This Work Is Part Of A Series (The Messenger Archive Book 2)

by DC Bastien

  [Ashroe: Dude, are you high?]

  [Sianor: Maybe! But not illegally so.]

  [Ashroe: I was gonna ask you to share.]

  [Sianor: I just... I'm just so happy. Yeah, I'm still sick, but... but now I have reasons to get up. My health has been so much better. I just... I have something. And even when I feel sick, I know I can lie in bed and think about all these magical worlds and I know I'm making people happy. Even if it's twenty people. That's... that's more than nothing.]

  [Ashroe: Oh god, oh god, it's gotten into the sentiment, Cap'n... I'm joking. I'm happy you're in a good mood! I take it the feedback we got earlier contributed?]

  [Sianor: Hell yes. No one has ever told me I wrote the best thing they ever read on the internet before. Or that they'd buy my book, if I wrote one. I mean... that's just... even if it's a lie, they like my work - our work - enough to say it.]

  [Ashroe: There's a lot of dreck out there. But there's some stuff that isn't. I just wish people would - you know - recognise the hard work we put in. We're writers not because we choose to be, but because... because we have to be.]

  [Sianor: You know, I wish schools promoted it more.]

  [Ashroe: What, fanfic?]

  [Sianor: No, writing. Well, fanfic too. I mean we had loads of assignments, sure, but it was all very prescriptive. Write this, write that, write the other.]

  [Ashroe: I don't like writing to a rule. I tried those prompt lists once, and I nearly burst half the blood-vessels in my brain finding ways to subvert them.]

  [Sianor: You're contrary.]

  [Ashroe: The comedy thing now would be to deny it, so I won't.]

  [Sianor: SEE.]

  [Ashroe: Shit. I'm doomed.]

  [Sianor: We were never encouraged to really come up with our own stuff. I mean, they said we were, but if I wrote about purple-eyed aliens and big furry cat-dog-people, I'm sure I'd have been given one of those smiles and a 'that's nice, dear'.]

  [Ashroe: I was smart at school, but bored. I... well. I did enough to get by, except for exams, when I put it all in. I don't think I would have handed in a real story I cared about.]

  [Sianor: You rebel, you!]

  [Ashroe: I had my skirt half an inch too low, yeah, living on the edge.]

  [Sianor: You wore a skirt?]

  [Ashroe: Had to. Apparently you can't just decide you're a boy to get trousers. They threaten to send you to a shrink if you do.]

  [Sianor: I bet your teachers loved you.]

  [Ashroe: Some of them. I was the bane of others' lives.]

  [Sianor: I was quiet. I was good, but not the best.]

  [Ashroe: I would have driven you crazy if we went to school together.]

  [Sianor: Maybe. You think you've changed, much?]

  [Ashroe: Nope. I still have my public face. I work enough, and when my attention is caught, I work hard. And then I go off into my private world at home... it just so happens that some of that bleeds online now.]

  [Sianor: You think if you'd had the internet like we did growing up, you'd be any different?]

  [Ashroe: Maybe I'd be published already. Who knows. Maybe I'd be under the wheels of a bus. By accident, I hasten to add.]

  [Sianor: Because you were checking your phone and not looking where you were going?]

  [Ashroe: I meant more butterfly chaos stuff, but that works, too.]

  [Sianor: You would think I'd be more popular considering geek is supposed to be chic, but... I guess I don't have the makings of 'cool'.]

  [Ashroe: Bollocks.]

  [Sianor: ...]

  [Ashroe: I mean it. Bollocks. Who gives a shit about 'cool'? I'm going on my soapbox now. I mean it.]

  [Sianor: Uh...]

  [Ashroe: Screw anyone who ever told you that you weren't cool. You fucking well are. You're a fraction of my age - all young, fresh-faced, world ahead of you... you can write, you're lovely, and you're... damnit. You're the best friend I ever had. Okay? Cool is relative. You're fucking arctic.]

