by Z Gottlieb
“There’s pressure for me to choose a mother. But since spending time here, I’ve thought about Ravelstan. She has potential. I don’t know if she’s not ready or just not interested, but she’s been avoiding me.”
Brad stared at Fernando in disbelief. “That is disgusting. First your mother then your sister? You’ve been on this ship too long if you’re considering incest. No wonder your mother wants you off the ship.”
Fernando jumped into a standing position, grabbing Brad’s shirt in rage and pulling him to his feet. “What are you talking about? No one is engaging in any incest on this ship, at least not in this colony. I can’t speak for the Aneplé.”
“What do you expect me to think when both Ravelstan and you refer to Wesgwidy as mother?” Brad retorted. He pulled Fernando’s hand away from his chest. “Get your hand off of me.”
Shinny saw the two males grabbing each other through the glass wall. She couldn’t hear what was being said, but the angry expression on Brad’s face prompted her to intervene. She ran for the decontamination room.
Wesgwidy took in the same scene and ran to Shinny’s side. “Major, you need to let them work out their differences.”
Shinny was conflicted but didn’t need to anger another Neslin. She stopped and nodded in agreement, hoping it was the right thing to do. She wasn’t sure Brad would hear her but she yelled at him through her chip. “Brad, what the hell are you doing? Back off now.”
“Ouch,” Brad yelled, grabbing his head with his hands while bending over in pain.
“What is your issue now? I didn’t hit you,” Fernando scoffed.
“My mate just yelled into my head to back off,” moaned Brad, as he slowly stood straight ignoring the pain in his head, facing Fernando.
“Smart woman. Are you going to back off? Because you are becoming increasingly insufferable.”
“It depends. What have I misinterpreted that’s going on between Wesgwidy and you? Whose mother is she?”
The Neslin narrowed his eyes at Brad. “The more important question is who are you and where are you from? Because if you were CIG, you would know the answer.”
Brad stood staring at the Neslin, weighing his options. “Shinny will kill me if she finds out I shared my story with you.” Although Brad didn’t know what type of Neslin Fernando was because physically he was different looking than the other Neslins, he decided Fernando was a male. He also became aware he had made a mistake misjudging Fernando’s age because of his smaller stature. He definitely was not a juvenile. “I will tell you if you share with me what’s going on.” Fernando nodded and Brad trusted he would keep his side of the agreement. “I was recruited recently from an observed planet. My mate was assigned to my planet as a personal guard for someone there. After I learned she was an alien originating from somewhere other than my planet, I was recruited to the Fleet and qualified as a Swarm Defender pilot.” He felt his bones vibrate and heartbeat pounding in fear from the Neslin’s response to his honesty.
“If you are a Swarm Defender pilot, wasn’t there at least one Neslin attached to the squadron?” Fernando asked gruffly.
Brad was uncomfortable with his back against the wall and nowhere to run. It wasn’t that he wanted to run, but he was not sure how Fernando would accept what he was about to explain. He was reconciled he might as well tell his story, since it would come out if Nan recommended welcoming Earth into CIG. He swallowed nervously before he started. “Truthfully, working with the Neslins runs counter to how I have been raised on my planet. It’s been a struggle for me to not run as fast as I can in the opposite direction each time I encounter one of you. Wesgwidy is the first Neslin with whom I have had a conversation and it’s been unnerving. It was a bit easier with you, because I thought you were a juvenile. That was my mistake, and I apologize for that.” Fernando’s expression appeared to soften, but Brad wasn’t going to repeat the mistake of assuming anything when it came to Fernando. “The Neslins resemble other primate species on my planet. I’m not sure which is closer — gorilla or orangutan — but both seem like they could be distant relatives. While they’re known for being smart and considered problem solvers, they haven’t evolved to the same degree in areas of creating and using tools; communications and social skills are primitive. They don’t even know how to start or control fires.” Out of the corner of his eye he watched Fernando nod as he followed the explanation. “Any that live near humans are kept in tightly controlled areas for both their safety and ours. The first time Shinny saw a group of orangutans in one such area she became outraged because of their resemblance to Neslins. I didn’t understand her concerns then but, obviously, I do now. Emotionally, it’s been hard for me to not run in the opposite direction each time I face a new Neslin.”
