be proud. Tomorrow?”

  As she replaced her last piece of jewelry and reformed her hair through its coral loops, Bryluen gave Bel'Wa an official tour of Raven’s Landing while they held hands. Bel’Wa had never actually been inside Raven’s Landing, as it was CSOE property that required clearance to enter. Bryluen had her room outfitted with a Queen bed, two nightstands, and a dresser larger than required for her own needs in the hope her wife would one day be able to stay with her some time. That opportunity had finally arrived, and for the first time the couple would be able to regularly sleep together rather than staying at inns or resorts. The thought of such a simple pleasure was exhilarating.

  Upon looking around the bedroom they were to share, Bel’Wa leaped onto the large bed. “Ahhh, this is nice. I’m going to snore like a aulrteh, and you will hate it.”

  Bryluen laid on her back next to Bel’Wa. “I’m sure I’ll find a way to survive.”

  About an hour later, Bryluen was gazing at her wife reclining at the opposite end of her spacious tub. Both of them were swathed in suds and breathing deeply, two skilled killers peaceably vulnerable in each others’ presence. Bryluen half-groaned, half-chuckled as Bel’Wa finished massaging her feet. Qixing hands were naturally hot due to the counter-current blood flow that kept their extremities warm in cool water, and for this reason they were often sought after as masseuses by humans. The fact the Bel’Wa also had a grip like a hydraulic vise didn’t hurt.

  After all this time it still occasionally struck Bryluen that, despite their familiarity on every conceivable level, it remained strange just how alien Bel’Wa was. It was a surprisingly common phenomenon that when a member of one species first had relations with another, one of the participants would freeze up—ask most any Marine and you may hear this affect defined by any number of creatively crass, generally rhyming terms.

  This phenomenon occurred because no foreknowledge ever really prepared someone for the full brunt of a person who differed from them on a fundamental biological level. The numerous differences small or large in every aspect of an alien’s anatomy could be overwhelming to behold, even between highly similar species like humans and Qixing.

  As Bryluen watched, Bel’Wa began to lather one shoulder with a small tool somewhat like a squeegee, moving it in short motions down and out in the direction of her placoid scales. Bel’Wa—like all of her species—was entirely covered in hundreds of thousands of tiny denticles that helped make her hydrodynamic. This racial difference in skin texture was obvious, and affected unexpected aspects of life. Instead of stretch marks or scarring, for example, Bel’Wa bore areas where rapid growth caused slightly smaller, denser placoid scales to grow in rough patches.

  Bel’Wa could see slightly into the infrared spectrum, but had some trouble with the lower wavelengths of Human-visible light. Her ears were more square and her nostrils further up the length of her nose than they would be on a Human. Her fingers bore subtly differing proportions to Bryluen’s, and the proportions of her toes gave her foot a flipper-like outline.

  Bel’Wa’s hair would disintegrate if exposed to Bryluen’s shampoo, and the entirety of her skin required certain lotions unless she rinsed herself in salt water once a week—otherwise she could become ill and would begin to shed scales.

  Bel’Wa appeared to have a single clavicle arcing from shoulder to shoulder, a length of cartilaginous material bridging the gap between her collar bones—this made it easier to maintain the correct form when swimming.

  By any metric, Bryluen found her absolutely beautiful. Bel’Wa was a collection of gentle, round shapes. She had enrapturing eyes, a joyful smile, and a low smokey voice paradoxically paired with an infectious laugh in the form of an altogether girlish giggle. When Bryluen kissed her, Bel’Wa’s lips were cool, firm, and gently ridged. Bryluen felt a pleasant warmth in her chest staring at th
e strange, incredible woman she made her wife. Ever since their first meeting she had felt her heart hopelessly swept away by this Qixing, a woman so much like her and yet so unutterably different. Beneath the surface of the water, Bel’Wa affectionately grabbed onto the side of Bryluen’s foot with toes substantially more flexible than those of a Human. Translucent nictitating membranes fluttered inward across Bel’Wa’s pupils and then back. The gesture was similar in social signaling to a Human batting their eyelashes, though the motion carried additional connotations as well—Qixing’s membranes often involuntarily closed over their eyes during times of intense emotion.

  “Are you wondering about how alien I am, again?” Bel’Wa purred. Bryluen laughed, causing Bel’Wa to smile. “I thought so!”