  [Sianor: Uhm. Thanks. I... don't know what to say?]

  [Ashroe: You say 'you're pretty frosty too'.]

  [Sianor: Frosty? My lady-parts fell off, that's how cold you are. And I didn't even have to dry-hump you. You froze them from across an ocean.]

  [Ashroe: See? You're freaking wonderful. And really, do you care what the hipsters in their tight jeans think, or someone who... someone who... you hopefully want to talk to?]

  [Sianor: You're right. I'd pick you over twenty of them. Even if all I get is emails and the occasional grainy video.]

  [Ashroe: That's the spirit.]

  [Sianor: I... I still don't know what to say.]

  [Ashroe: Go back IC, then. Let's rock some more worlds with our free words.]

  [Sianor: Sir, yes, Sir!]

  ***

  Chapter Eight - Mission: Generation

  The kolkhoz was easy to find, and Saidhe put down the little hopper in what seemed to be a narrow back-street. Still, by the time they opened the doors, they were surrounded by a curious crowd of Roq.

  "Loap?"

  "Yes. Let me handle this."

  Loap walked towards them, his body language open, but prepared. Saidhe watched his tail for cues as he went, and walked three paces behind him.

  "We're seeking respite. Sanctuary," he said, eyes scanning the crowd, looking for the leader.

  "You've brought a Hleen," one - young - Roq chirped up.

  "That's no reason to turn him aside," an older, higher voice said. "But still. You're not known to us. We'll offer you the first night of hospitality, of course, but after that you will have to convince us of your need."

  "Thank you," Loap said. "We require a place to shelter our vehicle, too. We are being falsely persecuted. We were making a delivery for a foreign agent, and we were attacked upon landing. If we had dangerous cargo, then we were tricked. If not, then it was an attempted theft."

  "You can bring your case before our elders in the morning," the elder said. "Hand over the keys to Stry, and they will be returned to you once your hopper is stored. If you follow me, I will take you to our guest house."

  "Thank you," Loap said, with a deferential swing of claws.

  "Yes, thank you," Saidhe added, echoing the gesture as best she could.

  ***

  The house they were given was on one floor only, a small lean-to with one large bedroom, one small sitting room with ritual cleaning font and sands, plus a very small kitchen. Communal eating was the Roq's preferred way of dining, but sometimes schedules made that impossible. It was why Roq kitchens were always very small inside of their dwellings.

  Still, it was impressive. "It's well furnished. Is it normally empty?"

  "Hospitality houses spend most of their lives empty. It is uncommon for any visitor to need one for more than a week. If they were needing to stay that long, then a settled family would offer to take the visitors in. It is customary to make the guest house - for all it is rarely used - pleasant and attractive, to show how well the community considers strangers and those in need."

  "I see." Saidhe dropped onto the low couch, pulling her legs under her. "I knew your people had rules about strangers, but I've never needed to call on them. Would... would they even, if I turned up on my own?"

  "Yes. If you truly needed shelter, then almost every Roq would offer you one night, regardless of your situation. Even if you were a known and dangerous criminal. The expectation would be that you would leave before morning meal if the group needed to call for your arrest. Only the very rude would refuse you. Even if they were barely able to afford to eat. We all know if we end up in the dire situation, we would hope to be cared for ourselves."

  "Is there any exceptions? Like... any time you wouldn't let someone in?"

  "If the person needing respite had abused the laws of hospitality, or refused to harbour another, then it would be up to the discretion of the host. Or if the host suspected that their kin would be endangered, then they would direct them to a place of barest shelter, and expect this would
suffice."

  "Interesting." Saidhe looked up at the hanging lights. "What if an Ur Enforcer came knocking?"

  "Then the inhabitants would be forced to disclose that they had someone staying, and ask politely for the Enforcer to respect it. If the Enforcer didn't, then the host had performed his duty and the criminal would be captured, if he or she did not flee in time."