Fernando made an unrecognizable sound. “That explains a lot about you. Someone in the universe has a sick sense of humor. We have a species on Neslin named Santopals, physically resembling standard CIG biped forms, about quarter of your size, vicious, yet similarly smart and primitive as you described your gorillas and orangutans that also need to be kept in controlled areas. This will probably keep the xeno-biologists busy for decades.”
“That might be true only if my planet is taken off of observation status. Both gorillas and orangutans are protected species. The disappearance of two would be noticed.” Brad ran his hand through his hair and met Fernando’s gaze. “You still owe me an explanation.”
“If you had spent time with the Neslins in your squadron, you would have learned that Neslins are a matriarchal society. The senior female is referred to as Mother. There’s one Mother and other females are known as Little Mothers. Wesgwidy is my cousin and would never be an acceptable mate because of the close family relationship. My biological mother and father would prefer me to choose a mate who has the status of Mother. Ravelstan is young but has potential. However, being stuck on this ship hasn’t helped anyone.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but why do you look different from the others?”
“It’s a rude question, but considering your background, I’ll let it pass this time. However, the next time you think it’s rude, don’t ask. Look it up or ask your mate. The other Neslins are females. If there were other males you would see I fit within normal ranges. There are a number of male Neslins in the Fleet, but most males prefer not to travel and to stay in the home system.”
Brad leaned toward Fernando and whispered, “Why is everyone cowering behind you?”
Fernando quickly peeked behind him and turned back to Brad. “Instinctive. It may be a matriarchal society, but a smart mother stays out of the crossfire between two males. It may have evolved as a protective measure since the females have the physical advantage.”
“Would you have hurt me?” Brad asked.
“No. I wouldn’t have hurt you, but if I thought you were Aneplé, you would be dead.” Fernando chuckled.
Okay, this doesn’t make my life any easier. Fernando may not be an adolescent, but now he was a bigger pain in the ass, Brad thought as he sat down against the wall with Fernando following him.
Chapter 26
Brad spent the next few days focused on the tedious search for a vehicle. The information available in the database was often sketchy or incomplete. The Aneplé for the most part were either incompetent or incapable of running a battle cruiser, yet somehow they managed and retained a formidable force that had been able to overturn the allegiance of several planetary systems and absorb and assimilate CIG Fleet personnel. The incongruity the Aneplé presented baffled him. What was going on? he asked himself, as he leaned back against the wall. Brad went back to studying the vehicles on Platform 32 and the physical security assigned to each vehicle. While he had no specific information on the Zuonopy’s return to the nexus, he was sure the wait would not be much longer. He needed to find a vehicle soon. There was so much work to do he needed help with his search, if they were going to be ready to leave when the Zuonopy returned. He sent an encrypted message to Shinny and obser
ved her through the glass wall with dust swirling around her. He watched her say something to Wesgwidy then look at her tablet. She replied and reattached her tablet to her waist.
Brad’s tablet vibrated. He opened her message and read, I’m running reconnaissance. Ask Ferklopgresfk Nan Dowelstergak to help you with your search.
Brad closed his eyes, trying to think that one out. That was another reason he wanted to leave. She was finding more and more excuses to spend time running around in the plant pollen. He was worried about the effect the dust was having on her. She talked about how it was having a calming effect, but she was becoming more edgy and disorganized. In addition, he was also uncomfortable knowing the Aneplé had approached Shinny a few more times asking more questions about Connor’s Gambit, even with her Neslin escorts. He turned his head toward Fernando, trying to put aside what he thought about him. Fernando had left him alone over the past few days, probably once he decided Brad wasn’t an Aneplé spy. He could ask him for help, but what did he know about Fernando? Would it be worth the trouble to train him or should he just try to slug it out on his own? The more Brad tried to decide if he should ask Fernando for his help, the more he realized how little he knew about the Neslin man.