  The Storm Mother shrugged, then shifted and moved across the tub to place herself under Bryluen’s arm. “I was doing the same thing. I still can’t really believe you have eggs. Had eggs?”

  The Qixing put her fingertips on one of Bryluen’s knee caps and began to slide it around over the joint. “And I’ve always been so fascinated by your knees!”

  Bryluen pulled Bel’Wa close, drinking in the warmth of her skin. As Bryluen rubbed a hand up and down her Bel’Wa’s arm, she felt an alternation between silken smoothness and the comforting roughness of a beloved sweater. Bel’Wa leaned into the affection, sighing wistfully. Bryluen caught a waft of her hair, an unmistakable herbal scent evoking the seaweed-like coastal flora of her home world.

  “It would be a hell of a thing if I got a call right now, wouldn’t it?”

  Bel’Wa chuckled. “Well, I’m not particularly camera shy.”

  Though inter-species marriages were relatively commonplace, particularly nearer the borders between species, the occasion of Bryluen and Bel’Wa’s marriage had been unique. The occasion of a royal marrying a single partner rather than two—not to mention that partner being a Human—would have been nothing short of scandalous had Bel’Wa been closer to the throne. Therefore the two women had at first met in private but the time came where, according to the traditions of the royal family, Bel’Wa was compelled to personally acquire approval from Queen Ho’Xal herself to wed Bryluen.

  The Queen of the Qixing was one of the most intimidating people in known space. She bore all of the poise and imperiousness of an entire species, and could direct every inch of it at any who appeared in her presence with a simple gaze. Bel’Wa nonetheless went before her and declared her love for a Human. The choice to specify the race of her lover before her occupation—as was tradition—was a direct challenge according to court etiquette. After a lengthy debate on this matter and the occupation of the presumptive fiancée, the Queen asked the name of the woman she wished to marry. This was held to be an indication of initial assent, a terse acknowledgment by the Queen that the accomplishments and general characteristics of the fiance as described may be suitable for royal marriage. When Bel’Wa at last stated Bryluen’s name, the matriarch of the Ho’Xal lineage simply smiled. Bryluen had participated in the apprehension of an assassin dispatched by a revolutionary group five years previously, at one point personally saving the Queen’s life. After assuring the Queen one last time their marriage would not, in fact, include a third partner, Bel’Wa and Bryluen’s marriage received royal approval.

  The following marriage ceremony had been small, and featured a blend of Qixing and Human traditions. Qixing did not marry until they intended to have or adopt children, and thus the marriage certificate itself was closer to a contract for child support, reproductive cooperation, and legal conditions in the event of death. The one true similarity was the inclusion of a celebration that was analogous enough to a wedding reception to be convenient.

  Due to these cultural differences, Bel’Wa would not have married Bryluen at all were it not a meaningful gesture of commitment to a Human. The Queen attended the wedding as well as a member of CSOE High Command, an Astral Marine representative, several other CSOE Operatives, a selection of Gate Sentinels, and the closest family members of each bride. The Queen of the Qixing and most of the Gate Sentinels had never seen a Human wedding ceremony and were hopelessly interested in every unfamiliar detail, particularly Bryluen’s wedding dress.

  The event of their wedding accounted for little more than a brief fascination by Qixing tabloids, whereas Human press leaped on the news of Bryluen getting married. Bel’Wa had long saved a number of articles from those times lamenting that Bryluen was no longer available, as well as some stories portraying herself as some mysterious dark horse in an unspoken race for Bryluen’s affections. The cult of celebrity hovering in Bryl’s path had long fascinated Bel’Wa, particularly since the Operative did so little in the way of actual press appearances. Her deeds alone were enough to cause a bevy of obsessed fans, and a massive public following that waited on pins and needles for reports on her every action. The CSOE naturally reported such details to raise morale and maintain support for the organization.

  “Bel’Wa, love. Now that we’re alone: what do you think about ... all of this? The Dreaded?”

  Bel’Wa took a deep breath and turned toward her. “I think we know nothing. I believe that The Dreaded are escalating their attacks not due to caution, but because that’s what they are able to do for now, that their capabilities are increasing. Perhaps they are arriving from elsewhere and this is just the spear tip of an invasion. Perhaps these Stones are critical for survival, or maybe each gives them more power. The fact is that we know almost nothing. The most meaningfully intriguing information we have is the search on Gru’Thiall.”

