Where do we go from here?
The Macrodiae ship Ray Of Light was not in good shape. Deep across the starboard side, black scars described the story of a long and vicious battle. On the bridge of their opponent, the humanoid ship SM-3, Captain Rem Tell had a white-knuckled grip on his chair arms. The consoles on the bridge were bursting into showers of sparks and flame. Macrodiae Impactor Missiles were still striking the shields sending electric surges through the ship. Dead crew littered the decks of the SM-3. There simply weren't enough crew left to even help the injured writhing in agony. The engineers that were left frantically ran from station to station trying to keep the ship's systems stable. Sensors on the bridge reported the Ray Of Light was losing atmospheric shields and Captain Tell rose to his feet to stare at the forward screen. Implosions occurred across the starboard side of his opponent's ship where laser cannons had sliced through their defenses. The Captain's attention was yanked back by the remaining bridge crew calling out damage reports.
"Captain, shields are down!"
"Laser cannons have gone offline."
"Decks one through twenty-five are depressurizing!"
"Engineering reports power levels are erratic, Captain."
The SM-3 was cascading into a death spiral, but was the Ray Of Light in the same position? Captain Tell felt a surge of breathlessness. Would he have time to enact his final orders?
"Divert all available power. Open Zed Deck."
Quiet fell. Everyone's eyes stared purposefully forward, refusing to glance to the ground where the first officer, who should have had the responsibility of enacting the command, lay dead, his skin still giving off the nauseating smell of charred meat. The only indication that the navigation officer had followed the command was the red light that suffused the bridge. Outside, the bottom of the SM-3 split in slow motion and slid away from the machinery that made up the most deadly weapon the humanoid culture had ever developed. Slowly, too slowly, the SM-3 obeyed the command to turn and her bow pointed straight toward the heart of Macrodiae territory.
With a sinking heart, Captain Tell saw the Ray Of Light lumber around. Like ancient nautical Earth galleons, the Ray of Light and the SM-3 stood broadside to each other. The difference being they had no intention of opening fire on each other. The bow of each ship was pointed toward the heart of the other's territory. They hung there, waiting.
This had been such a long war. Almost twenty cycle time periods for both humanoid and Macrodiae. Humanoids called these "years." This war was the fifth and both sides had decided it was to be the last. To that end, each ship had been carefully fitted with a weapon that would obliterate the central systems of the other side. Only the far-flung colonists would escape the slaughter of a final strike. These weapons would by their very nature envelope even the attacking ship itself. Into this atmosphere, the computer core announced the readiness of the weapon to the humanoid Captain.
Awaiting Activation Code.
Captain Rem Tell turned to Admiral Hitzo Ma who had little expression apart from his flaring nostrils and pale skin.
"I have fulfilled my job. Only you can give the order to fire, Admiral."
Without hesitation, the Admiral spoke.
"Open a channel to the Ray Of Light."
It is a very sobering thing to realize you are not safe. In his silver and gray uniform, Admiral Hitzo stepped up to the cracked front screen on the bridge of the SM-3. Huom of the Macrodiae faced him across the span of space from the bridge of the Ray of Light. Huom wore no uniform, but his posture alone spoke of his authority. His profile was that of a kangaroo, though that term was only used to insult the Macrodiae by calling them that. His ears stood proudly erect atop a two and a half meter tall frame, his eyes drilled forward, his arms crossed over his broad muscled chest. Humanoid and Macrodiae faced each other.
"And here we are again Admiral."
Huom's voice was rough with exhaustion. As he blinked and shook his head, a shower of dust flew away from his flapping ears. Maybe we are not so unlike each other, Hitzo Ma realized.
"Not quite again. We have never come this far."
"And if we fire, we will never have another chance to try it again."
Admiral Hitzo heaved a sigh. It was only the truth.
"What do you suggest, Huom of the Macrodiae?"
A wigwagging of tall elegant ears. Was it a hopeful gesture or one of despair?
