by T. R. Harris
Panur decided to try honesty with the Humans; he had nothing to risk by doing so. If afterward, they proved to be problematic, Panur was confident the Sol-Kor would willingly take these creatures off his hands.
“I will explain my previous statement,” Panur began. “I was once of a species called Hal’ic, and from the subsect A’nor, although I was a unique form of my species,” Panur explained cryptically. “I now refer to myself as a mutant, although that would imply a mishap of some kind in my development. Fortunately, this uniqueness has given me the ability to withstand nearly all physical abuse … among other things. But the bigger question: What are you? More specifically, how were you able to resist my pulse beam?”
The Human ignored the question, reaching down instead to fumble with the shackles around his ankles. These were of thicker metal than the wrist restraints. Panur wasn’t worried. In the meantime, the other male was now free of his wrist cuffs and was helping the female with hers.
Watching the trio go about their efforts grew tiresome, at which point Panur produced the key, holding it out in a tiny, gray hand. “This will release the restraints; I grow weary of your struggle with them. The sooner you are free, the sooner we can commence with the analysis.”
Once free, the males ran to the door of the laboratory, one taking up a measuring rod as a weapon and the other a glass flask. The female lifted a sonic meter from the table, holding it in a cocked position aimed at the mutant. Panur continued to smile at their futile efforts.
“I must ask that you concentrate,” he said. “We haven’t much time. When the ship arrives at the array, there is a possibility it will go straight through, and I will have to do my analysis on the other side.”
“The other side of what?” the female asked.
“The other side of the portal.” Panur frowned. “I sense you are not the builders?”
“The builders of what?” the female continued.
“Of the array, of course. What else are we talking about?”
“I don’t know what we’re talking about.”
Panur’s earlier belief was confirmed. However, if these beings were not the creators of the array, then what role did they play in the galaxy? And why were they resistant to his suppressor beam?
“Then perhaps you should listen, instead of waving those ridiculous objects around as if they would cause me harm.”
“Is the door locked?” asked the light-haired alien. His arrogant attitude labeled him as the leader of the group. “We won’t be having any of those giants come storming in here, will we?”
“The door is locked. We are alone, and it will remain so until our arrival at the array.”
“What is this array you keep talking about?” the female asked as she set the meter on the table.
“The array that creates the portal.”
“The portal? You mean like in a door?”
“Exactly … a door. The language files we attained from the large warship have been integrated into our translation mesh, so I can understand what you say, even if I do find your English to be quite limiting; however, you appear to embrace it smoothly, so I will continue to use it.”
“Thanks. Now, how about a little more detail about this portal?”
“Of course. It is a portal—a doorway—to another universe. To my universe.”
The reaction from the aliens was further confirmation that they were not the superior intelligence in the galaxy. And although this was his first encounter with the species, their body language wasn’t difficult to decipher. He could read their truthfulness.
“You … you can travel between universes?” the female gasped.
“Obviously. Now please, if you’re going to ask questions, make them more than simply a repeat of what I just said.”
“All right, smart ass,” said the frustrated leader, his attitude apparent once more. “Just who the hell are you? You do have a name, don’t you?”
“Aboard your ship you heard Noslead Vosmin refer to me as Panur. Do not pretend any longer. I know you were conscious at the time.”
“You’re not like the others,” the leader stated.
“Again, stating the obvious, and again a repeat of what has already been established.”
“All right, so you’re Panur, a mutant of the A’nor race, and you come from another universe. I got it. So who are these other creatures you hang out with?”
“Ah, a quaint colloquialism. Even though your language is basic and primitive, I do enjoy the way you create images through its use. Hang out, as in to associate with, yet on a more informal basis. To answer your question: I hang out with the Sol-Kor. They represent the Colony of Kor, which is in turn ruled by the Eternal Queen. They are simple creatures, who for the past five thousand years, have enjoyed the fruits of my intellectual endeavors to dominate tiny fractions of four universes. Yours will be the fifth. Even as they consider themselves superior beings to all within a dimension, they have little comprehension of the insignificant impact they make. After all, how big is a universe? How many worlds does one contain, and how many intelligent species are there? The Sol-Kor do little to impact a universe, and yet they insist they do. And in the instances where this is true, it is only because of my inventions, my genius.”
“If they barely scratch the surface of each universe they visit, why do they bother with others?” asked the dark-haired Human. “Isn’t one universe enough to keep these Sol-Kor amused?” He had teeth of exceptional brightness, of which he was prone to display often.
“It should,” Panur answered.
“Wait a goddamn minute!” stated the light-haired alien.
Again, the leader spoke with unrestrained passion. Stress was building in him. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be a repeat of his previous behavior.
“You said these Sol-Kor characters have been doing something with your intellectual whatever for five thousand years. What exactly does that mean?”
“As you suspect; I am over five thousand years old.”
“Bullshit!”