  “You also think that’s going to be something new?” Bryluen asked, absentmindedly splashing the bath water with the fingers of one hand.

  “I do. An unknown, technology-blocking signal that The Dreaded are trying to reach? If that’s not important, I don’t know what is. We found our own Stone very recently, you know. We’ve been throwing scientists at it since it arrived a secure facility. We’ve already started using some T’hròstag methods of wave extrapolation that might point toward a better way to find these things as well. I’m no scientist, but it has something to do with quantum signatures and learning to record the traces of the electro-magnetic activity detected within the Stones themselves.”

  “A second recovered Stone? When? Where?”

  “Less than a day before I got the call to come here. I was there when it happened, and wanted to tell you in person.”

  “You know what to do: switch places, it’s story time!”

  Bryluen released Bel’Wa, who slid her back against the end of the tub. Bryluen then reclined against her, laying her head on the Bel’Wa’s shoulder as the Qixing wrapped her arms tightly about her.

  Bryluen sighed as she became comfortable. “Alright: regale me.”

  The Storm Mother took a deep breath. “Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess that everyone adored—”

  “Bel’Wa, I’m cuddling up to you so I can hear you talk about shooting things.”

  “Yeah, I hate exposition, too.”

  21. Sand and Slaughter

  Few living things existed on the sand dunes of Yuan’Kiy. Much of the world lacked life-sustaining resources, and thus the majority of Qixing activity on the world was limited to mining operations and scientific pursuits. The Gate Sentinels had detected orbital activity over Yuan’Kiy and, suspecting Dreaded activity, moved to intercept. Bel’Wa accompanied a vehicular force suited for dune battles, and determined the disposition of The Dreaded horde.

  Several thousand-strong, the Sentinels extrapolated their course and identified the closest landmark that would make an appropriate location to force The Dreaded to battle. The Gate Sentinels knew the open terrain meant the enemy numbers would be able to bear down on them, and so came in equipped with as much heavy weaponry as possible. The Sentinels always maintained large depots of vehicles and equipment in stellar bases for just such deployments at the quickest speed possible. A Qixing Jia’Lu’Ka class Cruiser, the Terror of
Fanloque Q.G.S.C., transported the Sentinels in its spacious bays.

  The Terror of Fanloque was a fine example of a Qixing warship. Though not insular per se, the Qixing were strict about their borders and the design of their ships reflected this more defense-oriented outlook. Each was usually a flattened, semi-circular shape not unlike a clam shell. This allowed the majority of the craft’s weapons to fire at a single target without more than slight adjustments to a ship’s pitch or attitude. Rather than relying on linear speed and facings like human craft, the Qixing employed a number of lateral thrusters to allow a craft to dodge and engage foes without moving from a reasonably strict area of space, making them eminently suitable for defending a planet or forming a blockade. As with most Qixing technology, their ship hulls were angular with a clean silhouette and neat applications of decorative material employing vibrant paints—starship scanners and weapons operated at distances too far for visible detection, so the Qixing employed their ancient heraldries in full force.

  Most often Qixing starships employed particle cannon weapons firing reactive beams that were devastating against enemy craft, combining the continuous output of a laser with the raw kinetic impact of a cannon. Human treaties forbade starship-grade particle weapons from being brought within a certain distance of inhabited worlds, due to the effect their radioactivity could have on the environment or any organic targets within range of the impact. The Qixing had no such restrictions as non-Sentinel armed ships were disallowed in their systems to begin with, but also refrained from using the beams for bombardment for similar environmental reasons. Thus, each craft kept a complement or cannons or missile launchers in order to attack a planet.

  Soon the pallid red sands erupted into blinding explosions around The Dreaded, heavy shells and self-propelled explosives wracking the rolling dunes and incinerating Dreaded by the dozens, the heat of the Terror of Fanloque’s mighty weaponry creating broad plains of glassed sand. The horde began to spread in an attempt to minimize their losses as the bombardment continued. After ten minutes of bombardment, nearly five thousand Dreaded had been slain. The survivors continued to spread until the Frigate’s Captain determined the enemy formation had been sufficiently dispersed. The ship then began to fire at the edges of the formation, corralling The Dreaded with disciplined fire. Their numbers vastly reduced, Bel’Wa signaled the Sentinels to descend in their drop craft—starship bombardment was undoubtedly effective, but it might only take a single escapee to secure a Stone. Stopping that occurrence for certain required feet on the ground.