"I would give my entire estate for fifteen minutes just to speak plainly with you Admiral."
"Then you shall have your fifteen minutes, and fifteen minutes more. I will not ask for your property. Shall we meet on the space station?"
Huom's face smiled tiredly, "Will it really do any good?"
"Huom of the Macrodiae, I would not prevaricate at this moment. If I did not think it held any hope I would fire our weapon immediately and end this. Between us, we have one last chance."
Huom seemed to straighten up a bit more as if just the hope of ending this conflict was worth it.
"I will meet you on the space station."
The oblong archaic icon of history with its genetics labs and sterile care rooms slowly orbited the Macrodiae homeworld Macron. Two sets of footsteps approached from opposite ends of the station. There in the very middle, a circular table hovered above its magnetic field. The rich brown of its rare real wood was the only spot of color in a spotless beige, gray, and white environment.
Huom's nostrils flared, noting that the only scent he could detect was that of the humanoid and his clothing.
"You hold no weapon," Huom noted.
Ma studied his sensor pad, laying it delicately on the wood surface.
"As I know you hold no weapon."
Huom shrugged with a tip of his head, "What use would it have been? We both hold the ultimate weapons and nothing we could carry would change that."
Ma nodded, "And thus we stand upon equal ground."
Huom rocked back on his thick tail, his joints cracking a little as he settled into a comfortable leaning configuration. The quiet of the space station was seductive. So different from the frantic atmosphere of the battleground aboard the SM-3 or the Ray Of Light. Admiral Ma leaned his fingertips against the table which didn't bobble even a millimeter in its field.
"I don't want to die."
"I'm sure all our families would agree with that sentiment Admiral."
The Admiral hmph'd. It was an ironic sound. Tears had appeared to emphasize his emotional state.
"Humans. We have not learned. We keep making the same mistakes over and over."
Huom waved a hand, almost idly, activating a holographic image of a delicate double-helical string. It unwound, shifted, and rewound in an endless representation of the Macrodiae genetic code.
"There was one mistake you did not make Admiral. Creating the Macrodiae."
"We made you as slaves Huom. We made you to work for us. We did not intend anything more."
Huom pulled his head back slightly, his eyes widening.
"I am gratified to hear a human admit that Admiral."
"It is not a popular opinion and one that has brought me much grief."
"Yet you retain your position."
This brought a laugh.
"Like the Macrodiae, I am hard to get rid of."
Huom bobbed his head in agreeable amusement. He had to admit, if it were not for this situation this could be any pleasant conversation planetside. Perhaps that pleasant planetside visit was what they should be working toward.
"Let us end this Admiral. Right now. Between us. We will make the rules. A binding agreement that proves painful for both of us should we break it."
"What could we possibly offer that would be so painful?"
Huom waggled an ear tip. A mild rebuke Hitzo wondered?
"Each other."
Hitzo looked blank, not bothering to dry the tears that had fallen. He sniffed, rather like a little boy.
"What do you mean?"
Huom settled back again, his eyes scrunching in distant thought.
"I read of a tradition humans once had. When two families were in a conflict, each family would sacrifice a member to the other."
Admiral Hitzo couldn't help it, he laughed. Huom's eyes widened.
"No no, please don't take offense," Hitzo said between chortles. Huom's expression made the laughter worse and Huom had to give in with an undignified snort. Eventually, the admiral's chuckles wound down and he wiped his face with a dusty handkerchief.
"Ah. That, that actually feels better. The practice was not sacrificial. It was cooperative. It was a way of connecting families together so that they had no reason to attack each other anymore. After all, if you hand over your daughter to another family, it doesn't make sense to attack the family. You would only be harming your own genes. In time both families became one and the original conflict was, hopefully, forgotten. Is this what you want to do? I'm not sure a marriage between Macrodiae and Human would work well."
Huom waved a clawed hand.