“Fernando, why are you here?”
Fernando was still staring out into the convalescence room. “I was traveling back to my home planet in a transport vehicle with a group returning home. The vehicle was attacked and disabled exiting a transit gate. The vehicle had no weapons and we were considering going into hibernation pods. However, before the crew could implement the protocols, the vehicle was pulled onto the Kisskalu. My group has been here for six months, but others for much longer.”
“Were they surprised when they saw the passengers?”
“It seemed to me they were aware there were Neslins onboard, but it also seemed like they believed someone important was also onboard.”
“Was there someone important?” Brad asked. It couldn’t be a coincidence, that the Aneplé had specific information on two different Fleet operations.
“Not really, but when it looked like it was going to get nasty, someone stepped forward and claimed to be a Neslin Princess.”
“Was she?” Brad asked.
“No, but having her step forward, claiming to be a Neslin Princess has made it easier for everyone but her.” He pointed across the room to a curled bundle. “I asked her why she did it and she explained to me that one day it would be a good story to tell her offspring, about her days as a princess. When we escape from here, she will be recognized for her bravery.”
“Bravery? I don’t understand.”
“Nerunder and her minions invite her to talk to them every two to three days. She goes willingly and is tortured.”
Brad paled learning of the Aneple’s treatment of one of the Neslins, “I don’t understand. I thought there was an agreement. Are they violating it?”
Fernando sighed. “They’re not violating it, but they are intentionally doing everything they can to make life hard for her and us. She is sick because she has been eating the plant. My guess is the Aneplé have been feeding her concentrated toxins from the plant.”
Brad shivered, thinking it wouldn’t take much to kill him. “Why is she eating it?”
“Because if she doesn’t, they threaten to disable our air filters, and stop filtering our water and our limited food supply, along with doing a few other things that would quickly destroy the colony.”
“I don’t understand. If she’s not a Neslin princess, why haven’t the Aneplé caught her in a lie?” Brad wondered if the Neslins were immune to the sensor readers.
Fernando smiled. “Because Kevex Lorsorin didn’t lie. Kevex means ‘princess’ in Neslin. It’s possible that if the Aneplé ask more detailed questions, they might figure it out, but they haven’t in six months. As far as I’m concerned Kevex’s conduct has been more deserving of the title than a number of past Neslin princesses. We are fortunate to have her as part of the colony.”
Brad considered the explanation. The name mix-up would be humorous except there was nothing funny with how the Aneplé were treating Kevex. Thinking more about the puzzle sitting next to him, Brad asked, “Why is Wesgwidy so intent on getting you out?”
“It’s a combination of a debt owed to my parents and wanting to protect the male. Because that’s what Wesgwidy wants, all of the Little Mothers are supporting her on this. I have some influence with this colony, but not on this issue. If it was up to me, I would send either Ravelstan or Kevex back with you.”
Wow, he must have it bad for Ravelstan, Brad thought. Hearing Fernando state a preference for others to leave before him raised Brad’s opinion of him. “What do you think will happen if no one is able to leave?”
Fernando turning his attention toward Wesgwidy, who was standing outside the glass wall. “The Aneplé need to be careful. Wesgwidy may reach a point where she decides there is no other choice but to fight her way off. It probably won’t make a difference for the colony, but the impact will be as devastating for the Aneplé on this ship as it was for them when they were on the Neslin planet.”
From the little Brad had seen and heard, the Aneplé didn’t deserve a second thought, but he did not want to see the colony hurt more. If he could get a few more Neslins off then maybe a rescue could be mounted for the rest. “Fernando, what did you do in the Fleet?”