  It was something, Saidhe thought. Although if they were brazen enough to shoot people over diplomatic crates, or kidnap someone who was legally equivalent to a racial leader... she didn't think they'd bother with a few polite knocks.

  "Tomorrow, I will plead our case to the eldest Roq here. They will consider our issue in private, and then allow us to remain, or they will ask us to leave. We have committed no crime that they would recognise, so I am hopeful that they will allow us to stay. Communities like this... where they actively pursue the old ways on another planet? They enjoy using their rituals as a shield, a barrier between themselves and the 'state'."

  "Why were you worried about coming, then? Is... it's okay if you don't want to talk about it."

  Loap sat down on the ground in front of the couch, tapping at the cold tiles. "It is delicate, but I do not mind discussing it with you. How much do you know about the Roq?"

  "Uhm... probably not enough." Saidhe's smile was awkward. "Assume that I'm stupid."

  "You are not stupid, Saidhe. We are... secretive. More secretive than most, especially about our... older ways." Loap stretched, bending double, his fore-claws slipping between his toes. "If I say something you already know, feel free to interrupt me."

  "Okay."

  "The Roq... you may know that when we reproduce, we require three participants? Each Roq has the capability to act in any of the roles or positions, we do not have the sexual dimorphia of most races. I... I do not know how the Hleen discuss it, as it was more popular to teach other races as sexual examples. The Humans term their chromosomes X and Y, with a combination of two X being female - or carrying - and XY of being male - or inserting. There is no such thing as a YY, but they do have some broken versions which are generally sterile or rare."

  "Yep, with you so far."

  "Well, to use this analogy, Roq have X, Y and Z. As I said we do not have a designated 'male' or 'female', but we do have various combinations. Most are two chromosomes, with something doubled. The rarer combinations are XXX and XYZ."

  "So the others are... like... XXY, or XZZ?"

  "Yes, precisely that. Now, for offspring to be viable, it requires a minimum of one X chromosome. Those with three X - 'nadirs', or a mix of everything - 'zeniths', were known to be the most fertile. The most successful breedings were between a nadir and two zeniths, although a nadir could breed with any two others."

  "What happens if they don't have an X?"

  "Then the offspring did not survive. It is why every pairing should have a nadir, to guarantee the children survive. It is... similar to the 'female' in that respect, as a 'necessary' component."

  "Right, with you so far. And you guys can work out what people... er... are?"

  "Yes. Pheromones. Before we knew what genetics were, we could... identify genders, much like Hleen can by other means."

  "But what has this got to do with you?"

  "I am a zenith, Saidhe. But I... have an unfortunate brood history. Did you ever head of the Gairan Twelve?"

  "The group of Roq dissidents? The ones who started up the rebellions, and formed the first free Roq states? Who didn't?"

  "Well... my line goes back to them. There were... nine zeniths in that group. Three of them fell in love. They... they formed a brood."

  "With a nadir?"

  "With one another."

  "But you said--"

  "I said that nadirs were essential to ensure survival of the clutch, yes. But... it's only a convention. It is, in fact, possible for any three Roq to breed. It is just... that many are stillborn if there is no nadir. It is a waste of life. But my ancestors were in love, and they considered themselves... above the convention. 'The strong will survive' they said. And they considered all the stillborn to not be strong enough."

  "So... you're one of them?"

  "I am... I am the last. There are others of their brood line, but I am the last zenith bred from zeniths. Others have continued their genetic heritage either with others from the Hale brood who were not zeniths, or sometimes other lines entirely. I am... I am the only full-zenith of the Hale family."

  "And... and they don't like you?"

  "It is... it is a tricky relationship. My line was renowned for its strength, yes, but also chastised for its pride and hubris. Many would wish to produce children with me, and many would rather I did not exist. Some would be disowned by their friends and relatives, should we produce a clutch together."

  "Wow. I... I had no idea."