"No no. Not marrying. An exchange of valuable officers. Macrodiae to serve on human ships and humans to serve on Macrodiae ships."
Admiral Hitzo nodded, "I...could see this working. I proffer that this will work if we both agree to dismantle our final strike weapons."
"But keep the ships in service. Refit for new exploration duties."
"With observers from each Navy to oversee the dismantling of the weapons."
They fell quiet, looking at each other. Could the answer be this simple? This easy?
"It won't be easy," Huom answered the unspoken thought. "We can make the overtures. We can teach each other. But it won't be easy to integrate. Not everyone will believe in this. It could take generations to heal."
"Why did you never mention this solution in negotiations before Huom?"
"You weren't listening to us, Admiral."
"I'm listening now."
"That is all the Macrodiae can ask."
Huom was grateful to get back to the fragrant soil of Macron. The stillness of the hot air, the dense pressure of the gravity, the beautiful blazing sunsets sweeping across the vast desert valleys. He noted that the shuttle landing pad had been repaired as he made his way into the main city. Many things were under repair now that no more bombs and missiles fell from the skies. The brightest spot, however, had to be his anticipation at seeing his mentee.
Ak was unhappy. She stood before the theologia head with a reluctant air of submission. Her 1.5-meter tall frame was significantly smaller than he was, yet she gave off the air of one who refused to acknowledge her inferiority. She stood rock steady, without a tremble, even though her ears were tipped back at just barely the correct angle to convey respect.
"Virtus Mero I do not mean to be disrespectful. I was only asking why we perform the Conri ritual so many times during the day when in that same amount of time we could be recreating and verifying those theories that—"
"Asking the question itself is disrespectful. Your scores in mental acuity are well above the 600's and yet you seem to be unable to grasp the simplest of disciplinary concepts. We do not do the science here acolyte, we study those who did the science to bring us to life and meditate upon their accomplishments!"
While Virtus Mero did not yell, did not even raise his voice, his frustration level was absolutely clear in his tense body language and clipped tone. He was most intimidating to the young female. She lowered her head as well as her eyes, flattening her ears for good measure. She still did not tremble.
"Virtus, I did not ask to come here."
"I am having great trouble fathoming your motivations. No junior two-and-a-half-meter their destiny, females especially. That is the council's job."
A new voice interjected itself into the quiet of the stone-clad room deep within the red granite cliffs of Macron's main city.
"Is there a problem here?"
Ak did not move a muscle. The Virtus stepped away from the intimidated Macrodiae junior, making a visible effort to rein in his impatient anger with her.
"Elder Huom. We are honored to receive you in the Theologia."
"Virtus Mero. Is my mentee causing you distress?"
The Virtus took in a deep, steadying breath.
"No shame is ever accrued from a junior. Ak is just rather independent-minded."
Huom twisted an ear in amusement.
"You are being kind, Virtus. Ak is a terribly driven student with little regard for the restraint that the Theologia displays with such perspicacity."
Huom's words of veneration did the job that Ak's submission had not. Virtus Mero calmed down. Huom nodded.
"In any case, our objectives of prosperity for Ak are at an intersection. I am here to escort her to her new position."
Virtus Mero blinked several times in an expression of unbridled joy. Huom tapped Ak on her shoulder and she transferred her attention to her Mentor, moving back until she was behind him. Her head raised, just a little as she peeked around his broad frame at Virtus Mero.
"Where has the council decided to place her Elder?"
Huom raised his head just a few centimeters.
"I have decided to place her into the ranks of the new combined Space Navy. She begins training tomorrow morning."
Virtus Mero did not heed the warning of Huom's head raise, instead, raising his eyes skyward in scorn.
"A female in the military? She'd be better off in the breeding pens."