“Same as you, and whatever I was told to do.”
Gee, that was so unhelpful and just when I was beginning to like the little guy. Silly me to think he might have changed for the better, thought Brad. Having no other choice he asked, “Could you help me search the transportation platforms for a vehicle?”
“I’ll help. Let me know when you want to leave and I’ll ask Wesgwidy for escorts.”
“Why would we need escorts?”
“You are slow and dense. The Aneplé will not let us wander far without the Little Mothers escorting us to a place where we can view the platforms.”
Brad bristled at Fernando’s description of him. Fernando probably thought he was sitting here playing games on his tablet for the past few days. “We don’t need to go anywhere. I’ve been accessing the databases looking at the vehicles on the platforms, security details, and maintenance records. We just need a vehicle that will get us off the ship and a plan to circumvent security.”
A surprised look appeared on Fernando’s face, “I’m impressed. I have been wondering why you were waiting so long to start the search and when you would need our help. I had no idea you were searching through the ship’s databases. How did you gain access to their databases?”
Brad chuckled at the misunderstanding. “Shinny used a backdoor code to hack the systems. I can’t share her backdoor hacking with you, but I’ll give you the passwords and encryption codes.”
“If I have that information, I can search with you. I am teachable. In fact, depending upon the work you require, I may be able to recruit some of the Little Mothers to work with us.” Fernando motioned with his head toward the center of the room.
After Fernando received the codes and instructions from Brad, he picked up where Brad had left off searching the platforms with the Aneplé colonists. “Pilot, it looks like I’m not finding anything different than you did on these platforms. Considering the ill-kept condition of the transport vehicles on the colonists’ platforms, do you think it’s wise to continue searching this area of the ship? I think it’s a waste.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure what the wisest course of action is, but I don’t want to assume all of the vehicles on the colonists’ platforms have mechanical issues, especially when I might be able to get more than two or three Neslins off the ship,” Brad explained.
“Considering I completely missed what you were doing, it may in fact be the smartest thing to do at this time. Have you given any thought as to who would fly the transport vehicle?”
“I’m qualified to fly these as well as Swarm Defenders. Your pilot who flew your v
ehicle can be second seat.” Brad would have preferred Shinny because he trusted her, but having a Neslin as second seat might make the operation easier. He didn’t know if a vehicle full of Neslins was easier or harder than herding cats, but at least there would be a Neslin in charge of them.
“Won’t happen. Kevex was our pilot. We will be lucky if she can walk on the day we leave.”
“If you want to get her off, Wesgwidy needs to stall the Aneplé to reduce the poisoning. What about the second seat pilot?”
“It’s a Wesgwidy issue at this time.”
“What does that mean?” Brad waited for Fernando to answer, but whatever it meant, it looked like he wasn’t going to get an answer. “Shinny can function in the second seat position. This might be a good time to bring someone new into the search. As each new Neslin is brought on to help, I only ask that you coordinate it with me. We need to ensure the platforms are being covered systematically and not dropped from the search.”
“Agree, that makes sense. All of the searches will be coordinated with you,” Fernando repeated as he looked into the room for someone to join them.
Brad watched as Fernando stood and walked over to Ravelstan, who was looking better with her hair growing back. He sent a message to Fernando’s tablet that he was being too obvious. Brad doubled over in laughter at the face Fernando gave him.
Chapter 27
Brad returned from his break and sat down next to Fernando, who now led a team of six Neslins searching with him since he started recruiting two days ago. So far they had found a few possibilities; however, none were ideal. At least the progress made up for his slow start. “Fernando, I’m curious, how did you search for vehicles before we arrived?”
“I would take a couple of escorts to the bicycle track and ride. During the breaks, I looked at the platforms. It was the only way we could physically view the vehicles, since we didn’t have access to the databases. Observing the platforms from the track was safe, since the Aneplé don’t use the track.”