Panur recoiled, fighting for comprehension. It frustrated him when he could make no sense of a word, even an alien word. “That is a strange response, seemingly completely out of context.”
“It means you can’t be five thousand years old! That’s impossible.”
“Alas, I am. Now accept what I say so we can move on. As I was explaining, the Sol-Kor engage in exploration for the sole purpose of acquiring new food sources. They care not for the thrill of discovery or the diversity of life in the universe—in any universe. All they seek are more numerous and bountiful crops. Hopping between universes is a simpler way of achieving this than conserving what they have or journeying the vast distances between galaxies.”
“You don’t sound too pleased with them, Panur,” said the bearded Human. “That’s your name, isn’t it: Panur?”
“Yes, it is, and it is also true that I have grown weary of the Sol-Kor. Although the Queen and I have a special relationship, beyond that, I am often treated as just another drone within their Colony.”
“Special relationship?” The female stepped forward. “You … and the Queen?”
Panur smiled. She was referring to a sexual relationship, the idea of which was not only repugnant but physically impossible. “It is not what you suspect. She and I have lived for a similar time, although she slightly older than I. A Sol-Kor Queen can live for many generations, as long as she provides for the Colony and they for her. When the Sol-Kor came to my world to feed, my unique abilities spared me from the harvest.”
“You mean your longevity … and the fact that you’re damn hard to kill?” The Human leader was unquestionably the most emotional of the three. He was also the most violent, as had already been demonstrated.
“That was part of it. I was seven hundred years old at the time the Sol-Kor arrived on my homeworld and was considered an oddity even among my race. I had some notoriety on my world. However, as I continued to live, I also learned. I have near perfect reca
ll, and if given enough time, many of the mysteries of the universe I can solve. I was working on a new propulsion system at the time of the invasion. The Eternal Queen took notice, seeing in my research a means of expanding her feeding grounds. She saved me and then provided for my research and prototypes.”
There was no reason for Panur to be completely honest about that part of his past and the real reason the Queen spared him. Besides, it would sound ridiculous to these primitives—the quest for immortality—and would probably only invoke another discordant word or two of disbelief. He still pondered the significance of the word bullshit to the discussion.
“And that was your blip-type drive, the one we followed here?” the female asked.
“Oh, no, that came much later. What I developed back then was a version of your primitive gravity drive. It sufficed for a long time until I made something better. I must admit, my jump-drive is not as fast as your system, yet it consumes vastly less energy, allowing for the use of larger ships and longer journeys between refueling.”
“And you also invented this inter-dimensional portal thingamajig?” she asked.
“I did indeed, although thingamajig is not what it’s called.”
“So why do the Sol-Kor keep asking if someone in this universe built the array? You just said you did.”
Panur studied the dynamic between the trio. Although the light-haired one was the leader, the others did not seem constrained to speak. Socially, they appeared to be of equal status.
“No, I said I invented it, not that I built it, at least not in this universe. I constructed the major arrays in my dimension, yet for a portal to work, there has to be a mating facility on the other side. So far, four detected have been detected, including yours.” In this universe, Panur failed to add. Perhaps with time, he would be more forthcoming with the Humans, if they don’t become food stock for the Sol-Kor beforehand.
“You’re saying someone in this universe built the array that allowed you—and the Sol-Kor—to come here?” the female stated incredulously.
“I must ask that you not repeat what I just said. However, for clarification, that is correct. Some entity within your dimension built the array of which we are en route.”
“And you don’t know who it is?” the leader asked. Panur watched as a sly smile crossed the alien’s lips.
“However, you do!” Panur exclaimed. He moved from the table and approached the Human. “Who built it? I am quite anxious to meet this entity.”
“I don’t know for sure, but I have a pretty good idea.”
“Tell me!”
“Why?”
Panur took a step backward. “Why? Why what?”
“Why should I tell you?”
“Because I asked.”
“That’s not good enough.”
Panur shook his head. “I am at a loss as to why you have suddenly developed this hostile attitude with me. I thought we were having a pleasant conversation.”
“You mean after I tried to strangle you?”
“That was an object lesson you had to learn for yourself. What I mean is about everything else. I have been very forthcoming with you. I would expect the same.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why would you expect the same from us? We’re your prisoners, not your friends. And to the people you hang out with, we’re just food. Unless there’s some benefit for us, I don’t see any need for cooperation.”
“Ah! I see now; you are negotiating!” Panur smiled widely. “This is an incredible moment. You must realize there is no negotiating with the Sol-Kor. They are of one mind and one purpose. They seek food and nothing else. Either provide it—or be it—those are the only options. I help provide the food, so I survive, and as a result, I have never had to negotiate for anything during my affiliation with the Colony.”
“Now you need information, information that has value,” the leader said with a trace of humor. “That’s the basis of negotiation, bud. You want something I have, and I want something that you have.”
“What do I have that you want?”