Ak couldn't move as fast as Huom moved in that moment. Truly it was a moment of sheer exhilaration to watch Elder Huom's rippling muscles launch a rear hind leg so hard that Virtus Mero flung himself back to avoid it. Huom's kick came whistling close enough to brush the fur of Virtus Mero's cheek. Shaking violently, Virtus Mero closed his eyes and lowered his head, very much looking like Ak had just a few moments before. Huom regained his sense of composure within milliseconds of the attack, smoothing his fur with no indication he had ever lost his temper at all.
"That vile place will be shut down within twenty-four hours as part of the peace accord with the humanoids. No more will Macrodiae females be subject to the whims of those like you. The council gave you an opportunity to impress upon yourself the value of females like Ak. You have failed."
Huom turned for the entrance to the Theologia, motioning abruptly for Ak to follow. Ak couldn't help herself, she stuck the very tip of her tongue out between her teeth at Virtus Mero before she followed. Whether the Virtus understood the purely human gesture, she did not know, but she felt vindicated in her expression.
Almost everything about the Macrodiae military would suit Ak down to a T. Almost.
Day 1
My introduction to the Macrodiae military has been, well, interesting. My mentor and I traveled by train shuttle to the navy facility. The concrete complex where our Navy has its vehicles and training center is quite a ways from the main city in a gray lavastone valley. Everything blends into the landscape so it's hard to tell buildings apart. I was not certain that my mentor's decision was so very well thought out. Would the heavy discipline of the military suit my all too curious nature? I wanted desperately to be a scientist, but every time I brought it up, Elder Huom laid his ears in disgust. What was it he wanted of me?
"Ak. You are thinking so loud I may die of shame."
Ak ducked her head lightly in apology, but Elder Huom didn't mean it in any real fashion, she was sure. He just wanted to know what she was thinking about.
"I was considering what your purpose might be in bringing me to the Navy, Elder."
Elder Huom turned his broad muzzle until it almost pointed at her. His eyes were far more aged than last I had seen him. What had he seen? I did not want to contemplate what he had done.
"Ak, I taught you your very first numbers, do you remember?"
Ak would have smiled if she'd been a human. As it was, she widened her nostrils to take in a deep breath of pleasure at the memory. In the creche, she had played with no extraneous considerations upon her. Then Elder Huom was there. She was barely old enough to begin learning to use her joints correctly. Older children flashed envious glances at her she did not comprehend.
In Macrodiae society, parents did not exist. Most Macrodiae enjoyed solo living or in rare cases, a small group of related individuals enjoyed life together. All children were donated to a creche whereupon a mentor found them or they were assigned to a mentor. No one resented being assigned a child. It was an honor to teach the next generation.
Ak's very first toys were the common numbered blocks given as a first gift. Ak had been putting them together without much thought to their meaning until Huom began pointing to them and saying their names. Eruno. Duo. Teres. Eruno plus duo equals Teres. Ak did the only thing she was capable of, she squeaked her namesake with pleasure. "AK!" It did not take long before Huom realized Ak was learning to put the blocks together in purposeful sequences with far more rapidity than he had credited her capability.
"Yes Elder, I remember."
"I calculate at least an 85 percent chance you will find accomplishment in this profession. Do you agree with my calculation?"
So he expected that she would try her best to be successful. She blinked her slightly reluctant agreement. As they turned the last corner and began their descent into the facility, Huom laid a hand on her steeply sloped shoulder. It was a rare touch that caused her to look at him in surprise.
"Ak, sometimes what appears to be nonsensical is in fact an opportunity to achieve our fondest desires. Science and the military are not mutually exclusive. How does the human idiom go that you are so fond of? Give it a chance."
The doors slid open and Ak was faced with a serious-looking, muscular male wearing a sober black sash across his chest. His expression was so bland it was handsome.
"From this moment on, you are no longer a junior. You will be treated as the adult you present yourself to be. I will show the learning center and list the duties you are responsible for while you reside here. You may call me Instructor."