  The Roq examined his claws, avoiding her gaze. His body-language wasn't particularly upset, but he was being reserved. "As I say, it is not something we often discuss. Probably because it is a mixture of both pride and shame for us. It was - is - a very... Sianar way of thinking, this focus on strength at all costs. We became our enemy, rather than used what made us... us."

  "We can go. If this is awkward for you, I mean. We can... we can go looking for help somewhere else. Refuel and get directions and go. I don't mind, Loap; I've lived on scraps before."

  Loap looked up then, and his eyes were grateful, his shoulders relaxed. "You are very understanding, Tho-Saidhe, but I came to terms with my past many years before you were born. We will, indeed, be fighting against prejudice when we ask for shelter, but perhaps not as much as you expect. Roq are very... sociable. We are most sociable amongst our close kin, but we will always extend our homes to others."

  "What about me being here? Will that cause a problem?"

  "Less than if I had turned up with Kre," he pointed out. "That may well have been difficult to sell, but your people? Other than the problems we had on Lineon, I have never heard a bad word said about your species. It's really quite remarkable how well liked your kind are."

  "I'm not going to complain about that! And... I guess we are our own worst critics. You... you know why we're with the Captain, don't you?"

  "I assumed it was because of his oh-so-winning personality." But Loap saw the flicker of anxiety cross her face, and nodded. "I know. And I think it's patently ridiculous. Perhaps it had a foundation back before anyone understood the genetics, but Kre once told me that extensive research had proved it to be a fallacy."

  "Hard to get them to change their minds about it."

  "And... you feel bad because of your sister?" he guessed.

  "Well... yeah. She could get anyone she wanted. But she doesn't, and I worry it's out of protest about how I'm treated."

  "Saidhe, your sister would not do anything unless it was truly what she wanted. I believe if she really wanted to find a partner, she would. And she would also look for one for you. Are you... on the market?"

  "What, me? No! No... I mean, when I was a young girl... then it stung. I don't know how your people are, but ours can be vicious little bastards when you're teetering on the brink of adulthood. But if you're asking me if I would honestly settle down, right now, if I found the right guy?" She turned, gazing out through the small window to the night-time sky.

  "It's... it's not for us, is it?"

  "No. Ship life is for us, it's why we're really there. I could be a good wife, I'm sure. I'd love my children, and I'd do everything for them, but..."

  "It's alright," he said, reaching up to pat her shoulder, reassuringly. "We all know."

  ***

  [Ashroe: Warning: collision course ahead.]

  [Sianor: So... you're...]

  [Ashroe: Aren't you?]

  [Sianor: *whimpers* Kinda. I mean... yeah.]

  [Ashroe: They spend practically all their time on the bridge together. I'm surprised they aren't the het OTP.]

  [Ashroe: Though I also like Loap with Kre.]

  [A
shroe: Multi-shipping hurts and doesn't all at once.]

  [Sianor: She gets him more than she gets Vadim, and that's without my Vadim being utterly insane for Ithon. They both have that... reserved thing going on. Like... strong, silent types. Kre, too. Biann and Vadim are very...]

  [Ashroe: Energetic. Lively. Bouncy.]

  [Sianor: Yep. They'll bound around, and they're... well. Extroverts. They recharge in company. I can see Saidhe and Loap working out ways to fit seamlessly together, without saying a word. Finding ways to optimise their collaboration, and doing little things for one another. They never say 'thanks' because it's like a little secret. They just smile and nod.]

  [Ashroe: And Kip comes in like, the hell is wrong with you, did you two fall out, why are you so quiet?]

  [Sianor: Even though he can totally do the same with Ithon, and probably does, he just doesn't get anyone else the same way and he thinks they're being weird and tries to cheer them up.]

  [Ashroe: And they just keep saying we're fine, we're fine, it's okay, just go pester Biann or something.]

  [Sianor: So he's like now you're kicking me off my own bridge, brazen thieves!]

  [Ashroe: And Mes finds some reason to pull him into a decision to defuse the situation.]