The Human displayed shock through a raising of his eyebrows. “Really? You have to ask? We want not to be eaten. And along with that, we want to be free. And while I’m making a list, we also want to be safe from any threat from the Sol-Kor … or you for that matter. Is that plain enough?”
Panur furrowed his grey brow. “I see. And how are negotiations expected to proceed when most of what you ask is beyond my ability to provide? Is that when negotiations break down, as I understand it?”
“That’s when we seek solutions to our mutual problems.”
“I have no problems.”
The Human smiled. “Of course you do. You’re tired of being treated like shit by the Sol-Kor, and now you’re looking to make a break. You believe the builders of the array might help you with that. However, as long as the portal is operating on this end, the Sol-Kor can come looking for you. You’ve lived for over five thousand years with nearly all of it under the thumb of the Sol-Kor. You’re a genius beyond compare, yet you’ve never been given the credit you deserve. You believe that in this new universe, you will find a more welcoming environment, but you need help to make that happen. You’re intrigued by the Humans, as well as the other lifeforms in this universe. That’s why you brought us here for a private meeting, and why it was probably you who convinced the Sol-Kor not to kill the Humans on the other ship. You’re in the middle of a dangerous gambit, and you believe the Humans—the three of us—might be able to help. Does that more-or-less sum things up?”
Panur was impressed. Most of what the alien said was true, but not all. It was time to play to his ego, to make him believe he’s discovered some special insight into Panur’s mind. Beings such as this were often susceptible to such manipulation. The mutant nodded.
“You gathered all that from the very brief time we have been together? I am very impressed. That speaks of a level of intuition and logical thinking I have never experienced with the Sol-Kor, nor any other race to date. It is obvious I could never consider you a true equal, yet I can offer you my respect. What is your name?”
“I’m Adam Cain,” he answered before turning to the other Humans. “The female is Sherri Valentine, and the other male is Riyad Tarazi.”
“I am quite pleased to meet you. And as for the female, you must understand the Sol-Kor Colony consists entirely of males, with only one female, the Eternal Queen. Other species emulate this arrangement, yet I have yet to encounter one as advanced as the Sol-Kor, comparatively speaking. The vast majority of species are gender-based. And concerning gender, I find it refreshing to meet a female who shares the intelligence and physical capabilities of the male while being treated as an equal, at least one that is not treated equally on the Colony’s dining table.” Panur wasn’t sure if the Humans would see the humor in his statement. Even so, he thought it was funny.
The female—Sherri Valentine—turned to her companions. “See, that’s how you compliment a lady, dickheads.”
The Human leader shrugged off the comment, narrowing his intense blue eyes at Panur. “So, do you see a compromise in our negotiations, or are we at an impasse?”
“Adam Cain, solving problems is my passion, be they cosmic in scope or interpersonal, such as between us now. I will have to think on it for a moment; however, I’m sure a compromise can be worked out. That’s how these things are resolved, is it not—through compromise?”
“In most cases.”
“Good, then we have an agreement. I will work towards meeting your goals, and you will work towards meeting mine.”
“What guarantee do we have?” Riyad Tarazi asked, displaying his brilliant teeth at Panur again. In many cultures, such an exhibition would signify a challenge for leadership.
Panur could not let the question go unasked. “I see a marked contrast in the color of teeth within the Human strain. Does the brilliance of yours cause you to be ostracized by others of your race? It
can be most distracting.”
“Actually, the whiter, the better.”
“No jest?”
“No jest. Now back to my question. What guarantee do we have that you’ll help us?”
“Because I said I would.”
“That’s it?”
Panur looked at the faces of the three Humans. “I don’t understand. I said I would help. What more … oh, you believe I have lied! I know of the concept. It is obvious your race is very suspicious of others. I assure you I have not lied. I do not need to lie.”
Panur was amused at how easily he could lead the Humans. This knowledge would come in handy during any future contact he may have with this race.
“If you help us, you may be called upon to lie to the Sol-Kor,” said Riyad Tarazi. “And if you always tell the truth, then how can you deceive them while helping us?”
“I said I understand the concept of lying, and yet you do realize there are two types of lie? One is the blatant misrepresentation of facts. The other is the omission of vital information from the narrative. I have quite often withheld data from the Sol-Kor, and for a variety of reasons. I will continue to do so. And in the case of a misrepresentation of fact, since I am aware of the concept, I’m fully capable of this deed as well. In fact, I may find intentional misrepresentations to be quite the entertaining game to play with the Sol-Kor. I would be anxious to gauge their reaction to my misrepresentations—my lies—and to study the consequences they bring about. Thank you, Riyad Tarazi. Already I’m finding our affiliation to be most stimulating and beneficial.”
Positive reinforcement will ingratiate me to the Humans. This is almost too easy.
“Glad I could help. And if you need any further guidance in the finer points of misrepresenting fact, please consult the vivacious Ms. Valentine.”
Sherri Valentine pressed her lips together as she stared at Tarazi. He answered the glare with one of his offensively-brilliant smiles.