Ak's head leaned back, eyes wide. But she perceived no condescension. The male in the sash took a step away and in response, Ak stepped out of the train. She turned her head slightly, but Elder Huom did not follow. Her head went back and forth between her mentor and the male in the sash. Tension was building in her body. At the Theologia he had come with her, exploring the cavernous complex. Now it was obvious he had no intention of accompanying her.
She tipped her head. Her nostrils flared. Both her mentor and this new male gave off vibrations of immense patience. They weren't going to make any move until she had made up her mind which way she wanted to go.
"I'm not a junior anymore?"
Huom gravely blinked agreement. She looked at the male in the sash.
"Is this normal? Does everyone get this choice?"
"Everyone gets a choice. You, however, have a bigger choice than most."
A sliver of a new smell entered Ak's brain. She had trouble identifying it. It wasn't the sharp scent of fear, yet it was related. Concern? Resignation?
"Elder?"
Huom blinked twice.
"Ak, Do you remember the terms of the new peace agreement?"
"Yes Elder. You made me memorize the—"
There was recognition in Ak's tone.
"Me? You want me to be one of the exchanges?"
"You are capable at a young age Ak. Few will qualify as you do. I cannot tell you what you will experience, but I am certain you can do well."
Ak swallowed. She smelled her own shameful aroma of fear, yet neither male indicated displeasure. She looked once more at her mentor, then moved a step away from him. The fear grew, but the certainty that this was the right path was also growing. Huom's ears stood upward, tips proudly touching. Raising her head in what she hoped was an approximation of her mentor's adult posture, she resolutely turned toward the facility and followed the instructor on a new path.
Dear Elder,
The schedule has not been arduous. I rather enjoy the directed nature of my training. My skill in physics and mathematics has allowed me to begin pilot training immediately. I admit to a particular enthusiasm in the mobile fighters I had not expected. Flying in space is a bit like being a mythological creature of the air. I feel dangerous and eager. No one expresses dismay at the number of questions I ask upon a daily basis. They simply answer them, though I have been told numerous times that someday there will be questions that they will have no answers for and I shall have to find the answers myself.
Huom chuckled low in his throat. This would be optimal for his mentee who's scientific mind was intent upon discovery. The next part of the letter sobered him quickly.
The physical procedure to ensure I can survive in the humanoid environment is nothing less than torturous. Genomic therapy to allow me to utilize more oxygen has also had the benefit of expanding my musculature and bone density at an advanced rate of speed. I am left unable to walk after most treatments. The bruising all over my body makes me wonder if it's really worth the pain I must undergo. I have been informed that they were forced to resuscitate me after the second treatment, although I have been in no danger since then.
Huom knew it was not unknown for young Macrodiae to succumb to systemic collapse with gene editing. Although it sounded like Ak had come through it with only one instance of serious trouble, he could feel a tremble of concern flitter through his chest. Whatever would he do if she died?
I am taking the JG test next week. I have no concerns about passing the exam, though there is a section labeled social that I am unfamiliar with. I can find no information on what they expect of me. I will report my satisfactory results as soon as they are posted. Sincerely, your mentee -Ak
"Oh Ak. You are on the verge of an amazing adventure my little hopper. So confident in your inherent abilities! I will make a flower sacrifice the day you join the human Navy, but you have so far to go to get there."
One would have thought that the gene-editing program was the part of the military that Ak disliked. It was a transitory experience, however. What she truly was not prepared for was that little section called "social."
Day 60
"Ensign Ak, you have failed your exam."
Ak reviewed her score with confusion.
"But Instructor, I received the highest score. How could I not pass?"
"You failed a key section Ensign. You cannot pass without passing the social section of the test."
"But what are the expectations Instructor? I would study it if I knew what they were."
"I have no answer for your question Ensign. Some things cannot be taught, they can only be experienced."
Filled with disappointment, Ak left the Instructor, ears low. She brushed her fingers over her plain black ensign's button that sat at her throat while she walked. She had passed the Ensign's test two days after having arrived. The instructor had been incredibly proud of her. What did they want?
