Chapter 4 #2
I look down at the suit fragment resting in my hands. The statement is difficult to dismiss. If our assumptions are correct, the location of her homeworld could alter the course of my Brood and Swarm.
"Fortunately," I reply as I set the fragment aside, "we don’t have to choose between learning from her and preserving her goodwill."
The female watches every movement from the resting platform, her attention going back and forth whenever either of us moves. She clearly understands that the discussion concerns her, even if she cannot understand the words themselves.
For a time, the only sounds come from the Beast and the occasional click of Sris's claws against the table. Then she raises one claw thoughtfully. "If obtaining information is the objective, I have a question."
I already dislike the tone. Experience has taught me that Sris only sounds this reasonable when she is preparing to become troublesome. "I’m not surprised."
She gestures toward the female. "Why is she here?"
My gaze follows the motion. The female immediately tightens her grip on the fabric wrapped around her body. Her suspicion has become remarkably consistent. Every time I look at her, she behaves as though I am moments away from doing something alarming. Perhaps that assumption is understandable.
"Because she requires observation," I say.
"There are observation chambers."
"Those are designed for dangerous specimens."
Sris turns one eye toward me. "Are you suggesting she is not dangerous?"
I think back to the minefield, the ruined vessel, and the determination she displayed even while approaching death.
Most creatures would have abandoned hope long before reaching that point.
The female appears to regard surrender as an offensive concept.
"I don’t think the word ‘dangerous’ quite describes her," I reply.
Sris's antennae twitch. "Then there are guest chambers."
I set down a section of damaged suit plating and straighten. "Guest chambers are used for guests."
"An excellent point! Which raises a new question." Sris climbs down from the table and begins circling a damaged section of the alien vessel. "If she is neither a dangerous specimen nor a guest, then what exactly is she?"
"She is a unique discovery," I say. "The first representative of an unknown civilization. Communication attempts will require consistency, and familiar surroundings may encourage cooperation."
Sris stops beside the damaged machinery and studies me. "In what sense would you say that your private quarters are familiar surroundings to this alien?"
“Certainly this place is better than a cell,” I explain. “It’s lived in, it’s cozy. It’s well decorated.” I point to the trophies on the wall. “She’ll know to appreciate it.”
I begin arranging several fragments of the suit into their original configuration. The process occupies my hands without requiring much thought.
"Will you be reporting the discovery immediately?" Sris asks.
I don't answer at once. The question has been approaching since the moment I lifted the female from her wrecked vessel.
The procedure is clear. An unknown civilization beyond that difficult minefield is precisely the sort of discovery that should move rapidly to the Queen.
Harrowers have advanced entire careers on much less significant findings.
Sris notices my hesitation. "Chief Harrower?"
I set aside the final piece of damaged equipment and straighten slowly.
Through the transparent section of the chamber, stars drift past in silent brilliance.
Somewhere beyond that darkness lies the place the female came from.
A populated planet. Resources, industry, and opportunity on a scale that is still impossible to estimate.
It could make our Queen the greatest of them all. It could elevate our whole Brood to strip such a target and leave it a blackened, smoking husk in the best tradition.
She could make me a Royal Mate!
"Her Majesty will be informed," I say.
"When?” Sris persists. “With all respect."
The alien female moves again on the resting platform, drawing my attention despite my best efforts.
She has finally stopped glaring at me continuously, though she still watches me whenever she believes I am not looking.
The behavior is oddly familiar. Many intelligent creatures behave that way when confronted with something they cannot yet categorize.
I understand the feeling. "We know almost nothing. We have one damaged vessel, one pilot, no language, no coordinates, and no understanding of their political structure, military strength, territorial claims, or technological capabilities. What if it turns out to be nothing?"
Sris places the tools down. "Those sound like arguments for reporting this."
"They are arguments for learning more first and not risk another Harrower stealing my discovery. You know how the Queen’s court gossips.
Imagine someone like Xal’threk hearing about this!
He’d be off in a flash with his whole fleet, sending ship after ship into that minefield until they’d cleared a path by exploding the mines, killing ship and crew. "
“Chief Harrower Xal’threk is ambitious,” Sris says, “but surely the only thing that matters is the greater good of the Queen and her brood?”
“Surely having me as a Royal Mate would improve the greater good,” I state. “Certainly more than Xal’threk.”
Her antennae twitch. The gesture suggests disagreement, though I suspect the disagreement existed before the conversation began. "Others may arrive at different conclusions."
“Then let them!" I snap.
For a moment neither of us speaks. The Beast hums softly around us.
Sris finally lowers both claws. "You intend to keep control of the discovery, then. For now."
The statement is accurate enough that denying it would be pointless. "I intend to understand the discovery before I report to Her Majesty. And it may take time. This could be the most crucial event in the history of our whole brood."
Sris studies me for several moments. Then, to my relief, she begins moving toward the exit membrane. "I'll refrain from mentioning your reluctance to the Queen."
I frown. That’s not a tone I appreciate from a servant. "My reluctance? Wait– are you in contact with the Queen?"
"No, of course not. I mean, if one day she asks.
" The membrane closes behind her, and silence settles over the chamber.
For the first time since recovering the female, we are alone.
I look toward her, and she immediately pretends not to notice.
The reaction produces an unexpected flicker of amusement.
Interesting. Beyond the transparent wall, stars continue drifting through the darkness.
Somewhere among them lies the answer to a question I have spent years pursuing.
Somehow, against all probability, that answer is now sitting in my quarters wrapped in a sheet and trying very hard to appear unconcerned.
Then the lights in the chamber dim. Not gradually, the way they do when I rest. Sharply, as though something has been switched off.
The female's eyes widen. I feel her alarm before I see it.
The Beast's pulse changes beneath my feet. Faster and heavier, carrying a note I haven't felt in a very long time. The last time I sensed it, a rival female had boarded uninvited, and the Beast had sealed every corridor around her within seconds.
My ship knows there is a female in my quarters. And she's not happy about it.