Friendship on Macrodiae was very complicated. Their family herd behavior had been genetically edited out of their patterns very early on in their creation, but they still retained a distinct need to assess dominance. There was no such thing as socially equal in Macrodiae society. Assessing each other often took the form of physical pushing even between females.
Ak had avoided all of it, intent upon her studies. When tasks were necessary within the berthing space, she took whatever was available, making no issue out of getting less desirable assignments more than once in a row. Her quick mind turned now to those moments. While her compatriots were respectful and willing to work with her in their schooling, they had never attempted to engage her in any activity. Should she try asking them to join in an activity? Ak felt a flutter of uncertainty she was not used to, If she tried it and they turned her down it would cost her face. They would not need to engage in any dominance display then. She would have already admitted her subservience. Maybe she should find an activity they could not deny her on. But that would not prove her capability, only that she knew how to manipulate them. Should she attempt a small dominance shove in an informal setting? But who would she pick? She didn't know any other student well enough to actually want to be close friends with any of them.
In the end, it was an unlucky stumble that gave her an opportunity to understand "social." She had undergone a treatment and decided to push through the pain by joining her group in physical training. Many eyes slid her way and ears wigwagged as she dragged herself into the gymnasium. It was the human equivalent of quiet muttering between them. The activity was to run at a springboard and leap over a pole that was raised consecutively after each group had completed their bounds. It took strength and coordination to complete. Ak usually enjoyed it. When it came to Ak's turn, she loosened her knee joints to expand her knee-tendon. This allowed her to run a bit faster before she hit the springboard so that most of her forward momentum had already been taken care of. She could concentrate on height alone.
Today, however, her meniscal tendon, already having been abused by skeletal stretching, failed her. She began her run, keeping her tail carefully straight as she pumped forward. Her left foot touched down just before the springboard and her entire left leg collapsed on her. She went head over tail, getting tangled up with the springboard itself and winding up in a humiliating posture on her back. All heads had flattened down in sympathy at the clattering noise of her stumble.
Feeling very stupid, Ak swept the springboard aside with her tail and sat up all akimbo.
"Perhaps instead of teaching me math, Elder Huom should have mentored me longer in how to walk," she said.
She witnessed a strange ripple among the group of young Macrodiae. Heads raised somewhat and uncertain ear movements commenced, and then one by one, heads began to throw themselves back in what counted as gales of laughter. One of the largest males, already a JG, walked over and shook his head so hard his ears flapped back and forth against his cheeks.
"We almost thought you were too perfect, Ak. I am gratified to see you know how to not-run."
As the rest of the group came forward to help her to her feet, she felt gentle bumps from every single one of them. Not enough to dislodge her from her shaky footing, but enough to let her know they were ready to accept her.
Day 200 - The SM-2 "Gadget"
Lieutenant Ak stood with five other humans, waiting calmly outside the hangar bay. Within the confines of the bay six brand new AI fighters waited just as calmly.
The social structure among humans was far different than among the Macrodiae. Their friendships were based upon such a vast array of interactions Ak had no idea how to respond to overtures or make any of her own. Luckily, she was not here to make those friends, not even as potential contacts. This was not her permanent posting, only a training post. Ak was not uncertain, but she was not entirely sure of herself in this strange atmosphere. What was it about being in human society that was so intimidating?
"Trainees. Inside this bay, you are going to find the biggest challenge of your tiny lives."
Ak was confused by the continual insistence upon belittling the military trainees. Apparently, humans performed better when constantly challenged?
"You will either join with your AI, or they will kick you out on your…"
His gaze locked onto Ak. She wondered if he had taken a particular dislike to her.
"...tails."
He took a breath and continued, never removing his gaze from Ak.
"My suggestion is to be fearless. Go in with purpose, come out with pride. There are only two outcomes. Today we see who succeeds, and who fails."